Weedle's Strange Reaction

A venom sac from a snake Pokémon.

The only snake Pokémon that could appear in this area were Ekans and Arbok, both relatively violent Pokémon that enjoyed attacking humans.

However, with the strength of those five Spearow, they probably could not handle an evolved Arbok. That meant it was most likely from an Ekans.

They had likely kept this venom sac because the scent it emitted could drive away mosquitoes, snakes, ants, and other insects in the wild.

After all, besides Pokémon, these common ordinary creatures also existed in the wilderness.

Whether Ekans or Arbok, both were Poison-type Pokémon.

Xia Yan had previously been reading books related to Bug-type and Poison-type Pokémon, thinking about how to improve Weedle's Bug-type and Poison-type abilities.

While reading about how Poison-type Pokémon increased their Poison-type Infinity Energy, he had come across information on enhancing a Poison-type Pokémon's toxicity.

Poison-type Pokémon could increase their toxicity by consuming the vital organs of other Poison-type Pokémon—the venom sacs where they stored their toxins—while also strengthening the power of their Poison-type moves.

However, this method of improvement was not accepted by the Pokémon League, so the book had only mentioned it briefly without going into detail.

Xia Yan knew such a method existed, but he did not know exactly how to carry it out.

To be safe, he put it away.

He would see whether he could find materials containing specific operational details in the future before letting Weedle eat the venom sac to increase its toxicity.

Weedle's Poison-type talent had already revealed itself during its earlier Rage. Xia Yan felt it was worth developing further.

When it saw him put away the venom sac, Weedle wore a pitiful expression.

It had nearly been unable to stop itself from swallowing it in one bite. If it had not wanted to show Xia Yan first, it probably would not even have carried it out of the nest.

Seeing its expression, Xia Yan smiled and flicked its little head. "What are you sulking for? Sooner or later, it'll be yours. But this thing is dangerous. Eating it without preparation might not be good for you. It could even be dangerous. Endure it for now."

"Wuu..." Weedle could only lower its head helplessly.

"There might be other good things here. If it's something you can eat right away, I won't stop you," Xia Yan comforted it.

"Wuu?"

"Really."

He picked it up and continued walking through the area of Densewood Forest for which he was responsible, clearing out any potentially dangerous Pokémon.

Other than the five Spearow causing him a bit of trouble, the rest of the Pokémon really were not difficult to deal with.

Other than taking a short break for lunch at noon, they did not rest at all.

The sun slanted westward.

The forest remained quiet. Xia Yan and Weedle's arrival had not broken its tranquility.

At the deepest Edge of Densewood Forest.

"That should be about enough. It's getting late. We should head back."

After clearing Densewood Forest, he should have earned quite a bit today. Adding the unexpected snake gall, the overall haul was fairly good.

Tomorrow, he would make another trip through Densewood Forest with that edgy teenager Kenji. The Energy Cubes and Pokémon food Weedle needed for the next while should then be covered.

"Oh, right. That Spearow hanging from the tree—when we head back, we should see whether it's still alive. If it is, maybe we can trade it for some money."

After muttering that, Xia Yan suddenly noticed that the usually quiet Weedle had been staring behind him.

Noticing its abnormal behavior, Xia Yan raised his brow slightly. "What is it?"

"Wuu."

Weedle gave a low cry, its eyes fixed on the depths of the dim forest.

As the light faded, visibility within the forest grew lower and lower.

Faintly, dim red lights could even be seen flickering among the trees.

"Wuu."

Weedle called softly again.

"Beyond there is no longer Densewood Forest. Any unknown danger could be lurking inside," Xia Yan said, understanding what Weedle meant but unable to stop himself from warning it.

"Wuu."

Yet Weedle looked at him with a face full of longing.

"Tch."

Xia Yan could not help clicking his tongue.

Weedle had sensed that within those dense woods, beyond Densewood Forest's boundaries, there was something tremendously alluring to it.

It was even more tempting than the venom sac from before.

So tempting that it disregarded Xia Yan's warning and desperately wanted to obtain whatever was inside.

From Weedle's reaction, Xia Yan could guess that whatever was inside was no ordinary thing.

But—

The woods at night were the most dangerous.

Many highly aggressive Pokémon would not appear during the day, but once night fell, it became the time for them to come out and move about.

These Pokémon were often extremely dangerous, most of them creatures near the top of the food chain. Humans like Xia Yan and low-level Pokémon like Weedle were their targets.

Still—

Looking at Weedle's longing eyes and impatient expression, Xia Yan knew that if he had not stopped it, it would probably have already rushed out.

"Then we'll give it a try."

Xia Yan let out a long breath and made his decision.

"Wuu?" Weedle looked at him with surprise and delight.

Xia Yan said irritably, "Just a try. If the threat is too great or we encounter too much resistance, we'll retreat immediately and come back tomorrow during the day."

That was what he said, but Xia Yan knew that something capable of provoking such a strong reaction from Weedle was probably just as attractive to other Pokémon.

A struggle between Pokémon might already have begun.

Perhaps when they returned tomorrow, the thing attracting Weedle would already be gone.

Some things, once missed, were simply missed.

That was also why Xia Yan decided to go in and take a look.

"Wuu!" Weedle nodded heavily.

It also knew it was dangerous and did not want Xia Yan to be threatened. But the thing inside truly held a great attraction for it, and if it did not go in to look, it would not be able to let it go.

"Eat this Energy Cube. Rest for ten minutes, and once you've recovered enough, we'll go in. It probably won't make a difference if we wait ten minutes."

As he spoke, he took out a whole Energy Cube.

Weedle did not say anything. It merely obediently ate the Energy Cube and silently recovered its strength.

Very soon.

Ten minutes passed.

The sun also set quickly, and visibility in the woods became extremely low.

"This is no less dangerous than before. If you can't guarantee one hundred and twenty percent vigilance, we'll withdraw," Xia Yan emphasized again.

Entering woods like these placed the greatest pressure on him.

"Wuu!"

Weedle swept its tail across its chest, showing its determination.

"Then let's go."

He stepped forward, leaving the comfort zone of Densewood Forest.

Danger could descend at any moment.

His mouth opened slightly, and his Adam's apple moved as he drew moldy, foul-smelling air into his lungs. Holding his breath, the thin air gradually spread through them.

He felt the burning pain in his lungs and the pulse beating beside his ears.

His attention became intensely focused.

With Weedle, he left Densewood Forest and entered an area the Pokémon League had named Autumn Leaf Forest.

In the Pokémon League's danger classification, this forest was a medium-danger area. It had completely left the bounds of Goldenrod City and entered the central region between two cities.

Do not underestimate medium danger.

Densewood Forest, after all, had been classified as a no-danger area.

However—

If they encountered something they could not handle, they would retreat immediately. There should not be any major problem.

Hopefully.