Chapter 129: Giant Cave
Inside the humble dwelling.
A white-haired couple, their faces etched with wrinkles, pleaded with Lei Wen.
“Monster Tamer Lord, please save our village, save everyone here!”
Witnessing this, Lei Wen couldn’t help but doubt the truth of the legend he knew.
After all, the future is thousands of years away; such a long time can transform oceans into fields, and the truth of certain matters can often shift through word of mouth.
But if Kyurem were truly a man-eating dragon, why would the people of Violet City choose to live here for thousands of years instead of moving their village elsewhere?
Moreover, the Unova League in the anime would likely not stand idly by and let a man-eating Kyurem devour the villagers.
Until the truth is investigated, Lei Wen cannot make a judgment.
However, facing the elderly couple before him, he was silent for a moment before saying:
“I will do my best, but I need to understand some things first.”
“When did that monster start eating people?”
“When was the last time it ate someone?”
“Has anyone personally witnessed it eating someone?”
Lei Wen inquired.
The old woman recalled with effort and then replied, “According to my elders, the monster began eating people in its fifth year here.”
“The most recent instance of it eating someone was three months ago. That night, the monster came to the village… and then, a young man named Tiesheng was snatched and eaten!”
“No one has seen its appearance yet because everyone in the village locks their doors and windows at night and stays inside. But the monster can bewitch people and knock on doors. Everyone only knows that when it appears, snow falls in the village, and a cold wind blows!”
Listening to these words, Lei Wen fell into thought.
He had been somewhat uncertain before, but hearing this, he immediately confirmed that the “man-eating” monster was definitely not Kyurem!
Given Kyurem’s nature, it wouldn’t be so rule-abiding, specifically knocking and bewitching people at night… If it were Kyurem, this village would likely have ceased to exist by now.
“How often does it usually come?” Lei Wen asked again.
The old woman thought back and said, “It varies. Sometimes it’s two or three months, and at the longest, it’s a year! But if we don’t open the door at night, the monster won’t snatch people and eat them.”
“So, for a long time, the villagers have maintained the custom of avoiding going out at night!”
Quite a principled “monster,” indeed.
With the basic information mostly gathered, Lei Wen nodded slightly and said:
“I understand. I will stay in the village for a while. If the monster appears, I will do my best to help you resolve it.”
Upon hearing this, the couple was filled with gratitude.
“We’re counting on you, Monster Tamer Lord!”
The old woman prepared a simple bed for Lei Wen. Lei Wen did not complain. After dinner, he and a few Pokémon rested on the spot.
The first night passed without incident.
The next morning, Lei Wen inquired about the location of the Giant Cave, then packed enough dry rations and water and left the village, embarking on the road to find Kyurem.
The villagers of Kagome Village learned that the Monster Tamer Lord was going to defeat the monster for them, and they gathered at the village entrance to see him off.
The Giant Cave is located in the mountains northeast of the village and is not far away.
As Lei Wen advanced, he observed his surroundings.
It was mid-June, summer was approaching, and the temperature was gradually rising.
In Raven City, the flowers and trees grew lushly, accompanied by the chirping of insects from the forest, and the scent of summer was almost palpable.
However, the temperature in Kagome Village still carried a hint of chill, and it grew colder the closer they got to the Giant Cave.
Furthermore, as Lei Wen approached, the Ice Type Pokémon active in the vicinity gradually increased.
A large group of Cryogonal floated in the air, Messenger Birds flew overhead, several Sneasel hid alertly in the shadows, silently observing these outsiders, and in the distant mountains, the roars of Pokémon like Abomasnow could be heard.
“Sneasel…”
A low growl came from behind them; it turned out to be several cunning Weavile launching a surprise attack.
Fortunately, Lei Wen was prepared. Before entering this wilderness, he had summoned Serperior from its Poké Ball.
Serperior strongly disliked treacherous and cunning Pokémon like Weavile and immediately unleashed Leaf Storm.
Sharp leaves transformed into a terrifying storm that swept out, engulfing them in an instant.
Victini sat on Lei Wen’s shoulder, watching the scene with great interest.
“Nini?”
“Don’t worry,” Lei Wen calmly looked at the Weavile. Opponents of this level didn’t require Victini to act.
The Weavile sensed danger and immediately abandoned their attack, choosing to flee.
Lei Wen did not pursue. He patted Serperior’s head in appreciation and then continued forward.
Before long, a gleaming cave appeared in the mountains ahead.
Wisps of cold air continuously flowed out from the dark cave, and one could vaguely feel an ancient and terrifying aura emanating from within, sending shivers down one’s spine.
Even Victini couldn’t help but show a solemn expression upon sensing this aura.
“Nini…” It chirped to warn Lei Wen to be careful; there was a powerful enemy in this cave!
“I know,” Lei Wen took a deep breath. At this point, they had no turning back.
The Giant Cave, Kagome Village’s forbidden territory, was formed by a meteorite that fell from the sky. The outer cave isolated the central impact crater from the outside world, and Kyurem resided within the central impact crater deep in the cave.
Lei Wen looked up at the sky. A vast swarm of Cryogonal floated in the sky here.
It seemed that the aura emanating from Kyurem had caused this area to form a Pokémon ecosystem that defied the laws of nature.
*
On the cliff opposite the Giant Cave, three Pokémon of varying sizes with double horns gazed solemnly at the human figure below and the few Pokémon accompanying them.
The leftmost was a Pokémon that resembled a bull, with a body as solid as a city wall, exuding an aura of immense power.
It looked at the scene in disbelief, its tone sounding somewhat irritable:
“That human is detestable! To imprison Pokémon in such a small space! Let me go teach him a lesson!”
“Calm down, Terrakion,” another Pokémon, resembling a goat with sea-blue fur all over its body, watched the scene below calmly and composedly.
“Cobalion, how can I calm down?! Humans are all the same, have you forgotten? Along the way, how many Pokémon have lost their homes due to human wars?!” Terrakion said angrily.
“We are not here for that. Human strength should not be underestimated. Before we officially engage them in battle, we should continue to train, so that we may protect Pokémon and this land,” Cobalion said calmly.
Terrakion wanted to say more, but it merely stomped its foot in frustration.
At this moment, a green Pokémon resembling an antelope stepped forward slowly. Its eyes were filled with the light of wisdom, and it chimed in:
“Cobalion is right. However, judging by that human’s demeanor, it seems he, like us, is here for 【Kyurem】.”
