Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom (200 - 398)

Chapter 297: The Crow's Mouth

Judging by this person's appearance, he's probably not one of the elite Officers' subordinates.

Otherwise, Cain wouldn't have had such an easy fight against him.

Although Cain didn't use his full strength in the previous battle, he didn't even mention that the Haunter hidden in the shadows didn't intervene.

Part of the reason is that he couldn't be certain the opponent was alone, so he needed to maintain some response capability. Another reason is that the opponent's two Pokémon didn't pose a significant threat to him.

Although the opponent's Pokémon had considerable power, they didn't pressure Cain too much.

If he had really been willing to risk taking damage, Slowpoke could have defeated the opponent on its own.

The reason he didn't pursue the opponent was that he couldn't be sure if he was alone. In this unknown forest, although the opponent appeared suddenly and it's unlikely he had companions, popular wisdom says not to pursue a cornered enemy.

Cain had Slowpoke and Miltank work together to defeat Machoke and then took the Poké Ball Murkrow had delivered, trapping the still-furious Primeape who was trying to attack.

This high-quality Primeape, if evaluated by its value alone, could be worth close to a million Pokédollars.

Furthermore, the opponent had trained Primeape quite well, which could further increase its value.

Cain had Murkrow and Slowpoke clean up the scene and then released a Grimer to absorb the remains of Machoke.

Actually, this Machoke had decent quality and combat ability, but since it had already been captured by the opponent, Cain couldn't control it, so he decided to dispose of it to avoid risks.

Being absorbed by Grimer is at least not a total waste of resources; it's like recycling something that no longer serves a purpose.

Cain took out a medicinal spray from his ring and treated Miltank's wounds, as she had been injured in the battle.

Though her milk restored energy, some bodily wounds couldn't heal immediately, and the spray would speed up recovery.

"Mii~~" Miltank closed her eyes in satisfaction and let out a pleased sound.

Cain smiled, patting Miltank's head, and said, "Good job, Miltank."

To avoid revealing his full strength, he had to let Miltank withstand the first blow from Machoke and Primeape.

"Mii!" Miltank shook her head firmly. She knew that in terms of direct combat, she no longer had a primary role in Cain's team.

She used to have some combat responsibilities, but now that Skorupi and the others have grown, she's taken a back seat.

Still, she was happy to keep fighting. The injuries she suffers now are much less than those she endured when she lived alone.

Cain understood Miltank's feelings and sighed quietly.

Miltank, due to her natural limitations, was gradually being left behind.

However, Cain was looking for solutions. Besides using Whitney's family method, the energy crystals provided by the system could also improve Miltank's quality.

With continued use, even if Miltank's quality doesn't improve much, it will at least be enough to deal with simpler enemies.

After all, her primary function is support.

Once the scene was thoroughly cleared, Cain continued advancing in the forest in the direction indicated by Slowpoke.

After walking for over an hour, Cain realized he was probably at the other end of the Trial Island.

Because in this area, he could smell the salty sea air, and there were small shells and other marine remnants on the ground, suggesting the ocean wasn't far away.

Furthermore, as he ventured further, the levels of the wild Pokémon increased as well.

Compared to the other part of the island, which had been cleared by Team Rocket, the wild Pokémon here had higher levels.

After a battle, Murkrow stopped moving ahead to scout.

Many people could recognize Murkrow. If someone ambushed him while he was alone, it could be dangerous.

Now, he stayed close to Cain along with Slowpoke, both Pokémon constantly on alert, just like the old days.

Gradually, Cain began to notice the presence of various Pokémon hidden under trees or among the leaves. They didn't attack but kept their eyes fixed on him.

Five or six Pokémon that looked like purple spheres started to gather silently behind Cain.

Murkrow and Slowpoke had noticed them from the beginning, but since they weren't attacking, they didn't pay attention.

However, as time passed, more joined the group.

And with their growing numbers, their courage increased, and they stopped fearing Murkrow and Slowpoke.

Cain also slowed his pace, realizing that not only were they behind him, but many of these purple Pokémon were appearing in the trees and bushes in front of him.

Their red, compound-like eyes glowed in the dark jungle, as if emitting a faint reddish glimmer.

These purple Pokémon were Venonat, covered by a layer of hard purple fur, with two large eyes serving as their insect-like compound eyes.

Venonat are fairly timid Pokémon, but when their numbers reach dozens or hundreds, even the smallest of them stops being timid.

"I hope I haven't accidentally entered Venonat territory," Cain thought.

From what he was seeing, he probably had.

"If it's just Venonat, it's manageable. I just hope no Venomoth appear," Cain said, stopping and observing the increasing number of Venonat around him, sweating a little.

Venomoth is Venonat's evolution, occurring when Venonat reaches level 31. So, if a Venomoth appears, it'll be a level 30 or higher Pokémon.

The difference between a level 30 Pokémon and a level 20 one is significant. Moreover, if there's one Venomoth among so many Venonat, it's likely not the only one.

"Fuuuun~~"

From deep within the forest, a strange sound reached Cain.

Hearing it, his expression immediately changed.

"Damn it, I've summoned it! Murkrow, Slowpoke, be on alert!" Cain cursed quietly.

(Murkrow: Caw, caw?)

At the same time, the Venonat began to move en masse.

As their bodies shifted, a cloud of purple powder filled the air.

The move Poison Powder.

Venonat is a Pokémon skilled at using three types of powders. Depending on their level, they can produce different kinds of powder.

Cain felt as if he were back on Nameless Island, in the territory of the poisonous Butterfree.

"Murkrow, flap your wings and keep that powder away from us. The level of these Venonat isn't low," Cain said.

According to the system, the level of these Venonat was almost all above 20. Being so numerous, they posed a threat. Moreover, the sound coming from the forest seemed to indicate the presence of Venomoth.

(End of chapter)

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