Somewhere else within the secret realm…
Zhu Qianwei turned to the League investigator beside her and asked,
"How is it? Have the preliminary exploration results for this secret realm come in yet?"
"Some investigation teams still haven't sent back reports, but based on the information we have so far, this secret realm is at least medium-sized. The strongest Pokémon detected so far are at the veteran level."
After years of secret-realm exploration, humans had long developed communication devices that allowed contact within such spaces.
A veteran-level trainer beside them spoke up,
"Gym Leader Zhu, something about this secret realm feels completely off. The Pokémon here are all extremely aggressive. I think we should withdraw first, apply for League reinforcements, and then return."
Zhu Qianwei shot him a cold glance. This trainer wasn't affiliated with the League—he was a freelance trainer temporarily mobilized by Chairman Tian from the city.
According to League regulations, when a secret realm appears near a city, all trainers at veteran level or above must obey the branch chairman's orders unless they have urgent matters.
Zhu Qianwei said firmly,
"It's precisely because this secret realm is so dangerous that we must rescue the innocent civilians dragged in here as soon as possible. They have parents and children waiting for them. Many of them are weak—some don't even have Pokémon. Do you think they can survive long enough to wait for reinforcements?"
"…Yes."
The trainer lowered his head in shame.
Zhu Qianwei continued,
"How many people have we found so far?"
"Currently, we've rescued 24 civilians. According to our information, a total of 60 people were pulled into the secret realm."
Zhu Qianwei frowned slightly.
"Speed it up. It's already been ten hours since the secret realm descended. We must find everyone. Not a single person can be left behind!"
"Yes!"
The investigator snapped to attention.
"Decidueye, do you think there are Pokémon in this secret realm stronger than you?" Oliver asked while walking, shining his flashlight over the crude map Celebi had drawn.
"I mean, other than Celebi itself."
"Treehhoo…"
Probably not. Back when the forest was still normal, I had a close friend—a Noctowl. It was only slightly weaker than me.
Though Decidueye didn't say what had become of that friend, Oliver hadn't seen it near Celebi. The outcome was easy to imagine.
Pressed for time, Oliver and Decidueye didn't rest at all, traveling through the night.
With a Gym-level powerhouse like Decidueye at his side, Oliver no longer needed to move cautiously. Any Pokémon that came within fifty meters was instantly detected. A single flick of Decidueye's wing sent out a feather, knocking the target unconscious on the spot.
Even veteran-level Pokémon were taken down effortlessly with just one feather.
Zhu Qianwei personally led a team deeper into the realm, her earpiece constantly filled with reports from investigators and auxiliary trainers.
"Report: Team Three has rescued two civilians, requesting return!"
"Report: Team Five has rescued one civilian, requesting return!"
"Team One… under attack… Gym-level Pokémon! The opponent is too fast—we can't resist—Captain! Damn it… it's a bird-type Pokémon—ah!"
"Team One, please respond! Team One, do you copy?!"
As the communication cut off, a heavy silence fell over everyone.
Team One might simply have entered an area with severe signal interference—but given the last transmission, the more likely scenario was grim.
Each team was led by at least veteran-level trainers, with both a main and deputy captain. For all of them to go silent meant the attacking Pokémon was at least Gym-level.
Everyone fell silent.
Then a voice broke the stillness.
"I'll take three people and head toward Team One's last known location. You continue searching along the original routes."
It was Zhu Qianwei.
"If they're still alive, I'll bring them back."
At this point, the numbers stood at:
Rescued: 31 people
Confirmed dead: 5 people
Missing: 24 people
Splash!
Oliver stepped through a puddle, muddy water splashing to the side. Behind him, Kirlia carefully detoured around the wet ground.
Seeing this, Oliver suddenly asked,
"Why do you think my Pokémon aren't affected by the malice at all, while you get corrupted the moment you leave Celebi's protection?"
Decidueye froze for a moment.
"Treehhoo…"
Maybe it's because you don't belong to this space. I'm not entirely sure. But if it were the deity, it would definitely know.
As they spoke, Decidueye's gaze suddenly sharpened, locking onto the distance.
Oliver immediately stopped talking and looked at it questioningly.
"Treehhoo."
There's fighting ahead!
"How far are we from Team One's signal loss location?" Zhu Qianwei asked.
"About fifteen kilometers."
The people following her were elite League investigators—strong not only in Pokémon battles, but also highly skilled in professional operations.
"Faster," Zhu Qianwei urged.
One of the taboos of secret-realm exploration was flying. Targets in the air were far more conspicuous and easily attracted mass attacks from Pokémon. Even being a full tier stronger didn't guarantee safety.
However, Zhu Qianwei's team consisted of absolute elites. With the cover of night, they chose to ride Flying-type Pokémon.
Beneath Zhu Qianwei was a Gym-level Pidgeot, its speed astonishing.
The roaring wind rushed past her ears, yet it couldn't drown out the voices coming through her headset.
"Report: Team Two has rescued one civilian, requesting return!"
"Report: Team Six has rescued three civilians, requesting return!"
"Report: Team Nine has rescued one civilian, requesting return!"
When an entire city's top combat power mobilized, the efficiency was terrifying.
From initial assembly, entering the secret realm, reconnaissance, personnel deployment, to full-scale rescue—less than twelve hours had passed, and the vast secret realm had already been mostly explored.
Current status:
Rescued: 45 people
Confirmed dead: 7 people
Missing: 8 people
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