Hikaru was now on the road to Black City.

Seven was still shouting something about coming to Almia someday to have fun and visit the Ranger Headquarters, and then rode off on his Staraptor, vanishing into the sky. It seemed like his mission here wasn’t over yet.

Still, the power of the Yellow Crystal lingered on Hikaru’s mind.

[Artifact(?): Yellow Crystal Pendant – A Fragment of the Blond Prince’s Tears]

[Description: Crafted from a shard of the legendary Yellow Crystal, known as the Prince’s Tears. When the King of Almia exiled the blond prince, he traveled to the desert nation and founded his own city. He turned the desert into an oasis and encountered the legendary Dream Pokémon and a mythical Giant. This crystal strengthens the spirit, being a mythical mineral formed from the prince’s very soul and will.]

[Effect: Spiritual Purification +50%, Determination +50%, Friendship +50%! It enhances psychic/spiritual powers. Those who possess the Yellow Crystal have unwavering resolve and are hard to bring down!]

[You have acquired the Yellow Crystal. Your mental limit has increased! Your spiritual power is now stronger.]

[Note (from the Yellow Crystal’s voice): Once possessed the friendship of a Giant… Are you… the chosen one? Will you be the one to meet the King of Giants?]

Was the crystal… talking?

Each of the three crystals carried the prince’s will. While the Blue Crystal had also projected an illusion of the prince before, it had never spoken directly. But this Yellow Crystal began speaking immediately.

Was it because the blond prince had met a Giant, and Hikaru now had connections to one as well? Or perhaps… it was reacting to the Key of the Giant?

So there are giants in Almia too… These so-called legendary giants really are everywhere, like Ultraman statues.

[Task Complete.]

[Rewards: Release Orb ×5, Unknown Ability Boost ×?, Unova Connection ×1.]

[Ability Boost: Priority Action +1! Increases your and your Pokémon’s mental and physical agility. In battle, intense spiritual clash suppresses your opponent’s will, making them sluggish, while boosting your own sharpness, granting you priority in turns!]

So the boost this time was to initiative in battle!

Apparently, it’s a manifestation of spiritual energy—suppressing the enemy’s mind while enhancing our own activity. This means we get first moves more often. So, how about actual moves?

If this effect gets even stronger, could every Pokémon in my team eventually have a priority move?

“My turn. My turn. Still my turn!”

And the Unova Connection…

[Unova Connection: “Sensing” and “Linking” power increased by 100% at special locations.]

Hmm… a bit of an odd reward, Hikaru thought.

But this power would soon prove useful.

Black City.

By the time Hikaru arrived, dusk was falling.

The blood-red sun was sinking on the horizon, and to the west, the massive city stood like a black curtain. Hikaru instantly understood why he had to pass through Black City to reach White Forest—it was just that massive.

Just like in the game, endless black skyscrapers loomed over everything, stretching far into the distance, casting strange mist through the streets and exerting an oppressive pressure on everyone who entered.

Among them, one colossal building towered in the center of these skyscrapers. Even from the outskirts, its spire pierced the heavens—like it was trying to connect with space itself!

Tall—unbelievably tall! That building was the iconic Black Skyscraper!

Flanking the city were towering mountain ranges—part of the enormous Reversal Mountain.

“You could climb over from the lower ridges on the right side… In the Pokémon world, scaling mountains is normal. If only I had a large Flying-type Pokémon, I could just fly over.”

While Aegislash could fly, it wasn’t built for long-distance or high-altitude flight. There were limits.

Hikaru didn’t plan to stay in this city long.

“Beyond the edge of the sky, the towering Black Skyscraper rises…”

Suddenly—

空——

A strange whisper echoed in Hikaru’s ears, and a strange vision flashed before his eyes—the vast starry void of space, and a searing black energy flaring at the top of the skyscraper, calling out to him.

“What… just happened?!”

Hikaru quickly asked the Tree of Connection. Even though the old tree had been damaged, this felt very much tied to the earlier reward—Unova Connection.

After all, Black City and White Forest were mysterious places in the game, so—

[Unova Connection (Black Skyscraper) Activated!]

[Description: No one knows when the Black Skyscraper first appeared. Its top seems to reach the stars, and it’s no ordinary building. It holds an extraordinary technological power!]

[Note 1: You’ve sensed the energy calling from the Skyscraper. The Tree of Connection’s link has awakened. If you connect with this mysterious energy, something unbelievable might happen!]

[Note 2: Your “Star Pulse” might be enhanced! Your Pokémon’s battle power and defense might also increase!]

[Note 3: A strange power flickers at the top of the Black Skyscraper. Your Miracle Diamond seems to be reacting again.]

Hikaru’s face turned serious.

The Inner World—the realm of others—was a monochrome mirror of people’s ideals and desires.

“Could Alder be connected to this place? Might he appear in Black City in some strange form?”

Those who enter the Inner World have their identities altered and often lose themselves. Without the Tree of Connection, they’d think it was just a dream.

Hikaru tried asking again, but the Tree had no answer.

Inside Black City.

Many powerful trainers from across Unova—and even overseas—had gathered here, drawn in by the vortex of desire. The energy here was intense. Hikaru could feel it as soon as he entered—thanks to his psychic abilities.

Everything in this city was measured by wealth and value. Faces gleamed with unhidden desire and smiles. Some people inhaled the city’s strange mist as if intoxicated—wealthy merchants, gentlemen, businessmen chatting on the streets in an overly modern atmosphere.

Hikaru sensed a flood of emotions. Many came here for fame or fortune, burning with ambition. And soon after, he ran into some unpleasant characters.

“Oh? Traveler, your Pokémon seem quite rare.”

“Would you be willing to sell them to me? I’ll offer a price that satisfies you.”

A rich man, eyeing Rotom and Aegislash floating by Hikaru’s side, tried to persuade him. Naturally, he ended up crumpled on the ground, defeated by Hikaru’s Mind Shatter.

“Sorry, but I don’t plan on selling my Pokémon. Buying things you love with money is fine—but not everything can be bought.”

The merchant sat slumped on the roadside, eyes glazed over. Other wealthy passersby who were thinking the same thing quickly reconsidered.

Young masters, rich ladies, noblewomen, gentlemen—

“He’s a psychic.”

“Troublesome. Guess he’s not interested in trading.”

“Forget it. Better not provoke him.”

They muttered among themselves but didn’t approach again.

Not far ahead, a black car stopped in front of a large domed building glowing orange-yellow. Several rare Pokémon—rare even in Unova—were taken from the car.

The people around simply watched coldly.

Pokémon trafficking. Hikaru paused, exchanging a glance with Aegislash, then approached the building.

It had to be the main shopping center from the game’s Black City.

Yes, even in the games, people talked about trafficking Pokémon. And in the Pokémon world, this has always been a reality.

Not just the silly Magikarp salesman or the villainous Team Rocket, but also Pokémon Hunters and Mercenaries—frequent antagonists in the anime.

Hunters like J and Bishas represented the worst of Pokémon society—so vile they made Team Rocket look good.

The mercenaries were often collectors like Gelardan from The Power of Lugia, or nobles and corporate magnates from minor countries.

“Huh? You came over… are you looking to buy Pokémon?”

“Oh, you’re a Trainer? These are fresh catches! Very rare in Unova! But they won’t come cheap!”

The hunters eyed Hikaru cautiously. Seeing Rotom and Aegislash, their greed sparked.

How much could those rare Pokémon be worth?

But before they could act—BOOM—a powerful psychic wave crushed their minds.

When they came to, a wave of guilt flooded over them.

“W-We… What were we doing?”

“We actually… trafficked Pokémon? That’s unforgivable!”

They hugged each other and wept.

The Mind Shatter seemed stronger now—was it thanks to the Yellow Crystal?

Hikaru pondered as the hunters, now repenting, unlocked all the cages and began pooling their money.

“We even sold some to the Black Market here in Black City… They must’ve been in pain. We were blind to their suffering, blinded by profit!”

“Money matters—but not dirty money! We’ll buy them all back!”

To everyone’s shock, they marched into the mall and returned with all the Pokémon they had sold. Even the shopkeepers were stunned.

Didn’t they sell these to us? Why are they buying them back now?

…Whatever. As long as the money’s good.

One hunter declared, “We’re done with this. We’re going to protect Pokémon now—and the environment!”

A broker shouted, “What kind of joke is this?! You’re giving up all that money? Rich collectors LOVE rare Pokémon!”

The hunter replied, “We still want to make money—but not like this! We’re done here.”

“You lunatics!”

This infuriated the brokers, especially since the hunters refused to deliver the current shipment of rare Pokémon. It was underground trade—failure had consequences.

“You think you can back out? You’ll pay for this! Strength will decide who keeps those Pokémon!”

At his signal, dozens of Trainers surrounded them. Mallgoers watched, excited. The hunters—newly “reformed”—weren’t their match.

“Houndoom, use Crunch!”

A hellhound-like Pokémon lunged at a hunter—only for Aegislash to intercept. One clean slash sent Houndoom flying, knocked out instantly!

Sacred Sword is supereffective against Dark-types. Meanwhile, Rotom floated in circles, laughing and telekinetically lifting cages.

Hmm… Was this what Elesa meant by “causing a scene”?

Hikaru scanned the room.

In Black City, Pokémon battles could break out anytime—sometimes even against Trainers!

Just like in the game—”Although it’s sudden, let’s battle!”

“So… if I beat you, I get the Pokémon, right?”

“Although it’s sudden—”

Clap clap.

“Let’s battle then,” Hikaru declared.

Trainers tossed Poké Balls one after another. A massive battle was brewing in the mall.

One Trainer in a long black coat stepped forward to stop him.

“You give off an extremely dangerous aura.”

“Fine then, we’ll decide this by battle. Beat all of us—and we’ll give you what you want.”

Veteran Trainers, Elite Trainers, Backpackers, Clerks, Maids, Rich Kids, Lass-types, Researchers… even some Psychics joined.

“We have no personal grudge. We weren’t even promised anything. But your overwhelming psychic presence makes our instincts scream—fight him!”

“If we defeat you… maybe we’ll finally reach the top of Black Skyscraper—maybe even reach space!”

Their Poké Balls hovered in the air, radiating energy.

“Black City sure feels different from the rest of Unova. The contrast is jarring—it doesn’t even feel like the same world.”

A city where you can’t survive unless you fight?

“This mall is filled with strong Trainers! Don’t think you can just take what you want!”

“These guys have all cleared Zone 4 of the Black Skyscraper!”

One of them glanced at the broker, then sneered and said to Hikaru:

“In this city, power defines the rules. If you defeat us, you can take the Pokémon.”

“Show us your strength—in the might-makes-right city of Black City!”

“Go! Ferrothorn!”

Elsewhere, beyond the battlefield—

A man in a dark trench coat, face obscured by a hat, watched with amusement.

“Heh… What a promising young Trainer.”

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep