The soft rustle of leaves accompanied the passing wind, but even the birds dared not chirp.
Deeper within the forest clearing, Sung Jinwoo stood alone, though "alone" was never quite accurate when the shadows moved at his will.
It had only been moments since his battle with Team Galactic Grunts ended.
His mind, however, was not on the grunts.
He had already dismissed them as a non-issue.
He had more pressing matters to consider.
Something lingered in the air, an odd sensation that he couldn't quite shake.
"I know you're there," Jinwoo said, his voice calm but firm.
From behind the undergrowth, a man stepped forward, middle-aged, unarmed, dressed in forest-green attire.
A long coat hung from his shoulders, half-covered in leaf debris.
A pair of round goggles perched atop his head, and a weathered satchel swung at his side.
"Impressive," the man said, raising both hands to show he meant no harm. "Not many can sense me before I even breathe."
"I don't like being watched," Jinwoo replied coldly.
The man offered a polite bow.
"Professor Leif. I specialize in Pokémon behavioral research. Particularly… rare phenomena. What you just did, I've never seen anything like it."
Jinwoo said nothing.
Behind him, his shadows shifted subtly.
The Army Beneath the Surface
While only a few of his shadows were visible, Jinwoo's army was always present.
Beru, his fastest and most agile army, kept a watchful eye on the surroundings.
Igris, ever silent and poised, lingered in the dark like a knight prepared for action.
Beside Jinwoo, Umbreon moved silently, its golden rings glowing faintly as its master's presence seemed to command it.
Mightyena circled the treeline, constantly alert to any movement.
Drapion, recently added to his army, stood still, watching with its sharp eyes, awaiting an order.
Perched on a high branch above, Staraptor, his captured Pokémon, kept a watchful eye on the horizon.
The rest of his shadow army was hidden, Weavile, Darkrai, Zangoose, and the massive Torterra, all waiting silently for Jinwoo's command.
Despite the calm, every one of his Pokémon was ready to spring into action.
They were his, each chosen for their skills and loyalty.
Whether summoned or kept hidden, Jinwoo never truly walked alone.
Leif didn't step closer, though his eyes never left Jinwoo's face.
"I have never seen such trick in my life, summoning Pokemons without a Poke Ball"
"It isn't a trick, they follow me because they chose to," Jinwoo said flatly. "Because I beat them."
Leif gave a short laugh.
"You're honest. I respect that. But you're going to draw attention soon. The way you fight, the way your Pokémon act… it's not normal."
Jinwoo shrugged, indifferent.
"I'm not from here."
That earned a blink from Leif.
"Not from Sinnoh?"
"No," Jinwoo said quietly. "Not from this world."
Leif paused, but quickly recovered.
"I see." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "That explains a lot, actually."
Leif gave Jinwoo a thoughtful look before gesturing toward a narrow trail that disappeared into the trees.
"There's a small research facility not far from here. If you're not from this world, you'll need information. This world is filled with more than just Pokémon, there are people, organizations, laws… and enemies you don't even know you've made yet."
"..." Jinwoo stared at Leif not saying anything.
"You would need it," Leif said, raising a brow. "You seem like someone who values power, but even power requires understanding."
Jinwoo considered the offer for a moment.
He didn't trust many people, but knowledge was something he couldn't gain alone, especially in an unknown world.
There were too many unknowns in this world.
With a slight nod, he agreed.
"Lead the way," Jinwoo said simply.
Professor Leif led him through the woods, and soon they reached a secluded area surrounded by trees.
A series of tents, scattered equipment, and solar panels lay within the camp.
It was a makeshift research station, tucked away to avoid detection.
"Temporary setup," Leif explained. "I've been tracking reports of corrupted Pokémon. I thought it was a natural mutation, but now I'm not so sure."
Jinwoo glanced around.
His Pokémon were scattered nearby.
Umbreon stayed close, its rings glowing softly.
Mightyena paced the edge of the camp, its keen senses on high alert.
Staraptor had taken a perch high up, eyes scanning the area.
Leif looked over his shoulder at the gathered Pokémon.
"How many of them do you control?"
Jinwoo didn't flinch.
"Enough."
He glanced back, and from the corner of his eye, he could see Zangoose, still a shadow, silently watching from a distance.
The other shadow Pokémon, Weavile, Darkrai, and Torterra, were hidden but close.
As the evening wore on, an unsettling silence fell over the camp.
The forest, usually teeming with life, now seemed almost unnervingly still.
"Something's coming," Jinwoo murmured, his eyes narrowing.
His Pokémon stirred, their instincts sensing the disturbance.
Leif looked up from his equipment, sensing the change in the air.
"What's happening?"
Jinwoo didn't answer right away.
Instead, he gave a quiet command.
He summoned Beru and Igris, both poised for action.
Darkrai's haunting form appeared briefly at the edge of the camp, its presence commanding attention.
"Stay back," Jinwoo muttered to Leif.
But the professor, ever curious, edged closer, his eyes glinting with fascination.
"I don't think it's poachers," Jinwoo said, his voice low and grim. "It's something else. Something dangerous."
As if on cue, the ground beneath them trembled, and a deep rumble echoed through the woods.
Leif's eyes widened.
"What is that?"
"Something wild," Jinwoo replied.
And at that moment, the very earth around them seemed to rise as if alive.
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