Chapter 86

Hero???

What the Hero ??

Wait, is this some weird anime/manga-style Otherworld??

"What is Hero...?"

Qiao Ran decided to ask first, just in case he had misunderstood something. Although the girl in front of him looked exactly like a popular character from the Galar region of the Pokémon World, combining elements of a little sister and an idol, what if he was mistaken and she was actually some strange, Otherworld creature with a different skin?

After all, this is a woman who was just announced in the game, and all sorts of strange pictures of her are already flying around.

"Hey, what are you doing? You actually dare to ask a question?"

Seeing Qiao Ran's cautious demeanor, the group following the girl instantly became displeased, even picking up their vuvuzelas and launching a mental attack, emitting ear-piercing sounds.

They should just listen to what the princess says; how dare they ask a question in return?

"Don't do that, this is a very important person."

However, the girl reached out her hand, stopping their strange behavior. Her intervention was highly effective, and the group immediately stood quietly to the side. Nevertheless, their eyes remained fixed on Qiao Ran, as if they wanted to devour him.

"I'm sorry, everyone meant well, they were just a little impatient."

The girl looked at Qiao Ran, hoping he could forgive them, since they were all very important to her.

"The question just now was... Hero? Well, Hero is, of course, Hero..."

The girl tilted her head, seemingly wanting to explain to Qiao Ran, but she immediately noticed the two Pokémon beside him. Upon seeing Pokémon, she covered her mouth in surprise.

The Ice-type Vulpix —this special Regional Form is quite rare in their area, belonging to a unique alien species. However, what actually surprised her was another one.

Those are Legendary Pokémon, rare creatures that most trainers can't even see.

"Oh my god! This... could it be the legendary Pokémon, Dianxi?!"

"What?! It's Dianxi?"

"... Is it really Dianxi?"

Not only the young girl, but also the large group of men and women behind her, dressed in outlandish and incredibly flamboyant Outfit, began to whisper among themselves.

Seeing their reactions, Qiao Ran had a rough idea in his mind—the people here are so knowledgeable... this must really be the world of Pokémon.

But... this area seems to be full of birdsong and fragrant flowers, with a very harmonious ecological environment. Is it really a so-called Singularity?

Qiao Ran was full of questions. Now that Rotom had fallen into a deep sleep, he couldn't ask any other questions, so he could only start with the girl in front of him.

"Yes, she is Dianxi, and you are...?"

"Ah... I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Marnie, and I'm currently the acting Gym Leader of Spikemuth Gym and the President of the Settlement Management Association... Hero!"

Please be sure to visit our Spikemuth.

The girl extended an invitation to Qiao Ran very sincerely. Although she claimed to have many titles, Qiao Ran could tell that her demeanor was still somewhat awkward.

The president of the Spikemuth Settlement Management Association... What happened here?

"If it's convenient, I'd like to go and take a look."

In order to obtain more information, Qiao Ran felt that he should go with her. Even without this relationship, Qiao Ran felt that going with her was a suitable choice, after all... being able to become Gym Leader is a very powerful existence in the Pokémon World.

There are definitely other secrets about Marnie waiting to be discovered.

The Galar region —a mysterious and long, narrow island.

Unlike the Alola Region, although it is also composed of islands, it boasts an extremely powerful industrial system and a thriving combat culture.

The Champion here has been undefeated since the age of ten, and the strongest Gym Leader here is said to have the strength of Champion from other regions... Even the Pokémon in this region are all true fighting types.

Of course, what Galar is most famous for is a special battle mode called "Gigantamax" – which involves making Pokémon grow to a gigantic size to fight.

As for Marnie —the princess of Spikemuth in the Galar region, a true national idol, and the younger sister of the former Spikemuth Gym Leader. In this dilapidated and desolate town, her every move, from childhood to adulthood, can elicit cheers from the people. The residents even spontaneously formed a fan club called "Team Yell" to cheer for Marnie.

And now, news that she had picked up a man from outside has begun to quietly spread in this not-so-prosperous town, which is full of graffiti and street culture.

"Hey, did you hear? Little Marnie picked up a man from outside?"

"Really?"

"It's true, that man was always holding a sword, he didn't even take it off when he went to the toilet, and they say he's already killed quite a few people..."

"That's terrifying?? How can someone like that stay by Little Marnie's side? Wait... Sword... Could it be that guy is...?"

"So what if that's the case? No man can get close to Little Marnie!"

The residents of Spikemuth are outraged and vow to kill any man who dares to approach Marnie. In this chaotic era, little Marnie needs their protection more than ever.

However, Marnie was now dragging Qiao Ran along, leading him on a stroll through Spikemuth. Qiao Ran discovered that most of the buildings were dilapidated and old, and many people even lived in makeshift shacks on the streets. Everything seemed quite abnormal, but everyone seemed to have gotten used to it and was unfazed.

"Hero... aren't you tired of holding that sword in your hand the whole time?"

Seeing Qiao Ran dragging the sword along the ground, Marnie couldn't help but look at him with a puzzled expression. Wouldn't it be more suitable to carry it on his back?

"... Not tired."

Faced with this question, Qiao Ran could only offer a polite but awkward smile, inwardly muttering "MMP" (a vulgar expression).

If he could have taken it down, he would have thrown that wretched Long Sword a hundred thousand miles away long ago. Why would he need to walk like this, leaving Ember and lightning in his wake, looking like a thug about to chop someone up...?

"Um, just call me Qiao Ran, that's my name."

Qiao Ran felt it was time to ask for some crucial information.

"This is my first time in the Galar region. Since you called me 'Hero' before, may I ask... what exactly happened here?"

Gigantamax

Section 164, page 161 [Sword: Shield]

--Hero.

Generally speaking, Hero appear as saviors, and those who Covet Hero are mostly people who are already deeply mired in problems and hope that Hero can save them.

In ordinary stories, these people are usually played by princesses or similar characters. However, what Qiao Ran really wants to know is why he is called Hero, and what trouble the other party wants him to solve.

He must have come to the "Singularity" with a special mission, but now that Rotom is asleep, he can't confirm it directly. He can only seek Marnie's help.

To avoid worrying Lillie and the others... he had to go back as soon as possible.

"This..."

Upon hearing Qiao Ran's questions, Marnie looked surprised, as if she were astonished that Qiao Ran would ask such questions. After all... in the current Galar region, almost anyone who has set foot in this area should know this question.

... Perhaps the Hero is a special case and therefore unaware?

Marnie gave herself a fairly reasonable explanation, but being someone who wasn't good with words to begin with, she was so stunned that she froze on the spot, unsure of how to put it.

"Um... I..."

"It's alright, take your time. Even though this is our first meeting, you don't need to be so polite with me."

Qiao Ran smiled, indicating that she didn't need to be nervous. As a seasoned player...

As a gamer, he still really likes Marnie.

"Um... thank you."

Hearing Qiao Ran's encouragement, Marnie whispered her thanks. Although her expression didn't change much, her slightly averted gaze and blushing cheeks clearly revealed her shyness.

This is a child who isn't good at smiling, but that doesn't mean she has no feelings inside; on the contrary, she is more sensitive than anyone else.

"Click..."

"Thud..."

"Clang!"

Perhaps Marnie's reaction angered some people on the street. Qiao Ran suddenly felt that he was being stared at by dozens of eyes. In addition to the sounds of breaking and exploding, he even heard the sound of sharpening knives.

"..."

A bead of cold sweat dripped down Qiao Ran's forehead. Only now did he realize that having a sword in his hand actually gave him a sense of security.

Moreover, it seems that only by disguising herself as a purely evil person can she integrate into this bizarre town. After all, every resident here is a simple and honest Dark Type Trainer... even Marnie herself is.

"Regarding the problem we're encountering here, it's actually like this..."

Unaware of all this, Marnie looked at Qiao Ran's face. She was prepared to talk to Qiao Ran in detail. In any case, now that she had met the legendary "Sword Hero," she had to have a more in-depth conversation with him.

However—just as Marnie was about to explain to Qiao Ran, a woman wearing Team Yell uniform and sporting a punk hairstyle suddenly rushed in front of Marnie, panting as she spoke about what seemed to be very important information.

"Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened! The Special Attack Captain went out to collect supplies has been attacked by Wild Pokémon, Little Marnie... no, President Marnie! The enemy is approaching Spikemuth!"

"What?"

Upon hearing the other person's words, Marnie, who had been quite relaxed, suddenly became nervous.

"No, we must defeat them outside Spikemuth. We need to go there now!"

"Hero... no, Qiao Ran, please come along too. You'll see then."

Marnie looked expectantly at Qiao Ran's location. Regardless of whether Qiao Ran was a "Hero" or not, he was still a trainer who possessed Legendary Pokémon like Dianxi, so he was definitely not weak.

At times like these, having more fighting force means having more security. For the sake of her beloved town and its residents, she had to take responsibility for them at this crucial moment.

"Good."

Qiao Ran had no reason to refuse such an invitation, especially since he was genuinely interested in what had happened.

What could make Marnie so nervous?

And that Special Attack Captain... what kind of weird position is that?

Could there be a physical attack Captain???

Not long after, an Off-road vehicle drove out of Spikemuth and sped off towards the Spikemuth.

Marnie and Qiao Ran sat in the back seat. The girl even made room for Qiao Ran, allowing him to place the sword horizontally on her side.

"As expected... this is the legendary sword... the one that once protected Galar..."

Marnie stroked the sword's blade. This was the first time she felt so close to the legend. Would this man... also save this Torn World, just like the legends said?

The Off-road vehicle was traveling very fast, and soon it arrived at a valley far from Spikemuth. However, once there, Marnie asked the driver to stop the car.

"We can't go any further... It's too dangerous ahead. Let's wait here."

The driver was also a member of the Team Yell, and his haircut was more professional than anyone else's. When he heard Little Marnie talking to him, he stepped on the brakes without saying a word.

"Here it is..."

Qiao Ran looked out the car window. He didn't recognize the scenery, but he could see ruins on the distant mountains, as if a terrible explosion had destroyed everything beyond repair.

Was this place... bombed?

What exactly happened here?

"This is near the valley leading to Hammerlocke, and the surrounding area is mostly wilderness... so it's very dangerous."

Marnie's expression was extremely serious. She stared in the direction the car was facing, and gradually... from a distance came the sound of footsteps like Earthquake, and the sound grew louder and louder.

"Boom... Boom!"

Finally, amidst the thunderous roar, the source of this enormous sound appeared before everyone. It was a gigantic Machamp, over thirty meters tall, its body shrouded in Black and Red aura. It was using its muscular, Bulk Up body to run wildly across the ground like a legendary Giant.

In front of it, an Off-road vehicle was speeding recklessly.

Sitting in the driver's seat... was a girl wearing a green hat...

"Run! Run! Run! Run! Run! Run!"

She shouted loudly, but no one knew, and was

What a desperate experience it must be to be chased by such a huge, Machamp...

She was barely holding on.

Section 165, Chapter 162 [Max Ragnarok: Disaster]

Galar is a magical place, Qiao Ran has always thought so.

This region boasts unpredictable weather, vast and outrageously large Wild Area, a robust modern industrial base, and energy plants that are ubiquitous.

However, the scene that appeared before him now ultimately overturned his understanding of the Pokémon World.