Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 398 "Case Solved! The Crimson Atop Silver Mountain is a Ghost!"

As the impact of the Qibana video continues to grow, following the viral topic of Liu Bo in Kaji Town, the topic of the crimson of Baiyin Mountain seamlessly took over the spotlight.

From gaming forums to social media platforms, from short videos to live stream comments, discussions about "Crimson" are everywhere.

#Cibana's crushing defeat#

#The man you need 16 badges to meet#

#Legend of Silver Mountain#

Several topics have remained highly popular and have even begun to reach a wider range of ordinary netizens.

What followed was a variety of outrageous fan creations and interpretations.

Some people have analyzed the background music when Crimson makes her appearance frame by frame, calling it the "Advent of the Gods".

Some people have dug up the move sets of each Pokémon in the Crimson Team, attempting to replicate the "legendary setup".

Some people have even started to delve into the deeper "meaning".

An analysis post titled "Is the Crimson of Baiyin Mountain a Person or a Ghost?" sparked heated discussion on the forum.

The poster, starting from the perspective of game design, listed several details that are "terrifying upon closer inspection":

First, Baiyin Mountain is covered in snow all year round, and the climate is extremely harsh, making it impossible for normal people to survive there for long.

Crimson stands there forever, forever waiting for challengers. Where does his supply come from? What does he eat? Where does he live?

Secondly, when Crimson sees a player, it never speaks, only displays a "————" dialogue box, and then immediately starts the battle.

There was no small talk, no background information, just like a pre-programmed routine.

Third, his Pikachu is at level 88, far exceeding the strength of a normal wild Pokémon, which is unlike the level that a "living" trainer could raise.

In normal battles, the experience required increases as you progress. Reaching level 88 would take forever!

Fourth, Mt. Silver was once the border between Kanto and Johto, and legend has it that countless trainers who never returned are buried here.

Those who failed to conquer Silver Mountain never returned.

The poster concluded:

Crimson was actually already dead.

The figure on the mountaintop was nothing more than a ghost born of obsession.

A "fighting spirit" that never leaves, seeking the strongest opponent.

Always at its peak, waiting for every challenger who dares to climb to the top.

Comments below.

"The timing of Crimson's appearance is too strange. It's so cold on the top of Silver Mountain. He was standing there wearing a red vest. A normal person would have frozen to death long ago."

"Yes, and he didn't say a word the whole time, just stood there silently, and then the fight started. That's not normal behavior."

"And the background music, the atmosphere, the sense of oppression—it's too much like some kind of ritual."

"So—Crimson was actually dead a long time ago? That's just his ghost?"

"That makes sense! Otherwise, there's no way to explain why he always stands there and never says a word!"

"Case solved! The crimson aura atop Mount Shirogane is a ghost!"

This post was quickly shared widely after it was published.

Countless netizens exclaimed, "It's terrifying!" and "I dare not play Baiyinshan anymore!"

Although some people refuted that "this is just a game Easter egg," urban legends tend to get more and more outlandish as they are passed down.

In no time, "Baiyinshan Champion" became a new internet meme.

"Don't go to Silver Mountain alone tonight, be careful you don't run into ghosts."

"I've been working overtime until this late today, and I'm practically glowing red from exhaustion."

"My boss asked me to revise the plan again. I feel like my soul has left my body, and like Crimson, all that's left is obsession."

Silver Mountain, at its summit.

The wind was biting cold, and snowflakes were flying everywhere.

Venusaur's vine whips collided with Charizard's dragon claws in mid-air, unleashing a massive shockwave!

The strong wind blew away all the surrounding snow, revealing bare rocks.

"Charizard! Dragon Pulse!"

The verdant sound pierced through the wind and snow, carrying its usual coldness.

Charizard roared, condensing a purple energy ball in its mouth, and blasted it towards Venusaur!

"Bulbasaur! Protect!"

Crimson pressed down on the brim of his hat, his voice as concise as ever.

A deep blue energy barrier unfolded in front of Venusaur, steadily blocking the Dragon Pulse.

Both Pokémon were panting, their stamina nearing its limit.

"Is that enough?"

Crimson looked at Green, its gaze calm.

Qinglu nodded and also looked away.

"Okay, that's all for today."

He recalled his Charizard, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"You've made progress."

Crimson also recalled Venusaur.

"The same to you."

The two exchanged a glance, and everything was understood without a word.

On the huge rock next to him, Ajin was sitting with his legs crossed, holding an encyclopedia, and idly watching videos.

Hearing the two finish their match, he rolled his eyes and muttered, "Can you two stop being so gay? It's sickening to watch."

Qinglu frowned, about to retort.

Holy crap!!!

Akin suddenly sprang up from the rock!

"Little Red! Little Green! Something terrible has happened!"

Holding the illustrated guide, he rushed over to the two of them, making a racket, and almost tripped over the snow under his feet.

"Look, look! You're trending again! No, I mean, Little Red, you're trending again!!"

He shoved the encyclopedia screen in front of the two of them, frantically poking at it with his fingers.

The above displays various online discussion posts and video clips about "Shanbaiyin Red".

In particular, the scene where Cibana encounters the "Red Easter Egg" and is defeated at lightning speed has been repeatedly played and analyzed.

The number of views has exceeded ten million.

crimson:

Qinglu also came over, looked for a few seconds, and raised an eyebrow.

"Wow, he looked pretty cool on his first appearance."

Her tone was indifferent, but Crimson keenly sensed a hint of envy or jealousy in Green's words.

A-Jin pointed at the screen, his tone full of bitterness and accusation of "injustice".

"Look at you guys! Brother Bai Zhou is so biased!"

"HeartGold/SoulSilver is clearly a game where I'm the protagonist! I've explored the entire Johto region!"

"And the result? And the result?!"

"He actually secretly made such a cool hidden Easter egg for you! And it's right on the summit of Silver Mountain!"

"They're ridiculously strong! Is that fair?!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and was so anxious that he jumped up and down.

"That's the ultimate Easter egg that you have to complete both regions and collect all 16 badges to trigger! It's got the real prestige!"

"Why is it only you who has it? What about me? Where's my Easter egg? Has Brother Bai Zhou forgotten about me?!"

He looked at Qinglu, trying to find an ally.

"Little Green, don't you agree?! Why is it only Red who gets the Easter egg?! You're a legendary trainer too, you're just as strong as him, so why is he the only one standing on the mountaintop?"

Qinglu remained expressionless, but as she stared at the extremely flamboyant entrance of Chihong in the video, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

He was certainly unhappy about it too.

A lone figure amidst the wind and snow, turning around to reveal the team, accompanied by a powerful and imposing background music—

This design, this atmosphere, it's just too cool.

Indeed, why should only Crimson receive this treatment?

He wanted it too!

Green glanced at Crimson.

This guy may seem dull on the surface, but he's probably secretly gloating inside.

They were both training at Mt. Silver, and he was a legendary trainer and this guy's rival!

Why is Crimson the only one standing on the mountaintop in the game?

Bai Zhou's preferential treatment is too obvious!

However, he would never openly proclaim his pride in being "the one who nurtured" Qinglv like Ajin did.

She silently kept this "displeasure" in her heart, planning to "have a good chat" with Bai Zhou next time she saw him.

A little embarrassed by their stares, Chi Hong scratched the back of his head and whispered, "This—I didn't expect Brother Bai Zhou to do this—it's nothing—"

But his slightly reddened ears betrayed his inner joy.

Seeing yourself designed to be so powerful and legendary in the game, it's hard not to feel happy and proud as a trainer.

"Nothing?!"

Ajin stared wide-eyed, pointing angrily at him, her finger almost poking his red nose.

"You call that nothing? Little Red! You know you'll get beaten up for saying that!"

"Your smirk is practically pointing to the sky! Stop pretending! Stop pretending!"

He turned to the greenery, seeking support.

"Little Green, tell me, is he faking it?"

Qinglu paused for a second, then spoke expressionlessly.

"really."

He paused, then added another blow.

"And it's very noticeably perky."

crimson:

Okay, he admits he did feel a little bit of secret smugness.

Just a tiny bit.

"No, no! This can't just be left like this!"

A-Jin's eyes lit up, and he suddenly had an idea.

"Little Red! Since the internet is spreading such rumors, why don't we take this opportunity to recreate the famous scene and take a real photo of 'Mount Shirogane is Crimson'!"

"what?"

Crimson was stunned and didn't react.

"What are you filming?"

"Let's recreate the classic scenes from the game!"

Ajin pulled him and ran towards the other side of the mountain peak.

"Find a place with heavy snow and wind, stand there, strike the same pose, and I'll take a picture of you! You'll look absolutely stunning!"

Crimson was dragged a few steps by him, then looked back at Green.

Jia Lu crossed her arms and slightly raised her chin.

"Go ahead, I want to see if we can replicate the effects in the game."

Helpless, Chi Hong could only be dragged along by Aya to a location quite similar to the one in the game.

The wind and snow were howling, and visibility was extremely low.

He stood on the edge of the cliff, took a deep breath, pressed down the brim of his hat with one hand, and struck his signature pose.

"Ta-da! This angle is perfect!"

Holding the picture book, Aya diligently adjusted her position in the snow.

"Lower your head a little bit! Yes, yes! Don't move! This pose is so cool! I'm going to swoon!"

Click.

The scene unfolds perfectly at this moment.

Ah Jin looked down at the photo, nodded in satisfaction, and wore a smug smile that said, "I'm a genius."

"Perfect! Now I have my own exclusive collection of photos! I'll post them online later, maybe they'll go viral!"

"I've already thought of the title: Exclusive Exploration of Silver Mountain, Unveiling the Unknown Side of the Crimson Legend!"

Before he could finish speaking...

Amidst the wind and snow, a cacophony of sounds could be faintly heard, mixed with human voices, seemingly approaching the mountaintop.

The three of them were taken aback at the same time, and glanced at each other.

In this kind of terrible weather, who would climb up here?

A dozen minutes ago.

On another hiking route leading to the summit, there was a young trainer with the ID "Believe in Science".

While engaging in challenging extreme mountaineering adventures, he passionately broadcasts his audio equipment.

He just turned twenty this year and is a well-known adventure trainer who has accumulated over 100,000 fans by adopting the persona of "using science to dispel superstition".

"—Family nail, do you see this? My current location is halfway up the legendary Silver Mountain!"

"The environment here is indeed harsh, and the Pokémon here are indeed very strong. Just now, a group of Sandshrew almost killed me."

"However! I insist on approaching this issue scientifically and not being intimidated by so-called urban legends!"

He was panting heavily as he struggled to climb a steep, almost precarious slope, nearly slipping and falling, which drew a flurry of comments from the live stream viewers.

The comment read "Be careful."

The "red Easter egg" in the game is just a game design element! It's a hidden boss that Saltyfish-sensei set up to increase the game's fun and challenge!

"And Crimson Legend himself is the Kanto Champion, he's human! He has his own life, friends, and family!"

"How could he possibly stay on this desolate, snow-capped mountaintop year-round? To become a reclusive monk?"

He laughed twice, trying to lighten the mood.

"This so-called 'Ghost of Silver Mountain' is just data, a program, a piece of code!"

"I'm determined to reach the summit today and show everyone what I'm capable of."

"Aside from snow and the possibility of powerful new Pokémon, there's nothing else here!"

"Let's break the rumors, starting with me!"

"Hahaha, the host is so brave, climbing a mountain in this weather."

"I knew it! How could it possibly be truly crimson? It's all just hype!"

"Be careful, the Pokémon born in Mt. Silver are of very high level."

"But some of those videos online are really suspicious—are you sure you want to go on them?"

"Do you have any Dark-type Pokémon partners around? I'll let you in on a little secret: Dark-type moves are super effective against Ghost-type Pokémon!"

"The ones before were so mean, hahaha!"

The young trainer continues to climb upwards.

The higher you go, the stronger the wind and snow, and the lower the visibility.

Just as he was about to reach the summit, passing through the last swirling snowflakes.

His vision blurred, but he could vaguely make out a figure on the edge of a cliff not far ahead.

Standing on the edge of the cliff.

He pressed down on the brim of his hat with one hand.

Snow and wind swirled around him.

Not moving at all.

The young trainer suddenly stopped in his tracks.

The live stream chat was flooded with comments at that moment.

"Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! There really is someone here!"