Hypnosis in the Alley

New Updates

Dr. Solance has been changed to Professor Cozmo, I have finally found the correct name.

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In Kanaz City, near the coast, the onset of autumn always brings a cool sea breeze, with rain falling like threads, weaving a fine net that envelops the city. Raindrops splatter against the ground, bursting into tiny crystalline beads like blossoming flowers.

Accompanied by the soft sound of rain, a figure holding an umbrella slowly walked into a narrow alley, illuminated faintly by the surrounding streetlights.

The yellowed light outside the alley cast a hazy line between light and shadow.

"Ka-kah~"

A cheerful voice came from under the umbrella.

"Yes, yes, I know. You've mastered the Poison-type move Smog, finally tapping into Poison-type moves. But let me remind you—who was it that couldn't even control their own poison when they first used it? A Poison-type Pokémon that poisons its own trainer..." Johan's voice followed, sounding exasperated.

He had realized that every time Gastly tried a Poison-type move, it was usually directed at him.

The first time, it caused mild poisoning, but this time, it was a full-blown case of poison!

If he hadn't prepared an antidote in advance after the last incident, relying on Gastly to neutralize the poison might have been a bit unreliable.

The cost of antidotes… Johan's heart ached just thinking about it.

Still, considering Gastly had mastered Smog, the expense was somewhat bearable.

'I wonder if this will keep happening… Will I end up like a "Super Rookie," poisoned over and over?' Johan thought sarcastically to himself.

"Ka-kah!" Gastly floated in front of him, looking determined, as if saying, If you just hold on for another 10—no, 30 minutes, I'll definitely be able to cure it!

Johan's eye twitched.

"Thirty minutes? This time it's real poison. By then, I'll need a new trainer."

"Ka-kah~~ (I believe in you)," Gastly replied optimistically.

"I wish I could believe in myself..." Johan muttered, his voice gradually fading.

Click!

A faint, sharp sound suddenly echoed through the alley.

Gastly seemed to notice something too, peeking from under the umbrella with a cautious gaze.

In the shadows behind them, a fleeting figure darted past.

Johan and Gastly exchanged glances and kept walking as though nothing had happened, maintaining their pace.

But just as they approached the corner, Johan quickened his step, vanishing into the shadows of the narrow alley in an instant.

"Huh?"

The figure in a black raincoat at the other end of the alley seemed surprised.

Have I been spotted?

His footsteps sped up as he pursued the direction Johan had disappeared in.

Click!

As the man reached the corner, another sharp noise rang out, as though he had stepped on something. The sound was faint but noticeable in the quiet, rainy night—though easily missed if one's attention was elsewhere.

"Hello."

Before the man could even search for Johan, a voice, devoid of any emotion, called out right beside him.

Startled, the man instinctively turned toward the source of the sound.

What met him was a terrifyingly grinning ghostly face, with two large, white eyes swirling with eerie, hypnotic rings.

Hypnosis!

"Ka-kah—" The sound of Gastly's voice echoed faintly in his ears, growing more distant by the second.

The man felt his eyelids grow heavy, his body weakening, as if drained of all strength. Drowsiness overcame him, and all he wanted was to sleep.

Soon after, a calm and soothing voice, like a gentle breeze, followed. It felt like the comforting tone of an older brother, lulling him into deeper relaxation.

"... You're tired... you're lying on a soft, comfortable bed... your eyelids are getting heavier... just let go, slowly..."

Before long, the man stood motionless in the alley, his eyes closed, breathing evenly as if he were fast asleep.

"Ka-kah?"

Gastly waved its misty hand in front of the man's face, but the man didn't react.

Johan emerged from behind Gastly, his expression serious.

However, thanks to Gastly's Hypnosis, the process had gone far more smoothly than he had anticipated.

Hypnotizing a person typically requires several complicated steps, the most crucial being establishing trust between the hypnotist and the subject. The subject must be fully relaxed, without any defenses.

But Gastly's Hypnosis helped bypass many of these tedious steps, as an ordinary person has little chance of resisting a Pokémon's power.

"Who are you?" Johan asked softly, his tone calm but serious.

"D-Daiki..." the man mumbled, his voice faint but audible.

"Who sent you?"

"Chief... Dock…"

Dock? Johan thought, narrowing his eyes.

The name seemed vaguely familiar.

"Why are you following me?"

The man fell silent.

"Ka-kah—"

Seeing the man's hesitation, Gastly moved forward, its eyes glowing ominously, but Johan held it back with a glance.

"What organization are you with?" Johan continued to ask.

"…G-Great Mauville..."

Great Mauville?

The Great Mauville Corporation!

Johan's expression shifted as recognition dawned on him.

Dock—he remembered now. Dock had once been a prominent engineer for Great Mauville Corporation. He had even appeared on television, promoting projects like Sea Mauville and the renovation of New Mauville.

At one time, the Great Mauville Corporation had rivaled Devon Corporation, the company owned by Steven's family.

Great Mauville's influence had spread across the Hoenn region, but due to various reasons, the corporation eventually went bankrupt, with most of its assets absorbed by Devon.

Later, it was revealed that Dock had not only been an engineer but had also been involved in espionage, sending corporate spies to Devon.

"Was it your team that broke into Dr. Cozmo' home?" Johan asked, though inwardly, he felt a wave of relief.

He had initially feared that it might be a large criminal organization like Team Aqua or Team Magma, but it turned out to be the remnants of the Great Mauville Corporation.

"Yes…"

"What were you looking for?"

"R-Rocks…"

Rocks?

Johan frowned.

Shouldn't they have been searching for documents?

After all, Dr. Cozmo' father, Raizoh Cozmo, had once worked for Great Mauville as well.

Johan had gathered the information he needed.

"Ka-kah?"

Gastly licked its lips, its eyes flashing red with mischief.

Should I finish him off?

Johan's face darkened.

Does Gastly think Officer Jenny does nothing?

Besides, getting rid of the man would only complicate things further.

Now that he knew their target and intentions, things would be easier to handle.

Ignoring Gastly's suggestion, Johan calmly said, "You found Johan, searched his house, but you didn't find what you were looking for…"

"Repeat that three times."

"I… found Johan… confirmed… nothing…" the man mumbled repeatedly.

As the man spoke, Johan crouched down, picking up the shattered pieces of plastic scattered on the ground.

He had placed those there earlier.

Knowing that someone was following him, there was no way he wouldn't be cautious.

The sharp noise from earlier had also been part of his plan.

In an alley this dim and narrow, people rarely notice what's on the ground, but it served as a useful alert for him.

As for why he hadn't taken the main road, it was because there was no true "main road" between the school and his home. He felt more comfortable navigating these narrow, cluttered alleys.

Here, the terrain was more familiar to him than anyone else, and these cramped spaces also gave Gastly an advantage.

"Let's go."

After finishing up, Johan left quickly with his umbrella.

"Ka-kah—"

Gastly hurried after him.

But after Johan had disappeared into the depths of the alley, Gastly reappeared from the wall, glancing at the sleeping Daiki with a sinister grin.

You're not getting off that easily.

"Ka-kah~~"

Enjoy three sleepless nights filled with nightmares!

After who knows how long, the man suddenly jolted awake.

His eyes were bloodshot, his body trembling slightly, his lips pale.

How did I end up here?

The terror in his eyes lingered, but his mind slowly began to clear.

Right… the teacher from Kanaz Pokémon Academy!

As the thought surfaced, another realization hit him.

"We didn't find it on him. I need to tell Dock right away. The only one left is Devon's heir…"