Chapter Forty: The Light of Evolution

Zhao Fang had no idea that someone nearby was watching him; he remained focused on the enemy before him. He had to admit that the Lilypad Child was indeed the main Pokémon of the woman opposite him. Although Dragomessiah was incredibly fast, both in movement and in the use of Dragon Tail, Lilypad Child managed to dodge with equal swiftness.

“Lilypad Child, use Scare!” The beauty didn’t know exactly what kind of Pokémon Dragomessiah was, but if it was a Ghost-type, using Ghost-type moves would surely be effective.

After all, ghost against ghost was always super effective.

“Dragomessiah, use Ambush!” Zhao Fang naturally heard her command. Most Pokémon trainers used their voices to instruct their Pokémon, making it easy for others to know what skill you were about to use.

Zhao Fang loved opponents like this; if his adversary was a psychic trainer, things would be much trickier. Psychics could communicate with their Pokémon telepathically, so there was no need for words. Skills would be unleashed when needed, and dodges would come at just the right moment—truly formidable.

In an instant, Dragomessiah became a streak of lightning, charging toward Lilypad Child with incredible speed. Its hands gleamed with a dark light, striking before Lilypad Child could release its move.

Lilypad Child let out a mournful cry; Dragomessiah’s speed was simply overwhelming, and the effect of Ambush only accelerated its attack.

“Tsk.” The beauty frowned. Dragomessiah’s speed was positively shameless; before she could finish her move, it had already darted in and landed several blows. She was helpless.

“Should I let Lilypad Child evolve?” Her expression was troubled. Lilypad Child could evolve into Lotus Hat Child at any time, but she recalled advice from a senior: the more energy a Pokémon accumulates before evolving, the faster it grows afterward. She didn’t have a Water Stone, but those could always be bought. So, she had wanted Lilypad Child to build up enough foundation before evolving.

But seeing the current situation, she knew that if she didn’t let Lilypad Child evolve, it would be impossible to defeat this precious Pokémon.

As for Caterpillar...

She shook her head. The Caterpillar was a casual capture, trained for only a few days, merely to lure some trainers into carelessness. Even if she shamelessly sent it out, it would be useless to the battle, and directly attacking the opposing trainer would be a different matter entirely.

Unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to risk being hunted by Officer Junsha.

It was like the difference between a honey trap and outright burglary—the consequences were worlds apart.

“Lilypad Child! Remove your Everstone and show our true strength!” Seeing Lilypad Child take another Dragon Tail from Dragomessiah, the beauty finally lost her patience. Determined to get a bigger share when the loot was divided, she decided to let Lilypad Child evolve.

Lilypad Child obediently took off its tiny Everstone necklace, and immediately a blinding white light enveloped its body. This was a Pokémon’s transformation, the most spectacular miracle in the Pokémon world—the light of evolution!

“You won’t attack a Pokémon while it's evolving, will you, little brother?” she said, though Zhao Fang noticed Caterpillar standing protectively in front of the light of evolution.

Zhao Fang shrugged. If he really made a move, she would surely call in her accomplices.

As the light faded, Lilypad Child grew larger—its strength increased dramatically. Now, standing before Zhao Fang and Dragomessiah was Lotus Hat Child.

With the evolution, Lotus Hat Child’s base stats were boosted; compared to before, it was no longer an easy opponent.

“Lotus Hat Child! Use Scare!” Without time to test its new moves, the beauty quickly issued her command.

Now faster, Lotus Hat Child used Scare. Its body swelled slightly, and before Dragomessiah could approach, it froze as if struck by lightning.

“Dragomessiah! Use Quick Attack!” Zhao Fang wasn’t bothered; Scare was a Ghost-type move, but its damage was minimal. You could never defeat an opponent with Scare alone. Repeated use would fail, as the opposing Pokémon would no longer be frightened.

“Use Mega Drain head-on!” The beauty issued her command, surprising Zhao Fang. He hadn’t expected Lotus Hat Child to know Mega Drain.

“Dodge quickly!” Zhao Fang ordered. Even if Quick Attack landed, taking a Mega Drain was a terrible trade.

Dragomessiah aborted its move, spun, and narrowly escaped Lotus Hat Child’s Mega Drain.

“Such a nuisance! Lotus Hat Child, use your strongest newly mastered ability!” The beauty shot Zhao Fang an irritated glare. Though he looked young, his battle experience was surprisingly sophisticated.

“Dragomessiah, keep a close eye on its moves!” Zhao Fang felt helpless. If the Pokémon didn’t use the move, he really couldn’t tell what it was.

Lotus Hat Child rushed at Dragomessiah, dark energy glowing in its hands—a Dark-type move.

Although he didn’t know exactly which Dark-type move it was, Dragomessiah wouldn’t fare well if it took the hit directly.

“Dragomessiah, dodge and circle behind for an Ambush!” Zhao Fang gave a quick command, but Dragomessiah had just used Quick Attack and was too close to Lotus Hat Child. Despite its efforts to evade, the move caught it on the edge of its body.

“Dragomessiah...” The Pokémon cried out in pain; the double damage from the Dark-type move was brutal.

“Dragomessiah!” Zhao Fang shouted, panic in his voice.

“Lotus Hat Child, use that move again and finish this battle!” The beauty was ecstatic. If she defeated this Pokémon, she could extort money from its trainer and claim it for herself. The Water Stone problem would be solved!

A trace of venom flashed in Lotus Hat Child’s eyes. Its hands radiated dark energy as it sped toward the badly wounded Dragomessiah.

With a clang, Lotus Hat Child looked up in surprise, only to see a towering figure gazing down at it, eyes filled with amusement and disdain, as if to say, “Little one, have you not eaten today?”

“Garchomp!” Zhao Fang was stunned. He instantly recognized the true identity of this formidable Pokémon.