"Let's go, Bellsprout."
Waking up early in the morning, Icarus, already fully packed, could barely contain his excitement.
"Spri…?"
Bellsprout called out sleepily. It had been dreaming about endless worms to eat.
"Bellsprout, let's go get some fresh Bug-type meat!"
"Spri spri ω!"
The moment it heard "fresh worm meat," Bellsprout instantly perked up.
"Come on. The city gates just opened. We'll return before they close tonight."
Icarus still had no plans to spend the night in the wild. Without a second Pokémon or Bellsprout breaking through to the Normal tier, it was too risky. After all, Bellsprout was still at the freshman level and not a nocturnal Pokémon. Nighttime outside the forest was dangerous.
In truth, Icarus had already begun considering his second Pokémon.
"Preferably something that can fly or has detection abilities. It would be even better if it could operate well at night."
Several Pokémon silhouettes flashed through his mind.
"I'll wait until Bellsprout reaches the Normal tier. Higher-aptitude Pokémon are either in the inner forest or need to be bought… which means I need to make a lot of money."
As they walked, the warm morning sun shone over them.
"Stay alert, Bellsprout. Watch especially for Rattata or flying Pokémon. We'll circle around the tricky ones and eliminate easier targets."
Rattata were fast, and flying Pokémon were even harder to handle. Without control moves, keeping them from escaping would be difficult. Still, since Bellsprout lacked experience against flying opponents, Icarus decided he might test one if the opportunity arose.
---
Not long after entering the forest outskirts, they spotted four Caterpie on a large tree ahead.
Two were clearly larger, their bodies marked with scars—veterans of the wild.
The other two were smaller, occasionally chirping toward the larger ones.
"A family," Icarus murmured after lowering his binoculars. "Unlucky for you."
"Bellsprout, move into position. When I throw my knives, use Thorn Whip on the two smaller ones. Activate Growth first. One strike each—finish them immediately."
"Spri."
Bellsprout nodded.
"After that, come back and assist me with the two larger ones. Understood?"
"Spri!"
It quietly moved into position.
Watching its increasingly skilled stealth, Icarus nodded. Real combat truly was the best teacher.
Once within throwing range—
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Four knives flew toward the two larger Caterpie.
"Wooo!"
The larger Caterpie reacted instantly. Silk Shot shot out from their mouths, precisely catching two knives. One swung upward using silk attached to a branch, while the other deflected another knife midair.
They looked almost smug—ready to punish the human.
Then—
"Wooo! Wooo!"
Two shrill cries erupted from behind them.
"Smack! Smack!"
Under the sunlight filtering through the forest canopy, Bellsprout, boosted by Growth, struck.
With its attack power sharply increased, Thorn Whip now carried force close to—or even crossing—the Normal-tier threshold.
The two smaller Caterpie never stood a chance.
One strike each.
Both were slammed to the ground, instantly losing the ability to fight.
"Wooo…"
One of the larger Caterpie froze atop the branch, letting out a grief-stricken cry.
The other—likely the male—erupted in rage and charged at Icarus.
It understood. Capture the human, and the terrifying plant would lose command.
"Too late," Icarus said calmly while dodging. "Your strength isn't bad—but your partner lost her head. Bellsprout, break that branch and knock her down midair!"
"Spri!"
Though it initially wanted to confront the stronger one, Bellsprout obeyed instantly.
"Crack!"
The vine smashed into the branch, snapping it clean.
"Wooo!"
The female Caterpie fell.
Before she could recover—
"Crack! Crack!"
Thorn Whip struck repeatedly midair.
The smaller, weaker body could not endure the barrage.
With a final thud, it fell lifeless to the ground.
---
"Wooooo!"
Seeing its mate and offspring fall, the male Caterpie's eyes turned red with fury. Pale white energy enveloped its body as it charged recklessly at Bellsprout.
"Courage is admirable," Icarus said coldly. "But battles aren't won by emotion. Bellsprout, head-on."
"Spri!"
Two vines lashed forward.
"Bang!"
The male Caterpie was sent flying without suspense.
Previously, a strong Caterpie had managed to block Vine Whip.
But this time, Thorn Whip's power was on another level.
"Bind it. Then use Absorb to recover your energy."
"Spri spri."
Vines wrapped tightly around the fallen Caterpie, wooden thorns digging in.
"Wooo…"
As Absorb activated, visible streams of energy flowed through the vines into Bellsprout.
The struggling gradually weakened.
Then stopped.
---
"Good job, Bellsprout."
Icarus glanced at the fallen female.
"We can't leave her alone. Send them off together."
"Spri."
Now fully replenished and in peak condition, Bellsprout finished the last Caterpie cleanly with Thorn Whip.
The family of four lay silent beneath the tree.
Icarus exhaled slowly.
Their first true show of power in the forest had begun.
(End of Chapter 28)
---------------Author---------------
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