Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

Having witnessed this scene, Gengar fell silent, seemingly deep in thought. Its eyes glanced discreetly in the direction of Chandelure before quickly looking away.

In the end, he did nothing but silently nod at Xia Chen.

So that's how it is. It guessed who the perpetrator was, but couldn't do anything about it.

As the leader of a group, it is a major taboo to punish one's own people for the sake of an outsider.

The best solution is for Xia Chen to take Soroya away.

The human and the ghost exchanged a knowing glance. Ibu, who was standing next to them, also understood what was going on. It put the three chosen items into its small bag and then jumped onto Xia Chen's shoulder.

With everything ready, Xia Chen strode towards the gate of the abandoned hotel, preparing to leave this place of trouble.

Whether it's the perpetrators or factional infighting within this group, I simply don't have the ability to deal with it right now; rescuing Zoroya would be a success in itself.

However, when Xia Chen saw the crystal chandelier spirit silently floating to the doorway and blocking his way, he knew that things wouldn't end so easily.

…………

The Crystal Chandelier Spirit floated silently in front of the gate, motionless, its ghostly eyes fixed on Xia Chen and the Soroya in his arms.

Xia Chen didn't understand its intention, so he could only pretend to be confused, "Ah, is it because we took your things? Well... we won unfairly in the first place, Eevee, give those things back to them."

Although Eevee was seething with hatred, reason told her that with her current strength, she was far from being a match for this Chandelure. So she could only empty the three items she had just obtained from her small bag.

Looking at these three valuable Pokémon items, the little money-grubber Eevee felt a pang of heartache, but given the current situation, she could only mutter, "Things change, don't underestimate a poor girl!"

The clattering of the fallen spirit items did not attract the attention of the chandelier spirit, which remained silently watching Xia Chen and Zoroya.

Even Gengar behind him couldn't stand it anymore. It floated in front of Xia Chen, its scarlet eyes coldly glaring back at Chandelure, and warned, "Goblin!"

As a leader, one must naturally maintain a balance within the community and understand what is more important than what is less important.

However, when an elf challenges its authority as leader, it must respond with the strongest stance.

In this harsh wilderness, even within a single tribe, the law of the jungle prevails, and the change of leaders is a common occurrence.

At this moment, seeing Chandelure's imposing aura, Gengar knew that it was not only causing trouble for Xia Chen and Zoroark, but also challenging its authority!

If I can't protect Xia Chen and the others and get them out, I will lose all my prestige in this clan!

Gengar dropped its previously nonchalant, carefree grin, and gradually exuded a terrifying aura.

Powerful Pokémon naturally exert a sense of pressure on lower-ranking Pokémon.

This sense of oppression is not the rather useless characteristic of some legendary elves, but rather an aura, a kind of power.

This thing sounds quite fantastical, but it's simply the materialization of energy within an elf's body.

Generally speaking, experienced trainers can judge a Pokémon's approximate strength by its aura.

…………

Xia Chen didn't have this experience, but Ibrahimovic did.

Feeling the oppressive aura emanating from the Gengar in front of him, which almost made the surrounding air stagnate, Eevee instantly judged that this Gengar's strength had reached the Gym Leader level!

For a wild Pokémon without a trainer, this level of strength is already quite remarkable. She is now somewhat relieved that she did not provoke them before.

The Crystal Chandelier Spirit's aura paused for a moment, but only for a brief instant, before it unleashed an incomparably powerful pressure.

If you look at the beams with the naked eye, you'll see that Chandelure's aura is even stronger than Gengar's!

Eevee was shocked. Her keen senses instantly made her realize that Chandelure was stronger than Gengar!

In a wild elf pack, when the leader is no longer the most powerful being, it means that the pack... is about to change!

"...Ku-jie!"

Gengar stared in disbelief at its companion, with whom it had spent every day. When... had it surpassed it?

Chandelure was quite pleased with Gengar's expression, and it smiled coldly to itself.

While you were playing tricks on humans, while you were having fun, while you were doing meaningless things, I was doing only one thing: enduring and becoming stronger!

All I've done is to look forward to this day!

It's time to change the owner of this abandoned hotel!

Upon witnessing this scene, the surrounding Ghost-type Pokémon spontaneously formed a circle, creating a natural battlefield for the two Pokémon clashing.

Xia Chen stared blankly at everything, feeling somewhat lost and bewildered by the sudden changes.

However, it seems that only Gengar is on his side right now, so Xia Chen took out Milotic's Poké Ball, ready to lend a helping hand.

"Buyi!"

On his shoulder, Eevee, with a solemn expression, shook his head, stopping Xia Chen's actions, and then pointed to the Pokémon arranged in a circle.

Xia Chen understood and silently walked to the outer edge of this "duel arena," placing a small wood spirit and a pumpkin monster between them to form the wall of the arena.

He now understood what was about to happen: the duel between wild elf tribes for leadership was about to begin.

Xia Chen decided to sit down and observe. If Gengar won, then everyone would be happy.

If the chandelier spirit wins... it will run away with its bucket.

It wasn't that he abandoned Gengar out of loyalty, but rather that even a powerful Gengar had lost, and there was no point in him staying behind except to be killed.

Gengar has a reason to fight, but I don't.

As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. It's not too late to come back and avenge Gengar when I'm strong enough.

…………

Gengar and Chandelure are similar in some ways; both have explosively high special attack output but extremely poor durability.

The difference is that Gengar is faster, while Chandelure is more balanced in other aspects.

In addition, the fact that Ghost-type Pokémon are mutually supersede each other makes the battle for leadership between the two Pokémon extremely fierce.

There was no probing, no tug-of-war, no tactics; there was only a relentless barrage of attacks!

The incredibly fast speed at which the two Pokémon unleashed their attacks left them almost no time to adjust their positions. They both knew that in this pure contest of energy and endurance, if either of them failed to keep up, defeat, or even...death, would be their fate!

Whether Chandelure successfully overthrows its superior or Gengar defends its position, neither of them can allow the other to live in this world.

The world of wild elves is just that cruel.

Shadowballs flew across the field, and the Dark Shadow streaked through the air. The energy ripples from the constant collisions of the attacks repeatedly splashed towards Xia Chen's position, but were all neutralized by the Dream Demon that silently drifted over.

Looking at Mismagius who was gazing at Gengar with concern, Xia Chen felt that she must be a staunch "Ghost protector".

However, the boss duel does not allow any external interference or intervention, and the Dream Demon can only pray futilely from the sidelines.

As time went by, the two Pokémon's stamina visibly deteriorated, and their attack speed became slower and slower.

This is good news for Gengar, as the slower pace gives it a chance to use its speed advantage to adjust its position.

It was now completely certain that the Crystal Lampfire Spirit was stronger than itself, and if it continued to exchange blows like before, it would have no chance of winning.

Gengar cleverly leaped up to dodge the Shadow Ball, which had slowed down considerably. Its eyes narrowed as it sensed an opportunity.

The Crystal Chandelier Spirit's attack intervals have now increased to almost two seconds. Within that time, with my speed, I can first strike its face and then unleash a Shadow Ball at close range.

If those two doubly effective moves hit, it's doomed!

…………

A purplish-black figure swept through the air, and before any of the Pokémon could react, Gengar had already ambushed Chandelure, who was still forming a Shadow Ball.

Its face lit up with joy; next, just one more Shadow Ball...

Gengar was gathering the deadly Shadow Ball when a sudden, intense pain shot through its lower body.

Its crimson eyes glanced down instinctively and saw a rapidly spinning shadow sphere eroding its belly, and then...

boom--

A sound much louder than the explosions produced by all the previous clashes suddenly erupted in the arena.

Accompanying this was the purple-black energy that the shadow sphere, which had been gathering power for an unknown period of time, splashed out in all directions.

Even the scattered energy has such a great impact, let alone the explosive power contained in the Shadow Sphere itself.

So, what happens to Gengar after absorbing the full damage from that Shadow Ball...?

Xia Chen subconsciously looked at Gengar, who had been hit by the Shadow Ball and sent flying backward, and was surprised to find that the round purple body was lying on the ground, motionless!

It was over in just one move?

Xia Chen suddenly realized the seriousness of the situation, and he looked around at the reactions of the elves.

They all stared in shock at their former leader, Gengar, whom they considered invincible, now lying helplessly on the ground, their eyes revealing a variety of emotions.

Pure shock, sadness, excitement... one can see their respective stances in the innocent eyes of these elves.

However, all of this was no longer relevant to Xia Chen. He silently moved closer to the main entrance, preparing to make his escape.

While the Crystal Chandelier Spirit was still basking in the awe-inspiring gazes of its people, it was time to make a quick getaway.

After it finishes off Gengar, it will probably start dealing with the "remnants of the previous dynasty".

As an outsider who is a "guardian of the ghosts," I am likely to be one of those who will be purged.

If you don’t leave now, when will you wait?

…………

Xia Chen was quietly moving step by step to the front door when Soroya, who had been dormant in his arms for a long time, suddenly moved.

The recent treatment and a period of rest seemed to have restored her vitality, and she suddenly unleashed a power that was completely out of character for her frail body.

Xia Chen, in his human form, was powerless to stop Zorua's actions. He could only stare in disbelief as the little fox broke free of his embrace, jumped into the arena, and stood in front of Gengar.

Xia Chen was stunned. He didn't understand why Zoroya would go and die like that. Could he really help Gengar by taking bullets for it?

Gengar's defeat is an unchangeable fact. The winner of this duel has already been revealed. What's the point of doing this other than risking your own life?

What an idiot!

Xia Chen cursed the stubborn Zoroa under his breath, but still took out Milotic's Poké Ball.

It wasn't that he wanted to stay and fight the Chandelure Spirit; Zoroah wanted to die, but he didn't want to.

He just didn't want to turn around and run away in such a pathetic way... leaving Zoroya feeling only indifference and despair before he died.

He really liked this lonely and stubborn Zoroa. Xia Chen wanted her to know that there was still someone in this world who cared about her and was willing to fight for her, even if only for a moment, with just one move...