What legendary Pokémon was it exactly?
Cain had tried asking indirectly several times, but the elder only smiled and said nothing.
This time, the elder brought out such a valuable crystal. Was it really just out of respect for that legendary Pokémon?
However, that legendary Pokémon had only had contact with Mismagius. Why was the elder so sure about giving such a great benefit?
That was the doubt in Cain's heart, but now Haunter was evolving.
When the elder threw the black crystal into Haunter, its body began to change.
The small spikes on its back started to shrink, while the long, pointed ears remained unchanged. The hands that were once separate from its body now connected, two rounded feet appeared at the bottom, and a short, stubby tail emerged.
Its slender body began to swell as if transforming into a more robust form, and its entire enormous body turned into one giant face.
Its eyes were closed.
"Kekeke!"
With a loud cry from Haunter—no, from Gengar—the white light surrounding it dissipated, and its previously white eyes opened, revealing a light red hue that gave it an imposing air.
Haunter had successfully evolved!
Gengar had made its triumphant appearance!
With Gengar's evolution, the elder's three Pokémon released their control over the surrounding ghostly energy.
A massive surge of ghostly energy began flowing toward Gengar, but this time, Gengar no longer experienced the pain it felt as Haunter. Now, it could handle the energy with ease.
Gengar closed its eyes again, focusing on the energy flowing within its body.
It discovered a special energy within itself that didn't align with the rest of the energy in its body. While it didn't make controlling its body difficult, having that foreign energy felt unsettling.
What to do with it?
Absorb it!
The energy continuously pouring in from the outside was an inexhaustible resource for Gengar. Inside its body, a sort of pursuit began, with the rest of its energy enveloping the foreign part.
Cain and the elder watched silently from the side.
Cain used his system to scan Gengar, observing as its data fluctuated constantly and its quality shifted without stabilizing.
The elder, on the other hand, remained calm, as if he already knew what was happening inside Gengar's body.
After ten minutes, Gengar's data began to stabilize.
"Oh, this Gengar isn't bad at all. It has absorbed and assimilated that special energy quite quickly," the elder said with a sparkle in his eyes.
The special energy inside Gengar's body, though strong, couldn't compete with the amount of energy surrounding it.
Now, that energy had disappeared—or rather, it had fused entirely with Gengar. Thanks to this, Gengar's quality had improved, reaching a dark blue shade.
Although it had barely reached that level, it was undeniably dark blue.
Moreover, due to the abundance of energy, Gengar's level had risen significantly.
Pokémon: Gengar (Dark Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 40
Type: Ghost + Poison
Ability: Cursed Body
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Fire Punch, Scary Face, Haze
Basic Moves: Hypnosis, Lick, Spite, Mean Look, Curse, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch, Payback, Shadow Punch, Dream Eater
Learned Moves: Rest, Shadow Ball, Psychic, Skill Swap, Snore, Perish Song
TM Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Grass), Sleep Talk, Toxic, Taunt, Poison Jab, Thunderbolt, Venoshock
In one go, Gengar had reached the advanced level. It wasn't clear if it was due to the enormous amount of energy or the black crystal.
However, it was undeniable that Gengar had made great progress.
Its quality had also risen to dark blue. Although it was likely the weakest among Cain's Pokémon of this quality, the system confirmed it as dark blue.
What surprised Cain was that Gengar had learned the move Perish Song.
Could this be thanks to the black crystal?
Gengar was still getting used to its new body. Previously, it always floated, but now it seemed to have to walk on its feet.
It also felt uncomfortable with its more robust body, as its hands, which once floated freely, were now firmly attached to its body, making movement a bit awkward.
Gengar slowly approached Cain.
"Kekeke~~!"
Standing at one and a half meters tall, Gengar now reached Cain's shoulder, though its body was several times bulkier than Cain's.
"Mii~!"
Mismagius hovered around Gengar, marveling at the evolution she had just witnessed.
How incredible! Is this how Pokémon evolve?
When she evolved, she hadn't felt anything.
Mismagius wasn't just looking; she also carefully touched Gengar's body. What had once been a gaseous substance now felt solid.
Amused, Mismagius began playing around Gengar.
Cain smiled and said, "You've finally evolved, Gengar. Plus, your power has increased significantly. We must thank the elder for his help."
Hearing Cain's words, Gengar nodded awkwardly toward the elder. It actually wanted to bow, but discovered its body wasn't entirely responsive yet.
Also... bowing was hard—it was a bit... bulky.
The elder smiled and nodded, accepting Gengar's gratitude. "Let's go. It's time to leave. Gengar has gained great rewards; that discomfort in its body is normal. You can discuss it with my Gengar."
The elder's Gengar had already reached the elite level and, after many years, was a true veteran.
When the two Gengar walked together, it was clear the elder's Gengar was much larger than Cain's.
The elder recalled Dusknoir and Banette, leaving only his Gengar out as they escorted Cain to the cave's exit.
Outside the cave, Phoebe and her grandmother waited with smiles on their faces.
Phoebe's grandmother asked cheerfully, "How did it go? Did it succeed?"
The elder nodded with a smile.
"Once again, thank you all for your help. I'll complete the task you entrusted to me," Cain said, bowing gratefully.
....
Cain spent the night inside Mt. Pyre, and the next morning, after bidding farewell and expressing his thanks once again, he departed with his Gengar, who could now move freely, and Mismagius, who had enjoyed a day of happy play.
After spending so much time there, Cain feared that his psychic power might also be affected by the ghostly energy.
After Cain's departure.
"Old man, did you really have to use it that way?"
"Yes, it's done now. His body emanates the presence of that Pokémon. I hope it catches its attention. It's a shame we'll never see that Pokémon again... And he doesn't even know the true purpose of this place we protect..."
(End of Chapter)