"Ha!"
Looking at the Charmeleon before him, Michael seemed like he wanted to say something. But blood filled his mouth, and only strange sounds came out.
"Sorry. I thought he was about to attack, so I ordered Charmeleon to strike."
"This was my mistake in judgment. I'm willing to accept any punishment."
Noticing Mason's eyes on him, Gu Yuan quickly admitted his fault with a serious face.
"It's fine. You're still young; making a mistake like this isn't strange. Besides, there's no real loss."
"This time, you helped us a lot in capturing this criminal. Later, I'll give you the task points you deserve."
"And, could I ask you for a favor? Please take Officer Jenny's Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for treatment. I'll take care of things here."
Looking at Michael's corpse, Mason only felt relief.
"No problem. I'm glad I could help."
Without refusing, Gu Yuan ordered Kadabra to use Teleport. Carrying Officer Jenny's Pokémon and himself, he vanished, leaving Mason and Jenny alone.
Having someone this strong living so close, Gu Yuan naturally paid attention to him.
In secret, Gu Yuan had already observed him. He made some guesses about his identity.
The danger that both Eevee and he sensed came from the man's power. But he wasn't a hunter, a criminal, or a member of Team Rocket. Instead, he was likely part of a League department.
It might sound vague, but from small details, it was possible to judge someone's profession. This was part of the knowledge Gu Yuan studied.
His goal was simple. He wanted to avoid mistakes, to make his own actions look ordinary.
The wanted poster on the bulletin board also made Gu Yuan guess more about Mason's actions.
That was why, when Mason left the Pokémon Center, Gu Yuan followed.
He had two goals. One, to see if he could gain something, like back at Mt. Moon, and two, to make connections.
Gu Yuan never forgot his undercover mission.
To climb higher, he needed allies and a network. He couldn't rely on himself alone.
That was why he stepped in when Mason needed help. That was why he struck when Mason wanted Michael dead.
The target was only a criminal. Gu Yuan believed Mason wouldn't punish him for it. And the truth proved him right.
"Mason! Bob, Ross, Oka, and Kazu, how are they?"
Seeing Mason, Jenny clutched at him like he was her last hope, wanting to hear different news.
"They're all dead. And it was your stupidity that caused their pointless deaths!"
Staring at Jenny, Mason suppressed his anger and spoke coldly.
Just as Gu Yuan guessed, Mason came to Lakeside Town to hunt Michael. At the same time, he wanted to judge Jenny's performance.
He had known her even before she had been transferred here.
Back then, Jenny was full of drive and passion. Mason admired her, even if her eagerness went too far. He believed she would change one day.
Even if she couldn't find Michael, if she showed growth and skill, Mason would have taken her back.
But Mason was disappointed. Her patrols were useless, and she refused to take help from others.
In the end, Bob and the others died in no small part because of her incompetence.
Mason didn't care how badly Jenny wanted to be assigned to a busier town. Her performance was disgraceful. She dishonored the name Jenny!
"I'll report the truth. I also have some responsibility. I won't escape it."
"But you, my advice is that you give up being a police officer. I don't want to see more comrades die because of your stupidity!"
After speaking, Mason ignored her and went into the station to handle the bodies of the fallen.
Outside the police station, Jenny stared at the symbol that represented the police. Tears streamed down her face.
She sat there, unmoving.
Mason worked quickly. He gathered the bodies and arranged everything with efficiency.
With his report, officers from the nearest town arrived to help. They wanted to lay the fallen to rest as soon as possible.
Rumors spread. Jenny's failures were no secret. Not one of the arriving officers spared her any sympathy as she sat outside.
"I've heard what happened. Their funeral will be held soon. I know if you go, people will treat you badly. But I think they would want you to walk with them one last time."
"Before they died, everything they did was for you. They would want to see you live on, to see you become better."
With Kadabra's help, Gu Yuan appeared silently behind Jenny and spoke gently.
Because he had helped kill Michael, he had gained goodwill from the police who came. That was why he knew and why he said this now.
Hearing his words, Jenny's dull eyes seemed to gain light again.
"Alright."
Her hoarse voice was firm.
She stood, swaying. She refused Gu Yuan's hand, instead looking at him straight on.
"Kadabra."
Gu Yuan didn't let her walk. Kadabra used Teleport again.
When they arrived, the funeral had already been going on for some time.
The moment Jenny appeared, many officers looked at her with disgust. But because it was a funeral, they didn't act out.
Gu Yuan handed her a white chrysanthemum and supported her as she walked to the graves.
Kneeling there, Jenny's tears flowed again.
Her lips moved nonstop, but Gu Yuan couldn't hear her words.
Behind them, Mason watched. His gaze toward Jenny was calm now. But when he looked at Gu Yuan, it was full of respect.
Whether it was his sudden appearance that night, his quick action in killing Michael, or bringing Jenny here to face the funeral, Mason felt this young man was remarkable. He quietly committed Gu Yuan's name to memory.