In a place unseen by the black dragon-man, three figures of different sizes stood imposingly.
Marshadow stood to Akira’s left, Nihilego to his right and Genesect lood behind him.
Surrounded by the three Pokemons, Akira’s presence soared to its peak.
Though the black dragon-man couldn’t see them, the auras of the Pokemons reached it with unmistakable clarity.
Enveloped by an intensity it had never experienced before, the black dragon-man’s tornt far surpassed even that of the V5 leaders before.
It felt as though countless steel needles were piercing its body, every scale stripped of its natural defensive power.
Nothing but endless pain consud its entire being.
As for the two ’Guides’ cowering in the corner?
They weren’t even worth ntioning—curled up, they did not dare to breathe too loudly.
’Since when have humans grown this strong?!’
In re monts, the black dragon-man felt as though an entire lifeti had passed, each second dragging on endlessly.
Sweat poured uncontrollably from its brow, its earlier killing intent vanishing without a trace.
Now, all that remained was sheer terror.
****
anwhile, within several large dwellings in the settlent—
Several massive magical beasts shuddered simultaneously, sensing the auras of Marshadow and the others.
’Sothing’s wrong!!’
Their enormous eyes flickered with unmistakably horror, their intelligence evident in their gaze.
In an instant, the largest among them—also the most powerful—sprang into action.
****
"Hm?"
Akira’s brow arched as he studied the black dragon-man on the screen, a thought crossing his mind.
In the next mont, the black dragon-man’s body exploded violently, turning into a mist of blood that scattered countless fragnts across the ground.
This was clearly not his doing.
While the aura of Marshadow and the others was indeed terrifying, at most, it could only suppress their opponents into immobility or ntal collapse.
It couldn’t possibly crush soone directly into a bloody mist.
"Noble human, I apologize for my subordinate’s rudeness."
Though no figure appeared in the scene, a voice brimming with authority echoed from the other side.
Akira knew—the real mastermind had arrived.
Only soone capable of such power and who represented their faction, could be the ’Gatekeeper’ and moreover, the leader among the ’Gatekeepers’.
At the sa ti, a distinct aura reached him.
In terms of sheer intensity, this aura was comparable to Nihilego’s, perhaps even slightly weaker.
Most likely, it was around SS- rank in strength.
Little did he know, the ’Gatekeeper’ was even more shocked.
As it drew closer, it could sense the opposing auras with greater clarity.
There were three of them—and each one was stronger than itself!
Two far surpassed it, while the third was slightly superior!
It was the strongest existence in its entire race, yet facing these three auras, it felt nothing but helplessness.
’Have humans already grown to such heights?!
"Noble human, to demonstrate our sincerity and to offer our apologies..."
"We will dispatch a guide to lead you to the Dark Continent—without requiring any cost from you."
The ’Gatekeeper’ lowered its status considerably, a stark contrast to the black dragon-man from earlier.
Through the aura, it could sense the connection between Marshadow and the other Pokemons with Akira.
Were these what humans called "Nen beasts"?
"A guide? Do you think I need such a thing?"
Akira’s indifferent words reached its ears, leaving it speechless.
Indeed, given his strength, the entire Mobius Lake posed no difficulty to him.
Even the Dark Continent likely held anything that could trouble him—at least in the outer regions.
As for the depths, it couldn’t say for certain, as even it dared not venture there.
If the outer regions of the Dark Continent were the "forbidden zone for humans,"
then the depths were a place even the ’Gatekeeper’ feared to tread.
This was why they chose to dwell in the outer regions.
But this human was different—he could go deeper.
With such power, there was naturally no need to follow the old customs of relying on them for guidance.
Yet, how else could they make ands?
"You must have partial maps of the Dark Continent, right?"
After so thought, Akira concluded that the only useful thing they could offer him now was a map.
The ’Gatekeeper’ paused briefly before complying with his words.
"We do... but how shall we deliver it to you?"
"Just have that goat-headed one hold it and stand in front of the sphere."
Hearing this, the ’Gatekeeper’ asked no further questions.
The next mont, a map resembling parchnt appeared in the goat-headed man’s hands.
With no other choice, the goat-headed man steeled himself and stepped forward, clutching the map, his body trembling uncontrollably.
The goat-headed man unfolded the map and held it against his chest, allowing Akira to clearly see the images on it.
The map depicted countless creatures of varying sizes across a vast region.
Mobius Lake occupied only a small corner of the area.
anwhile, Porygon-Z took the opportunity to record the entire map, ensuring it could be retrieved later if needed.
"Alright."
After a few monts, Akira had seen enough and spoke casually.
"May I ask you a question?"
The goat-headed man in the image slowly stepped back as the Gatekeeper’s voice sounded once more.
"Go ahead."
"Have humans already reached this level of power?!"
The Gatekeeper’s voice trembled slightly and Akira could even faintly hear the sound of a gulp.
No wonder.
Akira’s strength was terrifying.
Humanity’s power paled in comparison to theirs—this was common knowledge, deeply ingrained.
Though they acknowledged humans possessed intelligence and had created achievents called "technology," their estimation was that humanity was currently on a path of self-destruction and would likely vanish sooner or later.
From the first transaction onward, humans had conducted over a hundred exploratory expeditions.
Yet these either ended with no survivors or brought back "calamities" along with the returnees.
Especially as ti passed, human expeditions grew increasingly frequent and the "calamities" they brought back multiplied.
The small island in the center of Mobius Lake remained one of the last safe havens, but its danger level was steadily rising—precisely because of the calamities brought back ti and again.
At this rate, after gaining so rewards, humanity would lose its last refuge as the price.
Then the island at Mobius Lake’s center would beco indistinguishable from the Dark Continent.
In truth, the Gatekeeper’s concerns weren’t unfounded—this outco was entirely possible.
Though V5 understood this logic, human desire was boundless.
Where there was a first ti, a second and third would follow.
The Dark Continent indeed housed "calamities" that made people recoil, but it also held "hopes" that made desires uncontrollable.
The all-healing herb.
A re taste could cure diseases deed incurable by modern dicine.
The endless energy stone.
A bead-sized ore that generated electricity when subrged in water—producing 20,000 kilowatts in a single day.
The ultimate food, Nitro Rice.
Consuming it granted longevity, the effect countless people craved most.
Life and death had always weighed heaviest on people’s minds, especially among the wealthy and powerful who feared death most—whether from unfulfilled indulgence or unrealized ambitions like exploration.
These "hopes" were potent enough to blind people, driving them to charge recklessly towards a terrifying "calamities."
Since ancient tis, danger and opportunity had been intertwined.
Yet one must weigh their own strength.
Of 149 expeditions, only five saw returnees—who brought back five great calamities.
This devastating track record failed to teach V5 sufficient lessons.
This was why the Gatekeeper held little faith in humanity.
Ambition wasn’t inherently bad—but only when grounded in reality.
Now, things were different.
Akira’s ergence completely overturned their previous assumptions, signaling humanity’s trendous leap in strength!
"No, I am the strongest being across the six continents—with absolutely no close second."
"Not even the runner-up matches the strength of that dead Black Dragon warrior earlier."
That Black Dragon warrior had been roughly at the level of the enhanced Ant King.
In raw power, none but Akira could rival him.
Perhaps only with "technology" might others stand a chance.
Thus he could unapologetically declare himself the undisputed, unparalleled strongest.
"I see. Indeed, we’ve always understood humanity’s capabilities."
"It’s already unprecedented for soone of your strength to erge."
"Before you, the only human who could be considered sowhat capable is the one still active in the Dark Continent to this day."
The Gatekeeper spoke with a hint of sentint, though there wasn’t much surprise in his heart.
Had Akira claid there were many others of similar strength, that would have been truly shocking.
Yet when you thought about it, it was terrifying—how had this human reached such a level of power?
This was far beyond what any ordinary human could possess.
It even far surpassed his own.
At this mont, the Gatekeeper fully realized that his previous understanding of humans had been too narrow.
While there were indeed many greedy and foolish humans, there were also formidable beings like this one.
Human potential exceeded their estimations.
Judging by his voice, this human was quite young—likely in his twenties by human standards.
aning he hadn’t even reached the peak of human potential yet.
There was every possibility he could grow even stronger.
Just the power he displayed now was already enough to effortlessly obtain countless life-extending treasures.
Which ant this human’s lifespan would be astonishingly long!
This man’s appearance reminded him of another human.
One who had co to the Dark Continent over three hundred years ago and was still active to this day.
He didn’t know that human’s na—the man was extrely cautious, and it was precisely that caution that had kept him alive.
The Gatekeeper was referring to Don Freecss!
Before Akira appeared, Don Freecss had been the most formidable human the Gatekeeper had encountered.
The re fact that he’d survived alone in the Dark Continent for over three hundred years spoke volus about his strength.
By the Gatekeeper’s estimate, that man’s power should be comparable to his own.
And through consuming nurous life-extending items, that human had continuously prolonged his lifespan.
By normal human standards, living over a hundred years was already considered exceptionally long-lived.
Most humans never reached that age.
Yet that human had not only survived in the Dark Continent but had continuously extended his lifespan through his gains.
Until today, the Gatekeeper had believed this must be the pinnacle of human capability.
He’d thought it highly unlikely any human would ever surpass him.
Who could have guessed he’d still underestimated humanity? They always managed to produce individuals that defied expectations.
It seed that every so often, humans would produce another supre powerhouse—this latest one even more extraordinary than the last.
Perhaps they should reconsider their attitude toward humans?
’Don Freecss, huh?’
Akira naturally understood who the Gatekeeper was referring to.
The man was simply too distinctive.
After all, Don Freecss was the only human still active in the Dark Continent today.
Perhaps after reaching the Dark Continent, he might even have a chance to et this senior.
And if Ging later joined the team as in the original story...
They might even witness a reunion between ancestors and descendants separated by who knows how many generations?
"Anything else?"
Akira glanced at the now-empty screen and spoke calmly.
The two Guides had retreated to unseen corners and as for this Gatekeeper who’d never shown his face...Akira suspected that the other party was simply too large in size and couldn’t squeeze into this small room, which was why only its voice could be heard without any visible form.
After all, unlike the demi-human species serving as the ’Guide’, the ’Gatekeeper’ was a genuine magical beast.
Many magical beasts were enormous in size—for instance, the Zoldyck Family’s Mike was as large as a house.
This ’Gatekeeper’ was likely much bigger.
Judging from the map it had just displayed, the Dark Continent was never short of abnormally massive creatures.
In that place, Akira wouldn’t even be surprised if a towering mountain turned out to be a living creature.
Now, he was growing increasingly eager to explore the Dark Continent, wondering what kind of creatures he might encounter—and what kind of Pokemons he could nurture!
For Akira, the more dangerous the Dark Continent, the better.
The stronger the creatures within, the more ideal.
This would an he could nurture even more powerful Pokemons!
"Um... would it be allright for us to guide you there?"
After much deliberation, the ’Gatekeeper’ could only co up with this offer.
Though the other party might not need it, seizing any chance to interact would be worthwhile.
With such formidable power, it was absolutely worth their utmost efforts to build goodwill.
The goat-headed figure and the cloaked figure hiding in the corner were stunned—this was the first ti they had ever seen their lofty superior acting so...
Humble?
At this mont, all they wanted was to leave this place as soon as possible.
They feared that staying any longer might expose them to sothing they shouldn’t hear, leading them to the sa fate as their leader (the Black Dragon Man).
"No need."
Akira casually declined.
Then, Marshadow followed his instructions and picked up the now-dimd spherical stone.
With an almost imperceptible click, the green glow on the stone completely faded, signaling the end of the communication.
Simultaneously, the screen’s image vanished as well.
...?
Noticing the spherical stone had turned from green to white, the ’Gatekeeper’ remained silent.
After standing dumbfounded for a while, it too left the scene.
Only the two survivors—the goat-headed figure and the cloaked figure—and the scattered remains of the "Black Dragon Man" were left behind.
Akira had no intention of accepting the ’Gatekeeper’s’ goodwill.
He didn’t need any carefully planned safe route.
He would much rather head straight into dangerous territory, where he could encounter more formidable creatures.
Which also ant more abundant experience points.
The Dark Continent wasn’t just about new Pokemons—it also ant an inexhaustible ocean of experience!
"This trip has settled everything I needed to do."
Akira turned to the Suit Man and the other four, pausing briefly before continuing.
"From now on, you five will carry on with your usual activities. If there are any special arrangents, I’ll notify you later."
"Yes!"
The five of them answered in unison.
Seeing how thoroughly controlled they were, Akira nodded in satisfaction.
This haul had far exceeded his expectations.
Not only had he obtained his first Ultra Beast and taken control of V5 leaders, but he had also intimidated the ’Gatekeeper’ into providing a far more detailed map—sothing even V5 couldn’t achieve
-----------------------------
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