Chapter 14: Drapion
Jinwoo walked through the forest, the recently caught Zangoose's Poké Ball tucked inside his coat.
It was a strange feeling, he wasn't used to capturing creatures in this way.
Normally, he would extract a shadow or simply move on.
But this world had different rules.
He would adapt.
Weavile walked beside him, silent but alert.
The battle with Zangoose had been a good test, not just of the wild Pokémon's strength, but of this world's battle mechanics.
The fight had felt… different from the ones he was used to.
The way Pokémon clashed, adapted, and countered, there was more to it than raw strength.
Type matchups, techniques, battle endurance…
These were things he needed to master.
And he would.
The sun hung high in the sky, filtering through the thick canopy.
The forest was alive with the sounds of Pokémon hidden in the trees and underbrush.
Jinwoo's steps were silent, but he could sense something, a disturbance.
Then, a cry.
Not a human voice, but something else.
A Pokémon.
His eyes narrowed.
The sound was filled with pain.
Without hesitation, he moved.
Pushing through the undergrowth, he soon found the source of the noise.
A Pokémon, a Staraptor, was struggling on the ground.
Its wings were damaged, feathers scattered across the forest floor.
Deep claw marks ran along its side, fresh wounds leaking traces of blood.
Jinwoo crouched beside it, observing.
Something attacked it...
Hard.
Weavile sniffed the air, baring its fangs.
There was another presence nearby.
Jinwoo looked up, scanning the trees.
Something was watching.
Then a movement.
A dark shape leapt from the branches, landing in front of him.
A predator.
Jinwoo's eyes locked onto the new Pokémon.
A Drapion.
Its massive, scorpion-like body loomed over the fallen Staraptor, its pincers clicking menacingly.
The purple armor covering its body gleamed under the sunlight, and its eyes burned with territorial aggression.
It wasn't just hunting.
It was claiming its kill.
Jinwoo's expression didn't change.
'So this was the attacker.' Jinwoo thought.
Drapion snarled, stepping forward, challenging him.
Jinwoo exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
"Fine."
If it wanted a fight, he would give it one.
Weavile took an offensive stance, ready to battle.
But Jinwoo raised a hand.
Not this time.
From the darkness beneath his feet, a new shadow emerged.
A towering shape rose behind him, glowing blue eyes staring down at the Drapion.
Igris.
The Knight Commander stepped forward, his crimson cape billowing as his spectral sword materialized in his grasp.
Drapion tensed, sensing the shift in power.
But it was too late.
Igris moved.
In a blur of speed, the shadow knight vanished from view, reappearing behind Drapion before it could react.
A single slash.
Time seemed to pause.
Then, Drapion collapsed, a clean cut running across its armored shell.
Jinwoo watched as the predator let out a weak growl before its body stilled.
Jinwoo approached the fallen Drapion, its body still radiating residual energy.
He knelt down, placing a hand over its motionless form.
This one… was strong.
Not just in power, but in instinct.
It had hunted, adapted, and fought with precision.
A worthy addition.
His eyes flashed blue.
"Arise."
Darkness appeared beneath his feet widening towards the Pokemon and seeping into the Drapion's body.
The forest air grew still as the shadow took hold.
Then a movement.
The newly reborn Shadow Drapion lifted itself from the ground, its eyes glowing with spectral light.
The once-living predator now stood as one of Jinwoo's own.
He nodded in approval.
Then, turning back, he glanced at the injured Staraptor still lying on the ground.
Weak.
Vulnerable.
But not dead.
It wasn't his concern.
…Yet, as he turned to leave, the Pokémon let out a weak cry.
Jinwoo paused.
It was struggling to move, desperate to fly again.
Something about the sight made him reconsider.
After a moment, he reached into his coat, pulling out a Poké Ball.
He wasn't going to extract it.
But maybe… he could use it.
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the Poké Ball, watching as the injured Staraptor was pulled inside.
The ball barely shook before clicking shut.
Another capture.
Jinwoo stood, slipping the Poké Ball into his coat.
Then, without another word, he continued walking, the road ahead still long.
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