Chapter 20: The Story of Gengar

Gengar pondered seriously before saying, “You’re too weak right now. When you’re stronger, I’ll tell you.”
Hu Yang: “…”
Seeing his expression, Gengar assumed he was worried about the treasure and reassured him, “Don’t worry, I would never lie like you humans do.”
As Gengar spoke, its smile faded for an instant, replaced by a flash of resentment and coldness.
Hu Yang wasn’t concerned about the treasure. He asked, “Can I refuse?”
This Gengar was clearly not ordinary in origin, but opportunities often come with risk. He had a deep understanding of his own situation and didn’t want to get involved.
A mischievous smile appeared on Gengar’s face. “If you refuse, I’ll kill you. And don’t even think about abandoning me. That orb—the moment you took it willingly from that person, it bound itself to you.”
Hu Yang pointed out, “I could give the orb to someone else.”
Gengar replied coldly, “I’ll kill you before that happens.”
Hu Yang was puzzled, “Then why didn’t you kill that person, only me?”
Gengar answered, “Because I hate that person.”
Hu Yang: “…fine, a reasonable answer. So, let’s discuss what I can do for you.”
Gengar’s attitude was earnest, and as it spoke, a strong dark purple aura radiated from it.
Hu Yang could sense the sincerity in its threat. He recalled the information about Gengar in his mind and said,
“But before that, I think we need to understand each other.”
Gengar narrowed its eyes, remaining silent.
Hu Yang continued, “You were sealed inside that orb. May I ask why?”
A cold light flashed through Gengar’s eyes as it spat out, “Because of wretched humans.”
It went on, “You don’t need to know these things. Just do what you’re supposed to.”
Hu Yang caught the implication: “You don’t want me to avenge you, do you? Or do you want me to release you from the orb? How would I do that—by smashing it?”
At those words, Gengar’s expression stiffened.
Hu Yang noticed the change immediately.
Usually, freeing a sealed creature only required breaking the seal from the outside.
This Gengar appeared powerful—it could easily defeat a thousand current Buds. In such a case, it could well handle its own revenge.
Gengar didn’t answer, instead deflecting the question with a rude attitude.

Hu Yang didn’t press further, as class was about to start.
He left with Bud and Rowlet, leaving Gengar alone at home.
When he returned after school, Gengar was nowhere to be seen in the bedroom, but the orb still sat securely on his desk.
Soon enough, Gengar returned from outside and put forth its first request:
“If you can find me that cool, tangy-sweet food I smell, I’ll tell you the location of the treasure.”
Hu Yang paused, watching Gengar gesture with its hands, then asked, “Ice cream?”
Gengar choked, then replied, “Yes, that’s the name!”
Hu Yang: “…you really want to eat it?”
Gengar looked awkward. “N-no, not really!”
Hu Yang pursed his lips, took Bud, and left the house.
Though winter was approaching, some ice cream stalls were still set up outside.
He glanced at Gengar floating at his side, “Others can’t see you?”
Gengar boasted, “Only those I want to can see me!”
At the stall, Hu Yang bought three ice creams: one for Bud, one for Rowlet, and one for Gengar.
“Here!” Hu Yang handed it over.
Gengar reached out excitedly, and as it was about to grab the treat, Hu Yang released it—but the ice cream passed straight through Gengar’s palm and fell to the ground with a thud.
Dust clung instantly to the creamy white surface, seeping into the cracks of the stone pavement.
Gengar stared at its hands, a look of loss settling over its face.
Hu Yang paused, then reached out toward Gengar, but his hand passed right through its body.
The information about Gengar’s incorporeal state surfaced in his mind, and a chilling thought struck him.
“I think we need to talk,” he said.
Returning home with Bud, Gengar remained silent the entire way.
Once on the sofa, Hu Yang asked, “You’re already dead, aren’t you?”
What do ghost-type Pokémon become after death?
A ghost among ghosts?

That sealed orb—did it imprison Gengar’s soul?
If the orb were shattered, would Gengar’s soul dissipate as well?
Was that why Gengar reacted so strongly when he spoke of smashing it?
Were all its previous threats merely bluffs?
Gengar’s face was tinged with despair; it knew this human had figured it out.
Gengar said, “I was already dead. The only reason I haven’t vanished is because this orb trapped me.”
“Who are they?”
“Humans.”
“Did you harm them?”
“No. They claimed I brought disease to humans, said I was a harbinger of misfortune and evil.”
Ignorant humans from ancient times killed it, sealed it within the orb, and buried it deep underground.
Intense resentment allowed Gengar to survive through the orb’s power, keeping it from disappearing from this world.
At the cost of losing its body, it merged with the orb’s power, causing its soul to transform.
Yet this had both advantages and drawbacks. The surviving Gengar, apart from causing nightmares for humans, lost all other abilities, trapped forever, unable to break free or use any moves.

Listening to Gengar’s story, Hu Yang felt a surge of complicated emotions.
The Alliance had only been established for two hundred years; before that, the world’s power rested mainly with tribes and kingdoms.
It was an era of ignorance and feudalism.
Even earlier, humans called Pokémon ‘monsters,’ treated them as enemies, hunted and waged war upon them.
Hu Yang had read about that history in the library. Now, seeing Gengar’s experience, he couldn’t begin to imagine how many Pokémon had suffered such fates in those times.
“Do you hate humans?” Hu Yang asked.
“If I could return to the past, I’d kill them all!” Gengar’s eyes burned with hatred, its dark purple aura intensifying.
Gengar glanced at Bud beside Hu Yang, then said dejectedly, “But you’re not the same as they were.”
When it was brought out of the ruins, it had indeed considered taking revenge on humans. But, upon witnessing this different world for itself, it hesitated.