Although Doka's little movement was subtle, it did not escape Hunter K's cautious gaze.
His whole body was already tense, ready to retreat at any moment. Even without Dian mentioning it, he knew that anyone bold enough to enter the Forbidden Zone on Nebel Plateau, where the "Red Demon" lived, could hardly be ordinary.
Besides, the explosion high overhead moments earlier had proved that point.
Hunter K abruptly retreated. His movement seemed to trigger a chain reaction, and Jill, Qike, and the other Hunters scattered, quickly hiding in the surrounding area.
Hunter K's retreat was the most spectacular of all. Without moving his body, he sailed through the air more than thirty meters away. A closer look revealed an Ariados clinging to his back, using String Shot.
One glance was enough for Jill to understand why Hunter K did not need a "Dog Leash." There was a reason for that. K was still K, and the leader capable of "taming" him was naturally even fiercer and more formidable. That immediately extinguished Jill's plans to escape in the confusion... He had secretly kept a Gulpin skilled in using Gastro Acid, ready to neutralize the threat of the "Dog Leash" around his neck at any time.
But he understood even better that if he had such a trick, the others naturally did too.
And if even he could figure that out, how could their leader possibly fail to see it?
The "Dog Leash" was merely insurance. What truly kept that insurance in place was nothing other than their leader's strength!
Strength!
That was what everything came down to!
"Attack!"
The instant Hunter K's urgent voice rang out, a tremendous roar followed. "ROAR—ROAR!!"
Thud! Thud!! Thud—!!
With those pounding footsteps, Hunter K, a top Pokémon Hunter second only to Hunter J, revealed a