Jinwoo moved steadily through the forest, his steps silent against the soft earth.
The weight of two Poké Balls inside his coat was unfamiliar, but he had no regrets.
Zangoose was captured out of practicality.
Staraptor was caught because… it might be useful.
He wasn't a trainer, but he was learning the ways of this world.
Beside him, Weavile remained alert, and in his shadow, Drapion lurked, its newly reborn form blending seamlessly into the darkness.
The dense wilderness stretched before him, endless trees and undergrowth filling his vision.
Then, in the distance...
A sign of civilization.
Jinwoo emerged from the thick foliage and found himself standing at the edge of a dirt road.
It wasn't much, just a winding path cutting through the landscape, but it was enough.
A signpost stood nearby, weathered but readable.
"Sandgem Town – 2 km ahead"
Jinwoo's gaze followed the road.
Sandgem Town.
That was where Professor Rowan had suggested he go if he wanted to learn more about trainers, Pokémon Centers, and the League system.
Jinwoo didn't care much about League battles, but if this world had an established system of strength, it was worth understanding.
He stepped forward, following the road.
The forest gradually thinned, the sound of Pokémon fading as open fields stretched ahead.
The sky was clear, the midday sun casting long shadows as he walked.
Then, a sound.
Not from the wild.
From people.
Jinwoo slowed his pace, his sharp eyes catching movement in the distance.
A small group of young trainers stood near the road, seemingly engaged in a battle.
Two trainers faced each other, their Pokémon locked in combat, a Shinx and a Budew.
The others watched, some cheering, some analyzing the fight.
Jinwoo observed from a distance.
The battle was… simple.
There was skill in the trainers' commands, but it was nothing compared to the fights he was used to.
No bloodlust.
No life-or-death stakes.
Just a game.
He was about to move past them when...
"Hey! You there!"
One of the trainers, a boy with a cap, called out to him, waving.
Jinwoo stopped, his expression unreadable.
"You a trainer?" the boy asked.
Jinwoo's gaze flickered between them.
'Was i?'
Before he could answer, the boy grinned.
"If you're walking the routes, you gotta be, right? How about a battle?"
The other trainers turned to watch, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Jinwoo glanced at Weavile, who smirked in anticipation.
A test, then.
"Fine."
The boy grinned, pulling out a Poké Ball.
"Alright! This'll be a one-on-one match!"
He tossed the Poké Ball, and in a flash of light, a Luxio emerged.
The Pokémon growled, sparks crackling around its fur.
Jinwoo said nothing.
Instead, he extended a hand.
"Come forth."
Darkness rippled at his feet, and Drapion emerged.
The trainers watching took a step back, eyes widening.
"Whoa! Where'd he pull that from?"
"That's a Drapion! But how---?"
The boy hesitated, but then grinned.
"Alright, let's do this! Luxio, Thunder Fang!"
The Luxio lunged forward, fangs crackling with electricity.
Jinwoo didn't move.
He didn't need to.
"Poison Jab."
Drapion moved faster than something its size should be able to.
A single, brutal strike to Luxio's side.
The electric-type let out a choked cry before crashing to the ground.
Silence.
The boy's eyes went wide.
"H-Hey! Luxio?"
The Pokémon groaned, barely able to stand.
It wasn't out, but it was over.
Jinwoo had seen enough.
"Withdraw."
Drapion melted into the shadows, vanishing as if it had never been there.
The battle had lasted seconds.
The trainers stared at him, stunned.
"Dude… that was insane."
"What kind of battle style was that?"
"Where the hell did you even get a Drapion?"
Jinwoo ignored their murmurs, turning away.
The battle had told him what he needed to know.
The trainers here, they weren't like the hunters of his world.
Their fights were not like his.
He continued walking, leaving the group behind.
He had a town to reach.
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