Chapter 28: Gentleness

Chapter 28: Gentleness

In the dark space of the Poké Ball.

Lu Yun slept peacefully, his long black-and-pink tail gently swaying beneath him, sending ripples of invisible magnetism quietly through the air. A fine, gentle current of electricity draped over his body like a garment, faint sparks rising and falling in the air with the heavy rhythm of his heartbeat.

The electric gem, once dazzlingly brilliant in his arms, had now lost all color, reduced to a lifeless gray stone.

Suddenly, the space inside the Poké Ball shook violently.

Lu Yun blinked drowsily and stretched, the electric current enveloping him crackling in the air like popping corn, releasing crisp “pop-pop” sounds. With a small flick of his tail, the gentle currents curled back into his body like tiny snakes.

“Mmm…” he murmured in pleasure, realizing he had grown stronger again.

“Not only has the total amount of electricity stored in my body increased, but my ability to control it has improved as well?”

“Am I becoming stronger too quickly?”

He chided himself inwardly, then shook his head and brushed the thought aside. What a joke—he wished he could level up even faster to earn more points. How could he possibly complain about his own rapid progress?

Lu Yun chuckled and shook his head.

A beam of red light flashed at the top of the Poké Ball, then suddenly expanded, enveloping his body.

A crisp snap echoed as Lu Yun, engulfed in the red glow, appeared outside the Poké Ball.

He looked around—it was the same classic “Dark Star” style: minimalist, monochrome decor. The spacious room was square and unchanging, with dark tiles made of special materials lining the floor and walls. The chill seeped through the soles of his feet, and when he looked down, he saw not a hint of reflection.

Behind him stood a simple healing device, similar to those found in Pokémon Centers. Unlike the enormous machines in those centers, this one had only a single slot for a Poké Ball and, at its center, bore a peculiar emblem.

A strange black sphere was encircled by a misty purple nebula swirling like a vortex. Dim, purple starlight shimmered from within, drawing Lu Yun’s gaze until he found himself sinking deeper and deeper, only snapping out of it when a faint dizziness washed over him. He shuddered as if awakened from a trance and tore his eyes away.

Warning himself not to look again, he gained a sudden insight.

That strange emblem must be the symbol of “Dark Star.” Who knew what kind of pigment this evil organization used, that it could so easily captivate the mind? Lu Yun’s sense of dread deepened, and he felt more and more that “Dark Star” was far from simple.

Back in reality, although the recent events had seemed to last an eternity in his mind, only a few seconds had truly passed.

A cough sounded in front of him, drawing his attention forward.

A slender young woman stood there, arms folded across her chest, gazing at Lu Yun. Long, disheveled black hair tumbled over her shoulders; her delicate, striking features were accentuated by heavy smoky makeup that concealed deep black circles beneath her eyes. Her frail body looked as if it might collapse at any moment. She wore a thin, pure-black hooded sweatshirt and black fitted pants with an unremarkable logo, which hung on her frame like loose athletic wear.

Lu Yun’s first impression of her was poor.

She coughed softly, then raised her sleeve to wipe her lips, her voice weak and ethereal.

“This is the Dark Star Battle Tower. You’re the guardian Pokémon for this floor…” she said in a listless monotone. “How troublesome… Just fight whoever challenges you, that’s all.”

“After each battle, I’ll put you back in the Poké Ball and use the healing machine behind you, so don’t worry about injuries—just do your best.”

She coughed again.

“And don’t worry if you lose. Most people are here to climb the tower anyway. With the strength listed in your file, you probably won’t be able to stop many of them.”

With that, she paid no heed to whether Lu Yun understood and walked to a chair placed in the corner.

She paused suddenly, turning back to look at him.

“You’ve been in the Poké Ball for a long time—you must be hungry…” She coughed softly. “Let me see…”

Muttering to herself, she rummaged through her waist pouch.

Lu Yun found this person’s train of thought a little odd.

Still, he was indeed a bit hungry. Although he had absorbed the electric gem’s energy inside the Poké Ball, electric energy wasn’t quite the same as real food. Normal meals were still important to him in this new body.

“Found it!”

She pulled out a small metal vial with a silvery sheen and shook it, the crisp sound of metal striking metal filling the air.

“These are Electric-type energy cubes I got on my last assignment,” she explained. “It’s a pity I don’t have any Electric-type Pokémon… Guess I’ll let you have them this time.”

She opened the lid and gently tipped the bottle, catching the contents in her pale, slender hand.

With a bright metallic clink, two small, strangely luminous cubes—like yellow crystals—landed in her delicate palm.

“Such high-quality energy cubes are rare,” she remarked. “Here, eat up.”

She crouched down and extended her fair hand to Lu Yun, a trace of anticipation flickering in her eyes.

Lu Yun let his guard down and approached slowly.

He knew that if she meant him harm, there was no need for such subterfuge. Besides, refusing her gift in these circumstances might only make things worse.

After being reborn as a Pokémon, he had not only retained his human memories but also gained that unique, Pokémon sense—the ability to perceive a person’s true heart.

With Case, he had sensed fervor and ambition. With Misty, though their time together was brief, he had felt her bright, vibrant energy.

As for this frail woman, although darkness and weariness filled most of her heart, in that instant when she looked at him, Lu Yun could sense a deep, unguarded love for Pokémon at her core.

He trusted she meant him no harm.

What a complicated species humans are, he mused. Even within an organization like “Dark Star,” there are people like her.

He lowered his head, a faint fragrance drifting from her palm, and licked up the energy cube.

Like the popping candy he’d enjoyed as a child in his previous life, electric energy exploded within his mouth, sending tingling, sour sensations dancing over his taste buds and a subtle thrill to his nerves.

Delicious!

He buried himself in the meal, eating voraciously.

Watching the fluffy Mareep enjoying the treat, the young woman’s long lashes fluttered softly. A gentle look surfaced at the corner of her eye, like ripples across a serene autumn lake, and a faint smile curved her lips like a crescent moon.