Chapter 93 – Let the Pokémon Descend!

They resembled Death beasts, yet they weren't.

They retained fragments of human appearance and abilities, were more intelligent than Death beasts—yet they were no longer human.

"Sub-Beasts"—what a fitting name.

Su Bai nodded in agreement.

"They really can't be considered human anymore… But if that's the case, why have I never heard of them before?"

Zhu Jianyuan sighed.

"Sub-Beasts mostly remain within the borders of the former nations. After their degeneration, just like Death beasts, they developed an intense territorial instinct."

"As for the ones near the East Divine Federation—they were purged long ago over the course of many years."

"In fact, there's long been speculation that many of the recent Death beast assaults were incited by Sub-Beasts behind the scenes…"

"In short, humanity's situation is far more perilous than the public realizes."

Zhu's expression turned heavy, shadowed with resignation.

As the city lord, he knew more truths than most—but with that knowledge came a burden heavier than mountains.

Even as an S-Class powerhouse, he sometimes felt like nothing more than a fragile stalk of straw in the storm of history.

He pointed to a small dot on the map.

"You see this? That's Haicheng."

"To you, it looks like it's located on the edge of the Federation, right?"

"But in truth… Haicheng wasn't always here. It used to be deep in the heart of the East Divine Federation."

"Wucheng, Yancheng, Wencheng…"

As Zhu's finger glided across the map, it passed through region after region—each one stained a glaring blood-red.

"One Death beast siege after another… Humanity has been forced into retreat again and again."

"In the face of overwhelming, near-limitless monsters, our resistance looks more like a desperate struggle for survival."

"In fact, if not for you, the map of the East Divine Federation might have shrunk even further."

He was clearly referring to Groudon—whose unexpected arrival had crushed the Death beast assault.

Su Bai found himself unable to respond.

Everything Zhu Jianyuan had said was deeply shocking…

But also incredibly logical.

To be honest, Su Bai had long held doubts.

For a world on the brink of apocalypse, the East Divine Federation's society… felt too clean.

What society didn't have traitors?

Now he understood—those traitors had long since shown their true colors.

"But… did they really have to rewrite the textbooks?" Su Bai frowned. "If we're trying to build unity, don't today's humans deserve the truth?"

Zhu gave a bitter smile.

"People today are united. If they weren't, humanity would already be finished."

"But human nature doesn't change so easily. We simply… can't survive another betrayal."

"Under intense pressure, people will do the most outrageous things. And truth be told… they don't see any hope."

"Even someone like me—an S-Class fighter—nearly suffocated in despair when I first learned the truth. What would happen to the average person?"

"They only hold on because they believe Awakens can protect them."

"Because they believe… we can win against the Death beasts."

"But if the truth came out—and some opportunist stirred things up… who knows what would happen?"

"No farsighted leader would ever allow that kind of chaos to unfold."

Su Bai didn't speak for a long while. He chewed on Zhu's words slowly.

And in the end, he nodded.

Some truths… were hidden out of necessity.

When hope is lost, people go mad.

Even if the Federation was hiding the truth, they had done it for one reason:

To ensure the survival of the human race.

Still, Su Bai caught a particular phrase Zhu had mentioned earlier—

"Opportunist instigators."

"What do you mean by that?" Su Bai asked. "Weren't the traitors all wiped out?"

Zhu's face turned even darker.

"No… it's not that simple. It seems the Sub-Beasts have their own hierarchy."

"The stronger a Sub-Beast is, the more intelligence it retains—and the more human it looks."

"And perhaps because of them, there have always been traces of that old Death-Worship Cult within our borders."

"The Federation's internal security is strict. We've been hunting down these cult remnants relentlessly for years—but we still can't completely root them out."

Su Bai's eyes narrowed.

"So what you meant earlier was… you're worried they might target me?"

Zhu nodded.

"Exactly. No one knows what kind of cards those hidden snakes are holding."

"The East Divine Federation is like a torn sack—barely held together by Awakened risking their lives to stitch it closed…"

"And every single one of us who knows the truth…"

"…lives under the shadow of that nightmare."

It was heavy.

So heavy that even Su Bai had to admit—

The Federation had made the right call.

If this truth were revealed, the entire social order might collapse.

Humanity only united when there was a clear enemy.

But if the enemy was too powerful—so powerful there was no hope of victory—

Madness would take over.

"But—"

Zhu Jianyuan's tone shifted as he looked Su Bai in the eye.

"You changed everything."

Su Bai pointed at himself, then glanced at the two little Pokémon by his side—Diancie and Meloetta, who were listening intently with fierce little scowls.

He already understood.

"…Because of the Pokémon?"

Zhu stood up, eyes blazing.

"Exactly! Because of the Pokémon!"

"I saw the results from Haicheng No. 1 High. Those kids—how old are they? Yet they achieved results not even Awakened adults could match!"

"Especially that terrifying lava beast—Groudon—if it truly fights for humanity, then we might even be able to launch a counteroffensive into the Death beast territories!"

"Do you realize what this means?!"

He gripped Su Bai's shoulders, eyes burning with fervor.

"You've given humanity… real hope!"

"Hope that isn't built on lies or hidden behind fog!"

"If your Pokémon continue to grow—"

"If more and more appear—if human strength continues to rise—"

"Then everything we've lost… will be ours again!"

Zhu Jianyuan was the prized disciple of the old Principal, Lu Liangpeng.

Though one had become a berserker and the other a mage, their sense of duty and unshakable integrity were nearly identical.

His words might sound lofty—but Su Bai knew.

This wasn't some empty political speech.

This was his heart laid bare.

Even Diancie was infected by the passion of the moment.

Together with Meloetta, she raised her little fists and shouted:

"Down with Death beasts! Death beasts are bad!"

"Melo-melo!"

The previously tense atmosphere was broken by the fiery declaration of the two adorable Pokémon.

Su Bai chuckled and patted their heads.

"So that's why you tested my strength earlier?"

"You wanted me to stay in Haicheng… because Kyoto's too dangerous?"

Zhu gave him a thumbs-up.

"You're sharp for your age. That's exactly right."

"Kyoto might be safer on the surface, but it's also the prime target for the Death-Worship Cult's infiltration."

"If you went there, you'd be placed under heavy surveillance and protection. Not only would you lose your freedom, but you'd be a sitting target."

"We're not certain… but none of us are willing to take that risk."

"But here in Haicheng—we've got a national treasure."

"Haicheng No. 1 High's old Principal!"

"He's trained generations of top-tier talents. His name alone shakes the entire East Divine Federation."

"Otherwise, you think just anyone could go against Kyoto's orders?"

"The old man is as stubborn as they come—when he says no, he means it."

Su Bai immediately recalled that kind old smile of the principal.

So… that was why.

He had suspected before—after all, even a city lord like Zhu wouldn't have dared go against Kyoto so easily.

But with the old Principal stepping in behind the scenes, it made sense.

He must've burned a mountain of favors to make it happen.

In the end… Su Bai owed the old man a massive debt.

He sighed.

Well, better to owe the old man than to tangle with Kyoto.

"I understand now," Su Bai said. "I'll be careful…"

"As for spreading Pokémon to the world—actually, that's why I came here today."

He stepped over to the map and pointed to the dot representing Haicheng.

Then, he drew a circle around the area with his finger—smiling.

"What do you think… of letting Pokémon descend upon these places?"