Chapter 151: Iron Rain

Chapter 5: Iron Rain

A deadly low pressure, heavy with the scent of death, hovered over the road.

Qing He’s lips, drained of color from fear, trembled slightly as he crouched behind the SUV, not daring to move an inch.

He was only seventeen, with less than two years as a trainer.

Though the League’s Trainer Academy had subjected him to extensive practical training, this was his first direct encounter with a nightmare Pokémon in the wild.

He reached out and gently rubbed the trembling Curly Ear at his side.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be alright.”

Though Qing He was a fledgling academy-trained trainer, he understood that maintaining his partner’s spirit in such critical situations was paramount.

His instructors had taught him that whether trainer or Pokémon, if one failed to keep their composure in battle, even the strongest could be overturned.

Moreover...

Qing He glanced back at the armored warrior behind him.

Cold sweat seeped from the pores on his forehead.

“This size... this overwhelming presence...”

He felt the aura of the armored warrior was strikingly similar to that of his mentor’s Dragon-Headed Mole.

Both radiated a terrifying dominance unique to the truly powerful.

And his Pokémon was just a Curly Ear, still unevolved.

“I’m going to die!”

“Run!”

Inside Qing He, a demonic trumpet blared, flooding him with urges to flee.

“Maybe... I really should run?”

His gaze flickered, torn by indecision.

“Curly Ear’s ears are long and strong. Even carrying me, with its robust physique, it should be able to run!”

His body shifted slightly on the ground.

Qing He turned his head, seemingly resolved to speak to Curly Ear.

Unintentionally, his eyes caught the armed guards surrounding them.

Unlike his own timidity, the hope in their eyes—trust—burned brightly.

Facing a nightmare Pokémon with overwhelming power, they showed no fear!

Because they knew that among their ranks were two League trainers wielding Pokémon power.

They believed that as long as they protected their trainers’ safety, allowing their Pokémon to fight without worry, the enemies before them stood no chance.

“Ugh...”

Qing He clenched his teeth tightly, the flicker in his eyes shifting rapidly.

As if exhaling a breath, the tension in his muscles, ready to spring up and flee, relaxed.

He sighed deeply, resigned.

“Damn it!”

The unwavering trust from the armed personnel felt like sharp blades piercing Qing He’s soft, fragile heart.

His mind flashed back to the painful memories of his childhood home, destroyed by the claws of nightmare Pokémon;

To his brother and sister’s lifeless bodies lying cold before him, their vacant eyes staring blankly;

To the senior he admired, who met a tragic fate and was returned to the academy only as a broken shell.

“Bang!”

Qing He’s face contorted as he slammed backward, his head striking the steel door of the vehicle hard.

The shock reverberated through his mind, bringing a dizzying wave that washed away his hidden cowardice.

“Why? Why did I think about running away?”

He roared inwardly.

“Isn’t the reason I’ve struggled to become a trainer—to avenge my brother, sister, and seniors, to annihilate those detestable nightmare Pokémon?”

At that moment, Qing He even despised himself.

Fueled by the profound trust of his comrades, a vengeful flame erupted from his heart.

The thought of escape vanished, replaced by a fervent battle zeal.

His fists clenched tightly, teeth gritted, his gaze swept over the armored warrior’s form.

Though the fury burning inside him threatened to consume his consciousness,

Qing He maintained the basic calm forged through the League’s rigorous training.

His mind buzzed like an overworked computer, calculating frantically.

With his current strength, he could never defeat the armored warrior alone.

They had to wait for the companions trailing behind the convoy to arrive—only then would they have a chance.

The convoy, moving ahead, suddenly halted.

The comrades guarding the rear would certainly stop to assess the situation.

If she realized what was happening, she wouldn’t flee but come to their aid immediately.

Just as the guards trusted him without reservation, Qing He deeply trusted his traveling companion.

He was certain she would never abandon him.

“Three heavy trucks combined stretch over thirty meters. At her speed...” Qing He pondered silently.

“Twenty seconds!”

If he could just hold out twenty more seconds, his allies would arrive.

During this time...

A spark of thought flickered in Qing He’s eyes.

“Curly Ear, use Focus Energy!”

His voice rang out firmly and without hesitation.

Curly Ear, whose fear had been gradually soothed by Qing He’s reassurance, blinked in surprise.

Knowing the moment was critical,

It closed its eyes, calming its mind, sensing the special energy flowing through the surrounding air.

Visible to the naked eye, pale, star-like specks shimmered like fireflies in the air,

Then were drawn irresistibly into Curly Ear’s body by a strange force.

Just then,

The armored warrior standing before the convoy moved!

“Clack clack…”

The chilling sound of armor shifting echoed through the air.

In the warrior’s jet-black eyes gleamed a greedy hunger;

It took a deliberate step towards the convoy brimming with the breath of life.

Its massive weight caused its sharp, black, bone-like claws to carve deep cracks into the hardened road.

Qing He’s pupils contracted sharply.

He shouted to the guards beside him,

“Open fire!!!”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

A relentless barrage of gunfire roared forth.

Bright bursts of flame blossomed like fleeting fireworks in the night sky, blooming amidst the rain;

Streams of scorching smoke rose slowly into the air from the fierce friction.

Silver bullets, spinning and exploding through rifled barrels,

Shattered the raindrops in the air, trailing spirals of shimmering light as they sped toward the armored warrior.

The searing iron rain pelted the warrior, ringing crisp and clear in the damp air.

Yet the state-of-the-art weaponry, a pinnacle of human technology, failed to leave even a scratch on the warrior’s pale gray armor, rivaling diamond in hardness.

As if no different from the gentle rain falling from the sky, the armored warrior’s steps never faltered.

Like a cat stalking a mouse, it advanced step by step towards the convoy.

An oppressive, suffocating terror pressed heavily upon everyone’s hearts.