Lian swiftly swallowed the "mud." Surprisingly, it tasted quite good, with a salty and slightly spicy flavor, reminiscent of eating hot chili strips.
After finishing, Lian licked his lips. Despite its unappealing appearance, the taste was enjoyable, and it also increased his growth level—a win-win situation.
He estimated that he could continue consuming this food for about another month before its effects diminish, although they might gradually weaken over time.
Last night's visit to the Dream World had already elevated Lian to Level 49, with noticeable improvements in his abilities.
"Have some more," Kalia took out another piece of "mud" and tossed it, which Lian promptly caught and ate.
As time passed, Lian and Kalia traversed the South Sea, gradually approaching the Ellie Region—this being their second journey there.
Upon entering the Ellie Region, Kalia headed towards Oceanview City, flying directly toward it.
Oceanview City was bustling with people, as tomorrow marked the day when mid-level trainers from the Ellie Region would launch an assault on the Oceanview Tower. It promised to be an intense battle.
No one wanted to miss such a monumental battle; witnessing this level of combat was rare, typically only seen in movies.
Upon arriving at Oceanview City, Kalia first sought out the mission requester, a wealthy merchant named Samson. Although over three hundred Trainers were set to attack the Dark Guild tomorrow, potentially liberating those trapped within the tower, the affluent merchant from Sebas had not canceled the mission. Therefore, completing it remained valid.
If he were to renege on the task, the Pokemon League would have the authority to hold him accountable. This showcased the advantage for Trainers, as they stood behind the powerful Pokemon League, the dominant force in any region, with no other entity capable of challenging its influence.
Outside Oceanview City:
"Is it just you?" A slightly portly man looked disappointingly at Kalia. He had anticipated many Trainers would accept the mission, but instead, only one girl arrived, and she appeared to be a mid-level Trainer.
Noticing his disappointment, Kalia realized that his reaction stemmed from seeing only her, doubting her ability to complete the rescue mission alone.
Kalia explained, "It's just me. You should understand that all high-level Trainers from the Sebas region have already gone to the West Coast. Very few would be confident enough to undertake this mission; I'm the only one willing to accept it."
While Kalia couldn't guarantee success, she knew her chances were significantly higher than any other mid-level Trainer.
"Ah." The heavyset man, Samson, sighed and shook his head. He was aware there were no high-level Trainers available in the Sebas region at present, but he had little choice. His friend's life hung in the balance, and without the Pokemon League's assistance, rescue seemed impossible.
He glanced at Kalia once more and sighed, "Give it your best shot. If you don't succeed, there's not much else we can do except wait for tomorrow's battle between Ellie Region and the Dark Guild. May the outcome favor our friend's safety."
"Leave it to me," Kalia responded confidently, though she couldn't make any guarantees. With the major battle set to begin tomorrow, the Dark Guild would likely be too preoccupied to focus on those inside the tower, providing her with an opportunity to carry out the rescue.
Following their conversation, Kalia entered Oceanview City.
Currently, Oceanview City remained relatively normal. Kalia found a hotel where she planned to rest for the day before commencing the rescue mission the next morning.
***
The next day.
A large crowd had gathered in Oceanview City because today marked the mobilization of nearly all mid-level Trainers from the Ellie Region for their assault on the Oceanview Tower.
At one particular square within Oceanview City, over three hundred mid-level Trainers assembled, representing almost the entirety of the Ellie Region's mid-level Trainers.
Leading them were three Elite Four members, who surveyed the group. Although the formation wasn't perfectly organized, it was not a concern; what mattered most was the respect evident in every mid-level Trainer's gaze.
In the Ellie Region, people held a deep reverence for strength. The Elite Four trainers represented the pinnacle of power and status, garnering admiration and respect from virtually all other Trainers.
"You should already be aware of why we've gathered everyone here today. I won't waste time repeating it. First, any Trainer without flying type Pokemon is advised to refrain from participating in this battle." Sanji, the Fighting-type Elite Four member, spoke with a booming voice that resonated throughout the entire square.
Without Flying-type Pokémon, Trainers would have to enter from the ground floor of Oceanview Tower. However, the interior space is limited, and mid-level Trainers possess significant destructive power. Engaging in battles there could easily cause massive damage.
Therefore, it's best to shift the battlefield to the sky, minimizing destruction to the tower. Additionally, members of the Dark Guild are likely stationed on the rooftop; even if entering from the bottom, the final confrontation will inevitably occur at the top.
In reality, Trainers without Flying-type Pokémon are few, as traveling without them can be highly inconvenient. Typically, mid-level Trainers own at least one Flying-type Pokémon, even if not their primary choice, for transportation purposes.
Otherwise, they'd constantly rely on vehicles and, like ordinary people, purchase tickets for longer journeys, wasting valuable time. Having a Flying-type Pokémon offers immense convenience, allowing instant travel to various locations without additional expenses.
"Next, our destination is the rooftop of Oceanview Tower. All Trainers, release your Flying-type Pokémon now. We'll assemble in the air and prepare for departure!"
Upon hearing this, everyone swiftly took action, releasing their Flying-type Pokémon. They climbed aboard and soared into the sky.
Once all Trainers were organized in formation, led by the three Elite Four members, they flew towards Oceanview Tower.
Meanwhile, Kalia left the hotel and approached Oceanview Tower, awaiting her opportunity to infiltrate it discreetly.
The person she aimed to rescue was named Jean, whom she suspected might be related to a wealthy merchant.
Jean had originally come to the Ellie Region for a business transaction with clients at the Oceanview Tower. However, during negotiations, the Dark Guild suddenly attacked Oceanview City, seizing control of the building and preventing anyone inside from leaving. Consequently, Jean became trapped and could only seek help externally through the internet.
This led to Samson posting a mission, hoping the League would send someone to rescue Jean.
Many people gathered near Oceanview Tower, spectating as if waiting for a spectacle.
Kalia didn't plan to enter from the ground floor; it would be too conspicuous. Instead, she intended to wait until combat commenced and slip into the building amidst the chaos.