'Run Away' Ability

Judging solely from this Oddish's attribute information, there was nothing special about it. It was much like the earlier Weedle. But based on what had just happened, its sensitivity to its surroundings and reaction speed were both quite impressive.

Could it be because of the Run Away Ability?

That seemed to be the only explanation.

Oddish ran faster and faster, but Weedle followed closely behind. Then Shu Tong remembered that Weedle also had the Run Away Ability.

Were they competing to see who could run away faster?

This also gave Shu Tong some ideas about the Run Away Ability. In the game, it was described as an effect that allowed a Pokémon to flee successfully from wild Pokémon encounters regardless of any obstruction from the opponent.

But this was reality. It could not possibly be summarized by a simple game description. From Oddish's performance just now, Shu Tong was more inclined to interpret the Run Away Ability as an acute sensitivity to unusual developments nearby, allowing its user to react immediately and ensure a successful escape.

With that thought in mind, Shu Tong decided to find more Pokémon with the Run Away Ability and test it out.

"Weedle." Shu Tong called out to Weedle, though his command had already been conveyed through their connected Telepathy.

Weedle swiftly received Shu Tong's order. It first used String Shot to latch onto a branch ahead, then used the familiar maneuver to launch itself into the air.

Riding the momentum, Weedle moved to the upper front of Oddish.

Oddish's reaction speed was still fast. It braked sharply, turned around, and fled.

But this time, Weedle had the high ground and gave it no further chance. Seven or eight Poison Stings shot out in a barrage, striking Oddish squarely in the back. How could such a weak Oddish withstand that blow? It lost its ability to battle.

Weedle immediately wrapped Oddish up with String Shot.

"Eat all the leaves on its head," Shu Tong ordered.

Weedle hesitated for a moment, but quickly carried out the command.

Bugs eating grass was simply their nature.

Shu Tong had given that order because he had specifically looked up the relevant information. As a dual Grass type and Poison type Pokémon, Oddish's leaves were its primary means of attack. They possessed powerful gripping strength, and most of its toxins were concentrated within its five leaves. Even if the leaves were cut off in battle, they could quickly grow back.

He could study the Run Away Ability while Weedle consumed Oddish's toxins. Two birds with one stone.

Weedle rapidly approached the bundled Oddish and, in just a few bites, gnawed all the leaves off its head, giving it a bald scalp.

Oddish's poison differed from Weedle's. Shu Tong could clearly sense new Poison type energy entering Weedle's body.

With that Oddish dealt with, Shu Tong and Weedle began searching for the next Oddish with the Run Away Ability. To Shu Tong's surprise, the Run Away Ability, supposedly a hidden Ability, was actually more common than Chlorophyll. They had already gnawed the leaves off three Run Away Ability Oddish in a row.

Weedle's body had also become bloated from the accumulating Poison type energy it could not digest.

"Let's rest for a while." Shu Tong found a tree and sat down.

He had already used Viridian Force three times today and still felt extraordinarily weak. If he used it once more in his current state, he would surely collapse from exhaustion. He estimated that Weedle would be unable to endure it after consuming the leaves of one more Oddish, so he decided to sit down and rest for a while.

While resting, Shu Tong took out his phone and entered: Oddish's Ability into Alakazam Search.

The answer he received was: Oddish's Ability is Chlorophyll. During Sunny Day or Drought weather, its Speed becomes twice its original value. Of course, many Oddish have no Ability. Such Oddish are only good at running away and are unsuitable for battle.

Had the Run Away Ability not been discovered yet?

Shu Tong entered another query: Weedle's Ability.

The answer he received was: Weedle's Ability is Shield Dust. Additional effects of moves used by opponents against Pokémon with this Ability will not activate. A small number of Weedle also lack the Shield Dust Ability. They flee at the first sign of danger and are unsuitable for cultivation as battle Pokémon.

Now Shu Tong could finally be certain that the Run Away Ability truly had not been discovered. That explained why there were so many Run Away Ability Oddish and Weedle here. Most Oddish and Weedle with normal Abilities had already been caught.

After defeating two more Run Away Ability Oddish, Weedle finally collapsed under the swelling Poison type energy.

After Shu Tong used Viridian Force this time, the world spun around him and he nearly fainted. He took quite a while to recover before barely managing to Get Up.

"Chirp." Weedle looked at Shu Tong with concern.

"I'm fine. We gained quite a lot today, and I need time to digest it too. It's getting late, so let's head back first," Shu Tong said.

Weedle nodded.

Shu Tong slowly walked with Weedle to the electric scooter outside the woods, then recalled it into its Poké Ball.

"The backlash from using Viridian Force is too intense. I can't take it. Looks like I need to strengthen my physical training too." Shu Tong leaned over the electric scooter to recover, while reviewing today's battles.

After fighting Pokémon with the Run Away Ability consecutively, Shu Tong had gained a new understanding of it: Pokémon with this Ability were extremely sensitive.

They noticed the slightest disturbance immediately, reacted with incredible speed, and instinctively fled or evaded. If this capability could be developed, it would definitely shine in battle.

Only after he had mostly recovered did Shu Tong ride his electric scooter home.

After dinner.

As he had yesterday, Weedle drank a hundred grams of baijiu. It became unusually excited after drinking, swinging in circles from branches using String Shot. The String Shot was clearly much tougher than yesterday's. It only snapped after five or six consecutive swings, but Weedle did not fall to the ground. Instead, it used its bodily coordination to land steadily.

In a single day, Weedle's progress seemed almost divinely assisted.

And that "divinity" was naturally himself. Shu Tong watched Weedle with pride.

Shu Tong did not remain idle either. He began all sorts of physical training in the courtyard.

Squats, frog jumps, push-ups—after completing a full set, Shu Tong became increasingly astonished. Over the course of this day, it felt as though he had done nothing at all, yet his physical fitness seemed to have undergone a qualitative change. The number of squats, push-ups, and other exercises he could previously complete had doubled today, yet he did not feel tired at all.

Could Viridian Force also be gradually changing his body?

"Since the effect is so strong, then I'll go all out. Weedle, hurry and intensify your special training. Faint sooner, so you can surpass your body's limits sooner."

"Chirp! I'm already working hard."

Smack!

Weedle's body reached its limit, and it fell to the ground, already unconscious.

Viridian Force quickly reached it. This cycle repeated again and again until Shu Tong felt completely drained, and only then did he end today's special training.