"Thud—"
As Icarus stepped out from the forest, a flicker of panic crossed the girl's face. But she quickly regained her composure. Without hesitation, she tossed her small backpack aside—several energy crystals scattered across the ground.
"My lord… everything valuable I have is here. Please, let me live."
Icarus raised an eyebrow.
"You're smart… but—"
Before he could finish, the girl suddenly spoke again, her tone urgent.
"Wait! I also have an Evolution Stone! I'll give it to you—just let me go!"
She flung something toward him.
"Hmm?"
Icarus caught it instinctively.
A plain stone.
Fake.
His eyes sharpened—just as two throwing knives shot toward him.
Clang! Clang!
Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist—his own knives shot out, knocking hers aside mid-air.
By the time he looked up again—
The girl was already fleeing.
"…Not bad."
Instead of getting angry, Icarus smiled.
"As expected from someone trained by a major family."
But he wasn't worried.
He still had Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto—catch up. Use Gust—but don't kill her. Just teach her a lesson."
"Pidgeot!"
The bird shot forward instantly.
Meanwhile, Icarus casually walked behind, picking up the scattered crystals.
"Eight… greedy girl."
---
Up ahead—
The girl ran desperately.
But it didn't matter.
Within seconds, Pidgeotto overtook her.
Several small tornadoes formed ahead—
"Ahh—!"
She ran straight into them, thrown into the air as sharp winds slashed against her protective suit.
Boom!
She hit the ground hard.
"It hurts… it hurts…"
Though not seriously injured, the pain overwhelmed her.
By the time Icarus arrived, she was already down.
He gestured.
"Weepinbell."
"Bell~"
A cloud of Sleep Powder drifted down.
"Wha… why do I feel… so… sleepy…"
Moments later, she lost consciousness.
---
Icarus stepped forward.
"Let's see what you were hiding."
He searched her belongings first—then found two small booklets.
The first: a student ID.
Third-year. About to graduate. Fifteen years old.
The second: an award certificate.
First place.
Prize: an Evolution Stone.
Icarus smirked.
"So you really do have one."
Now he searched more carefully.
Much more carefully.
This wasn't about anything else—it was simple logic.
If there's something valuable, you find it.
Doesn't matter who it's on.
After a long and thorough search—
He finally found it.
A faintly warm stone.
"…A Leaf Stone."
He let out a short breath.
"You really hid it well."
He slipped it into his bag without hesitation.
---
"Bell~…"
Weepinbell looked at the stone, clearly drawn to it.
"Relax. This one's low quality," Icarus said plainly. "When you evolve, you'll get something better."
"Bell…"
Satisfied, it nodded.
"Carry her."
"Bell!"
With a vine, it lifted the unconscious girl easily.
---
"Pidgeotto, check again."
A few minutes later, Pidgeotto returned—
Driving a man toward him.
"My lord! Spare me! Please spare me!"
The middle-aged man dropped to his knees instantly.
Icarus glanced at him.
A driver.
Not a trainer.
"Civilian?"
"Yes! Just a driver! I don't know anything!" the man cried, quickly offering five energy crystals. "This is all I have—please, take it!"
Icarus stared at him for a moment… then shook his head slightly.
"Not worth the trouble."
"Weepinbell."
"Bell~"
Another wave of Sleep Powder.
The man collapsed.
---
With two captives secured, Icarus turned back toward the battlefield.
"Let's go."
"Pidgeotto, keep watch. Tell me when the fight ends."
"Pidgeot!"
Carrying his gains—both people and resources—Icarus moved steadily through the forest.
Not rushing.
Not careless.
Because out here—
Greed gets you killed.
But controlled greed?
That's how you win.
-------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapter
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
U can read 10 chapters ahead just for 5$