Chapter 10: Finishing Blow
Chapter 10: Finishing Blow
A guttural, sinister laughter echoed as the Bristled Rock Lycanthrope limped out of the massive crater formed by the collision of tremendous energies. The creature was covered in wounds, the most prominent a deep, jagged gash stretching from beneath its left eye down to the corner of its mouth, blood pouring freely from it.
Drip... drip...
Blood splattered to the ground. The Bristled Rock Lycanthrope extended its slender tongue and licked it.
“So salty…”
Its shoulders hunched, the suppressed eerie laughter grew louder.
“Interesting…”
“You’re dead!”
Suddenly, the Lycanthrope raised its head, unleashing a terrifying, ghostly aura. The overwhelming momentum surged forth in dark red currents, sweeping toward Machamp.
Machamp was hunched over, one hand trembling as it pressed against the wound in its abdomen. Hot blood flowed relentlessly. With each throb of pain, the evil energy at the wound rampaged within Machamp’s body. Cold sweat dripped down.
Machamp turned his gaze to Barry in the distance, watching with worry etched across his face. Memories of decades spent with Barry flooded his mind like a tide—the first meeting, Barry’s brilliant smile; the first encounter with a formidable foe, Barry’s pained expression as Machamp was gravely wounded; training together beneath waterfalls, Barry’s determined look, eager to grow stronger; after abandoning his dreams, Barry’s lonely gaze when no one was watching; the joy and hope in Barry’s eyes upon the birth of their children…
Machamp couldn’t help but smile faintly, a mysterious fire igniting within his heart. Ignoring his injuries, Machamp straightened his back and mustered all the remaining strength within him.
A pale smoke began to rise, carrying a sense of unwavering resolve, surging toward the Lycanthrope.
Explosive energy gathered in Machamp’s right fist, its brilliance reflecting off the night sky like a comet trailing dazzling streamers, sinking toward the endless abyss.
The Bristled Rock Lycanthrope’s body was enveloped in an evil, dark wind. The bristled mane atop its head was coated in a nearly black energy, swirling like a black hole, devouring surrounding light.
It tore up the black stone beneath its feet and, like a jet-black arrow, ripped through the air, charging at Machamp.
“Dynamic Punch!”
“Stone Edge!”
…………
Lu Yun felt as if someone had pressed the mute button on the world; everything fell suddenly silent.
Night blanketed all, but at its deepest center, a burst of light erupted, rapidly expanding.
Boom!
Powerful energies clashed, the blinding glow flooding the starry sky. The massive shockwaves swept outward.
…………
The dust settled.
At the center of the explosion, a strong figure lay helplessly on the ground. Unconscious, its breathing grew faint.
Beside it, the battered Bristled Rock Lycanthrope struggled to prop itself up. Its right hand hung limply, the sharp bristles atop its head broken. Staring at Machamp, whose life force was fading, a twisted smile curled at its lips.
Heh… heh…
“Looks like… I’ve won.”
From afar, hurried footsteps approached. The Lycanthrope lifted its eyelids to see a human adult desperately rushing toward the scene.
Heh…
A flash of cruel ferocity appeared in its eyes. It raised its left hand, gathering scattered dark energy with effort, and stabbed fiercely toward Machamp on the ground.
Barry, moving with mechanical urgency, pushed his legs forward, breathing heavily. His face was drenched in sweat, and the intense exertion filled his aging body with pain and fatigue. Yet his eyes remained locked on the battlefield ahead.
Suddenly, he saw the slim figure raise its claws. A sense of foreboding flooded his heart, and he shouted out with all his might.
“No!!”
Buzz…
A deep blue ring of energy appeared without warning beside the Lycanthrope, scattering flecks of sparkling light—elegant, regal, a dreamlike halo shimmering within.
“Awakening Power!”
The exhausted Lycanthrope had no time to react as the energy crashed into its body.
Its battered, filthy red fur finally reached its limit. The instant it touched the lavish deep blue halo, it split apart like hot knives slicing through butter, exposing raw, bloody flesh beneath.
The Lycanthrope spat out a mouthful of hot blood, its body knocked backward by the impact. Darkness crept over its eyes, and its consciousness began to fade.
Beep!
Lu Yun stood nearby, trembling with both excitement and fear, when suddenly a system notification rang through his mind.
………………………………………………
Gentle sunlight bathed Barry’s ranch, peaceful and serene as always, as if last night’s brutal battle had never occurred.
On the vast green pasture, several Officer Jenny were searching alongside Growlithe.
“Any signs of ‘Louis’?”
“No... That Bristled Rock Lycanthrope acted alone, without a trainer.”
“I see… It must have gotten separated from its trainer, then. If it was under ‘Louis’s’ command, as one of the elite battle Pokémon trained for ‘Dark Star,’ it wouldn’t have lost so catastrophically.”
“But with just a few of us, if we run into ‘Louis,’ I’m afraid…”
“Don’t worry. The Alliance investigators have thoroughly checked this area. We’re just assisting with cleanup; there’s no danger.”
…………
Inside a Pokémon Center in Stoneedge Town, the empty room was filled with the roar of medical machines.
Machamp was wrapped in thick white bandages. Several medical staff in red-and-white uniforms surrounded it, tending to its wounds.
Barry, his wife, and son sat on chairs in the hallway outside, with a Mareep lying quietly beside them.
Click!
The door to the emergency room slowly opened. A refined young man with square glasses removed his mask. Barry hurried forward.
“Doctor! How’s the situation?”
The young man smiled gently.
“The surgery went very well. This Machamp has a strong will and was excellently trained. After a few days’ rest, it’ll be ready for discharge.”
Barry was overjoyed.
“Thank you! Thank you, doctor!”
The young man waved his hand and returned to the room.
Barry sat back down, gazing at the Mareep quietly lying beside him, his thoughts swirling.
Meanwhile, Lu Yun appeared dazed but was actually reading the new system message.
“Defeated Pokémon: Bristled Rock Lycanthrope”
“Experience +437 (Level-up bonus 62%)”
Species: Mareep
Level: 7 (10/100)
Skills: Tackle, Growl, Awakening Power, Thunder Wave
Evaluation: A high-level Mareep bred in captivity
“I never expected that just by delivering the final blow, I could earn so much experience.”
Lu Yun was secretly delighted, though a sense of lingering fear remained. If the Lycanthrope had any strength left, he might not be sitting here so calmly.
But rewards always come with risk. Gazing at the wealth of experience he’d gained, Lu Yun had no regrets.