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

"Melo—Meloetta!"

Meloetta responded with confident cheer, her sweet, melodious voice captivating the gathered crowd. Cheers and encouragement rippled through the onlookers—who could resist such a beautiful, adorable Pokémon?

"Heh," Wang Tao grumbled, patting Grotle's sturdy shell. "Looks like we've become the villains now! Sorry, but Grotle's going in!"

"Go, Grotle—use Razor Leaf!"

Grotle gave a solemn nod. Countless emerald motes swirled around its hulking form as it summoned its signature move. In the real world, Growth did far more than boost defense—each buff amplified its Razor Leaf barrage exponentially.

Suddenly, the air crackled with green blades as a hurricane of razor-sharp leaves tore toward Meloetta like a storm of knives!

"Incredible offense!"

Pei Jingguo's brow tightened. Even if each individual leaf cut lightly, the sheer volume would overwhelm any A-rank Awakener. He shuddered to imagine facing that torrent head-on.

The backyard dust swirled at Grotle's onslaught.

"Wow—Grotle's ruthless!" Liu Yunlan squinted behind her hand. In her eyes, the enormous turtle had become a monstrous bully threatening the sweet Meloetta!

Su Bai chuckled softly to himself.

All those years playing the games… I never imagined the real thrill of Pokémon battles would be like this—an electric blend of danger and that unspoken bond!

He called out:

"Meloetta—your turn!"

No further instruction was needed: a fully trained Meloetta in Pirouette Forme against a buffed Grotle? It would be a marvel indeed if she couldn't prevail.

Meloetta's tiny face lit up with excitement. She crouched, ready to spring.

Razor Leaves screamed forward.

In a flash, Meloetta vaulted into the air—faster than mortal eyes could track, yet her movements were an exquisite dance.

Under the whirlwind of blades, she weaved through the storm with utter grace—every leaf narrowly missing her as if parting for her alone.

"So much for A-rank power—this is the strength of a Mythical Pokémon!"

The crowd erupted in astonished applause. Meloetta's beauty, speed, and balletic evasion held them spellbound.

Pei Jingguo's heart thundered:

She's faster than seems possible—and her movements are like art!

This wasn't merely "fast." It was formidable—beyond even Srank in its fluid precision.

Yet even extraordinary speed means little without power—Pei Jingguo thought to himself, about to speak… when Meloetta struck.

Like a bolt of lightning, she soared over Grotle's looming shell, landing atop its back in a heartbeat.

Before the giant turtle could react, she raised her little fist and—

"Psycho Cut!"

Meloetta's small punch was a blur—too swift to see, yet its force was undeniable.

"KRAK!" The crack of an energy-charged blade echoed as Grotle's back was struck.

A shockwave of wind knocked the colossal turtle to its belly.

The muddy battleground trembled under Grotle's weight as it was crushed into the earth. The crowd lurched with the impact—then all fell silent.

A massive crater marked the battlefield, Grotle's shape dimly visible at the bottom.

Everyone assumed Grotle's six Growth buffs and ironclad Withdraws would make it unstoppable—yet here it lay, defeated in a single decisive blow.

Silence gave way to stunned gasps.

"Ah!" Ji Wei's grip on his training ball crushed it in his hand.

If that had been me… I'd still be down there!

Even the hardened Battlers around him could barely believe their eyes.

Pei Jingguo's fist clenched with awe:

"Do you see, Pawniard?" he said to his newly bought Pawniard.

"That is our standard now. I will forge you into a legend like this!"

Once, Pei Jingguo dreamed only of being the greatest swordsman, slicing S-rank beasts in one stroke. Now, his ambition had grown: I will train my Pokémon to stand beside Meloetta!

In the crowd, Zhang Qun stared with wide eyes while Gible chirped in delight:

"Su Bai said Meloetta is Mythical… so this is that power!"

"Don't worry, Gible—I'll make you just as strong!"

All who owned Pokémon felt Meloetta's overwhelming might; those who did not, rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

At last, Wang Tao emerged from the crater, blinking in shock—then broke into a grin. He strode up to Su Bai, thrusting his Poké Ball into his hand and thumping his chest jokingly:

"Save me some dignity, will you? Boss! You didn't have to go that hard on me!"

Su Bai smiled and accepted the ball.

To be honest, Meloetta barely tapped Grotle.

In full form, she could have K.O him twice as fast.

But Grotle had fought bravely—and Wang Tao's unwavering trust in his pokémon had been the heart of the battle.

Before Su Bai could savor the moment, shining Credit Cards from every trainer flew into his grasp—gold, black, orange!

"I want a Pokémon!"

"Give me a Meloetta!"

"Grotle was awesome, but Meloetta's on another level!"

The backyard buzzed like a hive: every customer, card ready, eager to draw a Pokémon of their own.

Su Bai let out a contented laugh.

Two hundred million Credits? We'll hit that in no time.