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No matter how strong the Gale Poaching Group was, they could not possibly defeat the other three poaching groups at the same time.
Earlier, they had used the School of Tynamo in the underground lake to cleverly weaken the other groups and had enjoyed their brief victory. Now, their consequences had arrived.
A few minutes later, the once arrogant Gale Poaching Group was wiped out in the battle. Even with their final desperate counterattack, they failed to take down a single member of the other groups.
But the fight was still not over. After the Gale Poaching Group fell, the Black Cloud Poaching Group and the Crag Poaching Group tacitly joined forces to attack the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group.
However, the sickly-looking old man leading Malevolent Ghost was incredibly cunning. During the later half of the battle, he intentionally began withdrawing from the fight. And the moment the two groups revealed their intention to turn on him, he immediately led his subordinates into one of the unexplored tunnels.
The other two poaching groups were furious seeing Malevolent Ghosts flee without fighting, but they ultimately did not pursue, wary of potential ambushes in the tunnels.
In the end, both the Black Cloud and Crag poachers chose separate unexplored tunnels of their own. The internal warfare between the poaching groups came to an end.
At this moment, Sato emerged from hiding with his Crobat, turning his gaze toward Shadow—the only other lone fighter who had endured until now.
"Travel together?"
Taking advantage of the fact that no one else was nearby, Sato asked him directly.
Truthfully, Sato had long been curious about Shadow's identity. He had been observing him with his psychic sense ever since he first saw him provoke the Gale Poaching Group—and discovered the man was not as cold as he appeared.
Shadow had never once attacked a wild Pokémon on his own initiative, but against poachers he showed absolutely no mercy. His earlier cooperation with Hook had clearly been out of necessity.
Thus, Sato was certain: Shadow was definitely not a poacher. The man was likely a bounty hunter like Sato… or perhaps someone secretly sent by the League.
Unfortunately, Shadow did not answer his question. He only looked at Sato calmly, then walked with his Houndoom toward the tunnel chosen by the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group.
"Bold of you… going alone to trouble the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group."
Sato frowned slightly and laughed as he watched Shadow disappear. Then he chose the final tunnel—the only one no one else had taken.
Ten-odd minutes later, Sato returned from the tunnel to the lakeside. As it turned out, the tunnel he chose was also a dead end, ending in yet another Pokémon ambush.
But he did not leave empty-handed. At the end of the passage, thanks to his acquaintance Roserade, he successfully persuaded a level 63 Aggron to temporarily join his team.
Yes—another terrifying Aggron ambushed the path's end. Fortunately, this Aggron's temperament was far gentler than the one he had encountered in Tunnel 01.
The one in Tunnel 01 had been extremely hostile—even after Roserade used Grassy Terrain to heal it. Conversation had been impossible.
Unfortunately, Roserade—one of Altaria's external commanders—did not know where Altaria herself was. Otherwise, Sato would not have needed to work so hard to find the correct passage.
By the time he returned to the lakeside, the Black Cloud and Crag poachers were already there. Seeing Sato emerge empty-handed from the tunnel, they did not even rest—they immediately rushed toward the pathway chosen earlier by Malevolent Ghost.
"Sigh… I didn't expect the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group to actually pick the right path."
Realizing what had happened, Sato immediately understood that the tunnel Shadow and Malevolent Ghost had entered was the only one leading to Altaria's location. He couldn't help but sigh.
Without hesitation, he followed the poachers. Though they looked displeased at his presence, they did not stop him.
Along the way, the tunnel bore extensive traces of battle. All obstacles had already been cleared by Malevolent Ghost, allowing Sato and the others to move quickly.
About seven or eight minutes later, they emerged from the tunnel's end into a cavern filled with natural amethyst formations, illuminated by shafts of refracted sunlight. And there, they finally caught up with the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group.
At that moment, Malevolent Ghost's members were already locked in fierce combat with the wild Pokémon guarding the Crystal Cavern.
There were only four guardians—but each possessed strength approaching the Elite-Four tier.
It was obvious: these four powerful Pokémon were the Four Generals under Altaria, the last defensive force she had placed here to prevent intruders from advancing.
As Sato and the others entered the cavern, one particular wild Onix immediately drew everyone's attention.
Unlike a normal Onix, this one's body was partially composed of amethyst. A significant portion of its rocky structure had already transformed. Judging from its appearance, its body was still slowly undergoing a full metamorphosis into amethyst. Perhaps in another decade or two, it would become entirely crystalized.
Because of this unique structure, its typing had undergone special changes. It no longer feared Water- or Grass-type moves as much as normal Onix, and its special defense was noticeably higher.
Even more terrifying—it was far faster and more agile than a typical Onix. In this vast cavern filled with amethyst pillars, it moved like a phantom.
Worst of all, it seemed to have mastered Flash. During its charging attacks, its partially crystalized body emitted blinding purple light, severely obstructing the enemies' vision.
Because of that, almost none of the Malevolent Ghost's Pokémon could fight it head-on. They could only avoid its assaults.
During the battle, although this special Onix was not the strongest opponent present, it had the advantage of immense bulk, great endurance, and the ability to heal by consuming nearby amethyst. With these advantages, it completely suppressed Malevolent Ghost's Pokémon.
"A Crystal Onix… no—more accurately, an Onix undergoing crystal metamorphosis."
Looking at the troublesome creature obstructing Malevolent Ghost, Sato's face showed deep shock. Then he fell into thought.