“Sol…”

  Fixing its gaze on the map dispyed on Natsume’s phone, Absol looked as though it was trying to pierce through the s with sheer focus.

  But… I ’t uand it.

  Unknowingly, a bead of cold sweat rolled down Absol’s forehead.

  Human teology was still somewhat of a mystery to it.

  Fortunately, after a few adjustments and expnations from Natsume, Absol mao grasp the basics of the map and even reized the forest it once called home.

  Seeing its former home again through satellite imagery stirred up a mix of emotions within Absol.

  It wasn’t just nostalgia—it was also the pce where it had nearly lost its life due to an unfortunate misstep.

  A bck mark on its history…

  “Sol.”

  This is the pce.

  Even though it wasly thrilled to recall its past failures, Absol still gave Natsume a clear answer.

  It’s fine. As long as I don’t mention it, no one will know about my embarrassing history.

  …Except Natsume.

  As for that girl?

  She ’t uand me anyway.

  Wait a sed.

  How does Natsume uand me?

  A beted realization struck Absol.

  Hiss…

  Something about this guy isn’t quite right.

  “So, it really is the same pce where Steenee and the others e from.”

  Putting away his phone, Natsume frowned slightly.

  Normally, Pokémon have their own habitats.

  Just like in games—Level 60 monsters don’t usually show up in beginner zones, and Level 10 critters don’t spawn in final boss areas.

  It’s not just a matter of habit; it’s about resources.

  Scarce resources lead to Pokémon that are weaker and lower-leveled.

  Abundant resources create strong Pokémon, and the weaker ones get wiped out.

  But now, there’s an abnormality. A powerful Pokémon appeared in the same forest where Steenee and the others live.

  It’s like one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Lord’s Army camping at the newbie vilge gates.

  No, wait.

  The Four Heavenly Kings usually camp there to wipe out heroes before they grow stronger.

  But what’s this Pokémon’s reason?

  It doesn’t seem to have any purpose beyond sheer destru.

  Almost as if it’s gaining something from its rampage.

  “Natsume, are you pnning to go there?”

  Seeing the look on his face, Mei asked with some .

  Not that she could be bmed for thinking that.

  Trainers were just that kind of creature—always eager for excitement, adventure, and pushing their limits.

  Even the most extreme athletes sponsored by Red Bull couldn’t match the sheer recklessness of Pokémon trainers.

  The more dangerous and unexplored a pce was, the more trainers you’d find there.

  This world had many well-known "forbidden zones" where life ractically unsustainable.

  Some were due to the powerful Pokémon residing there, while others had impossibly harsh enviros.

  But how did people even discover these zones?

  The answer: a bunch of fearless or overly fident traihrowing themselves into danger, proving the credibility of these “forbidden” titles with their own lives.

  To this day, many trainers still sought out such pces.

  Even if you told them, “There’s aei in there—it breathes fire on sight and is extremely aggressive,” most trainers would react like this:

  “What? That sounds intense! I gotta check it out.”

  A few might even rally others:

  “Brothers, let’s charge in together!”

  That’s just the way trainers were—full of fidence (ance).

  But Natsume wasn’t a trainer.

  Right now, he was just a farm owner. He didn’t have the boundless energy or reckless curiosity of a trainer.

  At this moment, all he wanted was to take care of his farm.

  “Of course not.”

  Waving a hand dismissively, Natsume made it clear he had no i iing involved.

  That didn’t mean he would ighe issue, though.

  After all, Natsume had always been the kind of guy who would help an old dy cross the street.

  Why “brave young man” instead of “good young man”?

  Well, sidering his family’s financial situation back then, taking that risk was a bit reckless. In a way, Natsume was definitely qualified for a Ce Badge.

  “Hello, is this the Ranger Union?”

  Soon, Natsume dialed a number.

  The person oher end was a dispatcher from the Ranger Union.

  In games and ahis anization didn’t seem particurly promi.

  But iy, it was a major entity—oh broad authority, handling a wide range of matters, and, most importantly, being incredibly strong.

  While the Union promoted peaceful solutioween humans and Pokémon, everyone khat such anizations were often the ones with the most firepower.

  Why did trainers always behave when fag a Ranger?

  Was it out of politeness? Out of respect?

  No.

  It was because they’d get their asses kicked otherwise.

  “If you don’t uand words, I expin with my fists.”

  After a brief expnation, the Ranger Union assured Natsume they would dispatch a team immediately.

  If the situation was firmed, Natsume would even receive a endation for rep it.

  Before hanging up, Natsume made sure to give them a heads-up about the Pokémon’s massive size and abnormal durability.

  The sheer mention of its size alone was enough to make the Raake it seriously.

  Unlike in the games, where Groudon was a “massive” 3.5 meters tall, the real Groudon was a true colossus.

  Most Legendary Pokémon were genuinely massive.

  Even among non-Legendary Pokémon, a rge-sized one going berserk was enough to cause disaster.

  “All done.”

  Hanging up, Natsume cpped his hands, looking quite pleased.

  Leave professional work to professionals.

  A farm owner like him had no reason to stress over this.

  This left Mei a bit dumbfounded.

  Wait, what?

  She gestured in the air with both hands as if trying to articute something.

  But after a moment’s thought, she realized this was actually the normal rea.

  So why did it feel so… off?

  For a moment, Mei fell into deep thought.

  Why, though?

  Maybe because, in her mind, Natsume was more of a powerful trainer who just happeo run a farm.

  Even if he didn’t challenge Gyms or eours.

  The stereotypical image of a farm owner wasly gmorous.

  A middle-aged man, straw hat on his head, smelling of the farm, not particurly friendly, and sometimes dht grumpy.

  That was the on perception of farm owners.

  But Natsume?

  Young, strong, geh Pokémon, and even patient when talking to her.

  He could make Pokéblocks, and no matter what he did, he always showed great care.

  Handsome, yet not the type to flirt around.

  …Actually, that st part might be the real reason.

  Though stereotypes often came from general trends, individuals could still break the mold.

  Like hookémon Breeders were gentle, mature big sisters.

  From the moment they started their profession, iing with cute Pokémon daily, handling things with care, and being around simir people, they naturally became those familiar, kied big sisters.

  On the flip side, the trainer unity had plenty of daredevils.

  After all, the best rewards came from unexplored territories.

  A pce a million people had already scoured? There’d be nothi but scraps.

  “Alright, let’s head back.”

  Standing up, Natsume turo Mei.

  “Alright, alright!”

  Mei bounced up eically.

  Even though she still had unanswered questions, she figured they didn’t really matter.

  If Natsume wao tell her, he would.

  So, don’t overthink it—

  ill thinking about it.

  Even as she sat on Corviknight’s back, Mei couldn’t stop w.

  This wasn’t the first time she’d been caught off guard at Natsume’s farm.

  Back then, whe that call from Slowking…

  Wait, Slowking making a call?

  …And Natsume uanding every “Yadon” perfectly?

  What the hell?!

  And now, she was about to learruth.

  Natsume…

  Was a real-life psychic.

  Mei’s mind was still reeling as she found herself gripping Natsume’s outstretched hand, letting him pull her onto Corviknight’s back.

  It wasn’t that she was short-circuiting because of some inprehensible sight this time.

  No, it was the casualness of it all—the way Natsume’s hand reached out, and without a sed thought, she’d taken it.

  Then her brai bnk again.

  As for everything that happened afterward?

  Yeah, she didn’t get any of it.

  Whether it was Natsume healing Absol with a simple touch of glowing green light, or how easily he unicated with both Slowking and Absol, or how smoothly he captured what looked like a cool, aloof Absol—none of it made seo Mei.

  Is catg a wild Pokémon really this easy?

  She felt like her worldview as a trainer was crumbling.

  Today, she’d witnessed so many things that pletely defied her uanding.

  Feeling the wind rushing past her ears, Mei stared ahead, lost in thought.

  At that moment, her expression looked more like a Slowpoke’s than Slowking’s ever did.

  Meanwhile, Slowking was sifting through its “ ste space.”

  In simpler terms, it was treating the spader its Shellder like a bag, stuffing in all sorts of things—cell phones, half-eaten Pokéblocks, photocopies of Corviknight’s script notes…

  All ly tucked away.

  “Mei, were you curious about how I healed Absol earlier?”

  Natsume’s suddeion pulled her from her daze.

  “Huh? What?”

  She snapped her head around to face him, eyes wide.

  Is he really going to expin it?

  Just like that?

  The psychics she’d read about online were always so secretive. They’d make a big show out of something as small as bending a spoon, like they were about to save the world or something.

  “I noticed you seemed curious earlier, so I thought I’d expin. If I’m wrong, just fet it!”

  Seeing Mei’s stunned look, Natsume quickly added, trying to avoid any misuanding.

  One of life’s great misuandings: “She likes me.”

  Or in this case, “She’s ied in me.”

  People who think like that often end up embarrassed whey hits them.

  Natsume wao avoid that kind of awkwardness.

  After all, he and Mei were still just friends, and it was too soon to assume anything deeper.

  “No, no, no! I’m super curious!”

  Mei waved her hands frantically, eager to dispel his worries.

  She was genuinely curious!

  She’d never seen a real psychic before, and Natsume wasn’t just bending spoons—this was real power.

  Who wouldn’t be curious about that?

  “I see.”

  Natsume let out a small sigh of relief, then carefully chose his words.

  “Around when I was three or four, I started notig it.”

  “I was different from other kids.”

  “I had a stronger body and a kind of natural affinity that most people don’t uand.”

  “For example, Mightyena, which could easily shatter a grown man’s ribs, was nothing to me—I could pin it down with one hand.”

  “And that Houndoom from door, the ohat didn’t like anyone, not even its trainer, would roll over and act all silly for me.”

  “With a wave of my hand, it’d do tricks—rolling, backflips, even a Thomas Fir.”

  “In short, they listeo me.”

  Hold up! That’s way beyond just “listening”!

  Mei had so many questions, but she didn’t know where to start.

  “Over the few years, I learo trol this affinity.”

  “And gradually, I discovered my true power.”

  As he spoke, Natsume extended his hand, and once more, that vibrant green light filled the air.

  “I call it the ‘Power of the Viridian.’ No special reason for the just felt right.”

  “With this power, I unicate effortlessly with any Pokémon.”

  “And I heal, transfer life energy, things like that.”

  “It’s more of a support ability, really.”

  “I see.”

  Mei houghtfully, trying to process everything.

  Before long, they let the versation drift away.

  her of them dwelled on it, as though they’d just been chatting about what they had for dinner yesterday.

  It felt like nothing had ged, yet somehow, there was a subtle shift between them.

  Unsciously, they seemed to have drawn a little closer.

  —

  Elsewhere, the massive Pokémon that had been ravaging the forest looked around at the devastation it had caused.

  After a moment, it lowered its head, then moved on, seemingly losing i in this ruined area as it searched for a arget to destroy.

  Gcell