Chapter 51: The Phantom Pokémon

A familiar conference room, a familiar large screen, yet the faces displayed were all strangers. They were people dressed in white coats, presumably doctors, participating in a video conference. That in itself was not the key issue; the real question was... why was the Pokémon Research Institute being contacted by medical professionals?

Qian Lin struggled to keep his eyes open and listened intently to the meeting.

“So, there have been nearly ten cases already?” the director asked the elderly man seated at the head of the table on the opposite side, his brow furrowing involuntarily.

The elderly man appeared to be about seventy years old. Although time had etched its marks on his face, his spirit and demeanor did not reflect his age; instead, he exuded a certain vitality.

The old man sighed and shook his head. “This morning marked the eleventh case, and all share identical symptoms. We have employed various diagnostic methods. Except for three individuals who had some underlying illnesses, the rest were in good health. Moreover, those three illnesses couldn’t account for these symptoms.”

“We initially consulted multiple hospitals for a joint diagnosis, but no cause could be found. Despite numerous attempts, we couldn’t reverse the patients’ conditions. We were on the verge of giving up, but then higher authorities learned of the situation and instructed us to contact you.”

Doctors, after all, are not omnipotent. They have patients they cannot save. When confronted with baffling ailments, even after extensive consultations and all means exhausted without success, they sometimes choose to give up, leaving it to the patients’ families to decide whether to keep the patients hospitalized or take them home.

As for the outcomes... those who understand, understand.

The director stroked his chin and glanced at Qian Lin beside him. “Qian Lin, do you have any thoughts?”

Almost drifting off to sleep, Qian Lin jolted awake, looking at the director with a blank expression. “What?”

The doctors on the screen frowned.

The director knew of Qian Lin’s condition, having learned that he hadn’t slept the entire night working on the Pokémon encyclopedia, so he did not blame him. Instead, he turned back to the screen. “Director Zhou, could you please repeat the patients’ conditions?”

Director Zhou fell silent for a moment before nodding slightly, though his tone carried a hint of displeasure. “Since half a month ago, our hospital has admitted eleven patients, all exhibiting the same symptoms: decreased body temperature, overactive brainwaves, rigidity of the body, and prolonged coma.”

“We conducted exhaustive examinations—brain, heart—yet found no abnormalities. Suspecting a prion-like virus, we tried various treatments based on this theory, but with minimal effect.”

“That’s the gist. The patients’ test data are on your desks. Also…” Director Zhou’s expression darkened, “I understand your fatigue as a researcher, but please at least make an effort to listen during the meeting. That is a basic courtesy.”

Qian Lin awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “Sorry.”

Nodding off during a meeting and asking to have things repeated is indeed impolite.

But this time, he had heard everything. After a moment’s thought, he looked at the director and quietly asked, “Um... Director, do you think this might be related to Pokémon, which is why you called me for advice?”

“Yes,” the director nodded. “The main issue is that this is happening within the city. If a Pokémon is attacking humans, we must intervene—especially since it has caused eleven people to fall into a coma.”

He then asked again, “So, this is the doing of a Pokémon?”

Qian Lin remained silent.

Decreased body temperature, overactive brain activity, stiffened body—what Pokémon could cause such symptoms?

He had no idea.

Qian Lin felt a headache coming on. “It’s not that it’s impossible. There is a move called ‘Hold Still’ that can cause similar effects, but according to Director Zhou, the patients have been unconscious for half a month. That’s beyond the capability of Hold Still.”

Hold Still, also known as Petrification Technique, prevents the last move used before entering the state from being reused. For humans, it results in a petrification-like effect where the body cannot move, but the brain remains active.

However, it does not cause a drop in body temperature, and the duration is limited. The stronger the Pokémon, the longer the effect lasts, but it wouldn’t persist for half a month without breaking.

Unless it was a move wielded by a god.

But gods shouldn’t have any reason to attack humans... right?

Qian Lin recalled the previous wars between humans and Pokémon, and that gave him some pause.

The director’s face showed disappointment. “So, this isn’t caused by a Pokémon?”

Qian Lin shook his head. “Not necessarily. Pokémon are mysterious creatures; there is much knowledge even I may not fully grasp.”

His knowledge was extensive, but so vast that even he found it challenging to fully apply all of it.

After speaking, Qian Lin turned to the people on the screen. “If possible, may I see the patients?”

Director Zhou frowned, clearly a bit distrustful.

Seeing this, the director immediately spoke up. “Qian Lin is the most knowledgeable person about Pokémon in our institute. Even if we combined all the researchers worldwide, none would match him.”

The doctors on the other end exchanged glances before looking back at Director Zhou.

After a moment’s silence, Director Zhou nodded. “I understand.”

He then stood and addressed those around him. “The patients are too unstable to be moved. Xiao Min, take the computer and come with us to the ward.”

“Okay!” a male doctor nearby nodded.

There was nothing more to say as the screen shifted, following Director Zhou’s back to the intensive care ward. They watched as a group of people disinfected and donned masks; only after thorough sterilization did the camera enter the ward.

Inside, a dozen or so beds were lined up, eleven of which were occupied by patients.

Before the camera approached closer, merely observing the patients from afar, Qian Lin suddenly stood up, eyes wide with surprise. “Ghost-type Pokémon!”

Everyone turned to look at him, including the doctors on the other end of the screen.

Director Zhou could barely contain his impatience and spoke before the director could respond. “Ghost-type Pokémon? What do you mean? Are you saying these monsters are responsible?”

Qian Lin stared silently at the patients’ beds. Research knowledge about ghost-type Pokémon flooded his mind.

Some absorb human emotions; some drain life force; some lure people to the afterlife; others guide spirits...

In short, ghost-type Pokémon are not to be trifled with!