This underground city is vast.
Baimu wandered around with Aron for quite a while, but still couldn't figure out the specific subdivisions or their purposes.
The key issue is that many places have locked doors, and various seemingly nonsensical neon lights are flashing non-stop; probably they only open at night, not resembling any normal shop——
The images of bunny girls, gold coins, and other patterns on the signs proved quite a lot.
"Ah! You're here!"
The sudden shout startled Baimu, turning his head to see two blurry figures rapidly approaching.
Just as he was about to flee with Aron, the newcomers' faces were exposed in the flashing colorful lights.
Brown hair and dark skin, with an averagely large mouth and ordinary looks but boasting long legs that support a 1.8-meter frame, agile as a humanoid cool leopard, with a wild and unrestrained smile on her face.
But Baimu was more focused on what was behind her.
What a massive Quagsire!
He couldn't help but marvel as a Quagsire growing to 1.8 meters is quite rare, a figure wider than a human, making it as imposing as a wall, looking quite intimidating at first glance...
Well, actually more clumsy than usual.
"Good morning, Lady Ayana."
Retracting his gaze, Baimu quickly greeted the woman in front, one of the four lieutenants of the Sand Group, known for being somewhat kind and thus famous among the lower ranks.
"Your name is Baimu, right?"
Ayana observed briefly before stepping forward to grab his arm, "Come with me! You're the last one!"
"Lady Ayana—"
"Call me Big Sister! And no nonsense! Just follow along quietly or I'll beat you!"
Such serious words shut Baimu's mouth, causing him to glance at Aron, only to find it being held by the giant Quagsire, slightly panicking while waving its short legs.
As their eyes met, Aron gradually calmed down.
Clearly, these few days of interaction have established a level of trust between the two.
Soon after.
Ayana led Baimu through numerous alleys, approaching a basketball court-like area, illuminated by giant spotlights from all directions, surrounded by neat wire mesh fences separating it from the walkway.
It's a battleground.
Baimu looked inside and suddenly saw many male and female team members battling each other with their Pokémon.
Differing from the standard where trainers stand at the edge of the area in ordinary cartoons, these people not only stood within the field but were also close to their Pokémon.
He knew this was a feature of Pyrite Town and the entire Ore Region, the special chapter kind where trainers and Pokémon get beaten together in battles.
"Stop! Everyone stop!"
Ayana released Baimu's arm and clapped vigorously, "Come gather around!"
The battling Quicksand team members heard the words and commanded their Pokémon to cease actions, quickly gathering here.
Baimu retrieved Aron from the Quagsire, exchanging glances with the young men and women standing in a line.
Counting roughly, it's about a dozen people.
They appeared around the same age as him, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with bright eyes and well-proportioned statures, mostly having rough and dark skin, marked by wind and sun exposure.
Clearly, not all were born into families of power and status.
As for their Pokémon, they varied in species, strength unknown but were energetic, not showing signs of panting or exhaustion despite the interrupted battle, exuding an aura of having experienced countless battles, the evident result of diligent nurturing.
Special Service Team?
No, it's a team specially assembled for next week's battle against the Evil Dog Team.
Baimu suddenly understood why he got dragged here, but was his joining the team planned from the beginning?
A novice who just became an official member, does he have that value?
He couldn't quite understand the intention of the Sand Group's leaders and could only think positively, like they might appreciate him or something.
"Why are you dazing off! Greet them! Do I need to urge you?"
Ayana lightly kicked his calf.
"Uh, good morning everyone." Baimu greeted the diverse-eyed young boys and girls.
Soon after, the sound of clapping rang out vividly.
Ayana looked at this scene with satisfaction, "He is Baimu, one of the participants in next week's battle, your temporary teammate. Remember to get along well."
After saying that, the big sister left with Quagsire, not even bothering to introduce Baimu to these individuals nor informing him what he should do.
The organized lineup of young boys and girls with their Pokémon held their stance until the last second Ayana disappeared, dispersing the moment she was out of sight.
"Ah, such a bother."
"My move had already struck, so you lost, got it?"
"Lose my foot! Who saw it! Where's the evidence? Show the evidence!"
The crowd turned away, completely ignoring Baimu.
Baimu actively attempted to talk to them, but none responded; all simply ignored him.
Exclusion?
Did he offend them?
Bringing Aron to the edge, he suddenly heard a sneer, making his understanding of his situation clearer, opting to silently observe their battles, occasionally murmuring to Aron.
The latter frequently nodded in a seemingly understanding manner, its glossy blue eyes wandering everywhere, unsure if it truly comprehended.
About ten minutes passed by.
This self-entertained behavior gradually caught those people's attention.
Whether the previous exclusion was planned or spontaneous, Baimu regained scrutinizing gazes from the surroundings.
"Hey! What are you doing?" A buzz-cut blond came over, aggressively asking.
Baimu replied, "Watching your battle."
"Who allowed you to watch? Who allowed you to come in? Get out!" The person scolded, while the nearby Donphan emitted a threatening growl.
"Do!"
"Goo!"
Aron retaliated without backing down, facing vastly different sizes, yet showing no fear whatsoever.
"Yo! Knows how to protect the master, huh? Your Pokémon isn't bad. If you gift it to me, I'll forgive you!" The person laughed, consistently focusing on Baimu.
Clearly uninterested in Aron, he merely crafted a pretext for picking a fight.
Extreme Path...
Although Baimu had never held high expectations for the internal order of the Quicksand Team, he was getting a bit tired of the constant trouble.
"If I don't give it to you, what are you going to do?"
He said indifferently.
The nearly contemptuous tone instantly ignited the instigator's anger. The man stepped forward quickly, grabbing Baimu by the collar, "Huh!? You're pretty arrogant, huh? Who do you think you are? Some rookie crawling out from some corner!"
"Ha, and where did you crawl out from, some stinking ditch?"
He grabbed the man's wrist with a backhand, like a clamp, gradually applying pressure. The man's face quickly turned red, and he gritted his teeth in silence.
Can't beat a Machamp, but can't beat you? Do you really think the title of the boss of Cyan Iridium Street was just blown out?
"If you've got the guts, go trouble the Evil Dog Team. You're sure to win next week's match? Bullying your own team is really impressive? You're nothing!" He easily pulled the man's hand away as if pulling apart the joints of a plastic toy.
"Doh!"
The Donphan, realizing its Trainer was being hurt, charged over, only to be knocked back by a silver silhouette.
Bang!
The two Pokémon, with a height difference of more than double, ended up in a stalemate.
"You mother—" the man clutched his aching wrist, eyes bloodshot, roaring as he prepared to swing his fist at Baimu's face.
Baimu was planning to grab it and hit back when he suddenly noticed something out of the corner of his eye and stopped.
The man's swinging fist was also caught by a hand.
"Otsuka, it seems like you really enjoy ignoring our words." The eerie voice drained the bloodthirstiness from the man's eyes, as cold sweat began to trickle down his forehead.
"B-Big Sis..."
Otsuka lowered his head, not daring to look at Ayana's frosty face.
"Or are you unhappy with the boss's arrangements? Got some ideas of your own? It's fine, speak up, go ahead."
"So sorry! Please forgive me!"
Otsuka immediately knelt down, pressing his forehead to the ground, his voice hoarse with desperation.
And his Donphan was also pinned down by the Giant Mire King with a simple smile, unable to move at all.
The mountainous momentum made Aron recoil in fear.
Ayana no longer paid attention to the kneeling Otsuka and looked at Baimu, who stood by indifferently, "And you?"
He was stunned for a moment, pointed at himself and said, "Do I have to kneel too? Alright, as you wish..."
"Tsk, okay okay, stop pretending." Ayana waved her hand impatiently, "You're as annoying as that guy with glasses!"
Baimu, who never intended to kneel, immediately straightened his back.
"Listen up, you little brats! I don't care who you like or dislike, or who stands behind you. If you lose the match with the Evil Dog Team and let others make fun of our Sand Group, each and every one of you will pay!"
Ayana pointed at each person, "You'll all go dig in the mines! Dig until you drop! No exceptions! If you're unsatisfied, come find me! Or let the ones behind you come find me! Got it!?"
The booming voice was like a lion's roar, making hearts tremble.
"Got it!"
They responded in unison.
Then.
Ayana left with the Quagsire, but the atmosphere in the area, which was once somewhat lively, had turned to utter gloom.
Otsuka remained kneeling, his whole body trembling.
Baimu noticed that the previously indifferent gazes had turned into discontent. It seemed Ayana's warning had led these angered individuals to target him.
Perhaps things would become unified in hostility, or even worse.
If that's the case...
Suddenly.
He had an idea.
Baimu squatted in front of Otsuka, poking his arm, "How long do you plan on kneeling?"
Otsuka turned his head, showing a pair of tear-filled, bloodshot eyes, "It's all your fault, all because of you—"
"Yes, I'm the one who did it all, so what?"
He nonchalantly spread his hands, "But what can you do about me? Beat me up now? Can you even do that?"
Otsuka, enraged, "You!"
"Can't even touch me, can't do anything, isn't that frustrating? In that case, try to please me."
Baimu laughed, "Or else I might just sabotage you during the match, mess everything up."
"...Huh?"
"Anyway, I had nothing to lose in the first place, right? Among you, some aim to rise quickly, some have wealthy backgrounds and hope to advance further this time."
He raised his volume, eyes directly meeting Otsuka's, but he knew everyone in the area was watching.
"So let's all get along, make each other happy, otherwise, in my state of despair, who knows what I might do during the match.
"Sure, you could try to kill me within these two days, gamble on the results of that action, bet on the boss's reaction to a smack to the face. It's death or a lifetime of mining, after all."
Baimu's threat turned the discontented gazes into surprise. This kind of do-or-die attitude is something everyone might have thought about but never dared to actually use as a threat.
Because more often than not, it's just empty words, bravado with no face to back it up.
Yes.
Definitely is.
An unusual atmosphere began to seep into the area.
"—I'm just kidding, don't be so tense, it's like I'm really threatening someone. We're all teammates! Good brothers! Isn't getting along a given?"
With a smile, Baimu spoke again, ignoring the surrounding silence, as he helped the bewildered Otsuka up and brushed the dust off him.
"Look at you, all messy, aren't you sixteen already? Is this the way to go on?"
Shifting his gaze.
He finally looked at everyone, meeting their various gazes with a warm, sincere smile.
"Let me reintroduce myself, everyone! I'm Baimu! Baimu from Cyan Iridium Street! Please take care of me over the next week!"
Baimu gave a slight bow, his loud voice echoing through the area, surrounded by tense, shocked, serious, and cautious expressions.
If being targeted by the group can't be avoided, then detonate it.
Things couldn't get much worse.
In the distance.
The reflection from a pair of glasses disappeared underneath the shadow of a building.