Kenji moved cautiously through the dark tunnel of the cave. The walls were lined with bluish crystals that emitted a faint glow, casting irregular shadows on the ground. Every step he took echoed, giving him the unsettling feeling that he was not alone. Ursaring and Charmander walked by his side, on guard, alert to any threat that might emerge from the depths.
The air was stifling and humid. A faint metallic scent lingered, mixed with a peculiar stench reminiscent of wild creatures. Kenji paused for a moment and checked his system map. The Crystal Cave extended quite far downward, with multiple interconnected routes. He had no idea what awaited him ahead, but he would find out soon.
Just as he was about to continue forward, a sharp sound pierced the air. It was a strange screech, like the sound of shattering glass. Kenji looked up and saw quick movements in the shadows of the cave ceiling. Two pairs of red eyes gleamed in the darkness, reflecting the dim light of the crystals. He barely had time to make out the silhouettes of the Murcielarids before one of them dived down in a surprise attack.
—"Get ready!" —Kenji warned, stepping back.
From the depths, two bat beasts emerged. Their wings were as thin as paper, yet when they flapped, they created razor-sharp air currents. Their eyes glowed red, and their mouths were filled with sharp fangs. Kenji didn't hesitate to activate the system analysis.
📜 System Data – Murcielarid📊 Level: 10💀 Rank: E☠ Type: Flying Beast🔹 Abilities:• Supersonic Screech – Emits sound waves that confuse and stun its prey.• Air Blades – Cuts through the air with its wings, launching high-speed wind slashes.• Nocturnal Evasion – Its lightweight body allows it to move swiftly in the dark.
Ursaring reacted instantly, slashing at the air. However, the creature twisted at the last moment, dodging with an agile movement and leaving a gust of wind in its wake.
Kenji narrowed his eyes.—"They're fast!"
These creatures were quick and hard to hit. To make things worse, Kenji's Pokémon had no effective long-range attacks against airborne enemies… or so he thought.
—"Charmander, use Fire Claw and try to reach them! Ursaring, get ready for when they come down!"
Charmander roared and leaped, his claw engulfed in flames. He tried to reach the Murcielarids, but they easily ascended, dodging erratically.
One of the bat beasts opened its mouth and unleashed a distorted soundwave—Supersonic Screech.
Kenji felt momentarily dizzy, but he wasn't the only one affected. Charmander staggered, clutching his head, and Ursaring winced in visible discomfort.
The Murcielarids took advantage of the opening.
—"Air Blades!"
The creatures flapped their wings, launching razor-sharp wind slashes.
Kenji reacted immediately.—"Ursaring, use Quick Feet to dodge, then Slash when they come down!"
Kenji clenched his fists. They're fast, attack from a distance, and disorient with sound. If we keep fighting like this, we're at a disadvantage.
He took a deep breath, analyzing the battlefield. If we can't reach them in the air… we have to force them down.
—"Charmander, launch Embers at the ceiling! Make them lose their aerial advantage!"
Charmander roared and fired multiple fireballs at the cave's ceiling. The flames collided with the crystals, creating chaotic reflections of light and heat.
The environment inside the cave changed. The sudden heat and scattered glow confused the Murcielarids, forcing them into erratic movements.
One of them descended too low, and Ursaring seized the opportunity.
The massive bear leaped with surprising agility for his size, avoiding the air slashes. One of the Murcielarids swooped down for an attack, but that was its mistake.
—"Now!"
Ursaring spun midair and delivered a powerful slash, tearing through the bat's wing and sending it crashing to the ground with a shrill cry.
—"Charmander, finish it with Fire Claw!"
Still slightly dazed, Charmander's claws ignited with flickering flames, and he slammed the ground, creating a small explosion that shook the cave. The shockwave blasted the fallen Murcielarid against the wall.
The other one tried to escape, flying to a greater height. But Charmander fired another Ember.
Although the attack missed directly, a spark grazed the Murcielarid's wing—and that was enough.
🔥 Boom!
A small explosion engulfed the beast's wing, disrupting its flight pattern. Its body spun out of control and smashed into a cave wall.
Before it could recover—
—"Ursaring, use Fury Swipes!"
Ursaring lunged, delivering a series of powerful blows, slamming the Murcielarid into the ground with brutal force.
The battle was over.
Kenji took a deep breath, satisfied with the result. He checked his Pokémon. Both were fine, though the Supersonic attack had momentarily disoriented them.
—"Good job, guys."
They ventured deeper into the cave, passing through a narrow passage covered in stalactites. Eventually, they reached a vast chamber, where a massive glowing blue rock stood in the center.
Kenji recognized it immediately.
—"A Resonance Stone…"
The last time he found one, Charmander unlocked Spark Burst. Could this stone grant another ability?
Carefully, Kenji reached out and touched it.
📢 You have found a Resonance Stone.💠 +100 system points obtained.
The stone's glow faded as it was absorbed into the system. Kenji stored it in his inventory, but he couldn't shake a lingering feeling of unease.
—"Last time I took a stone… Ursagris appeared."
His instincts told him something similar could happen. Instead of letting his guard down, he decided to prepare.
To ensure they were at full strength, Kenji returned his Pokémon to their Pokéballs.
The system had mentioned that Pokéballs temporarily healed Pokémon when stored, but it also warned that this feature was not permanent.
This healing function was similar to placing Pokéballs in a Pokémon Center—it was extremely convenient.
However… seconds passed, and nothing happened.
Kenji waited.
Nothing.
A wave of relief washed over him.
—"Looks like this time…"
A thunderous noise interrupted him.
From the cave's entrance, heavy footsteps echoed through the darkness.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
The ground trembled with each step.
Kenji turned toward the entrance and saw a massive turtle beast emerge from the shadows.
A pair of yellow, piercing eyes gleamed in the darkness. The creature advanced with heavy steps, its cracked shell reflecting the glow of the crystals.
It was colossal—its shell was a deep brown, lined with jagged cracks and sharp spikes. Its limbs were thick and muscular, and its gaze carried an ominous presence.
The beast observed him in silence.
For a brief moment, Kenji thought… maybe it wasn't hostile.
But that hope vanished when the creature sniffed the air… and locked eyes with him.
The Turtle Colossus's eyes turned bloodshot.
—"Shit…!"
With a deafening roar, the beast charged straight at him.
Kenji had no choice.
—"Get ready for battle!"
The fight was just beginning.