Pokémon: Check-In System

Nero stared at the cyan-colored screen in front of him, his face full of anticipation.

"Current location: [Abandoned Haunted Kindergarten]. Reward issued—"

At that moment, a faint spatial fluctuation appeared in Nero's palm, and in the next instant, a black box materialized in his hand.

Swallowing nervously, Nero carefully opened the box.

A golden light—scratch that, no special effects...

Inside the black box lay a dark purple stone.

"This is..."

Nero fixed his gaze on the stone, scratched the back of his head, and finally recognized it.

"A Dusk Stone!!"

A look of astonishment appeared on Nero's face—it was indeed a Dusk Stone inside the box.

The Dusk Stone is an Evolutionary Stone that allows certain Pokémon to evolve. For instance, it enables Murkrow to evolve into Honchkrow and Lampent to evolve into Chandelure.

On the market, due to its rarity compared to the Thunder, Fire, and Water Stones, the Dusk Stone is significantly more valuable.

"Such dense energy..."

As Nero lightly touched the stone, he couldn't help but marvel.

The denser the energy within an Evolutionary Stone, the higher its purity!

A high-purity Evolutionary Stone is even more precious. With such powerful energy, any Pokémon that evolves using it would gain immense strength!

Even if one doesn't plan to use it for evolution, Pokémon of corresponding types can absorb its energy to enhance themselves!

For example, if this exceptionally pure Dusk Stone isn't used for evolution, its emitted energy would be an incredible boon for Ghost- and Dark-type Pokémon.

A Dusk Stone of this purity is likely priceless.

Nero suddenly felt that this trip had been more than worth it.

Obtaining this Dusk Stone must be the greatest gain of the night.

"Combusken, let's go. I'll treat you to some roast chicken to celebrate tonight's haul!"

Combusken: ???

Upon hearing this, despite being a Fire-type, Combusken suddenly felt a chill. A large, blood-red character hovered over its head—

DANGER!!!

Combusken followed Nero, but just as the two were about to leave the kindergarten, a figure appeared from behind the banyan trees ahead.

"A Pokémon???"

Nero froze.

Before he could react, the shadow moved with ghostly speed, closing in on him. In the darkness, a pair of gleaming white claws stood out menacingly.

"Chamo!"

As the shadow approached, Combusken rushed forward to protect Nero. Its legs glowed with a brilliant white light!

Just as the shadow arrived, Combusken raised its right foot!

BAM!!

The two attacks collided, sending a shockwave rippling outward.

Under the moonlight and at this close distance, Nero finally saw the Pokémon clearly.

It was a small, black-bodied Pokémon with red ears and tail, and a pair of silver-white claws that gleamed with a chilling light.

Nero recognized this Pokémon instantly!

The Sharp Claw Pokémon—Sneasel!

Type: Dark/Ice!

"Sneasel~~~"

The Sneasel, locked in a fierce standoff with Combusken, let out a cry.

"Chamo!"

With a low growl, Combusken gathered its strength again. Being at a type advantage, its attack sent Sneasel flying backward.

However, the majority of the attack's power had been mitigated. Sneasel adjusted itself midair and landed smoothly.

"Why is there a Sneasel here all of a sudden?"

Nero eyed the agile Sneasel warily, an ominous feeling creeping up his spine.

"Sneasel!"

"Chamo!"

Sneasel launched another attack, its silver-white claws glowing brightly—

Slash!

Not backing down, Combusken's feet shone as it unleashed a Double Kick!

The two Pokémon quickly engaged in an intense battle. However, Combusken held the advantage, forcing Sneasel to retreat with each attack, unable to counter effectively.

"Sneasel! Sneasel! Sneasel!"

As the battle raged on, Nero noticed something—was Sneasel leading Combusken away?

His unease grew.

"Combusken."

Nero took a step forward, but—

A sudden, bone-chilling killing intent washed over him. Without looking back or hesitating, he instinctively leaped to the left!

In that split second, a dark shadow entered his vision!

Having missed its attack, the shadow flapped its pitch-black wings and ascended into the air.

Under the moon's radiant glow, the figure was illuminated.

Nero saw it clearly.

Jet-black wings, a head adorned with dark feathers forming a wizard's hat, and a yellow beak—it was a crow.

Murkrow!

Beating its wings, the Murkrow stared down at Nero with razor-sharp eyes, exuding an intimidating presence.

Nero gulped. Suddenly, a sharp pain flared in his lower back. Looking down—

A fresh wound marked his waist.

His eyes widened in realization.

Then, in his mind, he screamed:

Oh no!!!

He should be fine... right?

"Gah!!"

The failed ambush did not deter Murkrow. Its gaze fell on the Dusk Stone in Nero's hand. Its pitch-black, deep-set eyes glimmered before it flapped its wings once more and dived at him!

Reacting quickly, Nero grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it at Murkrow's face.

Nero's Sand Attack!

A cloud of dust and sand struck Murkrow's eyes, momentarily blinding it. Disoriented, it struggled to locate Nero's position.

Taking advantage of the moment, Nero kicked the low-flying Murkrow away.

"Caw caw caw!!"

Murkrow stopped midair, its black eyes now bloodshot with fury. A murderous aura surged from its body!

Nero wasn't dumb—there was no way he could take on Murkrow in his current state. But Combusken's battle with Sneasel was almost over. Once Combusken was free, it could take on Murkrow.

But just then—

A terrifying figure wielding a scythe appeared right in front of Nero!

He froze, stopping in his tracks.

The Reaper's scythe gleamed ominously. As an ordinary teenager, Nero instinctively staggered backward at the sight, his breath hitching. But the Reaper didn't move.

Realizing something, Nero turned—

Murkrow was closing in, its eyes glowing with a dark aura!

The ability Prankster, activating the move—Night Shade!

Nero broke into a sprint, but Murkrow relentlessly pursued him!!

"Cha—mo!!!"

Noticing that Nero was in mortal danger, Combusken's feet glowed with a crystalline blue light!

Shave!

Burst!

In an instant, Combusken's speed surged to a whole new level. However, it had overlooked a critical issue—during its battle with Persian, it had sustained claw wounds!

With its large, rapid movements, the pain from its wounds flared up, forcing it to grit its teeth.

Yet, despite the pain, Combusken charged forward with all its might—because Nero's life was on the line!

But just as its older brother, Murkrow, was about to take down the human and claim the treasure, a barely-breathing Sneasel, ignoring its own injuries, used Quick Attack, slamming straight into Combusken.

Combusken retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Sneasel flying!

But the persistent Sneasel quickly scrambled back into the fight!

Combusken found itself entangled!

Sneasel's sheer tenacity had successfully stalled Combusken for several crucial seconds!

And in those few seconds—Nero was in the gravest danger of his life!

There was no way human legs could outrun a diving Murkrow!

As the dark figure of Murkrow plummeted toward him at terrifying speed, a wave of pure fear surged through Nero…

There was no escape!!

Murkrow closed in!

Five meters…

Three meters…

Two meters…

Just as its razor-sharp beak was about to pierce through Nero—

A golden bolt of electricity slashed through the darkness, striking Murkrow mid-flight!

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