The familiar sensation returned.
Space twisted. Vision blurred.
In the next instant, Su Yi descended once more into the Pokémon world—Isle of Armor, Focus Forest.
But just like how the New World had "welcomed" him with Kushala Daora, this world clearly had no intention of being gentle either.
Before Su Yi could even steady himself—
A sharp shout exploded behind him.
"WHO'S THERE?!"
A violent gust tore through the air.
"—?!"
Su Yi barely had time to react, crossing his arms instinctively in front of his chest.
BOOM!!
A heavy impact slammed into him.
For a split second—
Su Yi saw God, creation… the universe itself.
"PUAAA—!"
Like someone getting launched into orbit, he was sent flying.
CRASH!!
He hit the ground hard.
Second damage.
Critical hit.
"SU YI!!"
Lulu burst out of the Poké Ball, rushing over in panic.
"ARE YOU OKAY?! DON'T DIE ON ME NYAA!!"
"…A human?!"
The attacker froze.
Lulu turned instantly, eyes blazing as she gripped her bone blade.
"WHO ARE YOU?! ARE YOU ALSO A POKÉMON NYAA?!"
"…It talks?!"
"Cough—cough—"
Su Yi raised a trembling hand weakly.
"Lu… Lulu… I'm alive…"
"…give me… potion…"
"COMING NYAA!"
She quickly handed it over.
Su Yi grabbed the bottle with shaking hands and gulped it down.
Gulp. Gulp.
Finally, his breathing stabilized.
"…I'm good…"
He looked up.
And saw her.
A girl with a headband, wearing a fitted combat uniform, barefoot, with arm and knee guards. Behind her stood Machop, Machoke, and Machamp.
No doubt.
Bea.
The Galar Fighting-type prodigy.
"…So THIS is human Machamp power…" Su Yi muttered weakly.
"…You?!"
Bea recognized him as well.
"…I'm so sorry!" she said immediately. "I thought you were a wild Pokémon attacking me—I reacted on instinct!"
She stepped forward and pulled him up.
"…This… what kind of power is this…" Su Yi groaned, arms still trembling.
"…Why did you suddenly appear behind me?" Bea asked, frowning.
Su Yi coughed lightly. "…Teleport. My Pokémon brought me here."
"…I see."
She nodded, then bowed again.
"I was reckless. I sincerely apologize."
"…We're both at fault," Su Yi replied, waving it off.
"…But you're the one injured," Bea said seriously. "I'll carry you back to camp."
Su Yi: "…NO THANK YOU."
(If this gets out, my hunter career is OVER.)
"I have a partner."
"Come out—Kulu!"
"Gah?"
Kulu appeared, looking confused.
Why is this guy half-dead already??
"…Another unknown Pokémon…" Bea muttered.
"At least let me escort you—"
"NO NEED."
Su Yi climbed onto Kulu, sweating.
"Kulu—retreat!"
"GAH!"
And just like that—
They left.
Bea stood there, watching.
"…Strange guy."
Back at the dojo, Su Yi sat with his hands bandaged.
Bea walked in.
…Silence.
Eye contact.
…
"…Oh! Bea's back!" Mustard laughed.
"And this is Su Yi—the one who provided all your food ingredients! Oh, and the medicine you've been using? Also made by him."
Bea: "…Oh."
Guilt ↑
Then—
"Oh, what a shame…" Honey sighed dramatically.
"If Su Yi hadn't been kicked by a Machamp and injured both arms… you could've tasted his cooking tonight."
Su Yi: "WAIT—"
Too late.
Bea: "…Machamp?"
Her face turned red instantly.
Guilt ↓Anger ↑
"…That was just a metaphor!" Su Yi defended weakly.
Bea looked at his bandaged arms.
"…I won't argue with a patient."
Mercy granted.
Dinner was simple—Galar curry.
Su Yi ate quietly, but his mind was racing with ideas. Cooking, recipes, combinations…
Later that night, he held up an egg.
A Pukei-Pukei egg.
Light passed through it, revealing the embryo inside.
"…About to hatch."
He glanced to the side.
Another nest.
A Rathalos egg—with Larvesta sleeping on top of it.
"…When will you hatch…"
He lay back.
"Tomorrow… more supplies… capture Pukei-Pukei…"
"Then head to the Wildspire Waste…"
"…Heh."
"…I'm coming."
Sleep followed soon after.
By morning, he had mostly recovered.
While helping prepare breakfast, Bea entered.
Her gaze felt different this time.
Su Yi frowned slightly.
"…Why do I feel danger…"
"…Su Yi."
"I heard you fought Leon's main team."
"…Barely. He didn't even use Dynamax."
"…How do you know he held back?"
Su Yi shrugged casually.
"…He didn't take off his hat."
…
Bea blinked.
"…?"
Su Yi smiled faintly.
"When he removes the cape… when he removes the hat… he's no longer fighting as Champion."
"But as a Trainer."
"A battle without restraints."
"…I see…"
Bea lowered her head, thinking.
Pressure. Doubt. Direction.
Then—
She looked up.
Determined.
"Su Yi."
"Battle me."
"…Oh?"
Su Yi grinned.
"…It's been a while."
"Let's do it."