Invisibly and in flight, Mo Shao silently infiltrated the north.
Stark Mountain, this volcano, gave an initial impression of immense solidity, its rocky mass covered in a thick layer of ejected volcanic ash. Winding paths coiled around bubbling lava beds, the air was dim, and a sharp scent of sulfur lingered in the breeze.
Various Pokémon survived within the volcano, with the primary populations divided into several groups.
First were the Fire-types: Slugma, Magcargo, Numel, Camerupt, and Torkoal, as well as the Poison-type Weezing. These were all very common Pokémon found in volcanic landscapes.
There were also Ground and Rock-types like Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Graveler, and Onix, which were frequently seen within the mountain's structure.
Flying types like Golbat, Fearow, and Skarmory were relatively common as well and maintained several colonies here.
There were even some Fighting-type Machoke, who likely viewed this place as an environment for rigorous training, so quite a few of them were present.
Of course, Stark Mountain was not limited to these Pokémon; it was simply that these species had established colonies and accounted for the vast majority. A few other types of Pokémon did exist there.
While those mentioned were considered ordinary Pokémon, the true power within Stark Mountain was the Legendary Pokémon—Heatran.
A Fire/Steel type that, in the anime, had consumed the Flame Plate and subsequently gone on a rampage. This was the reason she had come here first.
If not for the fact that the "orientation" of the Pokémon had not yet been fully determined, even they would have been somewhat affected by the spirits during the night.
A more significant reason was that, according to the information provided by the Skyscreen Phantom Event, Heatran was only supposed to discover the Plate one week after the apocalypse began. Otherwise, she would have rushed over to claim the Plate last night.
...
As for the Flame Plate's location... she first had to enter the caverns.
After the magma overflowed, it had formed massive caves within the hard rock layers, and the passages inside were complex and labyrinthine. Without some kind of ability, a person would truly get lost here, but for Mo Shao, it was nothing.
Activating Pathfinding, Mo Shao quickly ducked into the target cavern.
Lava pools were scattered throughout the cave, bubbling and bursting with a scorching breath, and the smell of sulfur grew even heavier. Numerous rocks blocked the way; in the games, one would need to use moves like Strength or Rock Smash to pass. However, this was reality, and Mo Shao only needed to channel a bit of Earth energy to easily move the boulders aside.
However... there were some slightly concerning points.
Some of the rocks had already been moved or directly destroyed before she arrived... and it was unclear who had done it. She hoped it was some random Pokémon and not Heatran; otherwise, she might end up running into it in these narrow tunnels.
Although she was invisible, Heatran was a Legendary Pokémon with powerful perception. Inside its own nest... it was hard to say. She hoped no classic butterfly effect was at play here...
...
With a sense of trepidation, Mo Shao slowed down, bringing her presence and sound to complete silence as she advanced without a trace. Eventually, she let out a sigh of relief at a fork in the road; the correct direction was still blocked, meaning Heatran had gone the other way.
In that case, there was no need for further delay!
Mo Shao moved the rocks aside soundlessly, then blocked the path behind her once she was through, swiftly traversing the tunnel. The entire process was as smooth as flowing water. She eventually stopped at the end of a cave and, after some digging, located the Flame Plate.
Next... it was naturally impossible to put it into a Dead-binding slot right now. That required time, and there were far too many variables here. She would wait until she returned to a safe location.
Mo Shao put the Flame Plate into a chest, and... she naturally wouldn't return the way she came. What if she bumped into someone? Her experience from her previous life told her that at times like this, she should—dig! Mo Shao pulled out a pickaxe and started digging in the opposite direction!
With so many Phantom Objects, one had to think carefully about how to use them!
...
After digging for a considerable distance, Mo Shao took out the Sacred Sound Component and used sound conduction to roughly locate a weak point. She dug toward that spot for a while until she finally saw the light of day again, having reached the northern edge of the volcano.
Next was the flight back... but before that, she could observe the situation north of the volcano.
Mo Shao took out binoculars and looked toward the distant north from her high vantage point. She saw various small Real Realms, but very few people remained, because the creatures over there were—Mana-Beasts.
Originating from "Spirit Cage: Incarnation," they were no small threat. But wait, if she was dealing with the north... could there still be human settlements there? It was a pity she couldn't see clearly because of the distance. She would spread word of this once she was back in Seven Hills City and see what the major factions thought.
With that, this trip to Stark Mountain came to an end. Her mission goal was successfully achieved, and it was time to return to the city for the final binding.
Mo Shao flew back silently through the sky. Just as she had come quietly, she left quietly, without attracting any attention. Invisibility really was an exceptionally useful ability.
In her previous life, many others had also accidentally entered a series of Phantom Realms, but she was the only one who lived to the end, precisely because of the power of the Snake Talisman.
...
Once back inside Seven Hills City, Mo Shao finally felt at ease. She checked the time... had five hours passed? Her actual travel time wasn't much, and she hadn't encountered any combat; most of the time had been spent digging tunnels.
Now, it was time to regroup.
Mo Shao returned to a secluded corner on the city walls, the meeting spot she had agreed upon with Little Ka. After all, if someone couldn't fly, getting up here was quite troublesome. Furthermore, there was nothing here, so few people came around.
However, to Mo Shao's surprise, Aris was already at Little Ka's side—and the two of them seemed to be chatting quite happily?
“Ah, Sister Hui, you’re back!” Little Ka seemed to notice Mo Shao’s gaze and immediately turned around, waving her hand with a look of surprise.
“Yeah, I’m back.” Mo Shao nodded and walked over. While responding, she looked at the somewhat reserved Aris nearby. “What’s... the situation here?”
“As you can see, I successfully snagged little Aris!” Little Ka puffed out her chest and put her hands on her hips, looking as smug as a cat that had caught the canary.
Wait, it was that simple?
Rate on N.U.
