The sky darkened.Trainers who had found lodging were already asleep, while those who hadn't either pitched tents or crowded into the lobby of the Pokémon Center.
Meanwhile, Nozomi was comfortably enjoying a hot shower before lying down on the soft bed inside the Silph Co. camp quarters.
"Finally, a bed that isn't as hard as those in a Pokémon Center. What a blessing."
It was easy to grow used to luxury—far harder to go back to austerity.
Nozomi had never fancied a monk-like lifestyle. Having long become accustomed to luxury hotels, he could hardly tolerate sleeping outdoors or on the stiff mattresses of Pokémon Centers anymore.
The constant discomfort during his journey had often annoyed him.
Now, sinking into a soft bed at last, he couldn't help feeling utterly content.
"Teaming up with Silph Co. really was the right choice."
In the past, he had power but no way to turn it into material benefit. Now, as Silph Co.'s official spokesperson, his strength translated directly into both money and connections.
Not only did he get to use various Poké Balls for free—he could even stay at company facilities without worrying about camping outdoors.
Had this been before, no matter how strong he was, there was no way he could've enjoyed such privileges.
Just as Nozomi was lying on the bed, browsing the League's latest updates on his laptop, a sharp alarm suddenly blared from outside.
"An alarm? Don't tell me my luck's that good."
He raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself.
He had only just checked in—was there really a Pokémon Hunter attack already? Maybe fate just had a sense of humor.
Still, he didn't hesitate. Snapping his laptop shut, he reached into his backpack, pulled out several Poké Balls, and tucked them into his pajama pockets.
No matter what was happening outside, he was going to take a look.
Outside the camp, a group of Pokémon Hunters had already engaged the Silph Co. security guards in a fierce battle.
"Move it!"
One of the Hunters barked an order. "Houndoom, use Flamethrower!"
"Houu—!"
The jet-black Houndoom, its curved horns gleaming under the night sky, looked like a demon straight out of the underworld. Flames erupted from its maw, surging toward the opposing Venusaur.
There was no question how this matchup would end. A Grass-type facing a Fire-type's Flamethrower—Venusaur never stood a chance.
The Pokémon cried out in pain, its body seared and blackened by the blaze.
Though it hadn't completely lost its fighting ability, it was clearly disoriented.
The guards' formation immediately wavered.
Already at a disadvantage, the sudden loss of their main tank threw their defense into chaos, giving the Hunters the perfect opening.
"Now! Push through while they're reeling!"
Their leader, Dena, shouted.
Under his command, the Hunters' Pokémon surged forward in a relentless assault.
Bursts of Flamethrower, Ice Beam, and even Hyper Beam lit up the battlefield, slamming into the guards' lines one after another.
The Silph Co. security force was being pushed back hard.
"Damn it! These Hunters are way too strong!"
"They're not like the ones we fought before!"
"We're done for—can we even hold them off!?"
Panic spread among the guards.
Seeing their fear, Dena smiled grimly.
That was exactly what he wanted—to crush their morale through sheer overwhelming force, and then wipe them out in one decisive sweep.
"Honchkrow! Use Dark Pulse!"
The dark avian with a wide-brimmed, hat-like crest cawed twice before releasing an invisible wave of darkness that swept over the guards' Pokémon.
The attack carried a biting chill.
This Honchkrow was frighteningly strong—just one Dark Pulse had already crippled several Pokémon, sending them crashing to the ground.
"Pidgeot, use Wing Attack! Knock that Honchkrow out of the sky!" one of the guards yelled.
Pidgeot let out a fierce cry, diving toward its opponent, wings flashing with a sharp glint as it slashed through the air.
But it wasn't enough.
Honchkrow dodged upward effortlessly, evading the strike.
"Now, Honchkrow—Night Slash! Take it down!" Dena commanded.
With its wings folding in tight, Honchkrow dove like a bullet. Just before colliding with Pidgeot, its wings snapped open, slicing across its opponent's back.
Pidgeot shrieked and spiraled to the ground.
Half of the guards' Pokémon were already out of commission.
Just as despair began to spread, one guard shouted, "Don't panic! We still have reinforcements coming!"
The others exchanged uncertain glances.
"Reinforcements? Really?"
The League wouldn't arrive until tomorrow—where would reinforcements come from tonight?
They didn't voice their doubts, but their faces said it all.
Dena, of course, didn't believe a word of it.
He trusted his informant completely—if the League wasn't coming until tomorrow, then there was no chance of help arriving tonight.
"Don't fall for their bluff!" he roared. "There's no backup coming! Push through and find the Ancient Pokémon!"
Emboldened, the Hunters renewed their assault.
Their advantage was too great; the guards' defenses shattered almost instantly.
"Hold the line! Just a little longer—"
Before the desperate guard could finish his plea, Dena laughed coldly. "You said you had reinforcements? Then let's see them! Come on out and fight me!"
He wanted to crush their last shred of hope—break them completely and storm the camp.
But before his taunting words could fully fade, a calm voice answered from behind the guards.
"Were you… looking for me?"
Dena turned.
There, standing lazily in his pajamas, a young man held a Poké Ball loosely in one hand, his eyes half-lidded and voice unhurried.
It was Nozomi.
(End of Chapter)