"Well, this is indeed the Bellsprout I cultivated myself."
Icarus, who had been secretly observing the scene, nodded in satisfaction.
Originally, he had been a little worried. After all, Pidgey had grown up in the cultivation room — would it hesitate at its first real kill?
But now it seemed he had worried for nothing.
Bellsprout wasn't just fooling around.
No… it was demonstrating solid leadership.
"Boom!"
After taking down several Rattata and Caterpie, Pidgey's eyes changed in Icarus' view.
Before, Pidgey had been like a diligent student — obedient and energetic.
Now, after blood had been shed, something wild had awakened in its veins.
Soon, the Caterpie and Rattata lying on the ground closed their eyes forever.
Icarus quickly began processing the spoils, while Pidgey and Bellsprout guarded the surroundings.
---
"Ah… why won't they accept ordinary low-level Rattata?"
Icarus sighed while handling the body of one Rattata.
Before coming here, he had already asked around. Most official Pokémon Houses would not accept low-aptitude Pokémon. Black market shops usually refused them too.
Unless they had special value.
For example, Zubat — because they can fly and navigate caves — still had some resale value.
In Icarus' opinion, it all came down to additional utility.
Rattata were strong — but only at the rookie stage. In the outer forest, they ranked high.
But once someone broke through to ordinary-level trainer and entered the inner forest, many stronger species appeared.
There, Rattata were merely prey.
"Still… this Rattata leader shouldn't be bad."
After finishing cleanup, Icarus released the Rattata leader, sprayed wound medicine, and examined it.
Mid-tier ordinary aptitude at best.
Unlikely upper-tier.
The front teeth of the Rattata he had previously given Uncle Sam were clearly more developed.
"But not bad. It's still money if I sell it to the Pokémon House."
He stored the Poké Ball and began selecting the next target.
---
"Pidgey, scout the surroundings again."
After two rounds of battle, quite some time had passed.
He doubted nearby Pokémon hadn't heard the noise. They likely retreated farther away — the result of guards wreaking havoc in the outskirts for two days.
Otherwise, with such a strong smell of blood, something would have attacked already.
After a longer scouting session than before, Pidgey finally returned.
"Pidgey? Pidgey!"
Standing on Icarus' shoulder, it reported its findings.
As expected, most nearby Pokémon had avoided this bloody area.
The closest group was five Rattata — but still at some distance.
"Good. Let's hunt them."
"Spri spri!"
Bellsprout was excited.
Previously, whenever they encountered more than two Rattata, Icarus had avoided them.
Now, with Pidgey's help, this fast species had become their prey.
---
By the time they approached, the sun had reached its peak.
"It's already noon."
Icarus checked his watch — 11 a.m.
"Pidgey!"
Pidgey flew back, reporting that the Rattata group had stopped moving. Likely resting due to the strong midday heat.
"Good. Same strategy — powder tactics. We'll rest after this."
He took out two pieces of Caterpie meat from his backpack and handed them over.
"Eat first. Restore your strength before attacking."
"Pidgey~"
"Spri~"
They were indeed hungry. The previous two battles had consumed significant energy.
Bellsprout was still in decent condition — it could absorb nutrients to restore stamina.
But Pidgey had been scouting and using Gust repeatedly. Its energy was clearly below half.
In the wilderness, however, the trainer's orders came first.
Pidgey never complained.
"I'm sorry, Pidgey. I forgot you don't have recovery moves."
Seeing Pidgey finish its portion quickly, Icarus realized his oversight.
He immediately gave it a larger piece.
"Pidgey~ Pidgey!"
Pidgey felt deeply satisfied. Having a thoughtful trainer made all the difference.
---
After replenishing energy, they advanced carefully.
At the optimal position:
First — Sleep Powder.
Then — Poison Powder.
The five Rattata's combat ability immediately dropped.
"Good! Pidgey, use Gust to suppress them!"
"Bellsprout, use Vine Whip when you see an opening!"
"Whoosh!"
A strong gust swept toward the Rattata.
"Ratta! Ratta!"
But this time, things didn't go as expected.
Three Rattata reacted quickly and used Quick Attack, forcefully breaking through the wind to escape.
"What?! They're that smart?!"
"Bellsprout — quickly finish these two!"
"Spri spri!"
Under the blazing noon sun, Bellsprout's Vine Whip — now at full ordinary-level strength — struck hard.
"Thud! Thud!"
The two weakened Rattata were slammed to the ground, shrieking.
"Pidgey, use Tackle! Finish them!"
"Boom!"
Without hesitation, Pidgey struck.
"Boom! Boom!"
The two Rattata lost all fighting ability.
---
"Hurry, Pidgey! Fly up and chase!"
"They've been poisoned. They can't run far after using Quick Attack."
"If you find one, attack from the air with Gust. Don't get close!"
Pidgey nodded and flew off in pursuit.
Icarus and Bellsprout stayed to process the spoils.
The three Rattata had fled in two different directions.
For Pidgey's first solo pursuit, chasing just one was safest.
As long as Pidgey followed orders, it should succeed.
"Pidgey!"
It answered confidently.
"Be back within ten minutes — whether you catch it or not. Be careful!"
"Pidgey!"
---
As he worked, Icarus couldn't help but shake his head.
"You really can't underestimate any Pokémon…"
Those Rattata escaping through Gust had been unexpected.
He gave a wry smile and continued handling the loot.
(End of Chapter 63)
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