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

"He seems to be heading toward the Pokémon Center?"

Liu Qiaoqiao blinked her wide, curious eyes as she stared at the cloaked figure slowly approaching through the pouring rain.

Worriedly, she said, "It's raining so hard… He must really love Pokémon if he's still coming."

"What a pity… The Pokémon Center is already closed! Magikarp, what's wrong? Don't thrash around!"

While trying to calm his restless Magikarp, Zhou Xiaofei puffed up proudly and said, "See that? That's the charm of our Pokémon Center!"

"But you're right. It's already closed. No use coming now. I'll go tell him."

He cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and shouted into the storm, "Hey! Mister! The Pokémon Center is already closed!"

"The rain's too heavy—better head home and come back tomorrow!"

His childish voice was nearly drowned out by the roar of the downpour, but it still carried to the cloaked figure steadily approaching.

The rain was so dense, Zhou Xiaofei couldn't make out the man's face, even with decent eyesight.

He was only shouting out of kindness.

Beneath the shadow of the hood, Li Jian slowly lifted his head.

His face was now webbed with sinister, black, pulsing veins.

"That little brat… is he part of the Pokémon Center staff?"

Li Jian ignored Zhou Xiaofei's call completely.

He had sacrificed too much for this moment.

The elite Pokémon soldiers who had returned earlier had already delivered their Pokémon and rushed back to the front lines.

Even most of Haicheng's citizens were out planting Berries now.

If there was ever a chance to strike at the Pokémon Center—tonight was it.

To ensure complete destruction, Li Jian had paid a terrible price.

The black veins on his face were one such price.

He walked slowly but with unwavering intent through the rain-soaked night.

"Is the rain too loud? Looks like he didn't hear me."

Zhou Xiaofei frowned as he watched the cloaked man draw nearer.

He still couldn't tell who it was, but he made a decision.

He turned to Liu Qiaoqiao apologetically.

"Sorry, Qiaoqiao… Looks like we have to wait a bit."

"Maybe the rain drowned out my voice."

"I should wait here and explain—just in case he gets the wrong idea. I wouldn't want him thinking we locked the doors in his face."

In his innocent mind, Zhou Xiaofei pictured the man misinterpreting the situation.

That would reflect badly on the Pokémon Center.

And as a proud employee, Zhou Xiaofei could not allow the Center's reputation to be damaged.

Boss always said: attitude is everything!

Liu Qiaoqiao glanced between the figure in the rain and Zhou Xiaofei, then nodded.

"Alright, Brother Xiaofei. I'll wait with you."

"Foolish little pests…"

Li Jian squinted at the two children standing at the entrance.

A trace of malice crept across his face as he sneered.

A dark, violent aura radiated from his body, slowly warping his mind.

Even at his worst, Li Jian had never considered harming human children.

After all, Contract Masters were still human themselves.

They were known to have bad tempers and unstable personalities due to their bonds with death beasts, but this…

This was different.

Li Jian's pupils glowed red.

Now, he wanted nothing more than to destroy anything that stood in his path.

Including the children.

Especially the Pokémon Center.

Zhou Xiaofei's gaze remained fixed on the man as he drew closer. The distorted shape of the falling rain around him became more apparent.

Magikarp flailed harder in Zhou Xiaofei's arms, visibly agitated.

He glanced up at the sky.

"There's nothing above… What's scaring you like this?"

"Well, we're close enough now. He should hear me for sure."

"Better let him know before he knocks or something…"

He raised a hand and waved cheerfully.

"Hi there! I'm Zhou Xiaofei, staff at the Pokémon Center."

"We've already closed for the day. Sorry for the trouble—you'll have to come back tomo—"

BAM!

Before he could finish, a muddy boot slammed into Zhou Xiaofei's chest, sending him flying into the Pokémon Center's doors!

"Brother Xiaofei!"

Liu Qiaoqiao froze in shock at the sudden attack.

She rushed to his side and helped him up, her eyes blazing with anger.

"What's wrong with you?!" she shouted.

"It's already closing time! So what if you came for nothing? That doesn't mean you can go around kicking people!"

"I—I'll remember your face! I'll—wait… what is your face?!"

She gasped in horror.

Only now did she get a clear look at him.

It was a human face, yes—but one distorted by hideous black veins, constantly squirming and pulsing.

His once-normal features now looked grotesque and monstrous.

"A-Are you even human?!"

Liu Qiaoqiao instinctively backed away, her face pale with fear.

She hadn't even flinched while running through the storm, sneaking out of her house at night—but now, she was terrified.

This was the first time she had truly felt fear.

Li Jian raised a hand to his face, feeling the black, writhing veins and the jagged lightning-shaped scar across his forehead. A vein bulged across his temple.

"Human? Of course I'm human!"

He snarled.

"What, do I not look like one to you?"

"If it weren't for revenge… if it weren't for that day…"

His mind replayed the moment when Rotom's Thunderbolt came crashing down.

It had become a nightmare that haunted his every sleep.

Even in dreams, Rotom would appear and shock him awake.

One Thunderbolt had ruined his life.

"The Pokémon Center… disgusting Pokémon… damned Pokémon!!"

Li Jian erupted into a crazed roar.

As he screamed, he lunged forward, his foot once again swinging straight at the young girl!

Even though S-class Contract Masters weren't known for brute strength, they were still stronger than average humans.

And his target was just a child.

If this kick landed, Liu Qiaoqiao would be seriously hurt—or worse.

She shut her eyes, trembling.

She braced herself for the impact, expecting to be launched like Xiaofei.

But just then, a raspy voice rang out:

"Magikarp… use Tackle!"