The stone was flung high into the air, but just as it was about to fall back down, it suddenly froze midair.
Immediately after, strands of eerie ghostly light abruptly radiated outward from within the stone, completely enveloping it in a shroud of shimmering glow.
Within that glow, a vague silhouette could be seen slowly taking shape. The scene was strangely reminiscent of a Pokémon materializing after being released from a Poké Ball.
That silhouette belonged to a Pokémon whose form was attached to a strange, ominous-looking stone. Its entire body seemed to be composed of a mysterious, gaseous substance, and within that vaporous form were a twisted mouth and glowing eyes. All around it, many round, cryptic patterns of varying sizes hovered like arcane sigils.
Along with the emergence of this figure came a terrifying surge of energy. Waves of mental pressure condensed into something almost tangible, rippling the very air and creating visible distortions in space itself!
"RHYYY!"
At this moment, Rhydon still maintained its headlong charge forward with unstoppable momentum.
But in the very next instant, a flash of ghostly light abruptly shot forth, striking the charging Rhydon directly head-on.
The next sight showed Rhydon's massive figure suddenly halting in place. The white radiance surrounding its body clashed violently against the encroaching ghostly light.
With a thunderous boom, a terrifying energy shockwave blasted outward. Rhydon's body was forced to stumble back step after step, each retreating foot leaving a deep cratered footprint in the ground.
"Rhyyy!"
After steadying itself, a grave expression surfaced in Rhydon's eyes.
It could clearly sense the overwhelming power radiating from the figure above. This kind of terrifying energy fluctuation—it had only ever felt something similar emanating from the Nidoking leader!
"Th-this is… Spiritomb?" Aven's voice carried unmistakable astonishment.
Spiritomb—this was a dual Ghost and Dark-type Pokémon. Truthfully speaking, this was also his very first time encountering one in the real world!
Everything he knew about this Pokémon, he had only ever read in books. Legend stated that Spiritomb was born from the gathering of one hundred and eight souls bound together into one entity.
Thinking of that, his expression grew even more solemn. A fusion of Ghost and Dark typing—the very existence of this Pokémon represented something sinister!
"Ralts~ Ralts~"
Beside Aven, Ralts was trembling all over.
It finally understood the source of the sinister aura it had sensed earlier!
Compared to before, the evil emanating from this Spiritomb was dozens of times stronger—so intense that it felt as though the Pokémon itself was the very embodiment of wickedness!
"Lil… Lil…"
Even Petilil's expression grew extremely grave.
As one who commanded life energy, it was exceptionally sensitive to the essence of vitality.
Yet the aura pouring off the Pokémon before it was the complete opposite—it was death incarnate.
To Petilil, this presence was like that of a natural nemesis. If it were to be engulfed by this energy of death, its own life aura would quickly dissipate.
And once life's aura disappeared, that meant only death awaited—an endless descent into unconscious oblivion. Just the thought of it filled Petilil's entire body with profound unease.
"Lass…"
High in the air, Froslass and Golbat, who had been locked in combat, both stopped at once.
From Spiritomb's body, they too could feel the unmistakable threat to life itself. The sensation was so overwhelming that both Pokémon instinctively ceased fighting.
Froslass swiftly retreated back to Aven's side, while Golbat, taking the remainder of its flock, flapped its wings and fled into the distant skies.
Even though it realized this terrifying creature might actually be aligned with its own side, its instinctive rejection of death forced it to keep its distance.
On the ground, the battling Pokémon reacted much the same way. Rhydon, Bibarel, and Torterra all backed away, each wearing equally grim expressions.
They too recognized that the Pokémon before them was likely of quasi-king level strength. An opponent of that caliber— even if they worked together—they would still need to approach with the utmost caution.
"Souuul… souuul…"
As Spiritomb fully emerged, its pair of twisted green eyes swept across every creature present.
In an instant, excitement flared within its gaze. Its entire form twisted and writhed constantly, while eerie runes shimmered and flickered across its surface.
"Spiritomb, wipe out all of these creatures in front of you!" Shaco's eyes gleamed faintly with excitement as he shouted out his order the moment Spiritomb appeared.
"Souuul… souuul…"
Hearing the voice from behind, Spiritomb abruptly spun around, glaring at Shaco.
In the next moment, ghostly radiance burst out from its body and surged directly toward the man who had spoken!
Clearly, it despised being given commands by this human—it wanted that voice silenced permanently!
"Caaawww!"
The Murkrow perched upon Shaco's shoulder flapped into the air in alarm.
Its body erupted in a glow of its own, desperately interposing itself between Shaco and the incoming attack.
Yet as the ghostly brilliance detonated, Murkrow was sent hurtling backward, black feathers scattering through the air as it tumbled away.
Witnessing this, Shaco's pupils contracted sharply. But rather than retreat, he gazed at the terrifying creature before him with a look of fervent excitement.
This Spiritomb had been born within the Soul Well of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild. Each year, the guild cast countless slain magical beasts into that pit, where the accumulated resentful spirits intertwined—eventually giving rise to this powerful being.
Thus, this Pokémon was in truth the manifestation of those vengeful spirits, and after absorbing so many of them, it had become unimaginably evil.
"Captain Shaco… should we not retreat from here first?"
One of the assassins behind him spoke hesitantly. All of them could feel from Spiritomb's aura an overwhelming malevolence, as though it sought to drag them all down into eternal darkness.
"No need. Against Spiritomb, no matter where you run, it will be meaningless."
"Just remain at my side. Only I possess the means to return this Spiritomb back into the Soul Well."
Shaco waved dismissively, his eyes still burning with fanaticism as they locked onto the floating Spiritomb.
Before the might of this quasi-king level magical beast, none of the magical beast here could possibly stand against it. Today, Earl Aven's fate was sealed!
"Souuul… souuul…"
Seeing the human behind it fall silent, Spiritomb turned back around, its gaze now settling upon the creatures in the distance.
Though it was a wicked being, it knew full well that if it wished to return to the Soul Well, it would have to rely on the human behind it. The sensation of being nourished by countless souls was something it very much desired.
Then in that case, it would first slaughter these humans and Pokémon before it. Their powerful life energy would serve as excellent nourishment, making it even stronger.
"RHYYY!"
"Lass~"
Seeing Spiritomb's gaze sweep toward them, Rhydon and the others instinctively revealed wary expressions.
Froslass floated silently, sensing in Spiritomb's aura something both familiar and foreign.
That energy—she knew it dwelled within her own body as well. If she unleashed it, she too could ascend into a king-level Pokémon!
But she also knew she had no way to control such terrifying power. If she tried, she would certainly face the risk of spiraling out of control.
Even so—if the moment came, then even if it meant losing herself, she would unleash her full strength. She would never allow Aven to suffer harm!
"Lass…"
With that thought, Froslass turned her gaze toward Ralts.
They had already agreed—if she lost control, Ralts must take Lord Aven and escape at once.
"Ralts… Ralts!"
Ralts looked back at Froslass, its expression heavy yet resolute as it nodded firmly.
When that time came, it would not hesitate. As long as Aven could be protected, they were willing to sacrifice everything.
"Rhydon, you and the others rest for now. Let your companions handle this battle."
Taking in a deep breath, Aven lifted another Poké Ball. With a press of the switch, the imposing figure of the Nidoking leader slowly appeared before them.
"NIDOOO!"
Upon emerging, Nidoking immediately let out a thunderous roar.
In that instant, the power of a quasi-king level radiated out in full, sweeping across the battlefield in a domineering wave.
"That… that's the Nidoking from the Nidoking Valley?"
Seeing the newly arrived Nidoking leader, the assassins in the distance all had their pupils contract.
They knew well that the Nidoking Valley harbored a leader of quasi-king strength. But none of them had ever expected it to appear here!
It seemed the rumors were true—this Nidoking tribe had already been subdued by the lord standing before them.
"How is this possible? That's a quasi-king level Nidoking! And all of those other Nidokings too…"
As the realization sank in, disbelief painted the assassins' faces. They simply could not comprehend how the enemy lord had managed to subdue the entire Nidoking tribe!
"Nido! Nido!"
Nidoking leader's gaze fixed upon Spiritomb, its face growing more solemn by the second.
Even it had not expected that upon being summoned, it would immediately face such a formidable opponent. Yet precisely because of that, this battle was one it must win!
"Souuul… souuul…"
Spiritomb's body twisted erratically, energy pulsing chaotically within it.
It raised its gaze to meet Nidoking's, and upon recognizing the strength of its opponent, it only grew more excited.
If it could devour the vengeful spirit of this foe, perhaps—just perhaps—it could truly take that next step and become even stronger.
With that thought, Spiritomb wasted no time. Its ghostly energy condensed rapidly before lashing out in a beam of spectral light!
In response, Nidoking reacted with lightning speed. Poison energy gathered upon its fist before it swung forward with a powerful Poison Jab!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions thundered again and again as the two forces collided.
Two mighty energies erupted outward, detonating with a blinding flash.
Amid the booming blast, Nidoking's figure was forced to retreat several steps, each impact shaking the earth beneath its feet.
Shaking off its hand, it glared solemnly at Spiritomb. It had already judged—the opponent's strength was greater than its own!
(End of Chapter)