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"What happened?"
After finally steadying herself, Fran rubbed her forehead where she had slammed into the seat and raised her voice toward the driver.
"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."
The middle-aged driver in the League's black uniform explained hurriedly, his voice stiff with anxiety.
"The car in front stopped suddenly. I didn't have time to react."
In an era where Nightmare Pokémon roamed freely, Trainers held far higher status than before.
A single careless complaint could cost someone their job.
"…It's fine."
Fran's tone softened as she replied.
Despite her position as a professional Trainer, she was still just a young woman in her early twenties. The ideals of equality instilled during her academic years continue to shape her instincts.
Her irritation earlier had been reflexive.
Now that she had calmed down, she saw no reason to press the issue.
Straightening her uniform, creased from sitting too long, Fran opened the door and stepped out to see what had happened.
Cool, damp air rushed in, carrying the noise of raised voices and scattered movement.
Members of the convoy had already exited their vehicles and were gathering ahead, clearly discussing something among themselves.
As Fran took this in, a clear male voice filled with concern came from beside her.
"Fran, are you okay?"
She turned.
Standing there was one of the only two Trainers assigned to the team.
Quark.
He had a buzz cut, dark skin, and a presence that radiated discipline and resolve.
"I'm fine," Fran replied quietly, shaking her head.
Quark, like her, had graduated from Falyn City's League Academy. He was two years older, and his talent had earned him rapid recognition.
Already an elite-level Trainer in his early twenties, he served as the team's deputy leader. His future was widely considered promising.
At the moment, his eyes were fixed on her, unmistakably worried.
Fran noticed it.
She always did.
And though there was no malice in that gaze, she instinctively stepped back a fraction.
She remembered clearly how Quark had refused reassignment to the front lines just days ago, choosing instead to accompany her on this investigation.
She wasn't inexperienced enough to misunderstand what that meant.
Romance was hardly an unfamiliar concept.
She had seen it often during her academy years.
Hand-holding couples. Quiet laughter. Shared moments in stolen time.
Perhaps she herself had once wondered what that kind of sweetness might feel like.
But the thought never lasted.
Born into the Dark Age, Fran had grown up beneath expectations of sacrifice and responsibility.
While others relaxed, she trained.
While others dated, she studied.
While others struggled, she pushed harder.
Now, having finally earned her place as a professional Trainer and taken her first true step toward her goal, she refused to let emotions distract her.
Not now.
Not when humanity itself was on the edge.
She felt Quark's sincerity. She respected it.
But she could not accept it.
Not when survival was still uncertain.
A clean refusal, she believed, was kinder to both of them.
Sensing the distance in her body language, Quark's expression dimmed slightly.
But he did not retreat.
Instead, he stepped forward, clearly trying to ease the tension.
"The lead vehicle's engine stalled," he said, his voice careful. "It'll take a few minutes to fix."
"We should be moving again soon."
Fran nodded without meeting his eyes and turned toward the front of the convoy.
Behind her, she thought she heard a quiet sigh.
Rustle—!
As if the moment itself had been cut short, violent movement erupted from the forest lining the road.
Leaves shook. Branches snapped.
Quark reacted instantly.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the Poké Ball at his waist and hurled it forward.
Out here, hesitation could be fatal.
Click—flash!
Red light burst outward, and a powerful form landed between Fran and the treeline.
Flames surged into the air.
A proud, muscular Pokémon with pale-yellow hide and a blazing mane stood guard, fire rippling along its back like a living crown.
A Rapidash.
Elegant. Fierce. Unyielding.
Fran barely had time to process what happened before another blur exploded from the foliage.
A brown-and-cream figure streaked through the air.
Wings cut sharply through the wind. A pale purple beak glinted with lethal intent.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary Pidgey.
But its eyes told the truth.
Savage. Empty. Hungry.
A Nightmare Pokémon.
The air screamed as the creature tore forward at terrifying speed.
Fast.
So fast that even Quark could only track it as a vague shadow diving straight toward them.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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