Chapter 28: Good God, why must I see this bear again?

During the following period, Pokémon would occasionally come running over, drawn by the scent. Unfortunately, none of them had ever seen the human except for Qianlin.

Among them, only one Pidgey claimed to have seen the person five days ago. However, when Qianlin asked for help in finding them, Pidgey shook its head—not because it couldn’t help, but because it had simply caught a glimpse of the person while flying overhead and had no idea where they went or which direction they headed.

The good news was that Pidgey hadn’t seen any Pokémon chasing that human, which meant that at least five days ago, the person was safe.

The tree nuts were gradually divided among the Pokémon until only a dozen or so remained.

Qianlin sighed, “Looks like we’ll have to wait for Growlithe.”

Yet, whenever Qianlin was about to give up, something unexpected would always happen.

A familiar figure emerged from the orchard, its massive form radiating an overwhelming presence. The expression on its face, as if born to be a villain, intensified this sense of intimidation to the extreme.

“Pichu!” The small Pichu on the giant’s shoulder waved its arms excitedly, enthusiastically greeting Qianlin. The hesitation it had shown before was completely gone.

Perhaps it felt it had found a protector.

Pichu happily jumped on the shoulder of the Ursaring in front of Qianlin.

Qianlin looked at the two figures—one large, one small—with an impassive expression. “Can someone tell me why I seem so connected to Ursaring?”

[Oh heavens, why do I have to see this bear again?]

Well, no matter what, this Ursaring was likely Pichu’s friend. Since Pichu, who had left, had now returned, it was probably because either Pichu or Ursaring had found some clue related to that person.

Ursaring glanced at the dozen or so tree nuts on the ground, then nodded toward Qianlin.

Qianlin didn’t know what Ursaring intended but guessed and asked, “You want these tree nuts?”

“Roar~” Ursaring nodded.

Then it pointed at the tree nuts on the ground, and then at its nose.

Qianlin’s eyes lit up. “You mean your sense of smell is very keen—you can help me find that person?”

Ursaring frowned, first shaking its head, then nodding.

“Uh, what does that mean?” Qianlin was a bit puzzled. Although he had a wealth of knowledge about Pokémon habits, ecology, and some understanding of their calls, that didn’t mean he could understand their language, especially when Ursaring was nodding and shaking its head in turn.

“Roar—” Ursaring puffed out its chest, seemingly trying to express something, but Qianlin was completely lost.

“Pichu~ Pichu~” Pichu waved its hands, as if trying to explain, but Qianlin’s face was full of confusion; he simply couldn’t understand.

“Pi—” Pichu grew a little anxious, grabbed Ursaring’s shoulder, bounced twice, and pointed in a direction. “Pipichu—pi—”

“Choo?” Even the Swablu looked perplexed.

“Don’t rush, don’t rush.” Qianlin reached out to stop Pichu’s gestures. “Simply put, you’re saying that Ursaring knows where that person is or that it can help me find them, right?”

Pichu nodded.

Ursaring also nodded. Without waiting for Qianlin to say more, it bent down, picked up the tree nuts from the ground, hugged them in its arms, stood up, called out to Qianlin, then turned and started walking in another direction.

It kept glancing back at Qianlin as it walked.

“Though I don’t know the full details, Ursaring is signaling for me to follow.” Qianlin picked up his backpack, stepped forward to keep pace with Ursaring, and said, “Ursaring has a fierce temper and will attack any humans entering its territory when hungry.”

“But its sense of smell is extremely sharp. Even tree nuts buried underground can be detected…”

[I know, I know, you’ve said that twice already—this is the third time.]

[Repetition strengthens memory, but when it comes down to it, you still forget.]

[Sounds just like my teacher.]

[Enough already, enough.]

Qianlin could only sigh helplessly, “I repeat it because it’s important.”

But well, never mind.

Ursaring led the way ahead; once it saw Qianlin following, it stopped looking back and began eating the tree nuts, offering one to Pichu as well.

The path led around the other side of the mountain, not climbing it, just winding along the foot.

About ten minutes later, they had left the fields behind, and the surroundings changed from orchard to natural forest. At the edge of a narrow path that seemed to have been walked by someone, Ursaring stopped and turned to Qianlin, pointing its right hand toward the path ahead.

Following Ursaring’s direction, Qianlin could faintly see a small wooden cabin at the end of the trail.

Ursaring pointed at the path, then at the cabin.

“Roar~”

“You mean that person is inside that cabin?” Qianlin asked.

Ursaring nodded.

Then it stepped onto the path but after a few steps, the trail collapsed beneath it.

Ursaring steadied itself, stepped back off the path, and shook its head at Qianlin.

Now Qianlin understood. “This path is too small for you to walk on, so from here on, I have to go alone, right?”

Ursaring nodded again.

This path was probably not man-made, likely a small trail formed over time by people gathering wood on the mountain. It hugged the mountain’s edge, and if someone larger or heavier tried to walk it, their foot might slip and send them tumbling down.

There were almost no other paths to climb up here. Even for an ordinary person, without using this trail, the only option was to take a long detour. No wonder Ursaring indicated that Qianlin would have to proceed alone from this point.

But at least they had found the place.

Qianlin couldn’t help but exhale in relief. “Thank you, Ursaring.”

After speaking, Qianlin reached into his backpack, took out a few tree nuts, and handed them over. Ursaring, who had been about to leave, halted when it saw the nuts. Its stern, villainous expression softened somewhat, and the look in its eyes was full of admiration.

This young fellow has potential.

Watching Ursaring accept the tree nuts, Qianlin chuckled, “I’ll head up first then. Thanks for leading me here.”

Chewing on a tree nut, Ursaring smiled and said, “Roar~”

If you need anything, just call me. This area is under my watch, and Pichu can vouch for that.

“Pichu!” The Pichu taking a tree nut from Ursaring nodded seriously.

If you need anything, just call me. My big brother here is in charge... just give him some tree nuts.

Seeing the smiles on the bear and the mouse’s faces, Qianlin couldn’t resist reaching out to pat Ursaring’s belly.

To be honest, its fur was coarse but still pleasant to the touch.

Ursaring didn’t resist and happily ate its tree nuts.

“But I have one small question.” Before leaving, Qianlin was still puzzled. “How do you know that person’s scent? I didn’t give you any scraps of their clothing.”

Ursaring thought for a moment and then explained, “Roar~”

Qianlin: “...”

Better not ask. Safe travels.