Chapter 8: Forget the Past

The only reason Cheng Hong persevered despite being utterly exhausted was the vision of a better future life.

It was the belief of Bai Mu that, in times like these, aside from the imminent benefits within reach, everything else was an illusionary pie in the sky. Hence, whenever Cheng Hong's steps slowed down, Bai Mu would use similar words to provoke him.

With each instance of provocation, it was evident that Cheng Hong's expression became somewhat impatient, yet his steps grew stronger.

However...

As if toyed with by fate, their journey was always filled with hardship and adversity.

Just as they reached the fork where they had encountered the roaring stone before, crisis struck again!

From the left opening of the cave, a Pokémon resembling a tank, a grayish-brown quadruped, rushed out. Upon its back was a man howling incessantly, his right hand twisted unnaturally.

As the four eyes met, Bai Mu's brow quickly furrowed, despair filled Cheng Hong's eyes, while Shibata's panic and pain swiftly transformed into surprise and malice.

"Hahaha! Wearing a mask as if I wouldn't recognize you? Rhydon! Kill him for me!"

This guy's shout quickly echoed throughout the cave.

"Run! Run forward quickly!"

Bai Mu managed to free one hand and swiftly took out a purple ball from his pocket.

Boom! The small ball exploded, and a dense purple mist quickly enveloped the entire fork in the road.

A "Smoke Ball," an item that confuses Pokémon's vision and smell, not cheap.

The Rhydon, currently uninterested in the chase, became even more lazy when unable to find a target.

Furious, Shibata kept yelling.

Within the smoke,

Cheng Hong, positioned behind, quickly surpassed Bai Mu. Even though his stamina was already at its limit, at this moment, he erupted with a new strength, allowing him to sprint faster than before.

"Saving our lives is crucial! Let's put the person down first!"

Bai Mu reminded softly. At times like this, there was no need to insist on rescuing others when one couldn't even save oneself.

"You drop yours! I'll drop mine!" Cheng Hong firmly refused, not looking back, but still resolute in carrying the other two people.

Fool!

Is this really the time for these antics? Just give up if it's time to give up!

Gritting his teeth, Bai Mu sensed the vibrations behind him, understanding that the Rhydon had already figured out their escape direction.

There was no way—both of them reeked strongly of sweat and blood; it would be strange if it couldn't smell them.

Moreover, this Pokémon was extremely agile when running directly, even in its prime, he dared not guarantee escape, let alone now, carrying two people...

"Run! Keep running! Let's see how far you can run!"

Shibata's resentful voice came from a distance.

This guy turned all his pain into intense animosity, probably even fabricating some scenario. Being remembered by someone like this was just terrible luck.

What a pity.

Bai Mu sighed inwardly, decisively throwing the person he was carrying to the edge of the cave. The exit was probably less than five hundred meters away from here, and even if the path inclined upward, carrying two people would only take a little over a minute at most.

It's a real shame.

Wish them luck.

Maybe Shibata, in pursuit, might spare them. That could be considered a glimmer of hope.

"I'll handle it! Don't hesitate anymore!"

He shouted loudly, using his other hand to untie the ropes on his body.

At that moment, a sudden scream came from behind.

"Ah! What's this! Where did this guy come from?"

Bai Mu abandoned the person on his back, and at full speed, turned around to take a glimpse, vaguely seeing a burst of silver light, extremely dazzling! The Pokémon's cries followed suit.

"Grr!!"

"Hmm!!"

—Riolu! Bai Mu wouldn't forget this familiar sound; after all, he'd been startled twice before in a hurry.

It's here again?

And it's conflicting with Rhydon and Shibata too? Riolu...

Rumble—!!

Violent tremors and falling rocks interrupted Bai Mu's thoughts once again, turning his head to witness numerous falling rocks blocking the path behind him.

Shibata's shouts, the cries of the two Pokémon, were all drowned out, completely isolating him in his sprint, like a falling gate.

A gate called safety.

Bai Mu: "..."

His steps abruptly halted, swiftly turning back towards the first person he had thrown aside, abruptly lifting them up and then dragging the second person up as well.

Just as Cheng Hong running ahead was about to drop the person, he subconsciously turned his head and saw Bai Mu's actions, somewhat dumbfounded.

"You really dropped them? Wait, why did you pick them up after dropping them?"

"Shut up, run."

Bai Mu no longer spoke much, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Cheng Hong initially wanted to inquire about the situation, but seeing his serious expression, he closed his mouth and followed suit.

Unexpectedly, the other person ran faster and faster, although it was an uphill path, in the blink of an eye, the distance between them increased by more than ten meters, even continuing to grow.

"Huh? Huh??"

Only at this moment did Cheng Hong realize that if it weren't for Bai Mu's consideration for him, he probably would have left long ago.

—

"Ah ah ah! Where did this guy come from! Kill it quickly!"

The helpless shouts of the human echoed through the mine.

Riolu looked up at Rhydon, which seemed enraged, exhaling from its nostrils, appearing somewhat cautious.

However, at this moment, it was still pondering over another matter.

Did the boy escape? Hope so.

The first sight of the other party surprised it immensely; it hadn't expected to meet again. Later, it discovered that only the eyes and hairstyle were similar; their faces were completely different.

Right.

It had been abandoned, left in this unfamiliar land, without a doubt.

How could it come back?

Even imagined that one day the person would come to find it, but in the end, it was just a fragment in dreams. What remained vivid in its memory was the figure that fled without hesitation.

Hatred?

Perhaps a bit.

But it felt more of not understanding. After all... why? What reason did it have to be abandoned? Weakness? Dullness? Rebellion?

No, it couldn't remember being described by any similar words.

Moreover, 'It's a Trainer's responsibility to make weak Pokémon strong.' You said it yourself!

So why? It just didn't understand!

"Grr!"

Riolu's heart surged with flames; it no longer chose to continue the standoff. A silver halo enveloped its head, and it suddenly dashed out!

Unexpectedly, Rhydon seemed to have been waiting. A ferocious glint appeared in its eyes, and its front hooves suddenly lifted and then crashed down.

"Hmm!"

Boom! The forceful stomp accurately struck Riolu's face, immobilizing it like being hit by two heavy hammers.

The silver light of "Iron Head" burst forth, exploding into a circle of smoke and dust, which quickly dissipated.

"Is it settled? Damn thing wasted my time! Smash those rocks away!"

Distorted-faced Shibata yelled, "We must not let Bai Mu go! He must be killed!"

Ignoring the Rhydon and Shibata in the middle, Bai Mu wielded the hammer in his hand, revealing an incredibly bright smile.

"Let's get out of here together."

'I've come to get you.'

Such a light statement.

But within it lay layers of bruised emotions, complicated feelings, dissatisfaction, and a hint of relief.

And all these, in the end, turned into a sentence.

"Don't worry, I'm here to pick you up."

Bai Mu disregarded the obstacles in between—the Rhydon and Shibata—raising the hammer in his hand and displaying a brilliant smile.

"Let's leave together."

'I've come to get you.'

Such a light statement.

But within it lay layers of bruised emotions, complicated feelings, dissatisfaction, and a hint of relief.

And all these, in the end, turned into a sentence.

"Don't worry, I'm here to pick you up."

Riolu, battered and bruised, stood there dumbfounded, unable to utter a word.

In those bright blue eyes, there was only one figure.

End of Chapter