Chapter 16: A One-Sided Battle
Shortly after Gengar launched its Shadow Ball, several more Pokémon emerged from the forest—each radiating formidable auras.
A Fearow… an Arbok… a Weezing… a Beedrill… and a Crobat.
Soon after, the remaining black-clothed men stepped out from the shadows, surrounding Chen Nian completely.
The leader of the group sneered,
“Now, do you still think you can escape?”
“You youngsters always act on impulse. The adult world isn’t as simple as you think…”
Chen Nian couldn’t help but smirk at his words.
“The adult world? I don’t understand it, nor do I care to. Because I know one thing—in this world, strength is the only true measure of maturity. Have you ever heard this saying?”
“Before absolute power, all schemes are nothing but paper tigers!”
“Necrozma… end them.”
A terrifying, suffocating pressure instantly blanketed the entire area.
Necrozma’s majestic, enigmatic form hovered silently in the air.
Its crystalline obsidian body, razor-sharp claws, and eerie crimson eyes glowing with otherworldly light—anyone who saw it would feel nothing but primal fear.
……
Though Necrozma hadn’t moved, the sheer aura it emitted was already crushing the black-clothed men.
Their Pokémon—Gengar, Beedrill, and the rest—were all trembling on the ground, paralyzed by instinctive terror.
“W-what the hell is that?!”
“I-Is that even a Pokémon?!”
“No way… I’ve never seen anything like it in any records!”
“What the hell is going on… What is that thing?!”
The leader’s eyes burned with fear. A single glance from Necrozma made his heart nearly stop.
Desperate, he roared,
“So this is your Pokémon, brat?!”
“At your age, there’s no way you could’ve tamed anything strong!”
“Even if it’s an undiscovered species, it can’t be that powerful!”
“Gengar, attack now! Use Dark Pulse!”
But despite its trainer’s command, Gengar didn’t move an inch.
Under Necrozma’s overwhelming presence, it was on the verge of passing out.
Attack a Legendary? Boss, are you out of your damn mind?!
……
Seeing his Pokémon frozen, the leader screamed furiously,
“Gengar, what the hell are you doing?!”
“I said attack! Are you deaf?!”
“Use Shadow Ball, now—!”
Before he could finish, Chen Nian’s mocking voice cut in.
“No point giving orders.”
“A mere Gengar wouldn’t dare attack a being so far beyond its reach.”
“Had enough?”
“Now… it’s my turn.”
“Necrozma, Psychic.”
“Leave one alive. I have questions.”
The moment the command left his lips, Necrozma’s eyes flashed crimson.
An invisible psychic wave erupted, instantly knocking out most of the black-clothed men and their Pokémon.
Only the leader and a few Ghost-types remained—spared only because Necrozma deliberately held back.
But by now, the man was utterly broken.
With a mere thought, Chen Nian forced him to his knees.
……
Standing before the trembling man, Chen Nian’s voice was ice.
“Talk. Who sent you?”
“P-please… spare me…”
“Spare you?”
Chen Nian’s lips curled in disdain.
“Ever heard the phrase ‘pluck the weed, roots and all’? I know trash like you could never threaten me, but I’m not in a forgiving mood.”
“The moment you attacked me, your fate was sealed.”
“Since you’ve got nothing to say, I won’t waste time digging for your backers.”
“Go to hell and regret crossing me.”
“Consider it a blessing—at least you saw a god before you died.”
“Necrozma, teleport all the Pokémon away. Then finish them with Psycho Cut.”
Without hesitation, Necrozma obeyed.
Within seconds, every Pokémon vanished.
And the black-clothed men?
Gone—souls scattered to the void.
……
After disposing of the bodies, Chen Nian recalled Necrozma.
Just then, Dragonite descended with Jiang Shuying on its back.
Her face was pale with worry.
“Chen Nian! Are you okay?!”
“I-I could’ve fought with you! Was it those people from before…?”
“It’s over,” he said calmly. “They tried to ambush me. I took care of them. Now, let’s go home.”
As they mounted Dragonite again, Chen Nian’s arms circled her waist—but this time, his hands wandered lower, resting on her thighs.
Jiang Shuying stiffened, her face burning.
“Chen Nian, you—!”
“I saved your life. Can’t I touch these legs?” He smirked. “I’ve always wondered how they’d feel. Not bad… though jeans are in the way. A skirt would’ve been better.”
“You… jerk!”
Flustered, she grabbed his hand and bit down playfully.
Amid their bickering, Dragonite soared away—leaving the Dragon’s Forbidden Zone and the Kunlun Mountains behind.
……
Crossing the mist-shrouded border, they finally stepped onto familiar ground.
Jiang Shuying took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air.
“It’s good to be back. Living in constant fear in the Forbidden Zone… I can finally relax.”
Chen Nian recalled Dragonite, then turned to her.
“You’re safe now. This is where we part ways.”
“P-part ways?!”
Her smile vanished instantly.
A strange panic gripped her chest—along with something darker, colder.
“C-Chen Nian…” she stammered. “D-do you… hate being around me? Did I… do something wrong?”