Chapter 39: If I Can’t Beat Your Dragonite, How Could I Lose to You?
After taking Zoroark to the Pokémon Center for a checkup, Chen Nian confirmed that the Pokémon hadn’t suffered any serious injuries.
By now, Zoroark had already woken up. Sitting on the hospital bed, it glared fiercely at Chen Nian, chattering nonstop:
“Zor… Zor… Zor…!”
Is this guy really still holding a grudge over me interrupting its game?
……
Seeing Zoroark seemingly arguing with Chen Nian, Nan Qinli couldn’t help but ask curiously,
“Brother Chen Nian, what is Zoroark saying? Does it… not want to acknowledge you?”
“Nah, this guy’s just a gaming addict. It’s still mad at me for ruining its teamfight earlier.”
“A gaming addict?” Nan Qinli pouted adorably. “This Zoroark is so strange… Who knew a Pokémon would love playing games?”
“It’s not that weird,” Chen Nian shrugged. “Pokémon are just as intelligent as humans, and some are more unique than others. Running into a Zoroark that loves gaming isn’t that bizarre. Still, finding it in an internet café? Guess my luck’s just that good.”
Recalling how Chen Nian had thrown a Poké Ball at Zoroark in the middle of the café, Nan Qinli couldn’t help but giggle.
“At first, I thought you were trying to catch that boy too. I got so scared—I thought you had some… unusual preferences. Turns out, it was a Zoroark all along! Brother, your luck is seriously amazing.”
“Unusual preferences? So that’s how you see me, Qinli?”
Chen Nian shot her a mock glare, making her lower her head guiltily.
“S-Sorry, Brother Chen Nian… I-I just misunderstood! But the way you acted really could make people think that!”
“Misunderstand what? You’ve grown up with me—you know my tastes better than anyone. Obviously, I prefer cute little pink-haired girls like you. If I were gonna catch anyone, I’d bring a Poké Ball just for you.”
The moment those words left his mouth, a deep blush spread across Nan Qinli’s face, trailing down her fair neck all the way to her collarbone.
“Y-You’re so mean, Brother… always teasing me…” she mumbled shyly, looking down. “Qinli… Qinli won’t let you catch me!”
“That’s not up to you, Qinli~”
Chen Nian chuckled and pinched her soft, delicate cheek.
……
Seeing Chen Nian flirting shamelessly while completely ignoring it, Zoroark grew even angrier.
“ZOR! ZOR! ZOR!”
Hearing its outburst, Chen Nian finally remembered the eccentric Pokémon still present. He turned and walked up to Zoroark.
“You’re my Pokémon now. Still refusing to admit defeat?”
“Zor! Zor! Zor!”
“You’re saying beating you isn’t enough? You want me to beat you in a game?”
“Zor! Zor! Zor!”
……
This really is one weird Zoroark.
Damn, just capturing it wasn’t enough, now it wanted a 1v1 gaming match.
Since Chen Nian had nothing better to do, he agreed.
“Fine. You want a solo? Once we get back, I’ll find a place, and we’ll settle this. I don’t game much, but crushing you won’t be a problem.”
He wasn’t lying. Though he rarely played games, he did have psychic abilities.
Once he understood the game’s mechanics, his powers would let him pull off any insane plays.
And judging by how Zoroark had been raging earlier, it was probably trash anyway.
Real pros don’t play with their mouths.
……
After leaving the Pokémon Center, Zoroark transformed back into its human disguise—a teenage boy.
Glaring at Chen Nian, it declared fiercely:
“Fine, so I couldn’t beat your Dragonite. But in a game? I’ll destroy you a hundred times over! I’ll camp your fountain until you’re too scared to leave!”
“DEMACIA SHALL NEVER FALL!”
Watching Zoroark’s ridiculous act, Nan Qinli couldn’t hold back a laugh, quickly covering her mouth with her hand.
But Zoroark just shot her a look.
“What’s so funny? Am I wrong?”
“I’m really strong! If this guy hadn’t hit me with a Poké Ball earlier, I would’ve won every single match today!”