Chapter 148 – Three S-Class Death Beasts! Li Jian Loses Control!

Amid the pitch-black night and the deafening downpour, a streak of crimson lightning suddenly burst through the rain like a sharpened arrow—

—charging straight toward Li Jian just as he was about to strike down with his foot!

At that moment, Magikarp's entire body tensed like a drawn bowstring, springing forward with uncharacteristic power!

For the first time, the blank look in its eyes was replaced with something new—

Emotion.

And that emotion… was rage.

Zhou Xiaofei's injuries had awakened something inside the normally dopey Magikarp.

For the first time, it understood what it meant to be angry!

All it knew was that, despite being so weak—so unwanted, even by the river—it had a Trainer who had never once abandoned it.

And with its pure heart, Magikarp could deeply sense the love Zhou Xiaofei held for it.

For that love… Magikarp was furious.

Zhou Xiaofei had never slacked off in training his Magikarp.

In addition to its daily waterfall climbing, he took its sole attack move, Tackle, very seriously.

At first, it could barely break through a single pine board. But now?

It could shatter two at once!

And though pine isn't the hardest wood, anyone who has worked with it knows—it's not soft either.

Breaking through two stacked boards? That was more than enough to surpass the strength of a human bone.

Magikarp's furious strike hit Li Jian square in the sole of his foot.

CRACK!

A sharp, sickening snap rang out.

Li Jian looked down in disbelief as his foot twisted at a grotesque angle—his ankle bent cleanly to ninety degrees.

His leg had been shattered by that massive, red fish!

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!"

His agonized scream echoed through the rainy night.

He collapsed onto the muddy ground in a heap!

Zhou Xiaofei clutched his aching chest and struggled to his feet.

Stubbornly, he stared down at Li Jian—his gaze unwavering.

He didn't ask why the man had attacked him without warning.

He didn't need to.

Having grown up on the streets, Zhou Xiaofei had seen his fair share of cruelty.

He was kind by nature, but he also knew—

Some people were just evil by default.

Liu Qiaoqiao gently supported him, teary-eyed as she checked his chest.

"Brother Xiaofei, are you okay?!"

Zhou Xiaofei forced a heroic smile and waved dismissively.

"I'm fine! A real man doesn't cry over a little scratch… cough cough...!"

But the motion tugged at the injury in his chest.

A sharp, searing pain shot through him, nearly making him black out.

Li Jian's kick had been no joke—his strength surpassed the average adult's.

At least three ribs were broken.

Any normal child would have been writhing on the ground in agony by now.

But not Zhou Xiaofei.

He didn't need to ask—he knew this man was here to hurt the Pokémon Center.

And if that was the case…

He wasn't going to let him get away with it!

Of course, his lack of combat experience meant he didn't yet grasp the importance of finishing off an enemy when they were vulnerable.

He didn't even realize that Li Jian was an S-Class Contract Master—

—and just how rare and lucky it was that Magikarp's surprise attack landed.

Still clutching his Magikarp, who was still seething with fury, Zhou Xiaofei forced a grin through the pain.

"You did great, Magikarp. Now we just have to wait for the guards to arrive."

As one of Haicheng's major facilities, the Pokémon Center was on the city's patrol route.

The guards had just passed by a while ago—they wouldn't be back soon.

But Zhou Xiaofei wouldn't let this man escape in the meantime!

"Pokémon… it's always those damned Pokémon!"

Li Jian's face was twisted beyond recognition.

Yes, the pain was excruciating.

But what truly broke his mind… was the humiliation.

Damn it!

He had thought the red fish outside the door was just a kid's pet—maybe even tonight's dinner!

But no—

It was a Pokémon!

If he had known, he'd never have gotten so close.

He had been burned by Pokémon before—literally.

Contract Masters weren't meant for close combat!

"I f*cking HATE Pokémon!"

Li Jian clenched his jaw, eyes bloodshot, then crushed the ring in his hand.

CRACK!

In the next second, an enormous shadow materialized behind him.

Then a second…

And a third.

Three hulking monsters—radiating despair, rage, and pure bloodlust—stood silently behind him.

Their emotionless eyes locked onto the two children…

…and the Magikarp.

Elsewhere—at the front lines…

In a tent glowing with warm firelight—

"Here, Su Bai—try this one."

"Who'd have thought wild mushrooms outside the city would be this fresh? Amazing!"

Liu Yunlan eagerly scooped up a tender mushroom and dropped it into Su Bai's bowl.

Murong Nan quietly added a piece of meat as well.

"Slurp~~~"

Wang Tao finished off his soup with gusto, lifting the bowl to his mouth and drinking every last drop.

Pei Jingguo and the others were also happily eating, bowls in hand, steam rising from the hearty stew.

Despite the presence of Death Beasts and their influence on the land, a few resilient plants and animals still thrived.

These wild fungi—and the occasional unlucky bird—had become tonight's feast.

And since this was their first meal made with ingredients outside the city, everyone was in great spirits.

Su Bai listened to the soothing patter of rain on the tent and smiled.

"Come to think of it… Xiaofei really loves mushroom soup."

"We'll be heading back soon. I'll gather some for him."

He chuckled. "I wonder how that little guy's doing. Hopefully he's keeping the place running."

Wang Tao grinned. "Relax. That kid's the most reliable one of us all. If he can't manage the shop, who can?"

Then, with a dramatic gesture, he stretched his fingers to the corners of his eyes and did an uncanny imitation:

"I'm Zhou Xiaofei—outstanding employee of the Pokémon Center!"

To everyone's amusement, his impression was spot-on.

Even his tone perfectly mimicked the enthusiastic little boy.

The group burst into laughter.

No one could dislike Zhou Xiaofei. In fact, most of the veteran clients loved teasing him the most.

There was nothing more heartwarming than a serious, sweet kid giving it his all.

The conversation quickly turned into a collective plan to bring gifts for Xiaofei when they returned—since he wasn't allowed to leave with the others.

That feeling of camaraderie, of celebrating victory over a good meal, filled the tent with joy and laughter.

Su Bai lifted the tent flap, glancing out into the rain toward Haicheng.

He wasn't worried. After all, the Pokémon Center was protected by law and structure.

Not even a collapsing sky would pose a threat.

Besides, knowing Zhou Xiaofei, he was probably right now—

"Training his Magikarp outside the Pokémon house."

Chuckling, Su Bai let the flap fall and raised his bowl.

With pride, he declared:

"That's right. Xiaofei is our Pokémon Center's finest employee."

"He'll protect it… no matter what."