The Mountain Foothill Gym was built beside a mountain, so the lighting in the area left much to be desired.
Although the brightly lit station stood just across the road, the Mountain Foothill Gym was on this side.
Without streetlights, however, the broad road was pitch-black.
It was not so dark that he could not see his hand in front of his face, but it certainly felt as though darkness had swallowed the place.
Walking behind Ren Xiaoyi, Su Bai saw her start to take a step, only to shudder and retreat.
It was as if the dark road, which she could cross in just a few steps, were a terrifying, bottomless abyss in her eyes.
The light shone from behind and above Ren Xiaoyi's head, casting her shadow forward into the darkness ahead.
"I never thought a Ghost-type Pokémon trainer would be afraid of the dark."
Su Bai walked up beside Ren Xiaoyi.
"Need a hand?"
"No, thank you."
Ren Xiaoyi lowered her head and declined Su Bai's kindness.
Then Su Bai saw her shadow sway and draw back, forming a hand that grabbed her leg and pulled her forward.
The sight sent a chill down Su Bai's spine.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Wait, don't!"
Ren Xiaoyi hurriedly stopped him. Her eyes were clear, too, without any sign that some power was controlling her.
Su Bai waved a hand, and Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, stopped the attack.
"Are you sure you don't need help?"
"Yes. This little one just wants me to be a bit braver."
Looking at the "ghost hand" on the ground, Ren Xiaoyi helplessly forced a smile.
The ghost hand gave a little tremble, then turned back into a shadow.
It almost looked... shy?
"This little one treats me very well. It won't hurt me, and it's