章節 81: There's Something Off About My Pokémon [81]
Mission Objective: Achieve at least a Top 16 placement in the tournament.
Completion: Perfect (Champion)
Rewards: 1 Commemorative Poké Ball, ¥100,000 cash, 30 potential points.
The generous rewards made Lu Cheng burst out laughing before he could stop himself. I have to control myself—there's still a ¥200,000 prize coming!
At the center of the arena, a podium had slowly risen, waiting for the finalists to claim their awards. Lu Cheng quickly stepped down from the stage to greet his friends and family before returning for the ceremony. As he and Gao Chi ascended the podium together, Gao Chi leaned in and whispered, "Even though you won… I still don't approve of you two."
"Huh?" Lu Cheng looked at him, bewildered. But Gao Chi's expression was as stoic as ever, staring straight ahead like he hadn't said a word.
Lu Cheng suddenly remembered the task still listed in his mission log: "Confrontation with the Future Brother-in-Law," requiring him to clear up the misunderstanding with Gao Chi.
I guess I'll have to pay a visit to his home someday, Lu Cheng thought, rubbing his nose. Despite his aloof exterior, Lu Cheng felt that Gao Chi was someone worth befriending. Besides, I'm practically on brotherly terms with his dad now.
That thought brought a grin to Lu Cheng's face.
Lu Ning, who had competed alongside Lu Cheng earlier, gracefully stepped onto the podium as the third-place winner. She greeted Lu Cheng with a gentle smile. "Congratulations!"
As the three exchanged greetings, a striking woman strode confidently onto the stage.
"Now, let's welcome Lin Yuan, the Master of Jitian Dojo, to present the awards to our top three finalists!"
Lin Yuan, clad in a silver, casual suit, with short brown hair that added to her mature aura, wore a pair of black high heels that only accentuated her commanding presence. She approached Lu Ning first, shaking her hand and handing her the third-place trophy with a faint smile.
"Congratulations."
The handshake was brief, and as she moved to Gao Chi, his expression noticeably hardened. Sensing his discomfort, Lu Cheng nudged him and whispered, "Hey, they're filming this. Look happier!"
Gao Chi's face twitched, and he finally accepted the trophy with a stiff "Thank you." Lin Yuan wisely chose not to extend her hand, instead moving to Lu Cheng with a broader smile.
"Congratulations, Champion! If you get the chance, I'd love to see you challenge Jitian Dojo."
She leaned closer, "I believe it won't be long before you earn the Jitian Badge."
Something about Lin Yuan's demeanor felt familiar, and Lu Cheng couldn't help but warm up to her. With a wide grin, he replied, "Thanks, sis!"
Lin Yuan froze momentarily, then chuckled, hanging the champion's gold medal around his neck. The large screen above projected the moment to the entire arena. Lu Cheng's parents could hardly believe their eyes—Their son had really won the U20 Championship!
"This is incredible, honey!" Lu Cheng's mom covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her sobs.
Lu Cheng's dad, patting her back, was equally emotional. Years ago, his father had dreamt of him becoming a Pokémon Trainer, but all he had wanted was to be a chef. Now, it was his grandchild who had fulfilled that dream.
"Cheng, keep pushing forward," he murmured as he watched the screen.
The camera panned across the audience, capturing Hu Sheng's stunned face, his expression one of shock and frustration. The scene quickly shifted to Ding Chong's siblings, who waved excitedly at the lens, with A-Le squeezing his chubby face into the frame.
---
Entrance Corridor.
While everyone's attention was focused on the award ceremony, a group of men in black quietly entered the arena. Each of them had a Poké Ball clipped to their belts.
"All set."
"Three, two, one!"
Just as the ceremony was drawing to a close and the audience was preparing to leave, chaos erupted!
A massive explosion echoed from the stands, followed by a chorus of screams and cries of pain.
"What's happening?"
"It's not a projection—this is a real explosion! Somebody, help!"
"Don't push my child—ah!"
The blast had erupted from the audience seats, and before Lu Cheng could react, a surge of people began to flood the exits in panic. The narrow passages were quickly jammed, leading to a stampede. Children's cries mixed with the sound of chaos, and the explosions didn't stop.
Lu Cheng's pupils contracted as he spotted a hooded man in the densely packed crowd. The man pulled out a Poké Ball, and with a flash of red light, a Weezing covered in toxic gas and tumors appeared, its eyes blank and body glowing with a dangerous light.
Self-Destruct!
"What's going on?!" The broadcasting studio was in chaos as the director slammed his fist on the table. "Where the hell were the security checks?! How did they let a Weezing in?!"
A pale-faced intern stammered, "D-Director, it's not just one Weezing…"
The explosions continued, and from where Lu Cheng stood, he could see multiple hooded figures. Some were summoning Weezing, others sending out Electrodes, all initiating Self-Destruct.
From the center of the blast radius, the attackers stood safe within green Protect barriers, their faces twisted in cruel grins.
"They're insane… They've gone mad!" The director was momentarily stunned before barking orders, "Evacuate the crowd! Get Alakazam and Mr. Mime from Security to set up Light Screens!"
Just then, the door burst open. The director looked up, about to shout, but the credentials flashed in front of him silenced his rage.
"Leave this to us," said a tall, imposing woman.
While the chaos continued, An Tongxin's calm voice echoed over the speaker system. Her words came from the announcer's booth:
"Please remain calm. Pay attention to any suspicious individuals wearing hoods or masks. We have deployed trained personnel to manage the evacuation. Your safety is our top priority."
"If any trainers in the audience have Pokémon capable of using Protect, Light Screen, or Reflect, we ask you to step forward to help protect the crowd!"
The security team's Alakazam and Mr. Mime erected barrier after barrier. Though not suited for combat, they managed to stop the explosion's force by reinforcing the Light Screens.
Members of Team Galactic, their expressions dark, began to throw out more Poké Balls to continue their attack.
Without a moment's hesitation, Lu Cheng dashed towards the direction where his parents were seated.
"Zubat, use Supersonic!"
One of the hooded attackers released a Zubat, which immediately emitted a high-frequency sound wave aimed at the already panicking crowd. Though the sound was inaudible to humans, it heightened their anxiety and increased the chaos.
"Grovyle, use Slash!"
As the Zubat prepared to dive towards the densest part of the crowd, Grovyle leapt from seat to seat, slicing through the air with a single strike that split the Zubat's wings.
"Watch out!" A shout came from the distance.
Lu Cheng turned just in time to see the Zubat's trainer lunging toward him, a glint of metal flashing in his hand. For a split second, he froze.
But Vulpix, emerging from its Poké Ball on its own, quickly used Protect, shielding Lu Cheng from the masked man's knife.
The man sneered and swung again, only to be met with a powerful roundhouse kick to the side of his head. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
Behind him stood Gao Lu, a determined expression on her face. Her father and brother, equally tense, were at her side.
"That's one favor paid back!" Gao Lu waved to Lu Cheng before turning to make her way to the exit.
"Wait!" Gao Chi grabbed her arm, his voice firm. "We're needed here!"
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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