Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

"So this is... an S-rank death beast nest."

Wang Tao stared at the suffocating mist surrounding the death beast lair ahead and couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Several clearly A-rank death beasts bared their fangs in warning from the outskirts of the nest.

"S-rank death beasts… They're capable of commanding lower-ranked ones to some extent."

"That's why during every siege, there's always at least one S-rank holding the line."

"Without their command, A-rank beasts rarely act on their own."

"Of course… that's only because the S-rank hasn't noticed us yet."

"Once it does… it'll send word that humans have appeared near their territory."

Liu Yunshuang's expression was tense.

Unlike the eager and inexperienced students from Haicheng No.1 High School, she had faced S-rank deathbeasts before.

If B- to A-rank was a step up a staircase, then A- to S-rank was like climbing an entire floor of a building.

Sure, a full A-rank Awakened squad could hold off an S-rank—briefly.

But defeating one?

That was nothing more than a fantasy.

The true value of an elite A-rank team was in how long they could hold out before taking casualties.

Nearby, Shi Ce wrapped a special soft-metal band around his arm.

His student, Xiao Zhang, stood at attention, absorbing every word.

"I deposited some gear in the Haicheng bank before we left," Shi Ce said quietly.

"If anything happens to me… you know what to do."

Xiao Zhang's eyes reddened, but he nodded firmly.

Elsewhere, Liu Yunlan quietly whispered with her sister Yunshuang.

The rest of the elite team remained silent.

This moment had finally come.

They had accepted the mission—fear of death was no longer a luxury.

If humans feared death… then their extinction would only come faster.

They had all already come to terms with dying here.

Meanwhile, the students from Haicheng No.1, though less familiar with S-rank deathbeasts, were equally nervous.

After all, the notoriety of S-rank beasts was widespread—stories so terrifying, they were used to stop children from crying at night.

This wasn't cowardice.

It was learned instinct, the result of centuries of suppression.

Against anything below A-rank, they were fine.

But now?

They were trembling inside.

The tension in the camp was palpable.

Su Bai watched all this in silence.

He didn't give any heroic speeches.

Because sometimes... actions speak louder than words.

Clapping his hands, he smiled.

"Why the long faces, everyone?"

"Is an S-rank death beast really that scary?"

"Look over there…"

He pointed.

In the distance, a massive creature emerged from the shadows.

S-rank death beasts were gluttons for death energy, and their bodies often reflected that.

This one… was even bigger than the bear-shaped beast that had led the last siege on Haicheng.

It was feline in nature, its sleek form dotted with sharp, jaw-like spikes that snapped open and shut with each step.

Each spike dripped a ghostly, pale-white frost, sprinkling ice with every movement.

Wherever it walked, it left behind a trail of frozen earth—a road of deathly frost.

But most unsettling of all was its silence.

Despite its colossal weight, its steps made no sound.

That was why no one had noticed it before.

Gasps filled the air as everyone turned in the direction Su Bai had pointed.

All thoughts vanished.

The Trainers immediately regrouped, locking into formation.

"The Frostfang Dire Tiger…" Liu Yunshuang muttered grimly.

"A particularly troublesome variant—even among S-ranks."

"It retains many feline traits. It's a predator—loves to ambush."

"And in direct combat… it's above average."

Su Bai rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"So what you're saying is… this thing's pretty strong?"

Yunshuang didn't know where this was going but nodded anyway.

"To be honest, it's not the kind of beast our team is used to handling."

Suddenly, Su Bai stood up from his tree stump, grinning.

"I know a lot of you are still scared of S-rank death beasts."

"But let me tell you something…"

"S-ranks... are nothing compared to our Pokémon!"

With just a tilt of his head, he sent a silent signal.

Immediately, Diancie and Meloetta sprang into action.

With a dazzling flash, the two small mythical Pokémon rushed toward the Frostfang Dire Tiger.

"Su Bai, what are you doing?!" Wang Tao cried in alarm.

"That's an S-rank death beast!"

"I know Meloetta and Diancie are strong, but this is different from last time!"

Last time, during the siege, Principal Lu Liangpeng had been present.

As a veteran S-rank Awakener, Principal Lu had drawn the enemy's attention.

Sure, Su Bai and his Pokémon had held their ground, but most believed that was only because of Principal Lu's support.

And in the end, Groudon had been summoned to end it.

A god-tier Pokémon—its dominance unquestioned.

No one doubted Groudon's ability to defeat an S-rank.

But this time?

Sending Meloetta and Diancie in first?

That was suicide!

Others echoed Wang Tao's concern.

These two weren't just Su Bai's partners—they were heroes.

Meloetta had brewed tea for nearly every Trainer present.

Diancie had judged countless tournaments, keeping things fair.

They were friends. Symbols of hope.

"Call them back!"

"Yeah, Su Bai! This is reckless!"

Liu Yunlan grabbed Su Bai's arm, shaking it in panic.

Even Murong Nan was watching the two little figures nervously, sneaking glances at Su Bai.

Pei Jingguo had already drawn his sword, Honedge and Pawniard at the ready.

He was preparing to charge in after the mythical Pokémon.

Su Bai chuckled at the commotion.

"What are you all talking about?"

"A mere S-rank deathbeast?"

"In front of two perfectly trained mythical Pokémon…"

"It's nothing."

As his words fell—

A loud boom split the air!

Everyone's attention snapped toward the sound.

There, embedded in the earth, was the mangled body of a once-proud A-rank death beast.

It had been launched and slammed into the ground—

By none other than the tiny, elegant Meloetta.

This time, she didn't hold back.

With graceful fury, she had drop-kicked the A-rank beast like it was a toy, burying it halfway into the dirt.

To remind the Trainers of what true power looked like—

And to wipe away their fear.