Shiko took the gem.
He nodded to Flapple, giving it a satisfied look.
Then he closed his palm around the gem.
Threads of rippling energy flowed out of it and into his body.
The attribute laws he had mastered seemed to rise by the tiniest margin again.
When Shiko opened his hand, the gem had already lost its blue sheen and turned into a transparent crystal.
At a glance, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary, slightly larger gemstone.
Shiko exerted a little force.
He easily crushed it into powder.
Then he scattered it into the air.
He turned around and stood atop the mountain peak, sweeping his gaze across the valley below.
Watching the many busy wild Dragon-type Pokémon, Shiko couldn't help feeling as if he were sitting on a throne, enjoying the satisfaction of ruling over a valley of dragons.
But what he didn't notice was—
the moment he turned, he happened to give the person hidden in the shadows a clear view of his full appearance.
Roki's pupils abruptly contracted.
A powerful shock surged through him.
This—
so that's it!
This was a Pokémon he had never seen before!
A brand-new discovery for the field of Pokémon studies!
And—
judging from this Pokémon's looks and aura…
there was no doubt.
It was strong.
Very strong.
It was definitely one of the overlords of this valley!
A top-tier one, at that.
Which meant—
this unknown Dragon-type Pokémon most likely…
just like the valley's fearsome existences such as Garchomp, Salamence, and Kommo-o…
was a pseudo-legendary beneath the third-tier Legendaries!
After reaching this conclusion, Roki's face lit up with uncontrollable delight.
This was the Pokémon he wanted!
Only a Pokémon like this—
was worthy of a genius like him!
He hadn't even been in the valley long, and he'd already found his target!
He forced down the excitement in his chest, hiding in the shade of the trees and staring at Shiko with intense focus.
Roki needed to judge what level this Pokémon's strength was at.
If it was Elite Four-level…
then it would be troublesome.
At its current full, peak condition, the Pokémon he had brought probably couldn't beat it.
However—
after carefully observing and analyzing for a long time, Roki's expression gradually shifted into relief and delight.
This Pokémon…
seemed not to have reached Elite Four-level!
It was at quasi–Elite Four level!
There was a chance!
And judging by its build…
it was very likely a dual-type: Dragon and Ground.
If that was the case, then this Pokémon's best base stat was probably Attack.
Perfect.
A lot of the Pokémon he had on hand were extremely sturdy physical walls.
Even though none of them had reached quasi–Elite Four level—
the strongest was only peak Gym-level—
with him as the Trainer directing them, with that added boost…
fighting a wild Pokémon…
even if the opponent's level was a bit higher…
wasn't impossible to win!
At that thought, Roki's eyes ignited with blazing fire.
There was a chance.
Maybe today…
he really could catch this Pokémon!
If he caught it—
then when competing with the Military for the qualification to enter Mt. Silver, he'd have a 100% guarantee!
Even—
that "peerless genius" who had made a whole group of Pokémon university principals abruptly end a meeting and rush off…
the Military's super rookie, Himeko…
might not be his match anymore!
Roki's gaze hardened with determination.
Staring at Shiko, he made up his mind.
But—
before trying to catch Shiko through victory in battle…
there was still a simpler, luck-based method worth trying first.
Roki stepped out from the patch of shade where he had been hiding.
A figure suddenly appearing right in front of him startled Shiko.
He narrowed his eyes at the skinny young man with an afro.
And he keenly noticed the Poké Balls hanging at Roki's waist.
A Trainer?
Why was there a Trainer inside this valley?
Hadn't the Military already been told to seal this place off?
Shiko's face filled with suspicion and confusion.
But he quickly thought of another possibility.
This young man probably wasn't part of the Military.
That aside—
he had popped out in front of Shiko out of nowhere…
and was staring at him with that kind of look.
What exactly did that mean?
Shiko was still thinking—
when Roki suddenly pulled out an empty Poké Ball and threw it straight at him.
"Hm?"
Shiko froze.
Only then did he realize what this guy was trying to do.
So this brat…
wanted to catch him?
A teasing look rose in Shiko's eyes.
With a sweep of his tail, he knocked both Roki and the flying Poké Ball away in one strike.
As expected.
Seeing that, Roki sighed inwardly.
Looks like his luck today wasn't very good.
He had thought that throwing a ball as a surprise might give him a chance to catch this Pokémon.
No choice, then.
The next second, he took a Poké Ball from his waist, tossed it casually, and released his Pokémon.
"Hrrrmm—!"
A boar-like Pokémon appeared before Shiko.
It had a pair of sharply curved, fang-like tusks and a body covered in long brown fur.
Its thick, heavy build looked packed with power.
Mamoswine?
A Pokémon like this was truly rare inside the Great Axia Alliance.
Mamoswine generally lived in extreme cold regions.
And within the Great Axia Alliance's territory, glaciers and snowy mountains were extremely uncommon.
No wonder Shiko was surprised.
Looking closer—
this Mamoswine had been raised well.
Elite Four-level potential.
And right now, it was already at peak Gym-level.
"Mamoswine! Use Ice Fang!"
Roki stared at Shiko, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
Mamoswine was tough and thick-skinned.
And it was Ice-type.
Against a Ground/Dragon Pokémon like the one in front of him, it posed a serious threat.
With a bit of luck—
sending out just this one might be enough to take it down!
Mamoswine lifted its head and let out a long howl.
In its eyes, fighting spirit flared like fire.
Its two white tusks turned deep blue, coated in intense Ice-type energy.
It stomped forward on its thick, short legs—
charging at Shiko with an unstoppable momentum.
So he's serious?
This kid really wants to catch him?
Shiko felt speechless.
All he wanted was to stay here and steadily raise the attribute laws in his body to one hundred percent.
Why did people keep coming to disturb him?
[A special quest has been triggered…]
[Special Quest: Defeat the Trainer in front of you and leave him with severe psychological trauma so he won't dare come disturb you again.]
[Reward: 5% Steel-type law.]
Oh?
An unexpected bonus?
Shiko hadn't heard the system's electronic voice for a long time.
He didn't expect a special quest to trigger today.
And since there was a reward—
and it was a full five percent of the Steel-type law—
Shiko's lazy eyes grew a little more serious.
Facing the charging Mamoswine, Shiko began gathering a dense mass of Fire-type energy in his mouth.
The terrifying heat warped the very air around it as if the space itself were being scorched and twisted.
Roar!!
With a thunderous bellow, a massive fireball slammed into Mamoswine.
Explosive heat and raging Fire-type energy burst across its body.
In an instant, its entire form was engulfed in flames.
One hit—instant knockout!
Mamoswine immediately lost the ability to battle, black smoke billowing from its body in heavy clouds.
What?
Shouldn't this Pokémon be Ground-type plus Dragon-type?
Why could it use such an absurdly powerful Fire-type attack?
Could it be Fire plus Dragon-type instead?
Confusion and astonishment flashed across Roki's face.
But he quickly steadied himself.
After recalling Mamoswine, he drew another Poké Ball and released his next Pokémon.
Even though Shiko's strength shocked him—
Roki felt even more excitement than anything else.
The stronger Shiko was…
the more he desired, the more he hoped…
to catch him!
"Next, I'm counting on you!"
The Poké Ball flew out.
A huge, burly Pokémon appeared before Shiko.
Its body was earthy brown.
Around its shoulders, underbelly, knees, and lower abdomen were red, protruding, square plates of hardened armor.
On its head and the front of its nose extended a drill-like horn.
This was Rhyperior.
Another rare Pokémon.
Ground/Rock dual-type.
And it had great HP and excellent physical bulk.
Peak Gym-level strength.
And its talent was also Elite Four-level.
Tch.
This kid probably wasn't some ordinary Trainer.
To casually pull out two Pokémon this strong—
he had to have some status and background.
But none of that mattered to Shiko right now.
There was only one thing he wanted to do:
cleanly and decisively crush this Rhyperior.
"Wuhhooo—!"
Rhyperior roared, watching Shiko with a wary look.
"Rhyperior! Drill Run!"
The moment Roki finished speaking, Rhyperior's massive body began spinning at high speed.
Its six razor-sharp horns radiated a sense of lethal penetration, like they could shatter anything.
It charged straight for Shiko's body.
This strike—
was aimed precisely at Shiko's heart.
If it hit—
it would be a critical hit straight to a vital point.
There's a chance!
Seeing this, Roki's face lit up as he clenched his fist.
As long as he could heavily injure this Pokémon—
then the next step…
he'd have a chance to catch it!
Nice momentum.
Shiko silently evaluated Rhyperior.
But—
with this level of strength, trying to beat him was wishful thinking.
Shiko swept his tail.
Steel-type energy condensed over his body.
That yellow tail marked with blue patterns instantly became coated in metallic sheen—
as if it had been forged from alloy.
Iron Tail!
A Steel-type move.
Against Rhyperior, it dealt double damage!
Shiko swung his long tail forward—
Boom!!!
A violent collision erupted.
Shiko's tail actually blocked Rhyperior's Drill Run head-on.
Sparks flew everywhere.
After a brief moment of stalemate—
Rhyperior was flung backward, rolling along the ground for a distance before stopping.
Its eyes had already turned into spirals.
It was completely dizzy—on the verge of passing out.
The sudden reversal left Roki dumbfounded.
How did a situation that looked evenly matched…
flip in an instant?
His Rhyperior…
was also one-shot?
Wait—
this Pokémon already had terrifying Fire-type energy, which was outrageous enough.
Why did its Steel-type energy…
also seem unbelievably strong?
What was going on?
What type was this Pokémon?
What type was it?!
After recalling the unconscious Rhyperior, Roki's expression grew heavy and cautious.
The earlier excitement in his eyes vanished.
Now, he only had one Pokémon left.
And this bizarre Pokémon in front of him…
didn't seem to have taken any damage at all.
It was still in perfect condition.
Could it be…?!
Roki took a deep breath.
He could only place his final hope—
on his last Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)
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