Chapter 694

The newcomer was, of course, Lei He, whom they hadn’t seen in a while.

Behind her trailed two nervous officers, never leaving her side as if afraid she might blurt out something shocking in public.

In fact, when they accompanied Lei He back to Orange Academy to review records, they had personally witnessed the teacher’s fanaticism regarding “unknown Pokémon.”

Even after finally locating the relevant data, she had rushed straight back here without delay.

Lei He, her expression electric, didn’t glance at anyone in the meeting room—naturally overlooking Luo Mu, who had just arrived.

She strode directly to the whiteboard and slammed her palm hard against the photo.

“In some ancient expedition logs, this ancient Pokémon was indirectly described.”

“Unlike the elegant North Wind Messenger of Kanto and Johto legends, the ancient texts depict Wave Wash as far more violent and incommunicative.”

“But that’s merely what the records say.”

Lei He paused, her gaze finally sweeping down to the group below.

Her eyes drifted across the room, lingering for a moment when they reached Luo Mu’s direction—surprise flickered in her gaze.

But she quickly adjusted her emotions, took a deep breath, and said firmly: “Based on my personal experience living with that Wave Wash, and observing its recent actions…”

“I believe we should approach this from the perspective of its needs, and try to coax it out of the underground automatic water cycle’s reservoir on its own.”

“—We don’t necessarily need to resort to force.”

After presenting all her conclusions, Lei He sat quietly in the vacant seat.

On her wrists, a fresh pair of silver handcuffs clicked back into place—placed there personally by Officer Junsa.

After all, this entire incident stemmed from her, and worse, she had secretly smuggled herself into the Paldea Crater—adding insult to injury.

Yet Lei He showed no awareness that she was about to spend days in police custody; instead, she smiled at Luo Mu.

“Hehe, with you here, I’m sure whether it’s brute force or peaceful negotiation, it’ll all be no problem.”

From Lei He’s perspective, Luo Mu was clearly the reinforcement sent by the Alliance after Officer Junsa and the Mayor of Bopin City lost faith in her ability to resolve the matter.

“Why so impatient?” Luo Mu sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I just happened to pass by and came to see what’s going on.”

Lei He naturally understood what Luo Mu meant by “impatient”—her smile widened further as she teased,

“But that won’t do, Professor Luo Mu~”

“I have an extraordinary, insatiable curiosity about historical legends—I simply can’t wait.”

“If I wait too long, I naturally end up doing something reckless, just like you know I used to.”

Luo Mu: “.”

I haven’t forgotten—you were a professional tomb raider once.

In fact, Lei He was originally recruited by Yici during their talent hunt, and later gave it all up.

But none of that needs to be discussed in this meeting.

“Wave Wash… Meng Lei Gu.”

“So that’s it—”

Repeating the name of the “Water Guardian” in the photo under his breath, Luo Mu suddenly understood.

Not just the similar name, but also the label of “ancient creature.”

Indeed, Wave Wash was another ancient paradox species like Meng Lei Gu—and very likely, like Meng Lei Gu, it wasn’t a mindless, violent brute, but a sentient being endowed with “intellect.”

Thus, the original plan to storm in, subdue it, and throw it back into the Paldea Crater was now off the table.

After formulating his strategy, Luo Mu looked up at the group clearly waiting for his decision.

Without hesitation, he murmured: “Then… let’s move out.”

“Resolve this incident as swiftly as possible.”

“I’ll arrange it right away!”

The Mayor of Bopin City stood abruptly, beaming as he headed for the door.

In his view, with a Champion-level Trainer like Luo Mu on board, whether Lei He’s research was accurate or not, they could now swiftly resolve the matter and prevent further escalation!

With hope restored, everyone moved with renewed efficiency.

Beside Luo Mu, Hai Dai stretched lazily, eager to join. “I’ll go again too. Even if I can’t beat that thing, just watching is worth it.”

“Good luck~”

Lei He was even more relaxed, propping her elbows on the table, grinning and waving as if to say she’d stay out of the way.

The new silver handcuffs on her wrists caught the overhead lights with each movement.

But fate rarely aligns with human wishes.

Officer Junsa, who had appeared silently behind Lei He, grabbed her arm and snapped: “You’re coming too.”

“Huh? Me? As a criminal?”

“No excuses! You might be the only one who can communicate with that Pokémon, Wave Wash!”

“Fine, fine, I’ll go!”

Lei He raised her hands in surrender, the gesture practiced and effortless—as if she’d done it many times before.

Under the Mayor of Bopin City’s arrangements, though surface-level steam grew denser and unrest threatened to spiral out of control,

Luo Mu’s group still reached the underground automatic water circulation control system without incident.

Before them loomed a heavy iron door, surrounded by numerous officers guarding and sealing the area.

Luo Mu was genuinely surprised that Bopin City had such infrastructure beneath it.

Indeed, when human technology advances far enough, it can reshape the environment as if rivaling legendary Pokémon.

In Luo Mu’s mind, Lei Guan Wang also marveled at humanity’s current mastery of power.

Considering the internal environment and the need to avoid unnecessary bulk,

Unlike the first operation, where a swarm had flooded in, they now chose to minimize personnel.

The core team: Luo Mu and Lei Guan Wang as primary combatants, Hai Dai as assistant, an engineer to handle mechanical issues, the culprit Lei He, and Officer Junsa to guard her and provide backup.

The heavy door opened, revealing a dim corridor bathed in dim yellow light, thick with steam.

The first challenge confronted them:

—How to accurately locate the reservoir within this labyrinthine network of tunnels, sprawling beneath the entire city?

The engineer had often worked down here maintaining equipment, but with steam obscuring visibility and landmarks useless, even he was stumped.

Luo Mu considered taking the lead—he knew no one would question how he found the way.

But at that moment, Lei He stepped forward.

“My Sableye remembers the way. As a master of illusions, it won’t be fooled by mere steam.”

“No tricks.”

Though she didn’t fully trust Lei He, Officer Junsa recalled that Sableye had guided them during the first operation, so she allowed her to release it.

A flash of red light.

A slender, bipedal gray fox with deep red mane covering its back appeared before them.

The Pokémon: Sableye, pure Dark-type.

Like Lucario, it was a non-legendary Pokémon with its own theatrical movie.

A rare honor, and it enjoyed decent popularity.

In this world, Sableye was relatively rare, thanks largely to its unique traits.

But this time, Sableye was only here to lead—they had no intention of showing off its signature abilities.

With Sableye guiding them, Luo Mu fell silent and followed, alongside Lei Guan Wang, as Sableye led them deeper underground.

Along the way, Lei He remained quiet, not attempting to chat with Luo Mu.

Perhaps she sensed too many outsiders present and decided to keep talk of the Calamity Treasures to a minimum.

After all, this woman in the games was the type who, if she could’ve lifted the seal herself, would’ve claimed the Calamity Treasures for her own instead of letting the player take them.

In simpler terms: she was possessive.

Everyone else in the room didn’t believe Lei He’s “Calamity Treasure” excuse was real.

They simply thought she was a bit cracked, causing such chaos over some mythical object that might not even exist.

This was probably exactly what she wanted—otherwise, why confess so openly?

Compared to the steam rising above the city, the steam here—likely closer to the source—was far denser, and the temperature was rising sharply.

After walking a while, breathing became difficult, and exposed skin began to sting slightly from the steam.

“Is this place boiling water?” Luo Mu muttered.

Much time had passed since their last operation.

Back then, human bodies could still endure the steam in the tunnels, even stand before the Pokémon called Wave Wash.

But given the current conditions, approaching it would feel like having boiling water repeatedly scalding every inch of bare skin.

Not even the Pokémon could endure this—certainly not humans.

One misstep and they’d suffer severe burns.

They had no choice but to don the thermal suits prepared for each of them, and strap on oxygen tanks stationed at fixed points.

Even Sableye and Lei Guan Wang were issued theirs.

Though they could protect themselves just fine.

Fully equipped, the group set out again, following Sableye deeper into the city’s underbelly.

Gradually, aside from the occasional rush of water through pipes and the hum of machinery—gears turning, brakes engaging—there was almost no other sound.

Then, a low, beast-like breath entered their ears.

A low, beastlike breath also crept into their ears.

Junsa’s face, hidden beneath her thermal suit, grew serious as she said in a low voice, “We’re close now.”

“After one more bend, we’ll reach the reservoir directly connected to other waterways.”

The engineer whispered an explanation.

“Good.”

Luo Mu gave a slight nod and looked toward Haidai beside him.

Unfortunately, his vision couldn’t penetrate the thermal suit; otherwise, he would have seen that Haidai, usually so bold, was now unusually tense.

Only Haidai, who had fought the creature known as Bodangshui firsthand, knew just how powerful it was.

Yet despite his tension, the thought of Luo Mu standing right beside him suddenly gave this bald giant renewed confidence.

As previously agreed, Luo Mu and his Pokémon, Regigigas, would lead the way, while Haidai followed closely, ready to assist at any moment.

Laihe would stand by, trying to communicate with Bodangshui and resolve the matter peacefully.

Laihe had her Solrock watching over her, while Junsa was responsible for the engineer’s safety.

After preparing, the group didn’t hesitate—they hurried around the corner and stepped directly into a much more open space.

A reservoir, resembling a large water storage facility, had been constructed here, but the water inside now displayed an unnatural state.

In short—it was boiling.

Watching the reservoir bubble violently, spewing massive amounts of steam, Junsa and the others felt their hairs stand on end.

Even though they didn’t want to think about it, they couldn’t help but instinctively wonder.

—What would happen if someone fell into that?

And now, according to the city’s automatic water circulation schedule, these boiling waters would soon be transported through pipes to every corner of Boping City.

The resulting damage would be incalculable!

—We must stop Bodangshui first, then regain control of the system!

Through the obscuring steam, Luo Mu’s gaze locked onto a specific spot within the reservoir.

There, a Pokémon hovered—resembling Suicune, yet more like a dinosaur infused with Suicune’s elements.

Since most of its body was submerged in the boiling water, further details were impossible to discern.

But none of that mattered anymore.

For just as Luo Mu had spotted it, Bodangshui noticed their presence the moment they appeared.

“Roar—!”

A dragon-like roar reverberated through the space; as if recognizing intruders in its territory, Bodangshui immediately unleashed its hostility toward them.

Three-colored light erupted from its mouth, forming a ferocious energy dragon aimed straight at Luo Mu and the others!

“So it’s come to this, huh!”

Luo Mu muttered under his breath.

He vaguely recalled that when he first met Menglei in the Paldean Crater, the creature had also launched an attack without warning.

And this Dragon Pulse—Bodangshui really does have a Dragon type, just like Menglei!

Luo Mu could remain so calm and composed only because he had a reliably powerful ally beside him.

For Regigigas, the thermal suit meant nothing—it was instantly stripped away by psychic force, and the scorching steam couldn’t even approach its body.

It simply raised its hand, and a terrifying surge of psychic energy surged outward, forming an invisible psychic barrier before them.

The next instant.

Dragon Pulse struck the psychic barrier head-on; the violent explosion momentarily swallowed the surrounding steam.

Yet even so, when the dust settled,

Regigigas hovered motionless in midair before Junsa, Haidai, and Laihe—unharmed, as if Bodangshui’s attack hadn’t even made it flinch.

“Incredibly powerful.”

Haidai, who had personally felt the force of Bodangshui’s attack, stared wide-eyed and couldn’t help but whisper in awe.

(End of Chapter)