Axel's home was on the west side of Dragon Lake Park. Normally, he had to make a big loop to get to the main gate and the night market.
In fact, when he used to go shopping with the little loli, that was the route they took.
But today, that wasn't necessary. He had two Pokémon in his hands, and even crossing the park at night wouldn't be dangerous.
Axel entered directly from the back gate, holding Ralts and walking straight toward the front gate.
Actually, excluding the Arbok Uncle Sonny mentioned, Dragon Lake Park wasn't considered dangerous.
There were bright street lamps all around, and from time to time little Rattata and Caterpie would run by nearby.
Even when passing by a Pidgey occasionally, it wouldn't attack the Caterpie.
The reason was simple. This world's food production capacity was simply too excessive, and people who loved bird Pokémon had filled artificial bird nests with food.
Pokémon in the city rarely fought over hunting.
Of course, those with violent natures were exceptions.
Axel had read a report before, about a shiny Machamp who specifically targeted karate trainers.
Exploiting the loophole of "strong women hitting weak men not being illegal," leaving karate trainers with nowhere to escape.
Next to the park's main path, there were also a few grandpas secretly fishing.
Because Emberpine City was inland, and fishing was prohibited in the park, these fishing enthusiasts could only sneak into the park at night.
Seeing these people, Axel instinctively glanced at a corner.
Before transmigrating, he often saw a homeless man fishing there. He wondered how that person was doing in this merged world.
At that glance, Axel was stunned.
Among the group of fishing grandpas, that homeless man was particularly eye-catching.
Clearly, just raising a Pokémon casually could lead to a worry-free life, yet the homeless man was still wearing a tattered outfit.
Still humming that familiar song in his mouth.
"The sky has collapsed, the earth has sunk, little puppy, is gone…"
"Old man, fishing again?"
"Yo, little Axel is here!"
Because Axel often gave him food, the homeless man was quite kind to him, and immediately offered his small folding stool to Axel.
Axel decided to persuade him to fish for a usable water-type Pokémon so he could sell fish to make a living.
But after watching for a while, the homeless man kept fishing up Magikarps, none of the usable water-types like Goldeen.
This kind of Pokémon was almost useless aside from evolving into Gyarados.
In terms of combat strength, it couldn't even beat an ordinary black carp.
In terms of ornamental value, it often broke fish tanks unintentionally with Splash.
As for taste… this guy was full of bones. Even a seasoned chef general couldn't cut him up. Totally unfit for soup.
'No wonder this old man goes hungry…'
Axel complained a bit and couldn't help but use the system's insight function on the old man.
Seeing the tag [Devotion to Magikarp], Axel silently patted the old man's shoulder, left him his own coat and a hundred yuan.
Watching Axel walk away, the homeless man chuckled and stopped humming the little tune.
"This little guy's really nice…"
"I have a feeling… I'll soon catch the strongest Magikarp. When I do, I'll give you one."
———
As for the homeless man's thoughts, Axel had no idea.
He continued walking toward the front gate holding Ralts.
But for some reason, he kept feeling a chill up his spine.
Still, Axel didn't think much of it, 'Probably a ghost-type Pokémon passing by.'
The Ralts in his arms squinted her eyes.
'Here it comes!'
'In the previous life, that guy attacked us nearby.'
If Axel hadn't run fast and quickly entered the Dragon God Plaza in the park, she and Axel would have been badly injured.
Even so, Axel was still bedridden at home for a few days that life.
This time, she absolutely wouldn't let that guy go.
Just as Ralts was searching for Arbok's location, Axel suddenly patted the little one in his arms.
"Ralts."
"Ral~?"
"You clearly know so many moves. Why don't you ever use them?", Axel had been thinking for a long time, and finally asked Ralts this question.
Since he'd already caught her, she'd definitely be used in battles in the future. He had to figure out why she didn't want to use moves.
"Ral~?"
'What moves? Don't understand!'
The little one blinked, still choosing to play dumb.
She could use those moves later anyway. She had long wanted to beat up that snake.
Continuing to play dumb was necessary.
She still wanted Axel to carry her and play. She couldn't expose herself.
Just as Axel was about to continue questioning, he suddenly felt a chilling aura from behind.
Almost instinctively, he lunged forward, then felt a cool sensation on his leg.
A cold, slippery body brushed past him.
'An Arbok?', The thought flashed in Axel's mind. His free left hand swept across his waist, grabbing Pheromosa's Pokéball.
But before he could release Pheromosa, he saw Ralts glowing with a dazzling rose light.
She raised her little hand lightly, a hot aura gathering in her palm, forming a fireball shape.
Mystical Fire—a fire-type move often used by Gardevoir and Armarouge.
Not only powerful, but it could lower the opponent's special defense. A standard opener for special attackers.
'But hasn't this little one never experienced battle? Why is she so good at this?'
Axel had no time to ask, Mystical Fire had already hit the Arbok precisely.
"ARBOK!"
Arbok let out a cry of pain and ran in panic toward the bushes.
He never expected that the fairy-type Pokémon he thought were all weaklings could be this powerful.
Taking the opportunity, Axel clearly saw Arbok's stats.
Level 10 Pokémon, with powerful moves like Wrap, Glare, Dig, and Poison Sting.
It also had a tag called [Bully the Weak and Fear the Strong], dealing higher damage to weaker Pokémon.
"Ralts, this guy bullies the weak and fears the strong, and he can Dig, don't let him escape."
"Use Hypnosis!"
Ralts's eyes instinctively flashed red, then she suddenly paused.
'Wait, how does he know I know Hypnosis?'
'He can't have awakened too, right?'
'No, no, I still want to relive the feelings from the last life.'
'Can't let the human know I've awakened too.'
Her little mind ran wild, and she ultimately chose to keep playing dumb.
A flash of white light shot from her hand, landing steadily on Arbok.
Normal-type move: Encore.
A type of status move that forces the target to repeat its last used move for the next three turns.
Axel was slightly relieved. Though the little one acted silly, she'd effectively cut off Arbok's escape with Dig.
The wild Arbok, about to enter the bushes, let out a delighted hiss.
But that hiss lasted only halfway, then Arbok started crying.
He realized he couldn't use Dig anymore...
Helpless, Arbok could only turn and flee toward Dragon God Plaza, hoping to receive the Dragon God's protection.
Because among the Pokémon in Dragon Lake Park, there was an unspoken rule, absolutely no fighting in Dragon God Plaza.
As long as he got there, he'd be safe.
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