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The bags belonging to those five hunters also contained precious items like evolutionary stones that had been plundered from the second and third floors of the tower.
Steven had taken them out and placed them aside earlier, but he hadn't carried them with him. Should he run first, or go back for the stones?
After a brief one-second consideration, Steven immediately said to Metagross, "Metagross, quickly return to the first floor!"
"Meta?" Although Metagross was puzzled, it still followed Steven's instructions and quickly took him back to the first floor of the Mirage Tower.
At the same time, the shaking of the Mirage Tower became increasingly violent, as if it would collapse at any moment. When Steven arrived at the first floor, the cracks immediately spread there as well.
"Metagross, take them with us!"
Steven saw the five hunters lying motionless on the ground. Not only had he not taken the stones from them, he hadn't even taken their Pokémon yet.
Steven didn't particularly care whether the five of them lived or died. But thinking of the Pokémon... Steven ultimately chose to save those Pokémon.
However, removing their belts one by one would take too long, so he could only take all five hunters away together first.
Metagross's eyes glowed blue as it used Psychic to lift all five people, carrying them out of the Mirage Tower.
Rumble...
Steven had barely escaped the Mirage Tower for five seconds when the entire structure collapsed with a thunderous roar!
"Phew... I was tricked by that bastard," Steven gritted his teeth and cursed.
How did that guy know the Mirage Tower would collapse? Was he calculating everything in his mind while pretending to chat casually?
"Damn it!"
Steven glanced coldly at the five people lying on the ground. Their hands and feet were broken, and if left here, they would die from being unable to move.
"You can atone for your past deeds right here."
He didn't know how many lives were on the hands of those who had tried to kill him. Their deaths caused no ripple in Steven's heart.
But Steven always felt that Pokémon were innocent. The type of trainer determined the type of Pokémon. These things could change gradually, and Pokémon had a chance to reform.
Perhaps this was his consideration for a different species.
"Repent for the crimes you've committed..."
Steven suddenly changed his mind.
"Metagross, use Psychic to attack their brains," Steven said coldly.
They were currently unable to resist Metagross's psychic invasion. Let them live like this—with immobile limbs and reduced mental capacity, appearing foolish and harmless.
Steven didn't care why they had become Pokémon Hunters, but that was no excuse to wantonly plunder and take other people's lives.
"Metagross."
Metagross nodded. It would carry out all of Steven's commands without question.
Finally, Steven took their backpacks, called the Hoenn region police department hotline, and Officer Jenny would come to collect them later. They had lost to him, so the contents of their bags naturally became his spoils of war.
This matter came to an end once Steven dragged them out of the desert area.
It must be said, Steven was truly fortunate. If his luck had been even slightly worse, he wouldn't have made it out of the Mirage Tower today.
Steven was originally hesitant about taking other people's items. But then he realized these were also things the hunters had stolen, so he felt relieved.
The items inside the Mirage Tower had no owners, and it was only natural to award them as spoils of war to the victor.
He left behind some items that appeared modern, along with a message requesting Officer Jenny to find the original owners and return these stolen goods.
Steven then left the area and headed west toward Fiery Path. He still trusted Officer Jenny's efficiency.
"In the end, I still don't know what was on the fourth floor," Steven muttered.
Steven found a secluded spot and began inspecting his spoils of war.
"This is..."
Steven pulled out a Poké Ball that resembled a regular one but had some additional protruding metal components.
"An ancient Poké Ball?"
The color of the ancient Poké Ball was darker than modern ones. And this was just an empty Ball, which he could keep for his collection.
In addition to various rare and high-quality ores, there were also three perfectly crafted orbs. They were pink, dark purple, and fiery red.
Life Orb, Toxic Orb, Flame Orb.
"Quite a haul," Steven said, bringing the orbs closer to observe the beautiful energy swirling within them.
But he only observed them briefly, not lingering too long. It would be uncomfortable if he accidentally got poisoned or burned.
The Life Orb used extra stamina to unleash greater power, and Steven was concerned about becoming weaker the more he used it. His stamina couldn't compare to a Pokémon's.
In any case, Steven's training resources for the future were now completely sufficient. Just the type-enhancing gems alone formed a complete set, and there were quite a few of each.
The next Gym was a Fire-type Gym, so he would need to train his team well for a period beforehand.
"However, after today's events, I should rest and recover my stamina first."
Most Steel-type Pokémon excelled in physical defense, but for a Fire-type Gym, special defense might be more important. But once their strength increased, it wouldn't be so difficult.
Skarmory and Lairon were both Advanced-level Pokémon, and now their strength needed to be rapidly improved. Steven wanted to see how much they could improve in half a month.
The future Champion Green could train a batch of Champion-level Pokémon within three months, truly living up to his reputation as a premier breeder. Steven couldn't achieve that level currently. In half a month, Lairon and Skarmory could at most reach the peak of Advanced-level, unable to reach Elite-level, let alone reach Champion-level with an additional month.
Once Green grew up, he would discuss more Pokémon breeding knowledge with him. He also had many opportunities to get to know Green.
Aside from meeting in battle, if he contacted Red more often, Green would likely come looking for him as well.
"Skarmory's Brave Bird still isn't proficient; it needs more practice. Scyther can teach it Aerial Ace... It also needs to learn Spikes. I'll need to get a Stealth Rock TM another day."
"Lairon should train Iron Tail, Heavy Slam, and Iron Defense... Its physical strength can also be enhanced, and its close combat ability can be practiced with Metagross."
"Scyther has pretty much mastered all the moves it can learn naturally. Let me see... I've got it! Acrobatics!"
Steven rummaged through his bag and found a Technical Machine, along with the small disc used to convey skill training methods and details to Pokémon.
Scyther's ability was Technician, and Acrobatics fit perfectly with it—its damage increased when the user held no item.
Swords Dance and his custom Counter Shield technique were fully mastered, and combined with Acrobatics, they would deal devastating damage.
"As for Metagross, it could learn Stomp from Lairon and then evolve that technique into Earthquake."
In half a month, Metagross could probably improve its strength considerably. But breaking through to Elite Four-level would still require some special opportunity.
Steven roughly outlined his training plan, then began setting up his tent and preparing a grand feast to reward his Pokémon. Facing so many Elite-level Pokémon at once, they were all exhausted.
Next...
Steven pulled out his cooking utensils, his gaze determined.
"Leave it to me!"