An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 131 The Unbearable Truth (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
The deafening echoes of the revelry still seemed to reverberate among the rusted steel beams, the air thick with the sweet smell of cigarette smoke mixed with the stench of sweat, cheap perfume, and a hint of indescribable fishy odor.

Homiga slumped in the center of the cold, sticky stage, like a fish washed ashore by the waves, gasping for breath.

Golden champagne dripped down beneath her, soaking through her ripped leather pants, but she was completely oblivious.

A blissful exhaustion enveloped her, washing away the deep-seated shame and despair she had felt before the performance.

Just then, footsteps broke the silence backstage.

That glaring red color flashed before her eyes again, jolting Homiga from her dreamlike ecstasy back to the suffocating reality.

It's true!
The man who led her to the "temple of art" and then cruelly threw her down!

Homika's heart clenched, and a tremendous fear gripped her, almost tearing apart the illusory fortress of happiness.

Why is he here?

Did he... see everything that just happened?
A wave of shame overwhelmed her, and she instinctively wanted to curl up and hide herself in the shadows of the stage.

However, due to the previous overexertion, his body was too weak to stand up, and he could only crawl on his hands and feet.

As she lay on the ground struggling violently, the lingering feeling of happiness overshadowed her shame, bringing her to a sudden realization.

Wait... why... why am I running away?! I've already gotten everything back!

Yes, I was right, Mr. Akromma's science was right, I have regained the magic to make dreams come true, and now... my rock and roll is all-powerful!

Everything that just happened was a perfect and flawless blessing, and there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of!

So Homiga stopped running away from Mo Zhen and instead crawled toward him.

With a lingering sense of ecstasy and anticipation, she asked in a hoarse voice.

"Director Mo... Director Mo? You... what brings you here? Did you see the performance just now? How was it? Everything is back to normal, my rock and roll has regained its magical power!"

Her tone was filled with a morbid expectation, like a child who had just gotten a perfect score and was eager to get the teacher's approval, completely forgetting the inhuman depravity she had just experienced on stage.

Mo Zhen did not answer immediately.

He stopped in his tracks, his red suit gleaming like a flickering flame in the dim backstage lights.

His gaze calmly fell on Homika.

Under Homiga's expectant yet fearful gaze, Mo Zhen's eyes remained completely unmoved.

That wasn't anger, contempt, or even pity.

It was a mirror-like insight, devoid of any emotional coloring.

Those eyes were like a mirror, reflecting Homiga's true appearance.

Director Mo... why... why did you look at me like that?!

Homiga's soul screamed, immense terror pouring over him like ice water, instantly extinguishing that pitiful, illusory sense of happiness.

I clearly... I clearly sang very well! The audience was cheering for me! I've regained everything I lost!
But...you...you...why did you look at me like that?!

Mo Zhen simply stared at her without any reaction.

He saw a dog.

A dog barks on stage, shamelessly loses control of its bladder, and is proud of it, overjoyed!
In those deep eyes, Homika clearly saw her own reflection.

A woman, disheveled and sprawled on a champagne table, limbs outstretched, utterly undignified, resembles a dog that has just made a fool of itself in front of everyone and has been abandoned by its owner…

The lingering ecstasy in her eyes looked so foolish and pathetic in the reflection, forming a cruel contrast with her current true wretchedness.

Despair and madness engulfed joy and happiness at this moment, once again overwhelming Homiga.

Please...please...don't...don't look at me like that anymore...

If this continues... I... I... I really can't...

Her inner pleas were almost bursting out of her throat, but the immense fear prevented her from making a sound. She could only tremble violently, her face ashen white.

“Ahhhh——!!!”

Extreme fear finally broke through the blockage in her throat, and Homika let out a short and shrill scream, crawling backward on all fours as if trying to escape the two gazes that had completely stripped her naked.

"It's over! It's all over! It's all over between us! Go! Go now! Don't come looking for me again! I'm... begging you!!! Please don't come any closer—!!!"

Her voice was shrill and piercing, filled with hysteria on the verge of collapse, and tears welled up again, washing away the grime on her face.

All her past hopes and gratitude have vanished. Now, all Homiga wants is for the man who witnessed her most shameful moment and nailed her to the pillar of shame with his eyes to disappear immediately!
Colt, standing to the side, watched this dramatic scene with great interest.

Homiga's terrified, incoherent screams of "It's all over now!" and "Don't come looking for me again!" were like a perfect puzzle piece, instantly fitting into the photo Mo Zhen had shown him earlier.

Recalling the white-haired girl kneeling on the ground in a previous photo, tears streaming down her face, with a "painful yet pleasurable" expression, seemingly "kneeling down and sucking," Colt's lips curled into a knowing, ambiguous smile, the kind of smile only an experienced driver would give.

Tsk tsk, so that's how it is. Uzi, impressive! You've got some serious tricks up your sleeve, even getting involved with the leader of the Poison Smoke team. But...

This girl is really wild. Relying on Mengziyan's presence, she actually dared to bark like a dog and open champagne in front of so many people. Hehehe... It seems that successful people like to seek thrills!

Colt wore a pleased smile, believing he had seen through everything. Any doubts he had about Uz completely vanished, and he was finally at ease.

Hmm... Now that this white-haired guy is indeed Uzbekistan's lover, the channel is truly open and unobstructed, making cooperation much easier!
Taking advantage of the moment when Homiga was screaming at Mo Zhen, Colt straightened his expensive dark suit, put on what he thought was a charming and sincere business smile, and stepped forward to stand in front of Homiga.

"Captain Homiga, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Colt's voice was loud and enthusiastic, as if the screaming and embarrassment from before had never happened.

"I'm Colt, the head of the Seventh District of the Quickdraw Squad. I've heard so much about you and the Poison Smoke Squad! That performance just now... uh, it was truly... unique, full of raw impact!"

He cleverly avoided giving a specific description, while subtly complimenting the other party's innovative new gameplay.

"The reason I've come to see you today is to express my hope that I can engage in deeper cooperation with your narcotics squad..."

Homiga was still in shock, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at the strange man in the suit who had suddenly barged in, her mind a complete mess.

Quick Guns? District 7? What kind of band is that?
She subconsciously thought that this was a musician brought by Mo Zhen, perhaps an underground singer who wanted to ride on her popularity to do rock music.

"Cooperation...?"

Want to collaborate with your own band?
The thought sent chills down her spine.

When she recalled the nightmarish experience of leaving Mr. Akromma and this stage, and collaborating with Mo Zhen to shoot a music video—the ridicule from the entire internet, the collapse of her faith, the loss of her magic, a huge fear surged up again and engulfed Homiga.

She had finally returned to the stage where her magic could be rekindled, and now she was like a wounded wild animal, reacting violently to the slightest disturbance.

No! Absolutely not! She never wants to go through that hell again!
No one can do it; I absolutely cannot be dragged into that abyss that rendered her voice useless and caused her to be despised by millions!

Only here, under Mr. Akromma's scientific guidance, does her voice possess magic, and only here can she experience the bliss of being fervently worshipped!
Homiga shook her head violently like a startled rabbit, her white braids swinging wildly.

"No! No cooperation! I will always... I will only ever cooperate with my current team! Outsiders... absolutely no outsiders!"

She practically screamed the last word, her eyes scanning between Mo Zhen and Colt with terror, as if they were demons dragging her back to hell.

After experiencing the despair of losing everything, she will never leave the comfort zone that made her "dream come true" to do any new rock music.

Colt's smile froze slightly, but he quickly recovered, though a barely perceptible hint of malice flashed deep in his eyes.

Homiga's resolute, even fearful, rejection of "only working with the current team" and "absolutely no outsiders" was automatically translated into his ears as: The Poison Smoke Team is doing very well, is extremely exclusive, and will never allow outsiders to interfere and take a share of the profits!

She was warning him not to get involved in Meng Ziyan's business!
Damn, this woman is really possessive of her food!

Colt cursed inwardly, but his smile remained unchanged.

“Miss Homiga, don’t be so quick to refuse. My Colt team has some influence in the lower district of Liyong City. Our Quick Gun team and your Poison Smoke team are a powerful alliance…”

He tried to emphasize his strength and the value of his territory, implying that cooperation would be a win-win situation. "No means no!"

Homiga didn't want to hear anything; all she wanted now was for those two to disappear so she could return to Mr. Akromma for safety.

"No energy will work! My magic... my creations... can only work here... only with my team! You... you must leave!"

She was incoherent, her body began to tremble again, and her eyes were filled with extreme fear of "losing her magic".

Colt frowned as he looked at Homiga, who seemed completely unmoved and as if her tail had been stepped on.

This woman's reaction was far too intense, as if her sore spot had been touched. How could the Poison Smoke Team control its supply channels so tightly?

But this did not discourage him; everything was still within expectations.

As the leader of the toxic smoke team, it was indeed ill-considered for an outsider like myself to suddenly appear before them and start discussing this incredibly profitable deal.

Realizing his abruptness and recklessness, he glanced at Uz, who was standing calmly and silently beside him, and quickly began to make plans in his mind.

It seems that directly negotiating a collaboration with Homiga won't work; we'll have to rely on this kid...

Colt gave Mo Zhen a look, deciding to let his "wife" take the initiative and persuade the other party.

Mo Zhen received Colt's gaze, but instead of going forward to "comfort" or "persuade" Homiga as Colt had expected, he turned his gaze to Colt and gave him a casual reminder.

"Collter, when you're doing business with a rock star, you might as well be more direct. If you beat around the bush, he won't understand."

He glanced meaningfully at Homiga, who was still trembling with fear on the ground.

“An artist’s mind is relatively pure. You should tell her what you have lost and what you should have gained.”

Colt was taken aback, then suddenly realized.

Uzbekistan is reminding himself that he needs to use language the other party can understand—interests, naked interests, even threats!
His fake business smile vanished instantly, replaced by the toughness and coldness of a street tyrant.

Taking a step closer, Colt's tall figure cast an oppressive shadow in the dim light, completely enveloping Homiga, who was sprawled on the ground.

"Captain Homiga, since you're so adamant, I'll be frank with you. The slackers on our Quick Gun team's turf are practically ruined by your toxic smoke team's high-quality stuff!"

Homiga was intimidated by his imposing presence, shrank back, and looked bewildered.

"Bulls and horses? Good stuff? What... what are you talking about?"

"Meng Ziyan!"

Colt spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice firm and resolute.

"Don't you fucking tell me you don't know what this stuff you guys are churning out is called! After inhaling that pink ghoul stuff, people are living in a dream world! These bastards are all addicted to smoking, unable to extricate themselves from the illusion of their dreams coming true. They can't even take care of themselves, let alone work, and they can't pay a single penny of protection money! You've completely destroyed the foundation of our Quick Gun Team!"

Homiga's bewilderment deepened, even carrying a hint of absurd doubt.

"Dream... Dream cigarettes? Dreams come true? Addiction? Protection money?"

These words were completely foreign to her and utterly incompatible with her dream of being in a rock band.

But the phrase "dreams come true" was like a cold needle, piercing her chaotic nerves unexpectedly.

Colt's anger flared up at her innocent and naive appearance.

Pretending! Still pretending! Do you think we're idiots?
"Stop playing dumb with me!"

He suddenly leaned down, almost grabbing Homiga by the collar, his voice filled with the anger of being fooled.

"Look at those lunatics in the audience when you were barking like a dog! Listen to the monstrous things they were shouting about—dreams, magic, living a life of debauchery—what's the difference between them and those useless cowards lying in the street daydreaming after smoking some kind of dream drug?! Stop pretending you don't know what you've done!"

Boom——!
Colt's words struck Homiga's chaotic consciousness like a thunderbolt!
The audience members below the stage were completely mesmerized, ecstatic, and entranced...

They chanted her name, as if they had truly touched their dream...

That feeling of adoration that made her tremble with happiness...

Could it be... could it be that her singing brought it on?

A massive, chilling terror gripped her heart in an instant, almost suffocating her.

"No...impossible..."

Homiga's voice trembled violently, and his face was ashen.

She abruptly turned her head to look down at the stage. The pinkish-purple smoke that had not yet dissipated in the air now appeared incredibly ferocious and eerie to her!
The truth was already becoming clear in Homiga's mind.

But... she didn't want to believe it, and couldn't believe it was true!

This small stage was her final dreamland. She knew she could no longer leave to face the cruel truth.

So she went mad, immersed in a dreamscape shrouded in poisonous smoke, screaming out the truth she wanted to believe.

"Shut up! It's all lies! It's all a hoax! My 'Drug Smoke Team'... is just a rock band! We only play music! We... we've never resold any cigarettes! Never! What 'Dream Smoke'... I've never even heard of it!"

Colt was completely enraged.

Now that things have come to this, and the other party is still pretending to be crazy, he has lost patience and directly pulls out his trump card to completely reveal his hand.

"Never sold before? Bullshit! Homiga, you really think I'm here to talk about rock and roll dreams? Stop with your tricks! Let me tell you the truth, I have connections in your band! I know all about your dirty business! In three days, a large batch of new raw materials will arrive at Liyong Port, going through the [Heisenberg] line, right?!"

Colt accurately reported the source of the goods and the route, causing Homiga's pupils to suddenly contract.

To be honest, she had no idea what all those people under her toxic smoke team were doing.

Upon hearing this precise and specific information, she was instantly overwhelmed by immense fear and a sense of absurdity.

She wanted to deceive herself and continue dreaming of her dreams coming true, but everything in front of her was frantically dragging her toward cruel reality!

The Poison Smoke Team... Could it be... could it really be...?

"I'm telling you right now!"

Colt's voice was like that of a final judgment.

"Either cooperate with our Quick-Fire Team and we all make money together, or... don't blame me for flipping the table! You've been draining my resources on my turf, cutting off my livelihood, and you still want to take it all for yourself? No way! If you really push me, we'll go our separate ways!"

"what--!!!"

Colt's threatening words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

"No! That's not it! We're a rock band! We just sing! We don't smoke! We don't have...dream...smoke—!!!"

Homiga let out a shrill scream so piercing it was inhuman, a sound filled with the despair of a completely collapsed faith, the excruciating pain of being pierced by the truth, and an unbearable, immense fear.

No...no...don't say anymore...if this continues...I...I really will believe it!!!
Like a mad dog that had completely lost its mind, she suddenly sprang up from the ground, using all four limbs to unleash astonishing speed, tumbling and crawling towards the deeper darkness backstage.

She knocked over the speakers and kicked the stage, leaving a trail of chaos in her wake. Only her heart-wrenching, incomprehensible cries echoed repeatedly in the empty backstage area, growing farther and farther away until they were finally swallowed up by the darkness.

Colt stared dumbfounded in the direction Homiga had disappeared, then cast an incredulous look at the expressionless Mo Zhen.

"What... what the hell is going on?"

Colt was completely dumbfounded, looking utterly bewildered.

"Is she...is she crazy? What did I say wrong? Why is she reacting so strongly?!"

He couldn't understand Homiga's sudden breakdown and escape at all.

They were clearly just laying their cards on the table and discussing business. Although they were a bit forceful, who in the underworld hasn't seen this kind of situation before? Was it really necessary to go to such lengths?
Mo Zhen slowly straightened up, looking in the direction Homiga had disappeared. Ignoring the bewildered Colt, she slowly walked into the darkness Homiga had fled into…

(End of this chapter)