Darkrai's crimson eyes locked onto Sung Jinwoo, its body shifting between solid form and shadowy mist.
It hovered in the air, watching him with an unreadable expression.
Jinwoo remained still, studying the creature in return.
Unlike other Pokémon, this one exuded a presence that was different, unnatural.
The darkness around it wasn't just an aura of strength, it felt like the creature itself was a fragment of something powerful.
Beru tensed beside him, his mandibles clicking slightly in anticipation.
Weavile, now a shadow, crouched lower, ready to strike.
Darkrai finally spoke.
"You are not of this world."
Its voice was smooth, yet carried a weight that made the surrounding air feel heavy.
There was no hostility in its tone, only curiosity.
Jinwoo's eyes narrowed.
"And you are?"
A pause.
Then Darkrai's mouth curled into something resembling amusement.
"A nightmare."
The words lingered in the air, and for a moment, the darkness around them seemed to deepen.
The trees cast longer shadows, and the very ground felt unsteady.
Darkrai wasn't just speaking, it was using its power.
Jinwoo barely reacted.
Compared to the true horrors he had faced in his previous world, this was nothing.
He took a step forward, his own shadows stretching unnaturally as if responding to the legendary Pokémon's influence.
"If you're here to fight, then stop wasting time."
Darkrai's eyes gleamed.
"Interesting."
Then, it vanished.
A sudden blast of dark energy erupted from the treetops, striking toward Jinwoo.
Beru moved instantly, his speed a blur as he stepped in front of his master, his armored arms deflecting the attack with ease.
The impact sent a gust of wind through the forest, shaking the leaves.
From the shadows, Darkrai reappeared, its form flickering like a phantom.
Weavile shot forward, using its natural speed to close the distance, claws glowing with dark energy.
It slashed, but Darkrai vanished before the strike could land.
Then, from behind...
Another pulse of darkness shot toward Jinwoo's back.
Without turning, he raised a hand.
The attack crashed against it, dispersing into the air.
Darkrai reappeared once more, this time floating just above them, watching.
"You are different," it mused. "I can feel the abyss within you."
Jinwoo met its gaze.
"And?"
A slow smile formed on the legendary Pokémon's face.
"Let's see how deep it goes."
Darkrai raised its hands, and instantly, the world shifted.
The trees around them twisted.
The colors of the world bled away, turning black and gray.
The ground beneath Jinwoo's feet felt like it was crumbling, replaced by an endless abyss.
It was a dream world.
Or rather, a nightmare.
Jinwoo recognized what had happened immediately.
A powerful illusion.
He had encountered similar magic before, abilities that distorted the mind and created artificial realities.
But something was off.
His shadows felt distant, as if they were being drowned in this world's influence.
Even Beru and Weavile looked sluggish, their movements slower than before.
Darkrai floated above, watching.
"Do you understand now?"
Jinwoo remained calm.
He clenched his fist, and his mana flared.
A pulse of absolute darkness erupted from him, spreading outward and shattering the illusion in an instant.
The forest returned to normal, and his shadows regained their strength.
Darkrai's expression shifted.
This time, it was genuinely surprised.
Jinwoo stepped forward, his presence pressing down like a storm.
"I've faced worse than nightmares."
Darkrai remained silent. Then, slowly, it bowed its head.
"I see," it murmured. "You are worthy."
Jinwoo raised an eyebrow.
"Worthy of what?"
Darkrai's form flickered again, its body dissolving slightly before reforming.
"I do not belong among the mortals of this world. They fear what they do not understand. I am hunted, driven away wherever I go."
Jinwoo remained silent.
He understood what it was saying.
Darkrai continued.
"But you… You are something else. You do not fear the darkness. You are the darkness."
It lifted its gaze, eyes glowing.
"Because of that, allow me to serve you."
The wind whispered through the forest.
Jinwoo met Darkrai's stare, considering.
This was different from Shadow Extraction. Darkrai wasn't dead, it was offering its loyalty of its own free will.
A legendary Pokémon.
A being of nightmares.
Jinwoo let a small smirk form.
"Fine. But know this, you're not the strongest shadow in my army."
Darkrai chuckled, lowering its head once more.
"Then I look forward to meeting them."
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