Chapter 61: The Umbrella Electric Lizard

Chapter 61: The Heliosaur

Though his decision to venture deeper into the canyon had been made in a moment of impulse, Lu Yun was not without sense. He resolved first to find a safe place to spend the long, slow night, and wait for daylight before proceeding.

Lu Yun understood that, in most environments, the dangers of night far outweighed those of day. Unless there were compelling reasons, rash action under the cover of darkness was perilous. He moved cautiously, peering about for any place that might offer shelter.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Not far ahead stood a massive, dark rock jutting outward; beneath it lay an expanse of open ground, ample enough to shelter him through the night. Lu Yun quickened his steps, running through the rain toward the rock.

The colossal stone formed a natural canopy, warding off the rainfall beyond its reach. The ground beneath, though still slightly damp, was far better than the muddy terrain outside. Lu Yun found a relatively dry spot deep under the rock and sat down.

A crackling sound arose as tiny currents of electricity shimmered across his body, their heat evaporating the rainwater clinging to his skin and turning it into wisps of steam. As an electric-type Pokémon, Lu Yun disliked the sticky sensation of rainwater on his body.

He drew a deep breath; cold, humid air flooded his nostrils. His gaze was empty, for the events of the day had come unexpectedly. What he had assumed to be a routine mission had unfolded into something far different. Concern for his own future crept into his heart.

Suddenly, from the darkness beneath the giant rock, a faint emerald glow flickered. It seemed oddly familiar. Lu Yun was surprised—he had only just entered this place and had not yet explored it properly.

"Could there be something unexpected here?"

Curiosity surged within him, and he moved toward the source of the glow.

He found a circular hole about a meter in diameter. Peering inside, he saw only darkness, save for the distant emerald glow emanating from deep within.

The sense of familiarity grew stronger.

"What could it be?"

Driven by curiosity, Lu Yun stepped inside.

The tunnel was narrow at first, so much so that Lu Yun, whose height was less than a meter when standing, had to stoop to pass through certain sections. But soon, the passage widened and his view expanded.

He turned a corner, and it was as if he had stepped into a starry sky at night: the pitch-black cave was dotted with countless emerald glimmers, some large, some small, densely scattered across the stone.

Only then did Lu Yun realize—the emerald glow matched exactly the light emanating from the Thunder Stone pendant he wore. This cave harbored a vein of Thunder Stones.

However, upon inspection, these natural stones were clearly inferior in quality to the one Lu Yun wore.

Just as he prepared to examine them more closely, he heard a sudden, rustling sound from the shadows.

"Shree!"

"Shree!"

With a chorus of sharp cries, pairs of pale blue eyes appeared throughout the cave.

Lu Yun furrowed his brow and summoned the electric currents stored within his body.

The dazzling yellow electricity illuminated the cave, revealing the creatures at last.

They resembled small lizards, their black-and-yellow skin sleek and glossy. Large ears drooped down, with tiny sparks dancing at their tips.

"Heliosaur?" Lu Yun relaxed. Before evolution, Heliosaur was not a powerful Pokémon; their attributes were average, and they were hardly worthy opponents for him.

"But..." He surveyed the surroundings, noting the dense numbers.

His lips twitched slightly—clearly, he had stumbled into a Heliosaur nest.

The surrounding Heliosaurs eyed him warily, advancing step by step. Lu Yun steadied himself, his black-and-pink tail flicking behind him, the blue crystal orb at its tip shining brightly.

A powerful magnetic field swept forth, enveloping the entire cave.

Electricity tinged with Lu Yun's unique aura spread through the air. The Heliosaurs grimaced in pain; those nearest him even began to foam at the mouth.

Lu Yun gathered a mass of electrical energy, forming a dazzling ball of lightning.

A slight smile played at the corner of his mouth.

With a thunderous burst, the electric sphere expanded, rippling outward in concentric circles and sweeping through the cave.

This was a technique Lu Yun had devised in his spare time—though it was a group attack, its power was not great, so it was only useful against weaker foes. Clearly, this was the perfect moment to employ it.

The potent electricity echoed through the cavern, and the Heliosaurs' expressions shifted from ferocity to fear.

One by one, they pressed themselves to the ground, lowering their heads in submission.

Lu Yun nodded in satisfaction; he admired this quality in wild Pokémon. Their hearts were simple: ruthless toward intruders, but when faced with overwhelming power, they submitted decisively, without hesitation.

He deliberately let a benevolent aura seep into the electrical waves, relieving the pressure on the prostrate Heliosaurs.

"Baa!" Lu Yun called to the largest Heliosaur at the front, the apparent leader, indicating he meant only to stay for the night and would not occupy their nest.

The leader visibly relaxed.

"Shree-shree!"

After calling out to the others, the leader personally led Lu Yun to a spot in the cave rich in electrical energy and settled him there.

"Shree..."

Just as Lu Yun was about to rest, a series of timid, probing cries sounded beside him.

He opened his eyes to find several smaller Heliosaurs approaching, carrying freshly chipped Thunder Stones.

"Oh? Are you offering these to me?"

Lu Yun glanced at their bright eyes, filled with respect for the strong.

He raised his eyebrows.

At this point, the electrical energy stored within Lu Yun had reached its limit; ordinary Thunder Stones like those in the mine had little effect on him.

He was about to decline, but seeing the hopeful, shining eyes of the young Heliosaurs, he smiled, manipulating the magnetic field to draw the stones to his side.

He glanced at the delighted Heliosaurs and murmured,

"Let these serve as a supplement to restore my strength."