"Who's there?!"
Rose's voice rang sharply through the forest, the sudden attack completely wiping away the playful confidence from her face. Her fox-like eyes widened as she scanned the darkness, trying to locate the attacker. At the same time, she did not hesitate to activate her combat suit. In an instant, blue-white armor wrapped tightly around her body, sealing every vulnerable point.
Her gaze quickly locked onto the sky.
There, a Honchkrow hovered silently.
"…Black Sky."
Recognition flashed across her face, and the image of that cold, calculating boy surfaced in her mind.
"So it was you."
Hidden no longer, Silas stepped out from the shadows. His earlier sneak attack had failed, which made him reassess the situation instantly. The reaction speed of her Pidgeot was sharper than he had expected,far beyond ordinary reflexes.
Since the element of surprise was gone, there was no point in hiding. Silas leapt down from the tree, landing lightly as a faint current of wind cushioned his descent. Behind him, Crawdaunt and Sharpedo moved into position, while Honchkrow circled above like a silent predator.
Rose forced a smile, though the tension in her eyes betrayed her.
"Heh… so you heard everything, didn't you? Those twins were targeting you, you know. I just happened to take the hit for you."
Silas didn't reply. He simply stared at her, and the silence made the atmosphere grow heavier with each passing second.
Her smile stiffened slightly.
"Don't be like that," she continued, her tone softening into something almost coquettish. "We're on the same side. We can still talk this out."
"Put the poison away," Silas said calmly. The words were simple, but precise.
Rose's pupils shrank.
Without another word, Honchkrow flapped its wings, sending a controlled gust sweeping through the area. The barely perceptible toxins lingering in the air were instantly dispersed. The wind lifted Rose's wine-red hair, briefly exposing her neck and with it, two small concealed devices.
Silas noticed them immediately.
Poison mechanisms.
Hidden even during conversation.
This woman was dangerous to the core.
Rose swallowed, a thin layer of sweat forming on her skin.
"…Alright," she said after a pause. "Let's be direct. I'll give you all the credit for this mission. Everything I have,I'll hand it over. Just let me leave."
Silas let out a faint chuckle.
"If you die, the credit is already mine," he said. "As for your wealth… I'll collect it myself."
The killing intent in his eyes was no longer concealed.
Rose's expression hardened instantly.
"So that's how it is."
The next moment, both sides moved.
"Crawdaunt, Aqua Jet into Night Slash. Sharpedo, Aqua Jet—then Ice Fang. Honchkrow, Tailwind, boost everyone. Umbreon, stay with me and provide support."
Umbreon stepped close to Silas, its glowing rings faintly shining in the dim forest.
Rose reacted just as quickly.
"Venusaur, use Leech Seed! Breloom, Mach Punch—intercept! Sunflora, Sunny Day! Pidgeot, Air Slash!"
The battle erupted instantly.
Water-type attacks tore across the ground while wind blades cut through the air. Energy clashed violently, shaking the surrounding forest. Both sides commanded multiple Pokémon at once, turning the battlefield into chaos.
However, the imbalance was obvious. Rose's Pokémon had already gone through a previous battle. Their stamina was low, and several carried visible injuries. From the very beginning, she was at a disadvantage.
She realized it too.
"Damn it…"
Her expression darkened as she made a decision. From her storage device, she took out a small purple pill. For a brief moment, hesitation flashed across her eyes but it quickly disappeared.
"Venusaur catch it and swallow!"
Silas' eyes sharpened instantly.
"Stop her!"
But it was too late. Venusaur consumed the pill.
In the next moment, a crimson mist erupted from its body. Its size rapidly increased, muscles bulging as vines thickened and twisted. The aura surrounding it surged violently, climbing higher and higher without stopping.
Silas' expression turned serious.
"So it's a temporary enhancement drug…"
Instead of panicking, he made a decision immediately.
"Change targets. Crawdaunt, assist Sharpedo—take down Breloom first. Umbreon, use Attract disrupt Venusaur. Honchkrow, Brave Bird—target the two Sunflora in the back!"
His reasoning was simple.
The true threat wasn't just Venusaur.
It was the field.
The two Sunflora had activated Sunny Day, amplifying Venusaur's strength while boosting its speed through Chlorophyll. As long as they remained, Venusaur's power would continue to rise.
Remove them And the situation stabilizes.
High above, Honchkrow let out a sharp cry and dove downward, its body wrapped in dark energy as it became a black streak cutting through the sky.
The battlefield shifted once again.
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(End of chapter)