Chapter 13: Grandpa Face & Martial Grace – Chimchar's Rise
As Drake examined his new body, he couldn't help but grimace. He was even smaller than a goblin, with grayish skin, short limbs, and an awkwardly disproportionate frame.
"Haah... I'll have to get used to this."
While still taking in the changes, Drake noticed all three of his Pokémon staring at him. Their puffed cheeks and twitching features made it obvious—they were holding back laughter.
"What? What's so funny?"
In unison, they pointed—one wing, one paw, one claw—at his face.
"Is there something wrong with my face?"
Three nods. No hesitation.
"Oh sh*t... System, what have you done to me this time?"
As he groaned, Drake caught sight of a small well near the stairwell. Its still water reflected the dim torchlight.
"Huh... That could work as a mirror."
He stepped toward it, but his Pokémon leapt to intercept him. They knew exactly what would happen once he saw his reflection.
Sensing their panic, Drake sprinted for the water.
Too late.
He stared into the surface—and froze.
"I look like a f***ing infant... with the face of a grandpa!"
Huge, floppy ears. Deep wrinkles. Baggy, sagging eyes. His new face looked like someone had tried to draw a baby and an old man at the same time, then gave up halfway.
All three Pokémon backed away, bracing for the incoming storm.
Drake turned toward the nearest wall. His palms crackled with electricity, glowing with building rage.
"THUNDERBOLT!"
A massive bolt exploded against the wall, sending dust and debris flying through the stairway.
When the dust cleared, Drake stood there, panting hard.
"Sorry, guys... I needed to vent. Hope you understand?"
All three Pokémon nodded so fast they were a blur.
"Good. Now let's go. We've got a f***ing dungeon to clear."
They descended to the next floor—and were immediately met by three familiar forms.
NEEDLE RABBIT–LVL26 NEEDLE RABBIT – LVL 26 NEEDLE RABBIT–LVL26
Drake narrowed his eyes, feeling a weird nostalgia. He had been one of them just hours ago.
"Pidgeotto, Staravia—deal with them."
The two birds shot forward like arrows, slicing through the enemies with precision. The rabbits didn't stand a chance.
"Nice work. Let's move fast—we spent too much time on the last floor." He turned to Chimchar. "From here on, you're going to follow me closely and watch how I fight. It's time for you to learn some martial arts."
Chimchar nodded eagerly, puffing out his tiny chest and flexing.
"Haha, alright little guy. Let's do this."
Drake pulled out his untouched dagger from his inventory and rushed forward. Chimchar trailed behind, watching his every movement like a hawk.
Before long, six butterfly-like monsters hovered into view, their wings glimmering with strange energy.
"Chimchar, pay attention!"
Drake dashed forward, leaping between glowing powder attacks. He twisted midair, dodging with uncanny grace. As the final projectile neared, he spun past it and vaulted off a rock, landing atop one of the butterflies—and sliced it clean in half.
Using the collapsing body as a springboard, Drake soared into the air and weaved through the swarm, cutting through each enemy with swift, deadly strikes.
Landing lightly, he turned back. "Did you see all that? Think you can pull it off?"
Chimchar's eyes lit up with determination. He nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright. The next group is all yours."
Moments later, four more butterfly monsters appeared.
"Go!"
Chimchar sprang into action, mirroring Drake's movements nearly perfectly. He ducked, leapt, spun, and struck—his small body flowing like fire and wind. Within seconds, the monsters were down.
Drake grinned with pride. "Nice job, Chimchar. That's what I'm talking about."
The small monkey beat his chest with a smug look, clearly proud of himself.
They continued moving forward, and with every new encounter, Drake demonstrated a new technique—rolls, evasions, precise strikes—and Chimchar absorbed it all like a sponge.
Eventually, they entered a long corridor. At the far end stood the stairway—but before they could reach it, the ground rumbled.
A massive figure emerged—a hulking, mutated version of the enemies they'd seen before.
NEEDLE RABBIT VARIANT–"BUGS"–LVL30
Drake stepped aside. "Alright, Chimchar. This one's all yours. Show me what you've learned."
Chimchar nodded and shot forward without hesitation.
The giant rabbit moved at lightning speed, aiming to crush him. But Chimchar was ready. He dodged at the last second, grabbed the monster's horn, and using its momentum, flipped the towering creature over his shoulder.
With a fierce growl, Chimchar leapt into the air, flames spiraling around him.
"FLAME WHEEL!"
He came crashing down like a meteor. Dust erupted from the impact, shaking the corridor.
As the cloud faded, Chimchar stood in the center of a crater, victorious.
Suddenly, a ding echoed through Drake's mind.
Chimchar began to glow, his body stretching and growing. Fire swirled around him. When the light vanished, a powerful Monferno stood in his place.
Drake clapped with genuine joy. "Yes! You did it! I'm so proud of you, Monferno!"
Monferno grinned—and with excitement still surging through him, jumped a little too hard... and rocketed head-first into the stone wall.
THUD.
He was stuck.
Drake and the birds stared. Silence.
Then they burst into uncontrollable laughter, rolling on the floor, tears streaming down their faces.
Once he recovered, Drake wiped his eyes. "Alright, alright... Let's go pull our new powerhouse out of the wall."