Chapter 8: Sucker Punch
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the report playing on the café's television. A female investigator, dressed in a crisp uniform, appeared on the screen, her expression grave as she addressed the city's residents.
"Emergency notice! Emergency notice!" her voice echoed urgently.
"There is an out-of-control Salamence heading toward Shuangyang Street. All citizens are urged to evacuate Shuangyang Street immediately! I repeat—please leave Shuangyang Street at once!"
The warning blared over the speakers, growing more insistent with each repetition.
"Please leave Shuangyang Street immediately!"
"Please leave Shuangyang Street immediately!"
Before anyone could fully process the broadcast, a deafening boom shattered the tense atmosphere. The explosion came from just a few blocks away, shaking the ground beneath their feet and snapping those still frozen in shock back to reality.
"Run!" someone shouted, their voice breaking the collective stupor.
Panic erupted in the café. Chairs toppled over, cups shattered on the floor, and the customers surged toward the exit in a frantic wave. People pushed and shoved in their desperation, the once-cozy café now filled with the sounds of chaos—screams, crashes, and the pounding of feet.
Renjiro had instinctively risen to his feet, ready to join the others in escaping. But just as he was about to move, his eyes flicked toward Liu Shuyun, who remained seated at their table, a pained expression contorting her elegant features.
"My foot... my ankle is sprained," she said through clenched teeth, pointing toward her slender leg. The split in her red cheongsam revealed a swelling ankle. In her haste to rise and flee, the heel of her stylish high heel had snapped, throwing her off balance and causing the injury.
Renjiro's sharp gaze swept the café. There was no sign of her assistant, Xiaoyue. She had vanished in the chaos. Without hesitating, Renjiro stepped forward, his expression firm.
"Hold on to me," he said, and before Liu Shuyun could object, his arm slipped around her waist, lifting her into his arms.
"Ah!" Liu Shuyun gasped in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck to steady herself. A faint, refreshing fragrance drifted from her, contrasting with the opulence of her attire. Despite the situation, Renjiro noticed how soft and warm she felt against him, but he quickly forced himself to focus. Now was not the time for distraction.
Salamence's roars echoed through the city as Renjiro pushed through the crowd, carrying Liu Shuyun with determination. The sight outside was even more terrifying. A massive Salamence, its scales glinting under the sun, soared overhead, its wings casting ominous shadows on the ground. It unleashed streams of Dragon Breath down onto Shuangyang Street, leaving destruction in its wake.
Trailing behind were several Arcanines, leaping from rooftop to rooftop in pursuit, their barks fierce as they tried to corner the rampaging dragon. Occasionally, one would leap close enough to snap at Salamence's limbs, but the beast retaliated with bursts of fire and fury.
"Let's find Xiaoyue first," Liu Shuyun urged, her voice strained but calm. "My Pokémon are with her. I can deal with Salamence if I have them."
Renjiro scanned the surrounding chaos, searching for the assistant. But there was no sign of her—only terrified citizens fleeing, overturned market stalls, and burning debris.
"It's too late. That Salamence is closing in on us," Renjiro muttered, tightening his grip on Liu Shuyun. His keen eyes watched the dragon as it began to veer in their direction.
From atop a distant rooftop, a man in a black windbreaker peered through a high-powered scope, smirking as he spotted his targets.
"There she is," he hissed to himself. "The woman in the red cheongsam, carried by that kid."
He raised a communicator. "Salamence, target confirmed. Eliminate the woman."
The man's heart raced with anticipation. Five hundred million yuan was at stake—a fortune that would secure his future forever. For months, he'd waited for this moment. Finally, Liu Shuyun was vulnerable, without her Pokémon, without protection.
Salamence let out a roar as it received the command. It beat its wings powerfully, altering its course to swoop down on Renjiro and Liu Shuyun. But one of the Arcanines seized its chance, leaping high and biting down hard on Salamence's leg. The dragon howled in pain, twisting midair, but managed to shake the Arcanine off after a violent struggle.
"Don't let that mutt slow you down!" the man barked into his communicator. "Kill the woman! Now!"
Salamence snarled, rage burning in its eyes as it powered through the pain, descending rapidly toward its prey.
"Damn it, why is it coming for us?" Renjiro's face darkened as he realized their peril. Through his Eye of Insight, he assessed the Salamence—Level 51. Far beyond anything he could hope to handle on his own.
"There's an alley ahead!" Liu Shuyun pointed toward a narrow passage between two buildings. "We can hide there!"
Renjiro nodded and bolted toward the alley, weaving through debris and panicked citizens. He ducked into the narrow space, hoping the Salamence's size would limit its ability to follow.
But their hopes were dashed in an instant. The Salamence hovered above the alley's entrance, its chest heaving as it gathered energy for a devastating attack.
"Dragon Breath incoming!" Renjiro shouted, recognizing the telltale glow building in the dragon's throat.
Without thinking, he dove forward, pressing Liu Shuyun beneath him just as a torrent of searing energy scorched the alley walls, narrowly missing them. The heat singed his back, but they were otherwise unharmed.
"We're being targeted," Renjiro growled, realization sinking in. This wasn't random destruction. Someone wanted Liu Shuyun dead. He'd spotted the strange communication device fitted to Salamence's ear—a clear sign it was under someone's command.
Liu Shuyun's cheeks flushed as she found herself pinned beneath Renjiro, their faces only inches apart. Her heart pounded, but she nodded at his words, understanding the gravity of their situation.
Renjiro helped her up, positioning her behind him as he turned to face the Salamence. His mind raced. Escape was no longer an option. They couldn't outrun a Pokémon like this—not with her injured.
They had to stand their ground.
The Salamence circled above, its eyes locked onto them with deadly focus. The man on the rooftop watched through his scope, his breath quickening with excitement.
"Do it. Finish them," he whispered.
Renjiro clenched his fists, mind racing for a plan. If only he had his own Pokémon—something, anything to hold the Salamence off. But all he had was his wits and his will.
And he wasn't about to let either fail him now.
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