Clack—
The three "Life Crystals" in Abra's hand shattered, along with some unseen shackles within Abra itself.
Its psychic power seemed to have undergone a qualitative change after a quantitative increase.
As its psychic power grew more solid, its overall strength was also enhanced.
Abra finally emerged from the Qualified Level and entered the Excellence Level!
As its strength improved, the absorption rate of the remaining "Life Crystals" undoubtedly accelerated.
The changes in Abra were observed by both Natsuhiko and Ann Ci, but before they could celebrate, the coming Pokémon made their hearts sink.
Starting with Trevenant, they had already repelled four waves of attacks by Ghost-type Pokémon.
And each wave was stronger than the last, leaving Beedrill and Farfetch'd with various scars.
Despite Togepi's Prayer and Healing Bell Sound as assistance, these wounds need time to fully recover.
Pokémon are ultimately not data nor tools; they also have limits to their recovery capabilities.
This time, only one Pokémon appeared.
Yet it filled them with immense pressure.
Only one.
An Elite Level Haunter!
If Ann Ci's other two Pokémon were in shape, and Beedrill and Farfetch'd were at their peak, they might have stood a chance against an Elite-level Pokémon.
But Ann Ci's two Pokémon were seriously injured before entering the Spirit Realm, and now Beedrill and Farfetch'd have undergone several battles, making them not fit to confront an Elite-level Haunter, probably only able to hold out for a short time.
They couldn't stay any longer.
Natsuhiko made a decisive judgment in his heart.
He shouted in a low voice, "Abra, go!"
Abra was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted, tightly grasping the powder of "Life Energy" in one hand, and a Buddha Bead in the other, rapidly extending reinforced psychic power to envelop them all.
The rapidly approaching Haunter could not possibly just watch its prey leave.
From quite a distance, its eyes glimmered with black light.
Black Gaze!
However.
Just as Black Gaze was about to lock onto Abra, a wisp of black mist suddenly rose, blocking the gaze's erosion, allowing Abra to successfully use Instant Movement to take Natsuhiko and the others away.
"Koka!"
Haunter watched its Black Gaze being intercepted and was immediately filled with anger, looking around, trying to find what blocked its hunt.
But when its gaze landed in a corner.
On the short figure hidden in the shadows, its sight lightly trembled, and its body became rigid.
Then, it noticed a trace of anger in that figure's eyes.
Before Haunter could hurriedly attempt to explain anything.
Puff—
Its body scattered like black mist.
The shadowy figure said something softly...
Boring.
It vanished into the shadow, leaving only a mass of black mist swiftly sweeping over long distances.
After a while.
Haunter's body reformed, its eyes full of fear, quickly fleeing.
It swore never to appear here again.
...
...
On the other side.
"That black mist..."
Natsuhiko thought they would be intercepted by Haunter's Black Gaze but didn't expect the Black Gaze would be blocked by mysterious black mist.
Thus allowing Abra's Instant Movement to allow them to escape.
They were now in the forest where Natsuhiko had just entered the Spirit Realm.
Although the black mist had helped resist Haunter's Black Gaze, it didn't necessarily mean good news.
It only confirmed that there was indeed something unknown present around them at that time.
Unknown things are often more dangerous and mysterious.
And the fact that the entity could easily withstand the Elite-level Haunter's Black Gaze clearly shows its strength exceeds Haunter's.
Being targeted by such a mysterious presence is not good news.
"Abra, can you now sense the 'anchor' point outside?" Natsuhiko asked.
With Abra's improved strength, it might lead them out.
Natsuhiko previously planned to linger in the Spirit Realm waiting for the situation in Goldenrod City to pass.
But now it seems the Spirit Realm may not be much safer than Goldenrod City.
At least Goldenrod City is protected by two Kings.
Abra slowly closed its eyes, and the last bit of Life Crystal powder quickly dissipated from its hand.
Moments later, it opened its eyes, with a cerulean glow swirling in them.
"Abra." It nodded heavily.
"Great, let's go!"
Decisively chose to retreat.
Natsuhiko recalled Beedrill, Togepi, and Pidgeotto, and Ann Ci also recalled Farfetch'd to reduce the number to lessen the burden on Abra.
This time, Instant Movement's charging time was relatively long.
And just as they were enveloped by psychic power and began to leave, a shadow rapidly shot from afar and silently merged into Natsuhiko's shadow.
Puff!
The two humans and one Pokémon disappeared from the Spirit Realm.
After a rather lengthy spatial twisting, Natsuhiko and Ann Ci appeared in the residential area where they lived.
Collapsed to the ground.
Stomachs churning, and after a period, they barely managed to recover.
While Abra fell into a coma, lying in Natsuhiko's arms.
"We're back..." Ann Ci murmured, looking around.
Familiar scenes.
Natsuhiko staggered onto his feet.
"This may not be a good choice either."
The ominous premonition hanging over Goldenrod City could be sensed by almost everyone; if not for the unknown presence in the Spirit Realm targeting them, Natsuhiko might not have chosen to return at this time.
Ann Ci nodded in agreement.
Just as Natsuhiko was about to leave, Ann Ci stopped him.
"Natsuhiko, do you know why the monk entered the underground tunnel then?"
"Hmm?" Natsuhiko half-turned, puzzled, "Wasn't it because he got lost?"
Ann Ci clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and said, "Getting lost was one reason; it was also because the monk sensed an unusually massive Life Energy fluctuation, which led him there."
While speaking, he raised his hand to show the most special Buddha Beads in his possession.
Hearing this, Natsuhiko narrowed his eyes, gradually adopting a serious expression, "Are you saying the real major anomaly might be in that underground tunnel, beneath the Dark Ruins?"
"Yes."
"Then have you..."
"I told them."
Before Natsuhiko could ask further, Ann Ci responded.
He knew what Natsuhiko wanted to ask, whether the matter had been reported to the alliance and informed the two critical Kings.
"Then it's fine. They'll handle it."
"No."
Ann Ci's expression turned unusually serious at this moment.
He again gestured to the Buddha Beads in his hand, which were emitting a faint flickering glow.
Though hard to discern, there was still a perceivable faint red glow growing brighter.
Natsuhiko's face froze.
"Yes, that presence... It's almost ready, or rather, it is ready..."
Already... Ready?
Rumble—
In the distance, outside Goldenrod City, there was a rumbling, the entire ground subtly quaking, clouds layering and spreading.
Some trees began to radically expand.
And among them, appeared numerous Pokémon.
The genuine upheaval of Goldenrod City.
Has begun!
As Natsuhiko and Ann Ci stared into the distance, from Natsuhiko's shadow emerged a shadow, quickly ascending to the rooftop, likewise gazing into the distance.
Its small eyes were full of delight.
This place is fascinating.
——————
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