Chapter 29: An Unexpected Situation
Huh, something doesn't seem right.
Lucius stared at his rapidly updating mission log:
[Mission: Kill 50 lifeforms. Progress: 18/50, 19/50, 20/50, 21/50... 31/50, 32/50, 33/50...]
That shouldn't be happening. Why was it progressing so fast?
Lucius frowned in confusion. According to the system's mechanics, even if he had previously infected a host, he would still need to personally re-inhabit them and activate Venomous Plague for it to take effect.
Yet, the completion rate was far exceeding the expected outcome of his ability. What was going on?
Instead of immediately jumping to another target, he stopped midair and observed.
It didn't take long for him to notice the problem.
Not just the previously infected hosts—even those who hadn't been infected before were now succumbing to the effects of Venomous Plague after inhaling the black fog. While they seemed to last a few seconds longer, none of them survived in the end.
Could it be that Weezing's black mist was unusual?
Lucius pondered for a moment. It was too late to find the Weezing now—he had already activated Venomous Plague inside it earlier. At this point, Weezing had already perished, absorbed as part of his max HP.
Then what exactly…?
Suddenly, it hit him like a bolt of lightning.
Of course—it was because of Weezing!
Lucius recalled Weezing's natural behavior. This Pokémon thrived on consuming filth—viruses, bacteria, dust, and other toxic waste from garbage.
It then processed those toxins within its body, mixing them into even more noxious gases before releasing them back into the air.
So when Lucius activated Venomous Plague inside it, his virus had fused with Weezing's own poisonous gas, integrating into the toxic mist it emitted.
Meaning…
The black fog and Smog it expelled now contained the viral strain of Venomous Plague.
Damn it, how could I have overlooked that…? Lucius cursed inwardly. I should've picked a Skuntank, Torkoal, or Houndour instead…
The entire building's air was now saturated with Venomous Plague. It seemed that every human and Pokémon who had inhaled the toxic mist tonight was as good as dead…
Heh. Guess I really am a villain now.
"Arf! Arf! Arf!"
Arcanine suddenly erupted into furious barking.
Ophelia jolted awake from the urgent cries.
"Arcanine, what's wrong?" She rushed out of her bedroom and saw her loyal partner still growling at the window, alongside the other Pokémon, all equally tense and uneasy.
A sense of unease crept into Ophelia's chest. Her Pokémon were well-trained warriors. They wouldn't react like this without reason.
Approaching the window, she peered outside—and her pupils instantly dilated in shock, her beautiful eyes reflecting disbelief.
The police headquarters, which she had visited just that afternoon, was now completely encased in a massive dome-like structure—from a distance, it looked as if a colossal insect cocoon had enveloped the entire building…
'What the hell is that?!'
Lucius, viewing through Ophelia's eyes, was equally shaken.
His other half was still inside the police headquarters. Being part of the same entity, he was able to perceive everything occurring within. However, that half had remained inside the building the entire time and had no idea the exterior had been sealed off.
That explains it…
Lucius finally understood the nagging doubt that had been bothering him.
Logically, the incident he caused should have already been discovered, and outside forces should have taken action by now. Yet, no rescue teams had arrived, and the people and Pokémon inside just kept dying.
Turns out, it wasn't that no one had come—they were simply being blocked outside by this unknown cocoon-like structure.
Lucius felt a chill run down his spine. This was not a normal government response to a crisis. Was something else at play?
He glanced at his now-updated mission log:
[Mission: Establish an organization of over 10 members.]
The change in mission objectives confirmed that he had already killed 50 lifeforms.
Moreover, judging by his continuously increasing HP pool, the deaths inside the cocoon were still ongoing.
Ophelia instinctively wanted to investigate, but Lucius quickly activated Mental Corruption, forcing her to stay in the hotel.
His other half was already at the police headquarters. Judging from the cocoon's eerie nature, there could be unknown dangers lurking inside. It was better to leave this half here…
Even if his virus swarm inside was completely eradicated, as long as this part of him remained intact, he would still survive.
Come to think of it, Ophelia truly was a highly trained operative. Her willpower was exceptionally strong. Even with his whispers clouding her mind, Lucius barely managed to restrain her.
Of course, if she insisted on going, Lucius had a backup plan—he could simply transfer into a new host.
In any case, he would never allow all parts of himself to be trapped in one dangerous location.
Even a villainous virus knows better than to stand under a collapsing wall…
...
Cerulean Gym Leader…
In Oliver Doyle's mind, three radiantly beautiful faces emerged.
He cast a deep glance at Misty. Yes, they did have a younger sister…
As an International Police officer, Oliver was well aware of the Gym Leaders stationed in each city.
Gyms were the face of the Pokémon League's power—each city's strongest line of defense.
As Gym Leaders, they were responsible for protecting their cities. In extreme cases, they could even assume the role of mayor, taking command in times of crisis.
And in this current emergency, the Cerulean City Gym Leader was undoubtedly already on her way.
A loud engine roared, and a luxury sports car screeched to a stop before them.
A woman with rose-red hair, Lily, stepped out, her expression filled with shock at the sight before her—a phenomenon that could only be described as divine intervention.
Beside her, Violet froze at the sight of Misty, now an 18-year-old young woman.
A fierce roar suddenly echoed from above.
A golden-red beam of Breaking Swipe shot toward the constricting barrier, causing a fiery explosion upon impact.
The group looked up—an 8-meter-long, menacing dragon-like Pokémon with massive dorsal fins circled above, continuously attacking the dome with relentless force.
Despite the repeated explosive strikes, the barrier remained unmoved.
"Sister…"
Misty gazed at the sky, recognizing the Mega-Evolved Gyarados, and on its back—the golden-haired warrior, Daisy, Gym Leader of Cerulean City.
As the protector of Cerulean, Daisy had launched an immediate offensive.
Violet and Lily had already released their Dewgong and Starmie, ready to synchronize their attacks with their older sister.
Then, hearing Misty's voice, both of them turned in astonishment.
"Iron Tail."
Ash nodded to Pikachu on his shoulder.
Understanding the command, Pikachu leaped into the air, its tail glowing a brilliant metallic silver.
With a single precise strike, the attack stretched out like a whip, spanning several meters in an instant.
The impact landed squarely on Mega Gyarados's jaw.
Without a loud bang or blinding light, the power was perfectly controlled.
Yet, in that single moment—the strongest Pokémon of Cerulean Gym, a leader-class Mega Gyarados, fainted from just one hit.
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