Is Someone Underground?

The forest park covered a vast area; it had been created by isolating a section of forest.

Spinarak and Sato wandered along, stopping now and then. They encountered quite a few Bug-type Pokémon that were rarely seen normally. After Sato came across Surskit and Illumise in succession, he was basically certain that most of the newly introduced Bug-type Pokémon had come from the Hoenn Region.

That made sense. Compared to regions such as Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos, the Hoenn Region was closer to the Johto Region after all.

National Park was a profit-making institution. Its largest customer base was not wealthy people, but common trainers without powerful Pokémon.

"If it's from the Hoenn Region, Shedinja is rather interesting. But as long as someone knows its weakness, it can be instantly defeated. It's too extreme." Sato shook his head, with no intention of raising one.

Unless he encountered a Pokémon that satisfied him immensely, Sato probably would not catch more Pokémon anytime soon. Larvitar and Spinarak already required a great deal of effort to train, and Sato had always wanted to save two slots for companions who had not yet joined him.

Unfortunately, judging by when they had appeared in his previous life, they had no fate with each other yet. They were not in Kanto or Johto.

Of course, Sato also would not keep those slots forever. But with that thought in mind, he would never settle for inferior substitutes.

"Chirchir!"

"Did you find something?"

"Chir!"

Spinarak impatiently ran toward the bushes to one side. Seeing this, Sato could only squeeze his way in with difficulty, arriving just in time to see Spinarak confronting a Nincada with a Face Full Of Seriousness.

"Spinarak, Poison Sting!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Poison Sting was not particularly powerful, but it could easily inflict the Poisoned State. Much of that came from Spinarak's unique Poison-type talent—its innate venom was far more terrifying than that of most other Pokémon.

"Crack crack!"

Nincada was completely unafraid of the Poison Sting. Silver White energy gathered around its two front claws, and with a few swift slashes, it smashed every Poison Sting apart! "Metal Claw! This Nincada's level is pretty good. Spinarak, String Shot! Don't let it get away!"

"Chir!"

The white Bug-type silk formed a Sticky Web, catching Nincada squarely as it Fell From The Sky. It immediately began struggling wildly!

"Spinarak, Sucker Punch!"

"Chir!"

Pure Black Dark-type Energy surged from Spinarak's body. Timing Nincada's movements, Spinarak viciously struck the Thin Wings at its waist.

"Crack crack!"

Nincada was In Agony and Couldn't Care Less about anything else. It frantically dug into the ground, breaking free from the Bug-type silk In the Blink of an Eye and Disappeared into the soil, Only Leaving Behind a fist-sized Cave Entrance.

"Chirchir!"

Seeing that it was about to win only for its opponent to flee, the furious Spinarak moved its six spider legs and prepared to burrow into the ground to drag it out.

"Forget it, Spinarak."

"Chirchir~" Spinarak paused, but obediently listened in the end, lying dejectedly at Sato's Feet.

"The underground is its territory. If you burrow in, be careful you don't get buried."

"Chir!" Spinarak's body shuddered. It thought about it dumbfoundedly, then decided its life was more important and gave up on Pursuit.

"Let's keep looking. Maybe there are other Pokémon you haven't seen before."

Spinarak nodded happily, its Short Legs clicking along. But after taking only two steps, it discovered that Sato had Disappeared.

"Chir?"

Spinarak turned and ran back to Sato, tilting its head in confusion. Hadn't he just said not to chase it? Why was he now crouching at the Cave Entrance? Sato reached his Right Hand into the hole and slowly released Dark Power to probe inside. Then, Dark Power conveyed an intensely disdainful emotion.

If it were a Bug-type Pokémon with high talent, it should be feeling disgust. But from the looks of it, only a Psychic-type or Ghost-type Pokémon could be Hidden Beneath the ground! "Spinarak, I found something even more interesting."

"Chirchir?"

"Haunter, go underground and see if there's anything unusual. If you encounter a burrowing bug, bring it up while you're at it."

"Jiejie jiejie~"

A ghostly voice came from within Sato's shadow. A pair of triangular eyes suddenly Appeared In Front Of the shadow before swiftly Disappearing.

Ever since Haunter had broken through to Elite Level, Sato had begun systematically teaching it assassin skills. Hiding In the Shadows, perfectly concealing its aura, was one of the things it was learning.

Beside him, Spinarak stared with its round Little Eyes, Dumbfounded as it watched Sato, who had told it to give up Pursuit, turn around and send Haunter to avenge it.

In an instant, Spinarak's affection for Sato and Haunter soared. With tears in its eyes, it Rubbed Against Sato's pant leg, looking deeply moved.

Feeling the rubbing against his ankle, Sato habitually stroked Spinarak before continuing to consider what secret might be hidden underground, completely unmoved by Spinarak's theatrics.

"Chir~"

Spinarak took the initiative to rub against the outstretched hand. Squinting its Little Eyes, it was overjoyed.

"Boom~ Boom boom~"

Several muffled sounds suddenly came from underground. Haunter had surely found something and Caused a fight. Sato's Heart Tightened as he grew somewhat worried about Haunter.

Elite Level Combat Power was not particularly strong, but Haunter was Good At escaping. If it Can't Win, it should be able to get away.

Nearly Half an Hour passed like that. Spinarak had already started dozing at Sato's Feet when Sato finally sensed Haunter Returned To his shadow.

"Jiejie jiejie~"

Haunter's voice was somewhat weak. Clearly, the opponent below had exceeded its expectations.

"Are there people down there, or only Pokémon?"

"Jiejie~"

"How much combat power do they have?"

"Is there a way in?"

Before long, after a complicated exchange, Sato roughly understood the situation below. Thinking it over, he decided to have Haunter lead the way and investigate it himself.

Going deeper into the forest, Sato Walked To the boundary between National Park and the wild forest. If he went any farther, the Competition Ball used for the Bug-Catching Contest would be locked and Unable to Use.

Furthermore, trainers had to return the Competition Ball within the specified time. Otherwise, the organizers would make a note in Sato's trainer records that he had stolen a Poké Ball.

"According to Haunter, the danger inside Should Be limited. Quick Battle, Quick Decision." Thinking of This, Sato walked out of National Park. The Competition Ball In Hand instantly became powerless and could no longer be used.

"Haunter, lead the way."

"Jiejie!"

A Black Shadow appeared on the ground. Sato Recalled the slower Spinarak and quickly followed alone.

A few minutes later, Haunter stopped and circled a patch of grass. Sato examined the turf and found A Circle of obvious dividing lines, which would have been impossible to notice without looking carefully.

"The mechanism Should Be nearby." Sato looked around. The most conspicuous thing was a Large Stone without any moss growing on it.

"You'll do." After feeling around for a moment, Sato quickly found a round protruding button in a groove beneath the stone.

"Click!"

Thank You to reader Tinglan Shenliu for the 100 Book Coin reward. Thank You all for your support, thank you!