Lin Xiangdong hadn't given up hope of curing his son.
The Research Centre had advanced equipment — perhaps something there could help.
He decided to try.
"Alright then, let's go."
The moment Lin Bei realised he was finally allowed out, his face lit up.
He turned off Peppa Pig without a second thought.
"Wait, I need to pack!"
…
A few minutes later, he emerged proudly — water gun at his waist, golden hoop staff on his back, Pikachu doll under his arm.
"I'm ready."
The bodyguards stared, speechless.
Lin Xiangdong coughed lightly but said nothing. "Let's go."
The luxury convoy rolled out of the manor.
Lin Bei sat in the back of the Rolls-Royce, fingertips tracing the star-lit ceiling.
Behind them, a line of black Land Rovers followed in formation.
Downtown Jiangdong glittered with glass towers and crowded streets.
Even among the bustle, their convoy drew every eye.
Then, without warning, the Rolls-Royce stopped.
"Huh? Lao Li, what's wrong?" Lin Xiangdong asked.
"Traffic jam, sir. Looks like an accident ahead," the driver said, leaning forward.
But before he could finish, the street erupted in panic.
"Ahhh! Help!"
"Run! There's a tiger up ahead!"
"Get inside! Hide in the building!"
Chaos swallowed the avenue.
Roar!
A thunderous bellow shattered the glass of nearby towers.
"Oh no," Lin Xiangdong breathed. "A creature's mutated…"
A car exploded in flames. Through the smoke, a huge striped tiger landed on the road with a crash.
More than two metres tall, muscles rippling, eyes burning scarlet — pure violence incarnate.
Ding! System warning: B-Class mutant tiger detected. Evacuate immediately!
"Huh? A tiger?"
Lin Bei pressed his face to the window. "Where? Where?"
"Mr Lin!" the driver shouted, drenched in cold sweat. "It's right ahead — probably that one that escaped the zoo! What should we do?"
Lin Xiangdong's mind raced. The traffic behind them was jammed tight — no retreat.
"Stay calm. The Superpower Bureau will send help. We're safer in the car."
"Yes, sir."
The driver gripped the wheel, trembling.
Lin Xiangdong turned to reassure his son. "Don't be afraid, son. Everything will—"
He froze.
The seat beside him was empty.
"Where's Lin Bei?!"
Against the tide of fleeing people, Lin Bei was sprinting toward the commotion.
A grin spread across his face when he finally saw the striped giant blocking the street.
The beast crouched in the middle of the road, fangs dripping crimson, growling deep enough to rattle glass.
"Team Three, evacuate civilians and rescue the wounded!" a voice barked over a radio.
"I'll hold the beast here!"
Captain Chen Xuan — a middle-aged officer in a suit — stepped forward, jaw tight.
"Captain, it's too strong!" a subordinate shouted.
"Headquarters has been alerted. Just buy time!"
He raised his weapon and faced the tiger. No innocents can die here.
Then he saw a young man approaching — water gun on his hip, Pikachu under his arm.
"What are you doing?! Get out of here!" Chen Xuan yelled.
"Big Axe! Big Axe!" Lin Bei muttered happily, running straight for the creature.
Chen Xuan blinked. "I said run away, not toward it!"
[System: Wow… the system is moved to tears. Finally, someone who understands me.]
Lin Bei reached out and tugged the tiger's whiskers.
Tug, tug, tug—
Snap!
"Huh? It broke!"
The tiger stared, stunned.
Did this idiot just pull my whisker?
"Roar!"
The street shook. Blood-scent filled the air.
Lin Bei tilted his head. "You wanna fight me?"
He leapt back, eyes narrowing. "Whose Pokémon are you supposed to be?"
He seized Pikachu by the tail and hurled it forward.
"Go! Pikachu!"
Ding! System enchantment: Pikachu revived. Combat ability granted.
"Pika~ Pika~ Pikachu!"
The doll squeaked mid-air, eyes glowing, fur crackling with static.
Chen Xuan stared, speechless.
Then the tiger lunged.
Lightning split the air.
Crack!
Blue-white arcs tore through the smoke. The beast convulsed violently, stripes burning into charred blotches.
Its body hit the ground with a heavy thud, smoke rising, the stench of scorched fur in the air.
"Yeah! Victory!"
Lin Bei flashed a peace sign. Pikachu hopped back into his arms, turning back into a doll.
Chen Xuan gaped at the blackened corpse.
So strong… Could he be an awakened one?
He composed himself and walked over.
"Hello, I'm Chen Xuan, captain of the Superpower Bureau's Third Team. What's your name?"
Lin Bei puffed out his chest.
"Since you asked sincerely," he said grandly, "I'll tell you mercifully. To prevent the world from being destroyed, to maintain world peace — the lovable, charming villain Lin… Bei has appeared to carry out love and true evil!"
He grinned. "That's a tribute to Team Rocket — you don't watch enough anime."
Chen Xuan froze mid-smile.
Silence hung in the air.
Somewhere between awe and second-hand embarrassment, he could only stare.