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

Amid the misty veil of water, a blazing red light shone through.

From within the swirling current, Golduck stumbled out—dripping wet and visibly furious.

From the look on its face, this wasn't just about battle anymore—it was personal.

In Golduck's eyes, Psyduck had once been part of its flock.

And not just any member—one with great potential.

It had once thought this Psyduck would help strengthen the clan.

But then, one day, Psyduck just disappeared… and when it returned, it had been captured by a human.

No wonder Golduck had been cursing non-stop.

But none of that mattered anymore.

In the world of wild Pokémon, only strength defined leadership.

Like the animals they resembled, wild Pokémon had a simple rule: challenge the alpha, and you face the consequences.

What started as a lesson was now turning into an all-out, no-holds-barred fight!

"Da~da!"

With a sharp cry, Golduck raised its arms to its temples, striking a comical but ominous pose—as if charging up some kind of energy beam.

The crimson gem on its forehead began to glow—blazing even brighter than before.

A beam of red light shot toward Psyduck!

At that moment, Psyduck was mid-motion, preparing to unleash another Aqua Tail under Murong Nan's command.

But just as it turned halfway—the red light hit.

And suddenly… Psyduck froze in place!

Murong Nan's eyes widened. She immediately sensed something was wrong.

She tried to give Psyduck another command, but it was no use—the duck couldn't move a muscle.

"This… is Disable?" Su Bai frowned slightly as he watched from the Pokémon Center monitor.

Given the posture, the light, and the user—it wasn't hard to figure out.

This was Disable, all right.

It was his first time seeing it used in real life.

In the games, Disable simply prevented the target from using its last move for four turns.

But in reality? This was true immobilization.

Golduck had used its powerful psychic ability to completely paralyze Psyduck.

Forget attacks—even twitching a finger seemed impossible now.

Murong Nan's expression turned tense.

Psyduck actually knew Disable too… but its version was nowhere near this strong.

As Su Bai had explained in a previous lecture, Psyduck possessed immense latent psychic power.

But most of that power was locked deep within its mind.

A trainer could help draw some of it out—but total control like Golduck's? That was impossible right now.

Psyduck's Disable might disrupt a low-tier beast's movement… but nothing more.

Most of the time, it relied on water-type attacks that didn't need psychic focus at all.

"Psyduck, you can do this! Don't let it hold you back!"

Murong Nan clenched her fists and shouted in encouragement.

If this had been a battle against a death beast, she'd have already raised her wand and blasted away.

But this wasn't just any creature—this was a Pokémon.

And one from Psyduck's original tribe.

She couldn't just interfere with brute force.

It wasn't like she could barge into a family reunion and start throwing hands at the mother-in-law.

Weird analogy, sure… but not exactly wrong.

And more importantly—she was the one who issued the challenge.

If she stepped in now, it would be dishonorable.

Worse, she'd risk turning the entire flock of Psyducks against them.

And those cute waddling ducks?

Not to be underestimated in numbers.

So right now—Murong Nan could do nothing.

"Da! Da!"

Golduck continued its verbal assault, launching another wave of quacking taunts.

Though this time, the tone wasn't quite as venomous as before.

Murong Nan instinctively glanced at the communicator crystal on her chest—and as expected, Diancie's gentle voice came through.

"Sister Murong Nan… um… Golduck says…"

She hesitated but eventually spoke the rest.

"It says if Psyduck is willing to leave you and return to the flock, all will be forgiven."

"If not… there are only two paths left."

"One: be defeated, and then you both get swarmed by the rest of the Psyducks."

"Two: defeat Golduck, and become the new leader of the clan."

The moment Diancie finished translating, a wave of fury swept through Murong Nan's Pokémon team.

Infernape cracked its nonexistent knuckles, ready to throw down.

Arcanine growled, baring its teeth at the surrounding wild Psyducks.

Empoleon snorted in contempt—if not for Murong Nan's command, he would've already stormed in to rescue his little brother.

Liu Yunlan scowled.

"Damn Golduck. I was just starting to think you were cool!"

"You really think Psyduck would leave us? In your dreams!"

"Right, Nan Nan?"

As Murong Nan's best friend—and self-proclaimed world's #1 Trainer—Liu Yunlan knew exactly how much time and love had gone into training this Psyduck.

The bond they shared?

Not even a blade could cut it.

And now Golduck dared to present this ridiculous offer?

Unforgivable.

"…This is bad."

Su Bai rubbed his temples as he watched the stand-off unfold.

He could tell Golduck had initially intended to go easy.

But challenging a tribe's alpha was no joke—especially in the wild Pokémon world.

There could only be one leader.

And Golduck wasn't about to just let Psyduck off the hook.

Murong Nan and Liu Yunlan's Pokémon were powerful—no question.

But if the entire Psyduck clan attacked? Even they wouldn't hold out long.

Infernape and Arcanine were both weak to Water-types.

This was enemy territory.

Su Bai picked up his communicator, hesitating a little before speaking:

"Hey… it's me, Su Bai."

"Murong Nan, maybe you should recall Psyduck and make a run for it?"

"Golduck's fast in water, but on land it's not that agile."

"Arcanine's big enough to carry both of you. You can outrun them easily."

He didn't want these two veteran trainers getting hurt over something like this.

And it would be a good moment to remind the public of how dangerous wild Pokémon could be.

From a practical standpoint, it was the best course of action.

Liu Yunlan glanced at Murong Nan.

Su Bai's plan made a lot of sense.

Sure, it was a little humiliating—but better to run than be surrounded.

But what Murong Nan said next left her completely stunned.

"No," the ice-cold beauty declared with unshakable resolve.

"I choose the second option."

"I believe in Psyduck. I believe it can defeat Golduck!"

Liu Yunlan nearly dropped her gear.

"What?! Nan Nan, are you serious?!"

"Psyduck is still frozen stiff right now!"

She was just about to scold her friend's stubbornness—when something on the screen caught her eye.

And she froze too.

Psyduck… was moving.

Its arms, which had been pinned to its sides… were slowly spreading open.

And this time—

They weren't resting on its forehead.