Grovyle spun like a top and slashed with its third strike, faster than the first two and from an even trickier angle.
"Bwoo—!"
Ampharos let out a low growl, enduring the pain in its right hand as it raised that hand again and swung from the side, trying to crush Grovyle's assault with even more violent lightning.
But it had not expected Grovyle's attack power to increase by a far greater margin than its own, nor had it expected this strike to land precisely on the wound from their first clash.
The power of Fury Cutter doubled with every successful hit—the first strike might have merely been an ordinary Leaf Blade combined with Rock Smash, but the second had already doubled in power. By the third, its power had reached more than triple its initial strength.
Ampharos's combination move consisted of Power-Up Punch and Thunder Punch. Every time it hit an opponent, its fists hardened, increasing its attack power.
However, each increase could raise its attack power by no more than 1.5 times. Compared to Grovyle's terrifying rate of growth, it was utterly insignificant.
"Psh—!"
The sound of the blade cutting into flesh was dull yet distinct.
The corner of Ampharos's mouth twitched slightly in pain. The wound on its flat right paw, formed during their first collision, had been sliced even deeper.
Blood mixed with golden sparks and was instantly vaporized into a faint bloody mist at the moment of impact.
Seeing the injury on Ampharos's right hand, Misaki Takahashi's pupils contracted as she immediately realized the problem.
"It's Fury Cutter..." She gritted her teeth, her voice carrying a trace of frustration. "Thunder Wave! Use Thunder Wave, quickly!"
Just as she shouted the order, Grovyle seized the opportunity to launch its fourth strike.
The leaf blade on its left