Chapter Forty-Four: Chen Ou Receives an Epic Quest

After walking a bit further, Chen Ou heard strange sounds. He signaled for Rotom to return to his backpack, then set the bag down, lightening his load. Stepping quietly and with caution, he moved forward, alert to any potential danger.

He heard the rustling, but wasn’t sure what it was. He needed to put his gear down first—after all, his elemental ability could inexplicably transform his clothes, but not his backpack or its contents. The principle behind this eluded Chen Ou; he could only use it without understanding, dubbing it “the Great Cosmic Will.” (Frankly, I can’t even give a plausible explanation for it. This is simply how it works.)

Fortunately, it didn’t hinder its usefulness. Instinctive abilities rarely require much agonizing. Chen Ou didn’t feel compelled to figure everything out. In truth, no one in this world faces reality with the intention of understanding everything. If they do, they either become madmen or legends.

Chen Ou continued creeping forward, the sounds growing clearer. He could vaguely make out voices: “Are you here?” “Shift change—take a break.” He took a few more steps, carefully parted the bushes, and peered through.

Sure enough, a dozen figures in protective suits and gas masks stood by the riverbank. Chen Ou’s attention was quickly drawn to something in the river.

His brow furrowed as he retreated, returning to where he’d left his bag.

Rotom’s Pokédex had somehow slipped out of the backpack and, seeing Chen Ou return, asked softly, “What happened, Rotom?”

Chen Ou replied in a low voice, “There’s a construction site ahead. It looks like workers are dredging the river.”

Rotom, puzzled by Chen Ou’s hushed tone, asked, “If nothing else is wrong, why are you whispering, Rotom?”

Of course, Rotom kept his own voice low. He knew Chen Ou, for all his unpredictability, always had a reason for making things more complicated for himself—at least a reason that convinced him.

Rotom braced himself for Chen Ou to say something like, “It feels like a spy rendezvous—very cool.”

“The silt in the river doesn’t look right. I’ve decided to investigate, but I can’t just go over casually. It needs to seem like a chance encounter, to avoid appearing deliberate,” Chen Ou said, shouldering his backpack, his expression grave.

[Uh…] Rotom, having prepared for a bizarre excuse, was momentarily speechless in the face of this serious explanation, settling for silence.

Fortunately, Chen Ou wasn’t bothered by Rotom’s reaction; his mind was full of what he’d just seen piled in the river.

Rotom dutifully flew back. He’d intended to assist Chen Ou—if a battle broke out, he’d call for reinforcements immediately.

Unfortunately, Chen Ou didn’t have any Pokémon that could store items, like Gengar with its extra-dimensional stomach. Otherwise, they could have brought a microwave, a fridge, a lawnmower, or other appliances, giving Rotom some combat capabilities.

But Chen Ou and Rotom weren’t in a trainer-captured relationship, so Rotom couldn’t benefit from Chen Ou’s Burn-Burn Fruit. Still, as partners, if Chen Ou were truly in danger, Rotom would never abandon him.

With this thought, Rotom pondered in the backpack, considering how he might achieve acceptable combat strength.

Chen Ou, oblivious to Rotom’s thoughts, would hardly stand by if he knew. But alas, he didn’t.

He reached the same brush he’d previously observed by the riverside. Standing openly, with no way to conceal himself, he immediately drew the workers’ wary gazes.

A smile appeared on Chen Ou’s face, but he suddenly sensed the three Poké Balls at his waist trembling uneasily, while Rotom in the backpack directly connected to his invisible communicator.

“This place makes me uneasy, Rotom. I want to leave, Rotom.” Rotom’s voice even quivered slightly.

[There’s definitely something strange here.] Chen Ou’s smile remained, but his eyes reflected a deep seriousness.

His Pokémon were all seasoned veterans. Rotom and Entei had even faced Hoopa’s malicious intent alongside him. Charmander and Growlithe, though in their balls, had felt the aura of legendary Pokémon.

Yet they were uneasy before even reaching the riverbank…

Could it really be Eternatus or Arceus?

Behind the mask, Chen Ou’s smile gradually faded.

[If it’s really them, this could be a huge problem… Damn, am I the death-bringing protagonist of the Pokémon world…?]

With this thought, he quickly adjusted his demeanor, adopting a curious yet gentle expression.

He stepped toward the workers, out of the woods, bowing slightly in the sunlight.

“Hello, everyone. I’m a Pokémon researcher passing through. My Pokémon are a bit uneasy in their balls, and I sensed some Poison-type energy earlier, so I came to investigate. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

The workers relaxed upon hearing Chen Ou’s words. As long as he wasn’t a crazed Pokémon charging at them, they weren’t too tense.

After all, they were just ordinary folks. Their Pokémon, though reluctant to be here, stayed in their balls, uneasy but present.

They weren’t helpless; they simply didn’t want their Pokémon to suffer.

“Hello, researcher. We are workers from Cerulean City’s Water Supply Company, conducting dredging here. We support your work, but I hope you can show proof of your identity, and wait until we have company approval before starting your investigation,” Junzhi said, his gaze serious.

They found the situation here strange themselves; having a researcher investigate was welcome.

But the company had instructed them not to disclose this matter. So, when trainers came seeking answers, they had to report first.

Chen Ou, surprised, glanced at Junzhi appreciatively. He admired the worker’s tact—any Pokémon researcher was considered upper-class in this world, and handling such people with poise was no small feat.

“I can provide proof of identity, but I recall your Cerulean City Water Supply Company doesn’t own this river—only usage rights, and not exclusively. While dredging is your responsibility, I’m not obliged to cooperate with your work,” Chen Ou said bluntly.

The atmosphere grew tense.

ps. Thanks to Emperor Xue for the reward of 153 Starting Coins. Generous boss, wishing you health and success in everything!