Over the next three days, Chen Mo spent his time going around Crescent Moon Town, investigating Yu Heguang and the people who had been with him.
Although those events were painful memories that the townspeople preferred not to revisit, Chen Mo had become something of a celebrity. Once people understood why he had come, most of those connected to the incident only hesitated briefly before telling him what they knew.
"Heguang was always smiling. He had a very gentle personality. Even when people mocked him or verbally attacked him during his public outreach, he'd just smile it off."
After hesitating for a long time, one resident who had been close friends with Yu Heguang finally revealed something that had never appeared in the official investigation reports.
"Heguang seemed to have an incredible affinity for wild Pokémon. Especially Water-types. As long as he spent a little time with them, they'd start trusting him very quickly."
"But that's exactly what I can't understand."
"With Heguang around... why did those marine Pokémon still invade the town?"
After talking with the man in detail, Chen Mo thanked him and left the ice cream shop.
There was no doubt about it.
This was the biggest lead he had uncovered over the past few days.
Putting aside the fact that certain Pokémon species were naturally friendly toward humans, there was one thing that anyone who had interacted with wild Pokémon had to admit.
Different people possessed noticeably different levels of affinity with Pokémon.
Take the Hongjing Slope Development Zone in Anping City, for example.
Using nearly identical methods of capture, some people could easily befriend and catch rare Pokémon like Vulpix.
Others struggled just to catch a Caterpie.
The biggest factor behind that difference...
Was each individual's natural affinity.
Chen Mo considered himself someone with relatively high affinity.
After all, Aura was a manifestation of the heart and spirit.
Since he unconsciously radiated Aura while traveling through the wilderness, wild Pokémon could easily sense his goodwill.
Of course...
Even so, Chen Mo couldn't guarantee he'd get along with every Pokémon he met.
Nor could he make every Pokémon trust him after only a short interaction.
After all...
He wielded Aura.
Not mind-control magic.
So judging from that perspective...
Yu Heguang was undoubtedly someone very special.
"An affinity for Water-type Pokémon..."
Watching the increasingly chaotic chat—which had even started accusing Yu Heguang of being the mastermind—Chen Mo frowned before deciding to speak up on his behalf.
"I've mentioned this before."
"Most Pokémon have very simple hearts, but because of that, they're also extremely perceptive."
"They can easily detect malicious intent."
"If Yu Heguang truly earned the trust of so many wild Pokémon, then that proves he sincerely cared for every Pokémon he interacted with."
"As for those theories claiming that Yu Heguang got tired of being ridiculed by the townspeople and ordered Pokémon to attack Crescent Moon Town..."
"That's complete nonsense."
"Remember this."
"The current investigation concludes that Yu Heguang died protecting the townspeople."
"So I'd advise everyone to be a little more cautious before spreading conspiracy theories."
This time, Chen Mo's tone was noticeably firmer.
With the help of the platform moderators and the livestream moderators, the chat finally quieted down considerably.
At the same time...
Chen Mo finally understood why the resident had hesitated so much before telling him about Yu Heguang's unusual affinity.
He had probably been worried people would twist it into exactly this kind of conspiracy theory.
Still...
The maze of unanswered questions was beginning to irritate Chen Mo.
He looked up toward the distant sky.
The sun was already sinking below the horizon.
But after an entire day beneath the summer sun, Crescent Moon Town still felt like a giant steamer.
The moment Chen Mo stepped out of the cool comfort of the ice cream shop, despite wearing nothing more than shorts and a T-shirt, a wave of scorching heat hit him head-on.
Unable to help himself, he looked back.
Behind him floated Gengar.
One hand carried the camera.
The other held an ice cream cone.
Wearing a blissful expression, Gengar slowly drifted along while happily licking the treat with its long tongue.
"Gengar."
"Come a little closer."
Although Gengar looked puzzled, it obediently floated nearer.
The next instant...
The surrounding temperature immediately dropped.
It was as though Chen Mo had stepped into an air-conditioned room.
His mood instantly improved.
"As expected."
"Whether it's at home or traveling..."
"Gengar really is one of the best companions you could ask for."
"Gengar?"
Realizing its Trainer was praising it, Gengar immediately burst into its trademark cackling laughter.
Feeling generous, it even offered Chen Mo its ice cream.
"You've even learned how to share."
"Gengar, looks like you've grown too."
After politely refusing the offer, Chen Mo checked the time before slowly turning toward another destination.
Marshadow's voice sounded in his mind.
"Going there again?"
"Yeah."
Before night fully fell, he wanted to inspect Yu Heguang's former residence one more time.
"Marshadow."
"Back in your world..."
"Were there ever humans with some special ability that naturally let them bond with Water-type Pokémon?"
"What?"
"You think this human called Yu Heguang was an Ability User?"
Marshadow asked.
Chen Mo nodded again.
In the original Pokémon world...
Aside from possessing extraordinary physical abilities, some humans were born with special powers.
The most common example was Psychic abilities.
Famous examples included Sabrina of Kanto and Caitlin of Unova.
Chen Mo's Aura powers could also be classified as one such ability.
Generally speaking...
People with unique powers naturally found it easier to earn the favor of certain kinds of Pokémon.
For instance, Psychics could gain the trust of Psychic-type Pokémon much more easily.
When Chen Mo had first revealed his Aura to Professor Zhou, he had quietly asked whether there were any other people in this world with supernatural abilities.
Unfortunately...
Professor Zhou had made it clear that, aside from Chen Mo, no other humans with such powers had ever been discovered.
Afterward, the two had discussed the subject at length.
Their conclusion had been simple.
Although humanity's physical condition was steadily improving...
The current world simply hadn't reached the stage where humans could naturally awaken supernatural abilities.
To awaken one...
External intervention was required.
For example...
A blessing from a Legendary Pokémon.
"Affinity..."
Marshadow thought for a moment before replying casually.
"I do know of one case."
"Tell me!"
"Everything's negotiable!"
"Heh."
"It's hardly some priceless secret."
"It's very simple."
Marshadow's voice suddenly became much louder.
"The Rainbow Hero!"
"The Rainbow Hero chosen by Lord Ho-Oh serves as the bridge between humans and Pokémon."
"Naturally, Lord Ho-Oh grants them the blessing of being loved by all living things."
"Not just Water-types."
"Any Pokémon will instinctively feel close to the Rainbow Hero because of Lord Ho-Oh's power."
"Well?"
"Pretty amazing, isn't it?"
Listening to Marshadow's smug tone, Chen Mo couldn't exactly react dramatically while livestreaming.
He merely let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
"It certainly is."
"But Yu Heguang..."
"There's no way he was the Rainbow Hero."
"Then I've got nothing else."
Marshadow snorted and said no more.
Of course...
Chen Mo had only asked Marshadow to confirm one possibility.
He already had several theories regarding Yu Heguang's unusual affinity.
He simply lacked the evidence to prove any of them.
"Still nothing..."
Chen Mo thoroughly searched Yu Heguang's former residence once more.
Just like every previous visit...
He found absolutely nothing.
"He really lived an incredibly simple life..."
Chen Mo sighed as he looked around the sparsely furnished room.
After Yu Heguang's death, the authorities had preserved the house for investigative purposes.
Since nobody had inherited it, everything remained exactly as it had been during Yu Heguang's lifetime.
The only thing of investigative value...
Was a framed photograph sitting beside the bed.
It was a group photo of Yu Heguang's team.
Yu Heguang stood in the center, surrounded by everyone else.
At the very front...
Gao Tianming held a Charmander in his arms, flashing a bright smile while enthusiastically making a peace sign at the camera.
"..."
Chen Mo carefully set the photo back down.
Gently stroking the yawning Pikachu on his shoulder, he smiled.
"You've been following me around all day."
"You must be tired."
"Pika pika~"
Pikachu affectionately rubbed its cheek against Chen Mo's face, as though saying:
As long as I'm with you, I'll never get tired.
Chen Mo rubbed Pikachu's soft fur before giving one last look to the smiling young man in the photograph.
"Gengar."
"Let's head back."
Yu Heguang's home stood in the northwestern corner of Crescent Moon Town.
It was close to the outskirts, where the houses were much more spread out.
Night had already fallen.
A cool breeze swept through the quiet streets.
Suddenly...
Chen Mo shivered.
Looking at Gengar floating only a meter or two away, he instinctively wanted to ask it to move farther away.
Then he remembered what he'd told Gengar earlier that evening.
He opened his mouth...
Then swallowed the words.
Forget it.
I'll just put up with the cold.
"Pika..."
Seeing Chen Mo shivering, Pikachu immediately leaped down from his shoulder.
Without hesitation, Chen Mo picked Pikachu up and cradled it in his arms.
"We're almost back."
"Hang in there a little longer, Pikachu."
"Pika~"
The understanding little mouse curled itself into a warm ball.
Human and Pokémon huddled together against the cold night wind.
"Tonight..."
"It feels unusually cold..."
Chen Mo murmured.
Just then—
Marshadow spoke inside his mind.
"With both Gengar and a ghost around..."
"Of course it's cold."
"...Huh?"
Before Chen Mo could react—
Gengar suddenly sensed something.
Its usual grin vanished.
Stopping in place, its crimson eyes stared vigilantly into the darkness ahead.
"Gengar!"
(Something's coming!)
"I know."
Chen Mo released his Aura.
Pikachu immediately flipped out of his arms and landed in front of him, staring down the long, dimly lit street where no streetlights shone.
The livestream chat instantly exploded.
[Did something happen? Why are Teacher Mo and Pikachu suddenly so serious?]
[I told you! A moonless night with strong winds—perfect weather for trouble. See? Something's definitely happening!]
[Wait... Didn't Teacher Mo originally investigate this town because of that Ghost-type energy from the fruit shop? Don't tell me this town is actually haunted?!]
[But this is pretty far from the fruit shop, isn't it?]
The chat continued flying by.
Then—
A helpless voice suddenly echoed from farther down the street.
"Stop chasing me! Please, I'm begging you! Stop already!"
"You've been after me for so long! What good does it do you?!"
"Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"If you insist on chasing me, fine—but could you at least stop whipping me?!"
Loud cries echoed through the darkness.
A moment later...
A young man with short hair, dressed in gray casual clothes, came sprinting toward them.
As he ran, he repeatedly looked back over his shoulder, pleading with whatever was behind him.
"That's..."
Chen Mo frowned.
Behind the young man floated a mysterious Pokémon.
Its entire body was black.
It had no legs.
Only a single eye stared from its face.
It hovered silently through the air.
As it pursued the fleeing youth, the mouth on its belly occasionally opened.
From within shot a long crimson tendril...
Which lashed sharply across the young man's back.
"Oww! That hurts!"
"It hurts so much!"
"Why don't you just eat me already?!"
The young man clutched his waist in pain while desperately continuing to run.
Soon...
He noticed Chen Mo standing ahead.
Instantly, he stopped.
The mysterious Pokémon behind him also came to a halt.
"You..."
The young man stared at Chen Mo in utter disbelief.
But in the very next second—
Another crimson tendril shot from the Pokémon's belly and struck him squarely again.
Realizing there was no time to explain, the young man took off running once more while shouting at Chen Mo.
"Run!"
"Run for your life!"
"That thing..."
"It really will eat us!"
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