Desperate Fight

Less than ten minutes after Sato entered, a beam of light shone into the underground cave. The Green Rank Killer cautiously sent Misdreavus in first to investigate before carefully climbing down himself.

Sato did not leave him clues for every slight adjustment in direction, but he had strictly calculated the distances between each passage. With a little effort, they could be found.

So even while riding Pidgeot, the other party had spent quite some time finding this underground cave. By this point, the Green Rank Killer had the constant feeling that he was being led around by the nose.

"Misdreavus, use Will-O-Wisp!"

"Dreamdream~"

Several cold, eerie blue flames appeared out of thin air. As though handing out fruit, Misdreavus gave three to its master and controlled another three Will-O-Wisps to circle around itself.

Under the glow of Will-O-Wisp, the Green Rank Killer could barely see the path ahead. Misdreavus seemed to enjoy such a dim environment and volunteered to scout ahead.

"Be careful."

"Dreamdream~"

Whenever Sato reached a corner, he stopped to think and get his bearings. The underground cave's layout was extremely complicated, yet strangely, it had only one entrance.

If he had not been trying to evade the encirclement and pursuit of the Johto Region Goldenrod Branch team back then, Sato would never have stumbled into this place.

He did not know how far he had gone in. If Sato had not visited this place more than once, even he would have struggled to remember these complicated, maze-like paths.

At the Same Time, near the Cave Entrance, the Green Rank Killer easily discovered the traces Sato had left behind. He took out his identification plaque, only to find that there was no signal here. If he wanted to report it now, he would have to go back.

Although he had noticed many suspicious things, he had only recently been promoted to Green Rank Killer and was currently full of ambition. Thus, even with doubts in his heart, he trusted his own strength more.

Besides, this was not his first time taking part in such rookie trials. He had never heard of such a huge cave existing inside before. Perhaps rare Pokémon or precious items were Hidden Beneath here?

Once he had firmed up his thoughts, the Green Rank Killer quickly followed Sato's completely undisguised trail.

On The Other Side, Sato could barely contain his excitement. In his previous life, he had been able to climb to the rank of Gold Rank Killer because Zorua accounted for thirty percent, Dark Power accounted for thirty percent, his luck and cautious nature accounted for ten percent, and the remaining thirty percent came from the second partner he had acquired during the trial.

"Huff... hoothoothoot... huff... hoothoothoot..." A steady Snore, like the breathing of a rock, gradually Entered Sato's ears.

He Tightened his fists, then glanced at Zorua beside him and Gastly Hidden Beneath the darkness. Sato quickly Walked Towards the source of the sound.

The closer he got, the more he could feel the unintentional sense of oppression it gave off. With every breath, the small stones in the underground cave trembled along with it.

As he slowly approached, the Dark Power within Sato's body also began to stir. The faint excitement it gave off continuously washed over his body.

Finally, its true form was revealed. A massive green beast as large as a mountain came into Sato's view. Green armor, powerful Limbs, a physique like Godzilla's—its savage aura shook Sato's mind even while it slept.

"Lari?"

The crisp, childish voice sounded especially abrupt in the cave. Looking toward the sound, he saw a young Larvitar lying atop the giant beast's back, curiously watching this unfamiliar visitor.

Long time no see, Larvitar, Tyranitar! Sato silently thought. He gave the adorable Larvitar a faint smile, then turned and headed back into the cave.

Since he had confirmed that Larvitar was in this underground cave, and the Tyranitar that was about to die had not left yet, then As Long As he dealt with the trouble behind him, Sato was confident he could Escape from here!

Don't Know when, the enormous Snore had already vanished. The green giant, Tyranitar, opened its somewhat cloudy eyes and looked in the direction Sato had left, seemingly deep in thought.

The deeper the Green Rank Killer went into the underground cave, the more alarmed he became. He had never imagined that such a place could conceal such a vast unknown area.

After passing another corner, Misdreavus consciously flew ahead with its Will-O-Wisps.

"Dream!"

A miserable shriek rang out. The Green Rank Killer was startled and instantly leapt backward. The Poké Ball In Hand was Cast Out straight ahead, and a powerfully built Arbok stood before him.

"Bang!"

Misdreavus weighed only one kilogram on average. Seeing it get Cast Out like a rag doll after becoming Incapacitated, the Green Rank Killer became exceptionally furious.

"Arbok, Acid Spray! Blast it!"

"Cha!"

Standing upright, the Arbok was fully Three Meters Tall, undoubtedly a massive creature as well. It stretched out its head and unleashed a barrage toward the corner.

Acid Spray shot out continuously, immediately filling the air with an extremely pungent odor. Even a slight whiff was enough to make one dizzy. This poison had clearly been specially refined.

"Kuku~" A wronged cry came from around the corner, sounding like Begging for Mercy after being attacked. Arbok froze and hesitated for an instant.

"Jiejie!"

An eerie laugh came from above Arbok's Top of Head. A huge Shadow Ball took advantage of the instant Arbok was affected and struck its head precisely! Fake Tears plus Shadow Ball! "Arbok, above you!" the Green Rank Killer loudly Commanded, but he suddenly felt a cold and eerie chill at his back.

"Splat!"

Unbeknownst When, Sato had Appeared In Front Of him from behind. The dagger In Hand stabbed diagonally into the other's shoulder, but it was not fatal!

"Ah! Sandslash, tear him apart!"

The Green Rank Killer turned around and threw out another Poké Ball. Sandslash's Claws came slashing straight at Sato!

Just a little more!

Sato was somewhat surprised by the other's vigilance, but even more frustrated by how frail this ten-year-old body was. Seeing That Sandslash had already Attacked, Sato could only roll aside and Dodged it in a Dishevelled state.

"Gastly, Curse! Zorua, Scary Face!" After Dodged another Slash from Sandslash, Sato viciously Commanded.

"Jiejie!"

At the critical moment, Gastly used Curse Without Hesitation. Its stamina was instantly halved, while Arbok's Sucker Punch was interrupted by Zorua's Scary Face.

"Ahhh! Kill them!"

The Green Rank Killer clutched his right shoulder and screamed in agony. The dagger had been coated in intense Dark Power, and its violent corrosive effect nearly made him pass out!

"Cha!"

Fake Tears, Scary Face, and Curse—the Arbok, also an expert at using Negative Effects, was finally experiencing the pain of all those opponents it had once tormented.

Seeing that the Gastly above its head was difficult to track, while Zorua had not shown itself Up Until Now, Arbok did not hesitate at all and turned its attack toward Sato!

But Arbok suddenly felt a cold chill spread through its body. The Curse effect activated, and One Quarter of its stamina vanished instantly!

"Gastly, keep firing Shadow Balls to hold off Arbok! Zorua, use Dark Pulse to kill that man!"