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

On the towering gates of Haicheng City…

City Lord Zhu Jianyuan rested a hand on the battlement and stared into the distance.

From the pitch-black horizon came heavy, guttural roars, shaking the earth with every step.

Under the intense beams of specialized searchlights, massive clouds of dust stirred by the Death Beasts rose into the sky, choking out the moonlight.

Within those murky plumes of dust, several enormous shadows moved—colossal, terrifying, and unmistakably lethal.

The oppressive presence, coupled with the sickly stench of blood leaking from their bodies, made the air feel too thick to breathe.

By Zhu Jianyuan's side, the Deputy City Lord reported in a tense voice.

"This Death Beast assault is massive in scale. Based on current observations, there are at least five S-class Death Beasts, and no fewer than thirty A-class."

"As for the ones below A-class... they're too many to count!"

"With an invasion of this magnitude... I fear we won't survive this."

His face was pale, voice trembling with dread—so much so that he didn't even try to hide his grim prediction.

Zhu Jianyuan's face remained stern, but the corner of the stone wall beneath his hand crumbled, betraying his true emotions.

"Stop with the doomsaying! Behind us stands the entire population of Haicheng!"

"The Eastern Federation does not abandon its people!"

"Have we tallied the city's current professional combat power?"

Despair was a luxury for anyone except the city lord.

If he fell into hopelessness—how could the city possibly hold?

The deputy quickly replied:

"Haicheng currently has three S-class combatants—yourself, the former headmaster of Haicheng First High School, and one contracted summoner."

"But that summoner's combat strength is low, and for some reason... he hasn't reported in at all."

"The old headmaster is en route with the students now."

"As for A-class combatants, including squad captains and elite fighters from the major families, there are twenty-six."

"Add to that Liu Yunshuang, the A-class songstress who's visiting her sister, and Ji Wei, the berserker who came with her—makes a total of twenty-eight."

"Not even thirty."

"Among Haicheng First High's students, there are 227 D-class or above capable of combat."

"Combine that with freelance professionals and military guards, we have 682 fighters total."

"Meanwhile, enemy readings show over a thousand D-class or stronger Death Beasts…"

His voice was heavy with despair.

The numerical gap was overwhelming.

No matter the tier, the Death Beasts had them outnumbered badly.

This wasn't just a siege—it was a calamity.

Zhu Jianyuan ground his teeth.

"That bastard Li Jian vanished right when we need him most?! So what if he's a summoner? He's still S-class!"

"If we survive this, I'll make sure he regrets running!"

He pressed hard on his brow, his voice low and furious.

Summoners weren't front-line fighters—but that was no excuse to abandon the battlefield.

In a city-destroying siege like this, everyone had to stand and fight.

"When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact!"

Such cowardice was inexcusable.

But now wasn't the time to argue.

So what if that summoner was gone?

"Has the distress signal been sent?" Zhu Jianyuan asked.

Before the deputy could respond, a weathered voice came from behind.

"I've already sent it."

The elderly headmaster, Lu Liangpeng, appeared beside Zhu Jianyuan—his aged face hardened with resolve.

"I've taught all my life… and every now and then, a few of my students actually make me proud."

"But even from the nearest city, reinforcements won't arrive in time."

"Until they do… we cannot let a single Death Beast cross the defensive line!"

His eyes narrowed as he gazed over the vast formation of professional fighters standing ready outside the city gates.

He knew what this meant.

A massive death toll.

Including… many of his students from Haicheng First High.

Zhu Jianyuan's tense heart eased just a little.

"Headmaster… you're here."

Lu Liangpeng had once been his own teacher—his presence now was reassuring.

But Zhu Jianyuan's concern hadn't faded.

"I'm less worried about the small fry. It's those S-class Death Beasts that frighten me…"

He gestured at the monstrous figures moving in the distance—each one towering like a mountain.

"And that damned Li Jian is still missing."

"Even counting low, we have five S-class enemies. Can we really stop them?"

His tone trembled slightly with frustration.

Unlike lower-class creatures, S-class Death Beasts required a rare level of elite force.

Human S-class fighters were assigned across city-states—rare, separated, and uncoordinated.

That meant cooperation was nearly impossible.

Five S-class monsters.

Only two S-class defenders.

It was hopelessly lopsided.

And what's worse—they didn't even know if five was the full count.

This invasion was just too large.

Lu Liangpeng's response was cold and resolute.

"Even if we can't stop them—we'll try anyway!"

"I've spent my whole life in Haicheng. I won't let those bastards set foot in this city!"

"You take two—I'll take three!"

"Zhu Jianyuan, even if it kills us, we hold this line! Do you understand me?!"

His voice rang with fearless finality—a man ready to die for his city.

Zhu Jianyuan gave a bitter smile.

"Two or three… doesn't matter. I'm the city lord. There's no running for me."

Beneath the mighty city wall…

The frontmost line stood the A-class professionals, already armored and weaponed.

Among them, Liu Yunshuang turned and glanced back toward the ranks of Haicheng First High students, worry etched in her eyes.

"I never thought visiting Haicheng would lead to something this serious…"

"Don't worry," said Ji Wei, his massive berserker armor now fully equipped.

"This is the fate of all Awakened."

"You can't protect her forever."

His Sandile crouched on his shoulder, baring sharp fangs at the looming smoke clouds drawing ever closer.

"This is your first time facing a Death Beast siege!"

"Things are critical, so listen up: stay in your squads! Support each other!"

"Don't try to fight anything above your ability!"

"Only when all of us—teachers and A-class pros—are dead, then you're allowed to die. Got it?!"

At the student formation's front—

The A-class instructor paced back and forth, giving last-minute orders to his students.

Finally, he stopped and looked each of them in the eye.

"And one more thing…"

"Survive!"

"There are 227 of you. After this battle—not a single one is allowed to be missing!"

He bowed to them—a deep, ninety-degree bow—and left without another word.

He had to join his assigned combat team among the A-class professionals.

The battle for Haicheng's survival had begun.