Chen Mo felt that he had grown noticeably more impatient lately.
If it were the him who had just arrived in this world, there was no way he would have come to Mount Cangqing to travel and educate others about Pokémon after learning it was dangerous.
But this time—
He came anyway.
When did this change begin?
Resting his chin on his hand, Chen Mo gazed at Chengying Lake under the night sky, quietly reflecting.
Thinking carefully…
It probably started back in Evergreen Forest—
When he encountered Hydreigon.
Faced with its overwhelming power, and after learning from Suicune that Legendary Pokémon had already descended into this world—
A sense of urgency had begun to grow within him.
Gradually—
He abandoned his previously relaxed approach.
He began setting training plans for Pikachu and the others.
Training alongside them every day.
As if only by doing so—
Could he feel a sense of security.
And that restless state…
Had not gone unnoticed.
Pikachu trained with extreme seriousness.
Practicing moves during the day—
And even dragging Haunterinto extra training sessions at night.
Even Magikarp—
Who used to take everything easy—
Had begun striving to grow stronger after this journey began.
Though it never said it out loud—
Chen Mo understood.
It was all for him.
The Pokémon were responding in their own way.
Trying to become stronger—
To give him the sense of security he lacked.
And Yi Ge's words earlier—
Had been like a slap across his face.
Only now did Chen Mo realize—
What he had been neglecting.
"…What a beautiful moon."
By the crackling campfire—
Chen Mo finally understood why this place was called Chengying Lake.
Moonlight poured down from the sky—
The reflection in the water mirroring it perfectly.
"Pika~"
Pikachu, lying in his arms, lifted its head, glanced at the lake, and softly agreed.
Haunterfloated quietly nearby—
Rarely this calm.
Pidgeotto stood guard in the darkness beyond the firelight—
Watching both the surroundings and Chen Mo.
Absol lay lazily beside him—
Its soft fur pressed against his leg—
Enjoying the warmth of his hand gently stroking its back.
Everything was peaceful.
Only the crackling fire—
And distant forest sounds remained.
Chen Mo suddenly realized—
He couldn't remember the last time he had simply sat like this—
Calmly enjoying the scenery with his Pokémon.
"…Relaxing once in a while really is nice."
"Mm."
Yi Ge responded softly.
After a moment, Chen Mo turned.
"By the way, Yi Ge—about what you mentioned earlier…"
"The Chansey group—there are leads now?"
"Yes."
Since they weren't live streaming, Yi Ge didn't hold back.
"Given how important Chansey are—and the potential risks you mentioned—"
"The higher-ups sent a large team."
"They even deployed the entire Growlithe unit."
"Growlithe?"
"Mm."
"One of the leaders is Miss Jun—the one recognized by Growlithe."
"And Director Hu is there too."
"Director Hu…?"
Chen Mo paused—
Then realized.
Hu Chengliang.
"He got promoted," Yi Ge added.
"Because of his recent achievements studying Pokémon behavior."
"His junior too."
"That makes sense…"
Chen Mo nodded.
Hu Chengliang's contributions—
Especially in documenting Pokémon habits in the ecological park—
Had significantly improved Pokédex data.
A promotion was only natural.
"…Growlithe have incredible noses," Yi Ge continued.
"They tracked Chansey's scent from where we last encountered them."
"But their range is huge."
"It took days—even with the whole unit—to locate their habitat."
"Now, Director Hu is negotiating with them."
"So far—things are going well."
"They're friendly. No signs of hostility."
Chen Mo felt a quiet admiration.
The efficiency of the official team—
Was impressive.
But then—
He caught something odd.
"You said… their activity range is large?"
"Yes."
"They covered nearly half of Mount Cangqing before finding them."
Yi Ge glanced at him.
"Don't overthink it."
"If anything happens—they'll handle it."
Chen Mo nodded.
After all—
His goal here—
Was to find traces of Zekrom.
And in a sense—
He already had.
As for actually finding it—
After seeing those fallen scales—
He had given up hope.
"…We should head back to Anping in a few days."
Originally, he planned to stay longer.
To explore.
To educate.
But now—
Because of that mysterious egg—
He wanted to return sooner.
Professor Zhou's team—
Was developing equipment based on his designs.
Including devices—
That could assess the condition of an egg.
That was one reason—
He accepted Quagsire's request.
Inside the tent—
Pikachu and the others gathered as Chen Mo carefully unwrapped the egg.
For Pidgeotto and Absol—
It was their first time seeing it.
Curiosity filled their eyes.
Pikachu, however—
Had a different thought.
If the egg hatched—
The newborn would be the youngest in the team.
Finally—
It wouldn't be the baby anymore.
It had always wanted a younger sibling.
Someone it could take care of.
Teaching Elekid and Pancham before—
Had felt great.
"Ke!"
Hauntercircled the egg—
Then suddenly lit up—
Pointing at it, then at itself.
"Ke ke!"
"No."
Chen Mo refused instantly.
"Ke…"
Haunterdeflated—
Squatting beside the egg, drawing circles in gloom.
Chen Mo sighed.
You? Incubate an egg?
With that body temperature?
But—
Gengar's idea did remind him—
Even if the egg's condition was unknown—
It still needed proper care.
Especially—
Warmth.
Chen Mo frowned.
A blanket alone—
Wasn't enough.
Especially at night.
If not for the risk of crushing it—
He might've kept it close himself.
Which meant—
One of the others had to help.
His gaze swept across the team.
Gengar? Impossible.
Pikachu? Too small.
Pidgeotto? Sleeps outside.
That left—
Absol.
Chen Mo's eyes landed on its thick, soft fur—
And he smiled.
Absol, unaware—
Was still curiously observing the egg.
Suddenly—
It shivered.
…Malice detected.
The Next Morning
On the other side of Mount Cangqing—
Hu Chengliang returned from surveying the Chansey habitat—
Just as he ran into Officer Jun and her Growlithe.
"How's it going?" she asked.
Hu shook his head.
"Same as before."
Despite friendly contact—
Progress was slow.
The biggest issue?
Language.
Current research into Pokémon language—
Had achieved almost nothing.
The only method—
Was building bonds.
Understanding through connection.
It sounded abstract—
But it worked.
Even so—
Only one person could truly communicate freely with Pokémon—
Chen Mo.
"Should we bring him here?" Jun asked.
"He's nearby."
"No."
Hu shook his head.
"If everything requires him…"
"Then we've failed."
Jun said nothing more.
As they walked—
A soldier in camouflage ran toward them—
With a Growlithe at his side.
"Captain Jun! Director Hu!"
"We found something unusual during patrol!"
"What is it?"
The soldier spoke quickly:
"It looks like ruins."
"But—"
"We scanned the entire mountain before."
"There shouldn't be anything there."
"…What?"
Hu's heart skipped a beat.
A ruin—
That shouldn't exist?
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