Wang Chengzhou was an Alliance Investigator.
Since he was born and raised in Chang'an City, after joining the Alliance he chose to return here to work.
Earlier that afternoon, urgent news arrived—
a secret realm had descended outside Chang'an City, and dozens of civilians had been dragged inside by a terrifying spatial suction.
In truth, every secret realm descent brought massive shockwaves to human society.
But one appearing near a city—or worse, inside it—was nothing short of a disaster.
Not everyone was a Trainer.
Due to historical reasons, Trainers made up only a small fraction of the population. Ordinary people who were pulled into a secret realm had almost no chance of survival—especially if the Pokémon inside were highly aggressive.
The moment he received the order, Wang Chengzhou assembled without hesitation and entered the secret realm under the command of Chang'an Gym Leader Zhu Qianwei, joining the rescue operation.
He never once considered his own safety.
All he knew was this—
dozens of people were trapped on the edge between life and death.
If he moved faster, maybe they would live.
If he slowed down, even by a little… that window might close forever.
Wang Chengzhou was strong—among the elite even within the investigators.
His main lineup consisted of five Veteran-tier Pokémon and one Advanced-tier Pokémon.
Because of this, he was appointed vice-captain of Team One, leading a search unit through the depths of the secret realm.
After a long and grueling search, they finally found their first human.
He was lying motionless on the ground.
A corpse.
That discovery only made them speed up further—so much so that they began skipping proper reconnaissance.
"Vice-captain, we found a torn piece of fabric up ahead."
Wang Chengzhou walked over and examined it carefully.
It was unmistakably man-made.
"Good work, Daming. Sharp eyes as always," he said.
"I'll report this to the captain immediately."
After receiving the update, Team One quickly deduced the direction the victim had taken and advanced along the trail.
As they moved, Daming quietly leaned toward Wang Chengzhou.
"Vice-captain… don't you feel cold?"
"Not temperature-cold. It's like… something's chilling my heart."
"I feel it too," Wang Chengzhou admitted.
"But it's probably just nightfall messing with your head. Don't overthink it."
He reached out and lightly smacked Daming on the head.
Daming had come from the same village as him—almost like a junior brother—so the two were closer than most in the team.
This time, in their rush to save lives, Team One hadn't followed standard protocol of thorough scanning before advancing.
About ten minutes later, the unease in Wang Chengzhou's chest grew heavier.
It felt as though a pair of unseen eyes were watching them from the darkness.
Finally, he went to the captain.
"Captain… something feels off. I can't explain it, but I really think we should stop and recon the area. Or let me scout ahead."
It wasn't fear of death.
It was fear that everyone here might die without ever understanding why.
The captain slowly rubbed his rough palm over the surface of a Poké Ball. His voice was low and steady.
"It's too quiet."
Wang Chengzhou froze.
That was it.
Even though Pokémon density in this secret realm was low, it shouldn't be this empty.
Not a single Pokémon in such a wide area—
that was abnormal.
There was only one explanation.
They had entered the territory of an extremely powerful Pokémon—
possibly the apex predator of this secret realm.
"Captain… then why—"
The captain let out a bitter smile.
"I only realized it recently. By the time I did, retreat was no longer an option."
"We can only stay together and move as one. I already sent our coordinates to Gym Leader Zhu."
He paused, then continued calmly,
"We've survived countless dangerous secret realms before. I believe this time won't be any different."
Just then, a report came from the front.
"Ahead! There's a human figure leaning against a tree—one of ours is already checking!"
Wang Chengzhou and the captain exchanged looks.
Their faces changed instantly.
"Call him back—NOW!"
They sprinted forward.
The investigator had already reached the figure and gently touched the body.
It collapsed to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
The investigator hurriedly checked the neck.
Dead.
Suddenly, he heard frantic shouts behind him.
He turned—
—and saw the captain and vice-captain screaming, their Pokémon rushing toward him.
Then—
A black shadow flashed across his vision.
Pain exploded.
He collapsed, clutching his throat, but scorching blood poured through his fingers regardless.
The shadow vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
The night and dense forest swallowed it whole.
Watching their comrade fall, Wang Chengzhou and the captain were filled with grief—
and helpless rage.
"Everyone! Release all Pokémon! Form a defensive circle—NOW!"
The captain roared as he recalled his Pokémon.
One by one, dozens of powerful Pokémon appeared, forming a tight perimeter around the investigators.
Yet the shadow did not stop.
It struck again and again from different angles.
Each time it appeared, at least one Pokémon fell—
while the attacker remained untouched.
Too fast.
Too elusive.
Darkness and terrain were its perfect hunting ground.
"This can't continue!" Wang Chengzhou shouted.
"At this rate, we'll be wiped out!"
The captain turned grimly toward Alakazam, one of his main Pokémon.
Veteran High-tier.
Psychic-type.
A pillar of survival in countless deadly missions.
Alakazam slowly shook its head.
"Still can't lock onto it?" the captain yelled.
"Any contact with Gym Leader Zhu? That thing is at least Gym-tier!"
Daming replied anxiously,
"The interference here is too strong! I'm still trying!"
The shadow lurked in the dark.
And the noose was tightening.
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