Whether Magikarp chose to evolve or not wasn't something Chen Mo cared much about. He had already decided—he would respect Magikarp's own choice.
What concerned him more was that Gyarados.
It looked like it had left in anger… but in reality, it was still lurking beneath the lake, quietly following Magikarp.
Is it still not giving up?
Chen Mo frowned.
If he hadn't used [Detection Eye] earlier while watching it leave—and discovered that Gyarados actually had a positive affinity toward him as Magikarp's trainer—
He might've thought the Gyarados was holding a grudge and waiting for a chance to retaliate.
Just then—
Watching Magikarp and Pikachu swimming farther and farther away from the shore, Chen Mo suddenly remembered something and quickly turned his head.
On the rain-lashed lakeside—
There was still a lone figure standing there.
Outside the Tent
Chen Mo held a dry towel and a hairdryer, helping Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and Absol dry off their rain-soaked fur.
Pikachu was small—easy to dry.
Pidgeotto's outer feathers were naturally waterproof—rain barely affected it.
Only Absol looked a bit miserable, its fur thoroughly drenched.
Thankfully, the hairdryer solved that problem.
Chen Mo couldn't help but feel lucky.
If Yi-ge hadn't thought ahead and packed a hairdryer—considering how many fluffy Pokémon were on the team—
They'd either have to air-dry in the rain or retreat into Poké Balls.
"Your turn, Absol."
"Absol…"
Absol shook its head.
It had lived in the wild—getting soaked wasn't new to it. Back when it secretly followed Chen Mo from Lavender Town to Evergreen Forest, it had endured plenty of rain.
Still…
That fish definitely did it on purpose.
Absol felt a little annoyed.
It had even felt guilty earlier for not being able to help.
"What's wrong? Still upset about earlier? Or am I being too rough?"
"Absol…"
Absol shook its head again.
Warm air brushed through its fur as Chen Mo gently lifted the damp strands, carefully drying them.
…Forget it. Not worth being mad.
Of all his Pokémon, Absol's fur was the softest to the touch.
Pikachu's was nice—but too short.
Pidgeotto's feathers could envelop his hand—but didn't feel quite the same.
Only Absol's fur could fully wrap around his palm.
Chen Mo genuinely enjoyed this process.
"Pika!"
A voice from inside the tent interrupted him.
"Hm? What is it, Pikachu?"
Soon—
Pikachu rushed out first, followed by Gastly floating behind, holding a Mystery Egg.
Both Pokémon stopped beside Chen Mo.
Gastly, grinning happily, spoke first:
"Gastly! Gastly gastly!"
"Huh?"
Chen Mo paused, confused.
"You're serious?"
"Gastly!"
Gastly nodded firmly.
"You…"
A smile appeared on Chen Mo's face.
Gastly had just asked him—
To cook the Mystery Egg into a meal and let everyone share it.
That surprised him.
He'd thought Gastly, who loved the egg so much, would keep it all to itself.
Instead—
It chose to share the gift Pikachu gave it.
"Gastly… you've grown."
Chen Mo patted its head.
"Since there are so many of us, one egg won't be enough. Let's add mine too—I was planning to give it to you anyway."
"Gastly!"
There's more!?
Gastly's eyes lit up immediately.
Chen Mo chuckled.
"Give me a moment. I'll finish with Absol, then start cooking. We'll need a few dishes… and we have to prepare something for Magikarp too."
Meanwhile—At Chengying Lake
Magikarp, resting quietly in the water, suddenly sensed something.
It turned its head—
A massive shadow was approaching.
"Gulu gulu…"
It sighed internally and prepared to leave.
But the shadow was faster.
Before Magikarp could swim away—
Gyarados had already blocked its path.
"Roar."
(Your trainer understands our kind well. Are you really going to stay like this forever?)
"Gulu gulu…"
(That's none of your concern.)
Magikarp remained calm.
Gyarados felt a headache coming on.
Even getting beaten by Milotic earlier didn't frustrate it as much as this Magikarp did.
"Roar."
(You have incredible potential. Among all the Magikarp I've seen since evolving—you're the most talented.)
(Once you evolve, you'll surpass me very quickly.)
Magikarp looked impatient.
It turned to leave again—
But Gyarados blocked it once more.
"Roar."
(You like that human, don't you? But as a Magikarp, you can't protect him.)
(No matter how smart you are—a Magikarp is still a Magikarp.)
Magikarp stopped.
It turned back, its gaze turning cold.
"Gulu."
(He doesn't need my protection.)
(And even if he did—others can protect him.)
"Roar?"
(What if they can't?)
Gyarados stared at it.
"Roar."
(You can't resist your instincts forever.)
"Gulu."
(I can.)
Then Magikarp asked in return:
"Gulu."
(Why are you so obsessed with whether I evolve? We have nothing to do with each other.)
Gyarados went silent for a moment.
Then, seriously—
"Roar!"
(You saved me once.)
It paused.
Its expression dimmed slightly as it looked toward the other Magikarp in the lake—
Swimming aimlessly, eyes dull and vacant.
Among all of them…
You're the only one I recognize as my kin.
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