"Hidden achievement?!"
Renjiro froze where he stood, the familiar mechanical voice ringing out in his mind, signaling the completion of a hidden task.
After more than a month in this strange new world, Renjiro had grown accustomed to the system's basic functions—combat values, experience points, and occasional rewards. But this… this was something new.
"So the system has hidden achievements too?" Renjiro murmured, half to himself, eyes glinting with curiosity.
Without hesitation, he asked mentally, "System, what are these hidden achievements?"
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind, offering no satisfaction.
"Ding. Host, please explore on your own."
Renjiro let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.
"Well, I suppose that's why they're called hidden achievements," he said quietly. It didn't matter. Hidden achievements were simply delightful surprises along his path.
Turning back to face Li Fei, Renjiro saw the older man's proud but honest gaze.
"It's nothing, really. You deserved that badge. You're incredibly strong. The only reason I won today was because of my level advantage," Li Fei admitted openly, his tone sincere. "I have a feeling that next time… I won't be able to keep up with you."
He wasn't exaggerating. He had witnessed many gifted trainers, but none had the explosive growth Renjiro displayed. To think—this young man had owned Pokémon for just over a month! At this rate, Renjiro could reach the Elite level in less than a year.
And if that happened, Renjiro would be a terrifying force—an Elite under 20 years old was nearly unheard of.
Renjiro smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Then I'll be back to challenge you again next time, Master Li."
"Hahaha! I think I'll pass. I don't want to suffer another round of your 'torture,'" Li Fei said, laughing heartily as he waved his hands. His pride had barely survived this match. He didn't intend to risk it again so soon.
Renjiro nodded politely.
"Thank you for the battle. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
The two shook hands, exchanging contact information before heading toward the gym entrance together.
As they approached the doors, the eager voices of trainers and onlookers outside grew louder.
"Why aren't they out yet?!"
"I'm dying to know the result!"
"Who won?! The suspense is killing me!"
At last, with a soft click, the doors swung open, and Li Fei and Renjiro stepped out into the light.
The crowd surged forward, surrounding them immediately.
"There they are!"
"Master Li, who won?!"
"Tell us, Master Li! What happened?!"
Renjiro simply smiled and bowed slightly, taking his leave.
"Thank you for everything, Master Li. I hope to visit again soon," he said warmly before slipping through the crowd and heading out of the Shuangyang Gym.
Once Renjiro was gone, the flood of questions resumed.
"Master Li, come on! Tell us! Who won?!"
Li Fei crossed his arms, smirking proudly.
"Of course I won! Who else could it be?"
He said it with confidence, though inside he knew the truth: the victory had been hard-won, and only thanks to his higher-level Pokémon.
But for now, he was content to let the others marvel at his victory.
"I told you so!" someone in the crowd shouted. "There's no way Renjiro could beat Master Li!"
"Exactly! Master Li's a high-level trainer. He used his Charizard—how could Renjiro possibly win?"
"Bet Renjiro destroyed the cameras so no one could post a video of him getting beaten online!"
Their voices grew louder, a chorus of relief from those who, in truth, had felt threatened by Renjiro's rapid rise. Sometimes, people preferred to believe no one else could achieve what they themselves could not.
Li Fei ignored the chatter. Instead, he turned to his referee.
"Xiao Mao, tell the front desk—no more challengers today."
His team was in no condition for more battles. Charizard and Beedrill had fallen together. Rapidash, though victorious against Milotic, was badly injured. His Ninetales was exhausted from earlier matches. His remaining Pokémon weren't strong enough to handle fresh challengers.
Any further fights would only drain the last of their strength.
"Understood, Master Li."
Satisfied, Li Fei pulled out his phone and sent a message to his daughter.
Li Fei: Of course your dad won.
He grinned at his own words.
Li Mengxue: I knew it! Dad's the best.
Her message came back quickly, filled with pride.
Li Fei smiled even wider.
Li Fei: Of course. Your father is the strongest trainer in Shuangyang City! That Renjiro? Just a kid—not worth worrying about.
Li Mengxue rolled her eyes when she saw the message.
"Cut it out, Dad. Bragging again…" she muttered fondly. But deep down, she was proud of him. Much of her own success came from the man who raised and trained her.
Then, curiosity got the better of her.
Li Mengxue: Dad, seriously… how strong is Renjiro now?
Li Fei hesitated for a moment before replying honestly.
Li Fei: He's stronger than any young trainer I've ever seen. His strength is on par with a senior trainer already.
Li Mengxue stared at the message, her heart pounding. She'd just crossed the threshold to junior trainer level herself. But Renjiro… Renjiro was already reaching senior trainer strength.
She clenched her fists in determination.
"Xiaohua, we'll work harder, okay?" she said to her Charmeleon's Poké Ball.
The ball shook twice, as if Charmeleon were agreeing.
Meanwhile, news of the battle had already reached influential ears.
Gan Fengyu, a respected Elite, listened as his secretary reported.
"Sir, the result is in. Renjiro lost."
Gan Fengyu nodded slowly.
"Details?"
"There aren't many. Renjiro destroyed the surveillance cameras. Only Li Fei knows what really happened. But after the battle, Li Fei asked to stop taking challengers for the day."
Gan Fengyu's brows rose slightly.
"That tells me more than any video could," he said thoughtfully.
If Li Fei had to halt challengers, it meant his main team had been pushed to its limit. Even in victory, the cost had been high.
"Sir, with respect… how can that be? Renjiro is only eighteen. You really believe he's nearing senior trainer level?"
Gan Fengyu's gaze sharpened.
"You don't understand. There are people in this world who are both talented and tireless. They're terrifying, because no obstacle stops them. Renjiro is that kind of person. A true genius."
The secretary frowned.
"But… at eighteen?"
Gan Fengyu nodded.
"Renjiro battles ten times a day, sometimes more. His progress is like nothing I've ever seen. He doesn't just train—he fights at the level of a gym trainer every single day. He's not strong. He's dangerous."
The secretary fell silent, awed by the gravity of his superior's words.
Gan Fengyu turned back to his window, gazing out at the horizon.
"It won't be long before Renjiro's name shakes this entire region," he said quietly.
---