Everyone else is a trainer, but you are a swordsman?

"You really have confidence in me, but I do have a way." There was a hint of calm smile in Nishikawa Aoi's tone.

"Although I can't give you an identity directly, I can find someone else's identity for you."

As she spoke, Nishikawa Aoi took out a photo from her space bracelet and handed it to Feng.

Feng took it and looked at it. It was a man in black wearing a hood and a mask. At first glance, there was nothing special about him, but the cold aura around him could be felt even through the photo.

"The photo shows a killer named 'Shadow'. He usually appears in front of people dressed like this. He is good at using ghost-type Pokémon like you, but was later secretly killed by my father for some reason."

"I originally wanted my father to invite you directly, but he suggested that you inherit this position, which would also facilitate future 'cooperation' with our family."

Intentionally emphasizing the word "cooperate," Nishikawa Aoi spread her hands with a feigned resignation, "Of course... this kind of cooperation is voluntary, and you can choose not to accept it."

Feng naturally understood what she meant.

To put it bluntly, this "cooperation" means that the Xichuan family gives Feng status and benefits, and Feng has to work for them in the future. This is an open conspiracy that is placed in front of Feng openly.

Nishikawa Aoi's father is really an old fox. Although Feng has never met him before, he has already felt the other party's tactics personally.

Also, if it’s just about cooperation, then why can’t the new black market identity cooperate?

This shadow must have some secrets, as even Nishikawa Aoi's father continued to use his identity after his death.

Then the subsequent "cooperation" may be dangerous and uncertain, and cooperating with the Nishikawa family is tantamount to seeking the skin of a tiger.

But will Feng refuse?

Of course not. Feng has never been afraid of danger. He is only afraid of danger that brings no benefits.

If you don't dare to take a risk when you are weak and only pursue safety and stability, you will never seize the opportunity to succeed.

After thinking about it for a while, Feng did not refuse: "As long as the reward is high, I don't mind doing something for you."

The implication is "you have to pay more."

After understanding Feng's words, Xichuan Aoi breathed a sigh of relief: "Huh, this is the best. Don't worry, our Xichuan family never hesitates to reward."

She took out another piece of information about Shadow, opened it and showed it to Feng.

"You can take a look at this information. Although You is a loner, he has some friends and some enemies. You need to pay attention to them. Also, his previous 'achievements'..."

Feng took it and flipped through it casually: "Okay, I understand."

This shadow really has "remarkable results". He has a long list of assassination targets, including thugs, gangsters, Pokémon hunters, and even alliance officials, corporate executives and family members.

It’s a pity that he fell down later. If you walk by the river often, you will inevitably get your shoes wet.

After laying so much groundwork, Nishikawa Aoi finally got to the point, which was how to enter the inner circle of the black market and some specific circumstances.

"If you want to go to the inner circle of the black market, you need a specially made identity token. The material is special and difficult to imitate. Moreover, each token is registered and the quantity is limited."

"The organization and preparation of the inner circle of the black market, the issuance of tokens, and the management of entry and exit are all led by the major families of Zhuqing City. In a sense, the origins of those who enter the inner circle are known to the major families..."

Having said that, Nishikawa Aoi elegantly changed her sitting position and rested her right leg on her left leg.

Although she didn't say it explicitly, Feng could feel that Nishikawa Aoi was implicitly demonstrating her own strength and her control over Feng's "authority" to enter the black market.

If Feng "disobeys" one day, it is still unclear whether Youying can enter the inner circle.

"When will it open?" Feng asked.

"The inner area of the black market is only open once a month. This month ended a few days ago. If you want to go, you'll have to wait until next month."

"But don't worry, the inner and outer areas of the black market are worlds apart. You can't even imagine the items inside. For those who are rich enough, it's like heaven..."

A gleam appeared in Nishikawa Aoi's eyes, as if she had thought of something.

Interesting, once a month, is it that everyone should save up a month's salary first, and then spend it all on the black market? It seems that the prices of the goods inside must be very expensive, which makes Feng look forward to it.

If he had extra money, he'd also like to raise a few ghost-type Pokémon and become a phantom again. Strange ghost-type skills like hypnosis and curses were simply too useful.

The two chatted for a few more sentences, and Feng felt that it was enough, so he said goodbye.

Feng stood up and walked to the door, then looked back at Xichuan Aoi and said, "How can I find you in the future?"

"You just need to tell the front desk that if I'm in the association I'll come find you."

"Okay, but I'll be digesting the spoils for the next while and won't be taking any more missions for the time being..."

The reason why Feng didn't take the task was not because he was no longer short of money, but because he was about to start school.

……

The light of the teleportation array flashed, and Feng left the Hunter Association with Tan Xiaoshi's elf egg.

Walking on the streets of Zhuqing City, pedestrians walked by, chatting and laughing, while Pokémon followed their owners obediently. Neon lights flashed all around, creating a scene of a city that never sleeps.

The school is about to start, but Feng has neither the resistance to school in his previous life nor the yearning for campus life like ordinary children in this world. His heart is as calm as a stagnant pool of water.

Feng's goal is clear. The school and his classmates are just tools and steps for him to gain power. If they have high-quality Pokémon, Feng doesn't mind planning to take it away and become a Pokémon hunter again.

Only when you have enough strength can you truly control your own destiny.

He currently has elite-level Aegisblade, Gyarados, and Ursa, intermediate-level Ula and elementary-level Kapok, as well as the Tank Samurai in the egg.

The team has taken shape and has initially formed a certain strength and scale. Even a gym leader-level trainer can't easily defeat him.

"Time flies by so fast."

Feng recalled that he was a test subject at the mercy of others a few months ago, and recalled all the dangers and beauty he had experienced along the way, and couldn't help but sigh.

This is a real Pokémon world after all, where both humans and Pokémon can be killed. Passion and explosiveness cannot ignore the difference in strength, and villains won't always play house with you. The gap between the rich and the poor becomes even wider under the "high martial arts"...

There is not just one "protagonist" in this world. There are so many people who have wealth, ability, luck or bonds. Everyone has his or her own story, and every Pokémon is a life rather than a few lines of data.

Fortunately, Feng struggled to survive. The knowledge and education in school and the buying and selling and killing in the black market would become Feng's nutrition, enabling him to thrive and grow into a new person.

There was actually a voice lingering in Feng's heart. Whenever he raised his butcher knife against innocent people, whenever he sent those innocent Pokémon to the mouth of Shieldsword, it would ring in his heart.

Which is more important, ideals or bottom line?

Is it the right choice to give up your bottom line again and again in pursuit of your ideals?

Feng didn't know and couldn't answer this question.

He only knew that he never wanted to return to that cold, cramped cell in the research facility, never wanted to be chased like prey again, never wanted his fate to be decided by someone else's words again...

Perhaps, the forward will soon turn over a new leaf and become a civilian hero.

Or perhaps, a new demon will rise in the land of Sinnoh...

(End of Volume 1)