As Su Yi returned to the Pokémon world, the scenery shifted instantly.
The towering ancient trees disappeared, replaced by low, dense shrubs stretching across the land. The moment he recognized where he was, his entire body relaxed.
At least here—
Nothing would suddenly leap out and swallow him whole.
"Come out—Lushui, Chansey."
"A new world! A new adventure begins, meow!"
Lushui bounced excitedly, his eyes shining with anticipation.
"Lucky…"
Chansey looked around quietly. The surroundings were familiar, yet her expression carried a faint sense of nostalgia… and wonder.
Su Yi crouched down, meeting her gaze with a serious expression.
"Chansey… come travel with me."
"Lucky!"
Chansey smiled brightly.
At first, she had only followed him out of concern. But now—after everything they had experienced together—she understood.
She liked this.
Traveling. Exploring new worlds. Tasting new things.
And Su Yi—
Needed her.
A healer like Chansey was irreplaceable.
Suddenly, a group of Pokémon rushed toward them, chirping anxiously.
Su Yi frowned.
They were all injured.
"…Again?"
Chansey didn't hesitate. She rushed forward immediately, using Heal Pulse as worry filled her eyes.
"Lucky…"
"…I have no idea what you're saying."
Su Yi scratched his head.
Lushui tilted his head slightly, then spoke.
"Chansey is saying there's a violent Pokémon in the forest bullying others and stealing food, meow."
Su Yi blinked.
"You understood that?"
"Not exactly… but I can feel the meaning, meow."
"…Makes sense."
Lushui was basically a Pokémon now.
Communication—
Came naturally.
Su Yi glanced at Chansey, who was still focused on healing the injured Pokémon.
"…I get it."
"If this keeps happening…"
"…you won't leave."
He stood up.
"Chansey."
"Let's solve your problem first."
Chansey hesitated for a moment.
Su Yi smiled, gently patting her head.
"You helped me."
"Now it's my turn."
They followed the forest path, a river flowing gently beside them. Magikarp occasionally leapt from the water, while a Cramorant floated lazily, staring blankly into the distance.
"So many strange creatures, meow… these are all Pokémon?"
"Yeah."
"This is a world where Pokémon and humans coexist."
Chansey suddenly stopped and pointed ahead.
In a clearing filled with berries, a massive figure stood, claiming the territory as its own.
"…That's a Scolipede."
"Bug and Poison type."
Su Yi narrowed his eyes.
"…That thing is huge."
Nearly three meters tall. Over five meters long.
"In Monster Hunter terms…"
"That's basically a large monster."
A grin spread across his face.
"Perfect."
"Kulu-Ya-Ku—your first battle."
"Gah?"
The Kulu-Ya-Ku appeared, instantly alert.
Su Yi stepped closer, gently patting its beak.
"Listen."
"Can you follow my commands?"
"Gah!"
It responded.
…Probably.
The Scolipede noticed them immediately. Its horns lowered as it locked onto Kulu-Ya-Ku.
"GU-GA—!!"
It charged.
Fast.
"Kulu-Ya-Ku—dodge!"
Kulu-Ya-Ku leapt aside cleanly.
"Now—Rock Smash!"
But it didn't listen.
Instead, it lunged forward, pecking at Scolipede's exposed flank.
"…Damn it."
"GU-GA!!"
Scolipede reacted instantly.
Its tail glowed purple.
"Poison Tail!"
WHAM!!
The strike landed.
Kulu-Ya-Ku was sent flying, screeching in pain.
"…At least no poison."
Su Yi exhaled sharply.
"Kulu-Ya-Ku!"
"Follow my commands!"
"This isn't your usual fight!"
"GAH!"
This time—
It responded.
Its movements steadied.
Scolipede shrieked sharply.
Kulu-Ya-Ku flinched, its body weakening.
"…Screech."
"Defense drop."
Su Yi's expression darkened.
"…I underestimated this."
No experience.
No coordination.
This—
Was their first real Pokémon battle.
"…Forget tactics."
He slapped his cheeks lightly.
"WE GO ALL OUT!"
"Kulu-Ya-Ku—ROCK SMASH!!"
"GAH!!"
It dug into the ground, gathering energy and forming a rock.
Then—
It leapt.
And slammed it down.
Scolipede dodged effortlessly.
"…Fast."
"Even faster than before…"
Su Yi's eyes sharpened.
"Speed Boost?!"
"THEN THROW IT!!"
Kulu-Ya-Ku reacted instantly.
WHOOSH—BOOM!!
The rock shot forward, striking Scolipede mid-movement.
Super effective.
"GU-GA—!!!"
It roared in pain.
"Again—Rock Smash!!"
But Scolipede roared back.
The ground trembled.
A red light erupted.
Its body—
Expanded.
The sky darkened.
Crimson clouds swirled overhead.
"…Wait."
Su Yi's eyes widened.
"…NO WAY."
"…Dynamax?!"
"So we're really in Galar…?!"
The battlefield shook violently.
The enemy—
Now towering like a giant.
And their first true battle—
Had escalated into something far beyond control.