Chapter 106: The Trouble Maker

"......"

Huo La stood in the doorway, watching Bilan curled up on the bed and the young woman in a black professional outfit sitting on the chair with her hands nervously clasped, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.

The young woman's hair bun was immaculate, but the skirt of her professional attire was specked with dust; her delicate face was full of unmistakable unease, clashing with the room's leisurely atmosphere.

After a while, he let out a heavy sigh, resignedly stepped into the room, and slammed the door shut behind him.

He had just, unwilling to give up, opened and closed the door three times in a row; the person on the bed just watched his actions, and the young woman on the chair remained where she was—damn, another inescapable trouble.

Huo La pulled a chair over, sat opposite the young woman, his gaze first landing on Bilan, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Tell me, what mischief have you gotten into this time?"

Bilan sprang up from the bed, her hair a mess she couldn't bother to fix, thrusting her chin forward she retorted, "What do you mean I'm causing trouble? She was the one looking for you; I'm just a well‑meaning guide!"

Huo La let out a light "huh" and finally turned his gaze toward the young woman.

It must be admitted that she was indeed strikingly beautiful; the tailored black professional outfit traced her graceful curves, and the pearl necklace at her throat added a touch of elegance, yet the anxiety in her brows marred that composure.

He assessed her, while the young woman silently observed him—before him stood a youth in simple casual wear, his eyes bright yet tinged with a hint of detachment.

"You came looking for me?" Huo La was the first to break the silence.

Upon hearing the question, the young woman sat up straight, her hands gently smoothing her skirt at the knees, and said with urgency and pleading, "Hello, I am the secretary to the Silph President, named Yingzi. Please, you must help us; we've run into trouble."

"Silph Company?"

Those five words struck Huo La like a stone in his heart, and his expression instantly darkened.

The name of Silph Company resounds like thunder throughout the Kanto Region and the entire Pokemon World.

They pioneered the foundational technology of modern Pokeballs, making the bond between Trainers and Pokemon more convenient; they also developed the Move Tutor, Super Potion, Escape Rope and a host of other items, virtually reshaping the mode of Pokemon training and adventure.

One could say that without Silph Company, the current efficient Pokemon World would not exist.

Yet precisely because it holds core technology and massive resources, Silph Company has become the fattest "prey" in the eyes of the Dark Organization, especially the ambitious Rocket Team, which has coveted it for a long time.

The President's secretary coming personally to ask for help? That's even more absurd than a Gym Leader voluntarily handing out Badges.

Huo La silently called out to the system in his mind, "They've come right to my door, why hasn't a task been issued yet?"

Sure enough, the next second the system's mechanical voice rang in his ear:

【Publish Temporary Task: Rescue Silph's Crisis

Task: Protect Silph Company's confidential data from being stolen by the Rocket Team

Time limit: 4 hours

Reward: Master Ball×1, Rocket Team reputation×1000】

"Silph Company... the reward is actually a Master Ball?" Huo La's eyes shifted instantly, and his renewed glance at Yingzi now held a few more notes of inquiry and scrutiny.

Master Balls don't appear at this time of day; for the system to offer such a reward indicates the crisis is far from a "small trouble," and may involve core interests capable of shaking the Kanto Region or even the world's balance.

"She can't be the Silph President's mistress, can she?" he muttered internally, recalling the image of the Silph President with gray hair and a bald head, and thought: Indeed, the world of the rich hides many unsavory secrets.

Suppressing those chaotic thoughts, Huo La lightly tapped the chair back with his fingertips, his tone as calm as discussing the weather: "Miss Yingzi, Silph Company is backed by the League; even if attacked, they should first contact Officer Jenny or request League Task Force support. How did this end up on my head, an ordinary Trainer? What exactly happened?"

"About an hour ago, the Rocket Team suddenly attacked the company. Their target wasn't the warehouse supplies but the 'New Poke Ball Core Data' we haven't finished developing, and they also took several core researchers, including the R&D team leader, hostage."

Her fingertips trembled slightly, still visibly shaken: "Officer Jenny's team has already cordoned off the company building, but the Rocket Team set many traps inside and deployed numerous Dark-type Pokemon as guards, making it impossible to breach. As for League support... I didn't see any before I escaped."

"Then how did you escape?" Huo La pressed, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Silph Company's security system is touted as Kanto's top, yet the Rocket Team slipped in silently and even allowed the President's secretary to escape; the whole affair reeks of oddity.

"Mr. Hongzhi and I from the R&D team came out through a secret escape route in the top‑floor laboratory," Yingzi explained. "Very few know about that passage, but shortly after we emerged, the Rocket Team blew the entrance shut with explosives. Their men gave chase, and we scattered in the alleys..."

Huo La silently stroked his chin, then after a moment raised his eyes: "You used every trick to get out, and the Rocket Team chased you without letting up; they couldn't possibly be after just two people. I suppose when you escaped, you not only saved your lives but also took whatever they were after, didn't you?"

His gaze locked onto Yingzi: "The confidential data you mentioned must be either on you or on that researcher named Hongzhi. Judging by how frantic you look, as if the data missing is more urgent than your life, it must be on him."

At his words, Yingzi's figure froze abruptly, the panic on her face seeming to hit a pause button and slowly fade.

She inhaled deeply, her once‑trembling fingertips steadied, and her tone grew much calmer: "Mr. Huo La, you're indeed perceptive. That's right—when Hongzhi and I escaped, each carried a data backup; he has the core algorithm portion, I only have auxiliary material. Now he's being pursued by the Rocket Team, and if the data falls into their hands, the consequences would be disastrous, which is why I earnestly ask you to intervene."

"But why me?" Huo La pressed, insisting the question be answered.

Yingzi didn't answer directly, but turned her gaze toward the still sulking Bilan beside her.

Huo La instantly frowned, pressed his hand to his forehead and let out a heavy sigh—so it was still Bilan's mess.

"Hey, hey! What kind of look is that!" Bilan immediately sensed something off, stamped her foot and protested, "I just told her I could help; she said she needed you... How could I know you're so famous in Goldenrod City!"

"How could I not be famous."

Huo La helplessly pressed his forehead; after defeating Natsume and rescuing dozens of challengers, the story had already spread through the Goldenrod City Trainer circles, and these past two days Xiao Gang had turned away many Trainers who came to challenge him.

He lifted his eyes toward Yingzi, his fingertips paused twice on the chair back, then slowly shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of detached apology, "Miss Yingzi, I can't help you with this."