Kenji's command cut through the smoke, reaching Charmander's ears like a ray of hope. The battle had turned into a living hell, but his trainer's determination pushed him forward. Ignoring the pain in his body, Charmander focused all his energy on his target—the Ursagris's injured hind leg.
The Smokescreen was beginning to clear, revealing the enraged silhouette of the Ursagris. The monster roared in pain, thrashing its claws through the air, desperately trying to extinguish the flames consuming its fur. But Charmander didn't give it a chance. Moving with incredible speed, he lunged at the Ursagris and unleashed a burst of fire toward its wounded leg.
The Ember attack struck the injury directly, searing the exposed flesh and eliciting a deafening scream from the Ursagris. The monster staggered backward, losing its balance for a brief moment. Seizing the opportunity, Charmander leaped back, staying out of the reach of the Ursagris's claws.
Kenji watched the battle closely, analyzing every movement. He could see it—the Ursagris was struggling to stay on its feet, its strength beginning to wane. This was the moment to deliver the final blow.
"Charmander, use Scratch!" Kenji shouted, his voice filled with renewed determination. "With everything you've got! Let's end this!"
Exhausted but unwavering, Charmander obeyed instantly. He charged at the Ursagris, striking with all his might, landing a direct hit on its wounded leg.
With a thunderous crash, the Ursagris collapsed, defeated by the attack. Its body trembled, its breathing growing weaker. The fury that once burned in its eyes faded, replaced by a look of resignation.
Kenji and Charmander cautiously approached, watching for any sign of movement. Even in defeat, the monster remained dangerous.
Suddenly, the Ursagris's body began to glow with an intense light. Kenji instinctively shielded his eyes with his hands, startled by the phenomenon.
"What's happening?" he thought, feeling a strange energy emanating from the creature.
The light grew even brighter, blinding both Kenji and Charmander. And then, as quickly as it had appeared, the radiance vanished—revealing something new.
The Ursagris had changed. Its body was now larger and more muscular, its fur darker and glossier. Its claws had grown longer and sharper, its fangs even more pronounced. But what struck Kenji the most were its eyes—now a deep, menacing red, glowing with an eerie intelligence.
"It can't be…!" Kenji gasped in horror. "It's evolving!"
The Ursagris let out a roar, more powerful and terrifying than before. The air around them grew heavy with energy—the danger had multiplied.
"We have to stop it," Kenji thought, a cold fear creeping into his chest. "If it evolves, we won't stand a chance."
Before he could react, a familiar blue window materialized before him, interrupting his thoughts.
Charmander has reached Level 10!New ability unlocked: Fire Claw. Do you want to replace Scratch with Fire Claw?New quest available: Explore the Crystal Cave.
Kenji blinked, momentarily thrown off by the notification. Charmander had leveled up at the worst possible time—right when the Ursagris was about to evolve.
"What does this mean?" Kenji wondered, confusion flooding his mind. "What should I do?"
At that moment, the Pokémon System's voice echoed in his mind:
"Congratulations, Trainer. Charmander has reached an important milestone. He now has the opportunity to unlock new abilities, mutated skills, and increase his power. However, the Ursagris is about to ascend in rank. You must act quickly to prevent its evolution."
Kenji frowned. "Mutated skills? Fire Claw? Charmander isn't supposed to learn a move like that… Does that attack even exist? Or is this one of those 'mutated skills' the System mentioned?"
Pressure weighed on his shoulders. He had to make a choice—empower Charmander or stop the Ursagris's evolution. Both were critical, and time was running out.
Then, he recalled something from his academy studies—the importance of evolution in the world of beasts.
"To ascend in rank, a beast must accumulate enough experience and undergo a transformation process," Kenji remembered. "This process can be natural or artificial, but it always results in a significant change in both form and power."
Ranks, he realized, were like school grades:
Rank F: Weak, low-threat beasts—beginners.
Rank E: Beasts with basic skill mastery.
Rank D: Creatures capable of hunting and defending themselves.
Rank C: Powerful enough to serve as guardians or training partners.
Rank B: Strong beasts capable of influencing battles and major events.
Rank A: Rare, exceptional creatures, strong enough to challenge seasoned warriors.
Rank S: Legendary beasts, capable of destroying cities and defying the gods.
Kenji realized the Ursagris was about to ascend from Rank E to something higher, making it an even deadlier opponent. He had to stop it.
"System," Kenji declared, his decision made. "I want to use Fire Claw. And I want to use it now!"
Instantly, a radiant energy enveloped Charmander. His claws gleamed with a fiery glow, sharpening and crackling with embers.
"Now, Charmander!" Kenji commanded. "Use Fire Claw on its injured leg! Tear it apart!"
Fueled by his newfound power, Charmander dashed forward, his blazing claws slashing through the Ursagris's wounded limb. The strike was precise, tearing through flesh and bone.
The Ursagris roared in agony, staggering backward. Its eyes burned with even greater rage, but its body visibly weakened.
"Keep going, Charmander!" Kenji urged. "Don't give it time to recover!"
Charmander pressed the attack, using his speed and agility to evade the monster's desperate swipes. The Ursagris fought back with all it had, but it was too late. It was wounded, exhausted—on the brink of defeat.
Finally, Charmander delivered a devastating final blow, driving his fiery claws deep into the Ursagris's chest. The heat from the attack was so intense that, as Charmander pulled back, the flames cauterized the wound instantly.
The monster let out a weak whimper before collapsing to the ground, defeated. Its glowing body dimmed, and its once-malevolent eyes dulled as it slipped into unconsciousness—just shy of death.
Kenji exhaled deeply, feeling the tension drain from his body. The battle was over. They had won.
But this wasn't just a victory—it had been a trial by fire. Charmander hadn't just learned a new ability; he had proven his courage and loyalty. Kenji hadn't just survived a deadly encounter; he had gained a deeper understanding of the world he now lived in.
Another System window appeared before him, displaying a congratulatory message:
Charmander has reached Level 10! Congratulations!
Reward: 3x Large Potions
New quests available: [Explore the Crystal Cave], [Defeat a Rank C Monster]
Discovery: Resonance Stones can enhance Pokémon attributes but may also cause random mutations. The type of mutation depends on the Pokémon's affinity with the stone.
Kenji stared at the screen, absorbing the information. "Resonance Stones… They can strengthen Pokémon, but they can also transform them into something entirely different. A powerful tool… but a dangerous one."
"Mutations…" Kenji thought, recalling the legends of Ryūjin Hoshi's beasts. "Maybe that's how their creatures evolved. Maybe Resonance Stones are the key to unlocking my Pokémon's true potential."
Standing before the defeated Ursagris, with Charmander at his side, Kenji was ready to face whatever lay ahead. The Crystal Cave and its Rank C monsters awaited—but so did the chance to test his limits and uncover the secrets of this new world.