"So that's why 'Shadow' can resurrect endlessly…"
"Could this guy's true strength… be even greater than this?"
Su Bai stroked his chin as he glanced at the shadow behind Rock.
Who would have thought that hidden within it was a shadow monster with a filthy mouth and frightening strength?
"Yes. Shadow's strength… is closely tied to the spiritual power of its wielder."
Rock nodded openly.
"Although my mental power is considered exceptionally strong, even within the Rock family…"
"Compared to the first Rock, I'm nowhere close."
"If it were the first Rock's Shadow, it probably could have torn Amino apart with ease…"
"Phew…"
Su Bai let out a long breath and shook his head.
"Just how terrifyingly powerful was the first Rock's mental power?"
"Too bad he was still human. In the end, he could only grow old and die…"
"You said just now that among the Twelve Zodiacs, only the Snake is passed down through the Rock family from generation to generation."
"What about the others? What methods do they use?"
Su Bai was quite interested in the Twelve Zodiacs.
"The Apostles seem to have rankings. What about you? Which rank do you hold among the Twelve Zodiacs?"
"Is the first-ranked one the Rat?"
Rock shook his head.
"No. The rankings of the Twelve Zodiacs have nothing to do with strength."
"My codename is Snake, but that doesn't mean I'm ranked sixth."
"Besides, the Twelve Zodiacs aren't as closely connected as you might think."
"I actually don't know much about the other Twelve Zodiacs myself."
"But their power does indeed come mostly from their respective inheritances."
"Even among the Twelve Zodiacs, the details of those inheritances aren't publicly disclosed."
"All I know is how the Snake inheritance works—the inheritance of the Rock family."
"Among the younger generation of the family, the person with the strongest spiritual power is selected to feed Shadow."
"If they can survive a single feeding without having their mental power completely drained…"
"They gain the qualifications to inherit Shadow and officially take on the name Rock and the title of Snake."
"Of course…"
"That doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing."
"Shadow is the dark side of the first Rock."
"And it's also the dark side of every Rock who came after him."
"Every generation of Rock feeds Shadow while simultaneously cutting away a portion of their own negative emotions and transferring them into it."
"That's how they maintain Shadow's combat power."
"This is something only the Rock family can do."
"So while I can't say every Rock is the strongest fighter of their generation…"
"They are absolutely among the most trustworthy people in all of humanity."
"That's why the higher-ups have continued to allow the Contract Master profession to exist."
"As long as the spiritual totem known as Rock doesn't collapse, those Contract Masters can never betray humanity!"
Although there was admittedly a hint of self-praise in his words, Rock didn't look embarrassed in the slightest.
The inheritance of the Rock family existed for the sake of all humanity.
The power of Contract Masters might be unstable, but it remained one of humanity's most important means of fighting the Death Beasts.
"If your theory proves correct, then Contract Masters won't need to wear the Rock family's collar around their necks anymore."
Su Bai nodded.
He now understood even better why Rock had been so eager to find out whether Contract Masters could successfully tame Pokémon.
This family was effectively the spiritual leader of all Contract Masters.
Naturally, they would care deeply about the future of the profession.
"I've learned pretty much everything I need to know about Contract Masters and the Snake."
Su Bai tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought.
"But if that's how the Snake works, what about the other Twelve Zodiacs?"
"And why did only you come on this mission?"
"From what you've told me, the Apostles should be considerably stronger than the Twelve Zodiacs overall."
"If I hadn't shown up…"
"You, the Snake, might already have…"
"I'd already be dead. I know."
Rock nodded helplessly.
"Every family has its own troubles. The Twelve Zodiacs are actually much busier than you imagine."
"There was once a powerful Sub-Beast that infiltrated Kyoto and nearly caused irreversible consequences."
"Kyoto is the most strategically important place for all of humanity. We can't afford to leave it undefended."
"So, as humanity's highest-level combat force, six members of the Twelve Zodiacs are permanently stationed in Kyoto."
"The other six are constantly traveling from place to place."
"After all, even an ordinary high-level Sub-Beast is already beyond the level that an S-rank expert can easily kill."
"Speaking of what happened in Giant Rock City…"
"If you hadn't killed Malene, then Shenhou would probably have had to go there."
"As for my coming to Haicheng this time…"
"You already know. I came here without authorization."
"Originally, I was supposed to be stationed in Kyoto."
"So when I go back this time…"
"I probably won't be getting a warm welcome."
Rock's face was filled with helplessness.
Humanity had simply been at too much of a disadvantage against the Sub-Beasts and Death Beasts.
The current leaders of humanity were already overwhelmed, desperately trying to preserve what remained of the human race.
Humanity was simply too passive.
"I see…"
Zhu Jianyuan stroked his chin as he digested Rock's words.
As a city lord, even with his limited knowledge of the situation, he had already become pessimistic about humanity's future.
If too many people learned about everything Rock had just revealed…
Humanity might genuinely lose all hope of survival.
But then Zhu Jianyuan's expression suddenly brightened.
He proudly slapped Su Bai on the shoulder.
"Humanity may have it rough, but don't we still have Su Bai?"
"One of Haicheng's finest talents!"
"As long as Pokémon continue to develop, those damn Death Beasts and Sub-Beasts…"
"They can all go to hell!"
Rock looked at Su Bai and hesitantly nodded.
"The appearance of Pokémon has indeed changed the situation dramatically."
"At least before this…"
"I honestly had no idea that creatures this powerful even existed in this world."
"That Zapdos, and Boss Su's Zeraora…"
"To be honest, even now, I still feel like I'm living in a dream."
"An Apostle…"
"Actually being wiped out just like that!"
"It's a strange feeling."
"I'm happy, of course, but somehow…"
"I also feel a little lost."
A bitter smile appeared on Rock's face.
After all, he had occupied the position of one of humanity's guardians for so long.
And now, all of a sudden, it felt as though someone had come along and taken his job away.
Still…
With Pokémon this powerful, perhaps the burden on the Twelve Zodiacs would be a little lighter from now on.
Zhu Jianyuan's enormous "bear paw" made Su Bai sway slightly.
He didn't care about Old Zhu's praise or the inexplicable pride behind it.
He simply laughed.
"Alright, alright. I already know Pokémon are strong."
"But this isn't the time to talk about Pokémon."
"From the beginning until now, we've been talking about the Twelve Zodiacs."
"Now…"
"It's time to talk about the Apostles."
Su Bai's eyes gleamed as he stared directly at Rock.
"Amino wasn't exactly honest with us."
"So what about the Twelve Zodiacs?"
"How much do you actually know about the Apostles?"
"And, of course…"
"That so-called Ancestor."