Rustle… rustle… rustle…
The sound in the bushes grew steadily louder, the leaves trembling in rhythm with sothing moving inside. Vilde froze, then began to edge backward, his boots scraping against the damp earth. His retreat was cut short when his heel caught on a rock.
"Ah—!" He toppled backward and landed hard, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs.
Right now, he regretted more than anything that he had never bothered to learn a single combat skill. Years of wine, won, and indulgence had drained him hollow—leaving him a noble in na, but a husk in body.
When I get out of here… I swear I'll quit drinking!
A low growl rumbled from the bushes, yet it lacked the deep, bone-shaking nace of a predator.
Not that it mattered—Vilde's heart still leapt into his throat, and his bladder nearly betrayed him.
"Pika! Pika!"
A streak of yellow lightning burst from the undergrowth, closing the distance in an instant. Vilde scread, throwing his arms over his head and squeezing his eyes shut, bracing for teeth and claws.
"Pika?"
But the killing blow never ca. Instead, sothing warm, soft, and faintly furry pressed into his arms.
He dared a peek.
"What… what is this?" he whispered. The creature in his arms had a round, plump body the color of golden wheat, tall pointed ears tipped with black, and a tail shaped like a lightning bolt.
"A… mutant rat!?"
"Pika!"
The creature's eyes narrowed, its cheeks sparking faintly as if insulted.
[Wild Pikachu used Thunderbolt!]
[It's super effective!]
Bzzzzzt—!
A violent spray of sparks exploded in the air. Vilde's scream was cut short as the shock wracked his body. His hair puffed up into a ridiculous sphere, and he toppled over, twitching before darkness claid him.
.
..
...
When he awoke, the world swayed dizzily around him. Sothing wet and raspy was dragging across his cheek. He blinked blearily and found himself staring once again into the big, round eyes of the yellow "rat" that had just fried him earlier.
This ti, he didn't scream.
"Sir Rat… please," he groaned, voice thick with misery, "just finish off. I swear I'll never co back here. Not in this lifeti."
Pikachu paused mid-lick, glanced at him, and for the briefest mont, Vilde swore he saw… pity.
Did… a monster just pity ?
He didn't even have the strength to be offended. His voice cracked as he continued to beg the creature to end it quickly, but Pikachu only circled him once, then settled nearby.
Eventually, Vilde pushed himself to his feet, grabbing a stick from the ground to use as a makeshift crutch.
"You won't even kill when it's free? What kind of weirdo monster are you?"
He limped deeper into the forest. The plan was simple: find another monster—one that wouldn't hesitate.
Because he sure wasn't going to kill himself. Too painful.
Adventurers' teleportation crystals only activated at the mont of death. The rule was absolute.
Whether by a monster's fangs or his own hand, death was still death.
The forest here was nothing like the reeking, poisonous swamp from before. Towering trees arched overhead, their canopies spilling dappled light over the ground. The air was cool and damp, laced with the scent of moss and wildflowers. Birdsong flitted between the branches, deceptively peaceful for a place still inside a dungeon.
"Pika, pika…"
"Why are you following ?" Vilde jabbed the air with his stick in Pikachu's direction. "If you're not gonna kill , then scram!"
The yellow creature's tail shot upright, sparks crawling along its fur.
"Okay, okay! Follow if you want—just no zapping!"
And so, an unwashed, limping nobleman and an oddly persistent Pikachu began their march through the forest together.
"There's a town over there," Vilde muttered, pointing through the gaps in the trees. "There must be monsters in it. I'm going there."
His Aim was the undead town—"Undead Burg."
But trouble ca before they reached it.
Sothing stirred in the tall grass ahead. Without warning, a purple-black sphere floated up, its whole face cramd into a single round body—eyes and mouth glaring, ghostly vapors curling from its form.
"Whoa! What the hell is that thing? Never seen a monster like that before!"
[A wild Gastly appeared!]
Vilde's pulse quickened—but not from fear. This was it. Finally, sothing that looked scary enough to do the job.
Gastly didn't disappoint.
[Wild Gastly used Shadow Ball!]
The attack crackled with ominous energy, streaking toward him. Vilde spread his arms wide and didn't even try to move. Death, sweet death—
"Pikaaa!!"
A golden blur slamd into him from the side, knocking him flat. The Shadow Ball passed harmlessly overhead.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Vilde barked, stunned to find himself angry at being saved.
Pikachu only glanced at him, eyes saying plainly: idiot, and turned to face Gastly head-on.
[Wild Gastly used Confuse Ray!]
[It missed!]
[Wild Pikachu used Thunder Shock!]
The forest exploded with light and sound. Sparks hissed, shadows flared, and the air slled of ozone and ghostly rot. Vilde could only gape—this was the first ti he had ever seen two monsters clash directly.
Is… is it protecting ?
The thought felt absurd. Monsters were supposed to be mindless, bloodthirsty things—never allies to humans.
Yet as he watched the small yellow figure stand firm against the ghost, a strange warmth blood in his chest. His longing for death wavered.
Maybe this one's different. If I live, maybe I'll take it as a pet.
Gastly let out a distorted wail and vanished into the mist, leaving Pikachu standing victorious.
"Cough, cough…" Vilde wheezed, leaning against a tree.
He held out a hand, trying for a gallant pose.
"I acknowledge your determination to protect , monster. Co with —I'll give you the most luxurious life imaginable."
Pikachu stared at him blankly. Then it jumped and smacked him square in the face with its tail.
[Pikachu used Iron Tail!]
"Pff—!" Vilde crumpled, clutching his reddened cheek. "You… you actually hit …"
"Pika, pika." Pikachu stood with paws on hips, tail twitching in smug disdain. Sparks began to gather along the tip.
"Don't! Don't hit ! I surrender!" Vilde yelped, stumbling back.
What does this thing want from ? Surely it doesn't think I'm taking it outside… right?
Pikachu gave him a satisfied look, hopped onto his head, and patted it like a claim flag.
I'm dood… The yellow demon's chosen .
With Pikachu tugging his hair for direction, Vilde stumbled along like a puppet.
Oh no… it's taking to its nest, isn't it? To eat ?
His earlier brush with Gastly had reignited the fear of death he'd been trying to embrace.
"Pika!"
Pikachu smacked his head and pointed at a patch of grass.
"What now?" Vilde grumbled, crouching down. He reached into the greenery—then froze.
"What's this?"
He pulled out a small, smooth sphere, red on top and white on the bottom. It fit neatly into his palm, its design strangely elegant despite its simplicity.
[Poké Ball]
(*****)
If you'd like to read 20 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon/ANeet. Your support ans a lot. Thank you!
User Comments
0 comments from readers