The psychic "gauze" emanating from the Exeggutor was not absorbed by Yujira, but instead entered Natsuhiko's body!
Upon entering his body, Natsuhiko felt a slight anomaly.
The change was small, but the sensation was very clear.
Because suddenly, Natsuhiko felt his mind become unusually clear, the speed of thought transformation was rapid, with no sign of stagnation.
In addition, his vision became clear, and by looking straight, he could see the fine arcs of electricity jumping in what was originally just a golden stripe on Beedrill's wings, which due to these arcs of electricity gives the illusion of the stripe being golden.
"This feeling..."
Natsuhiko lowered his head, looking at the distinct palm lines on his hand.
His expression was peculiar.
"Why does it feel like those fantasy novels, where one's strength suddenly gets a huge boost..."
Very strange.
Those who don't know would think that he hasn't arrived in the Pokemon Realm, but instead in a fantasy world of cultivating immortals.
"Is this the treasure within my body Azelf mentioned? Is it unique to me, or can all humans actually achieve this?" Natsuhiko murmured to himself.
Aside from the changes in thinking and vision, his body felt no other anomaly.
However.
"That feeling of something vaguely summoning me is becoming more apparent, is it because I'm getting closer, or due to the effects of these psychic powers?"
Natsuhiko looked toward a certain direction in the forest, that feeling was quite obvious.
Even making it hard for him to resist the urge to rush over immediately.
Ultimately, relying on strong will and conviction, he quelled the urge in his heart.
This space clearly isn't without Pokémon, and it's highly likely that those living here might be Psychic-type Pokémon, and may not be very friendly to those entering the space, actively launching attacks.
Hastily speeding forward is very likely to result in unexpected situations.
Although due to Azelf's presence, life safety shouldn't be overly concerning.
But if due to rashness the trial is missed, not obtaining the key to open the treasure Azelf mentioned, unable to handle potential dangers that might be encountered in the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, Natsuhiko would have to consider whether the task truly needs to continue.
Even something Azelf considers thorny, Natsuhiko doesn't believe he can handle it.
He took a deep breath to calm his emotions.
"Anyway, there should indeed be benefits, but I need to be more careful."
Defeating the Pokémon here can't result in capture, which is somewhat regrettable, but the psychic powers emanating from them bring only positive effects to Natsuhiko.
"Let's continue."
Natsuhiko spoke to the Pokémon, continuing toward the target direction.
Now Beedrill, after Sword Dance and Deadly Needle Stab, has already elevated its Physical Attack Ability to the extreme, the advantage Insect-type Pokémon have against Psychic-type Pokémon will be his greatest guarantee in this space.
Honedge has completed Sword Dance amplification, and will serve as a temporary second attacker.
From the current situation, Honedge has initially integrated into the tactical system Natsuhiko constructs centered around Yujira.
Fighting more battles against some strong Wild Pokémon also aids Honedge in accelerating integration into the tactics and systems.
Still maintaining the previous formation.
Since encountering Exeggutor, the number of Wild Pokémon seemed to suddenly increase, and the frequency of encountering them has become higher.
Senior Level Hypno, Elite Level Xatu, Elite Level Girafarig...
Some appear alone, while others appear as a group, causing considerable trouble for Natsuhiko and them.
But under the joint efforts of the Pokémon, all were safely traversed without risk.
...
...
Alternate Space.
At an unknown height above the ground, Azelf lazily lay in midair, playing with a fishbone in hand.
But its gaze was continuously fixed on Natsuhiko and his Pokémon below.
Golden irises filled with curiosity.
"Hmm——"
'A bit more capable than imagined.'
Azelf glanced over Natsuhiko's Pokémon.
'Zapdos, Ho-Oh, Jirachi, Marshadow, Arceus, Giratina, this guy's companions, socialize quite broadly, wait... socialize, when did I learn this word?'
Azelf's eyes sparkled, revealing an excited smile, seemingly quite happy for learning a new word.
After circling several rounds in the air, it calmed down again.
Touching its chin, showing a contemplative expression.
'That won't serve the purpose of a trial....'
Suddenly, Azelf's eyes sparkled, covering its mouth while chuckling.
'Let's let it come.'
...
...
Unaware his every move is under Azelf's observation, Natsuhiko continues walking through the forest, and seemingly Azelf has selected a "suitable" opponent for him.
However, even knowing this, he can't do anything, only passively endure silently.
Fortunately, through his and the Pokémon's efforts, after defeating countless Psychic-type Pokémon, he finally approached the place with a strong attraction to him.
The sound of water——
Before his eyes was a small pond, splashing water flow like silver ribbons hanging down, falling into the pond, splashing numerous water droplets and mist.
Behind the waterfall, the dark shadow is the destination of this journey.
"Is it in the cave behind the waterfall?"
The Psychic "gauze" given by the defeated Psychic-type Pokémon along the way granted Natsuhiko varying degrees of advantage, though not as significant as the initial change, but due to continual accumulation, it still provided notable benefits.
Initially, Natsuhiko thought he might be able to keep defeating Pokémon in this space and continue gaining these advantages.
But later, he found he had thought too much.
The further he went on, the less impact the psychic "gauze" brought him, and just before reaching this pond, the latest defeated Psychic-type Pokémon almost caused no change.
It's akin to hitting a bottleneck, facing a shackle hindering further growth.
Without unlocking this shackle, no matter how many Psychic-type Pokémon he defeats, they won't be of much benefit to him.
"Perhaps this is what Azelf meant by lacking the key to open the treasure."
Natsuhiko has a feeling, if he could obtain this so-called "key," unexpected changes might occur—certainly positive ones.
"And it is coincidental? Why reaching here coincides with hitting a bottleneck? Or is it... Azelf's arrangement?"
Azelf's arrangement seems more likely.
"Then..."
Natsuhiko looked at the pond and waterfall, "At this final juncture, it should also arrange a powerful Pokémon as the BOSS guarding the last stage, right?"
As expected.
With Natsuhiko's words, a dark shadow gradually emerged from behind the waterfall.
The turbulent water stream falling on it caused no effect.
Steps neither fast nor slow, quite stable.
And when Natsuhiko saw its tall figure, pink body, and those eyes filled with wisdom....
Pupils uncontrollably shrank significantly, feeling very surprised by this Pokémon's appearance.
Instinctively speaking in his native tongue, "Whoa..."