Pokemon: Lord of Fear

Looking at Zoroark's demeanor, Edward couldn't help but think that it might have tried being an actor before. After all, Edward had noticed a "League Certified Actor" certificate in Zoroark's collection.

"Oh~ little brother~ are you thinking of something happening between you and me?" Zoroark morphed into the blonde woman they had encountered earlier, her index finger playfully touching her lips, her gaze seductive.

"I'm not interested in Pokémon," Edward replied, his lips twitching. Why was this Zoroark so persistent?

"What kind of movie are you directing?" Zoroark asked, suddenly curious.

Of course, it knew about acting. It had passed the league's actor certification and even had experience as a stage actor, with exceptional dialogue delivery skills. However, given its many other pursuits and the lack of a script it genuinely liked, it had never delved into acting seriously.

"Dead Silence. That's my work." Edward's confidence surged as he spoke about his movie.

Although he wasn't a household name yet, he had carved out a small reputation in the Pokémon world's film industry. Dead Silence had been frequently featured in magazines and TV reports lately.

"Dead Silence?" Zoroark appeared surprised. It had seen the movie, and its curiosity about Edward deepened.

"Can I be in your next project?" Zoroark asked eagerly, its eyes gleaming with excitement. For a moment, Edward thought he saw a flicker of purple-black energy.

Hearing this, Edward paused and mentally reviewed the plot of One Missed Call.

The film began with a sinister ghost using phone calls to predict its victims' deaths, leading to a series of murders. Coupled with eerie background music and a haunting connection to mobile phones, the movie sparked a wave of terror. Edward still vividly remembered the chilling ringtone from the film.

The main actors were Yumi, the protagonist, and Yamashita, who, while not appearing often, was essentially the male lead.

As for the malevolent spirit, Mimiko Mizunuma, though she was the ultimate antagonist, her screen time was relatively limited.

"You can audition, but you'll need to pass the casting first," Edward said with a nod.

Zoroark's illusion abilities were powerful—perfect for an actor. Moreover, it could use its illusions to create effects on set. For example, during scenes where characters were killed by the ghost, Zoroark could produce the effects directly, eliminating the need for post-production.

This efficiency could significantly shorten the film's production time.

"No problem, but could you advance me part of the payment?" Zoroark asked, exuding confidence before gazing at Edward with hopeful eyes.

Edward was stunned. Auditions hadn't even started, and it was already asking for an advance? Was this some kind of joke?

"Pass the audition and sign the contract, then we'll talk about an advance," Edward replied, though he couldn't help but eye Zoroark curiously. With so many certifications, some of which were quite challenging to obtain, how had it fallen to this state?

"Could I be your secretary and get an advance on my salary instead?" Zoroark transformed into a beautiful girl with long black hair, clasping her hands together and looking at Edward pitifully.

"Why are you so desperate for an advance?" Edward asked, genuinely curious.

Hearing the question, the Alakazam behind him narrowed its eyes slightly.

"Ah," Zoroark sighed, brushing its hair back as it gazed sorrowfully into the distance.

"Let me tell you a story.

"Once, there was a young Zorua. It was small but exceptionally handsome and beautiful. A kind trainer took it in, and they grew up together. The Zorua helped the trainer defeat countless strong opponents, and their life was peaceful and stable.

"But then, disaster struck. The trainer's family fell gravely ill. Death and injury claimed them all, leaving only the trainer clinging to life in a hospital.

"Crippling medical expenses drove the family into debt, and no one was willing to donate to help the poor Zorua anymore.

"The Zorua couldn't bear to see its trainer die, so…"

Tears slid down Zoroark's face. Its bloodshot eyes, clenched fists, and trembling shoulders conveyed its suppressed grief.

"Do you understand now?" Zoroark asked Edward, its eyes red with sorrow.

Edward stared at Zoroark silently, feeling a mix of emotions. He wasn't sure what to say.

"To be honest, not really," Edward admitted, rubbing his temples. Regret crept in; perhaps inviting Zoroark to audition had been a mistake.

Zoroark froze momentarily, wiping away its tears. Then it turned and noticed something behind it.

Floating in mid-air was a psychic-generated whiteboard.

Written on it were the words:

[Friendly Reminder from the Pokémon Talent Market Bureau: Do not believe or spread rumors. Beware of scams. Download the League Anti-Fraud App to ensure employment safety.]

Zoroark stiffly turned back around. Alakazam, the culprit, floated calmly, its spoons orbiting serenely.

Meanwhile, Edward awkwardly scratched his nose, counting the tiles on the ground to avoid the moment.

When Zoroark had begun its performance, the whiteboard had already appeared behind it—prominent and impossible to miss.

Edward had silently watched the entire scene unfold, even taking out his phone to download the League Anti-Fraud App.

Zoroark took a deep breath.

It resolved to leave Hoenn, take out a loan for a ticket, and move to Paldea to live a low-profile, ordinary life.

"Alright, I admit it. I wanted the advance to spend on a gacha game that's about to rerun an event banner. I planned to whale hard for it. Oh, and I've got some figures I've been eyeing. Plus, the latest Resident Evil game just came out. Jill is gorgeous, okay? Prprpr!" Zoroark finally confessed.

Well, that escalated quickly.

Thank you for your votes and support!

(End of Chapter)