Ganging up

The three of them had been walking for nearly two hours since leaving the Pokémon Mission Hall. Hauling all that fat along, the chubby guy simply couldn't go any farther.

"We're definitely heading the right way," Gao Xiong said confidently. "I've spent so much time in Magnolia Forest that I couldn't get lost even with my eyes closed."

"You're the problem, fatty. I always told you to exercise more. Now you're paying for it."

The chubby guy really couldn't take another step, so the three of them stopped to rest and have an early lunch.

Once they had rested, they set off again. According to Gao Xiong, they were already very close to Ekans's habitat.

"That damned Ekans. If I run into it, I'm going to skin it alive," the chubby guy said as he dragged his exhausted body along.

"You said it. When we find Ekans, you can lead the charge," Gao Xiong said with a chuckle.

"I was only joking. When it counts, we'll still need you," the chubby guy said, promptly backing down.

"Haha, don't mind him, little brother. My buddy talks a lot, but he doesn't mess around when it comes to a real fight," Gao Xiong explained to Zhang Cheng, worried he might think the chubby guy was unreliable.

Zhang Cheng nodded in understanding.

After nearly another ten minutes of walking, they saw fewer and fewer wild Pokémon around them.

All three went on high alert. They knew what the dwindling number of wild Pokémon meant: Ekans was nearby.

"Ekans~ Ekans!"

An Ekans's cry suddenly rang out, and Zhang Cheng instinctively darted to one side.

Poison needles now covered the spot where Zhang Cheng had just been standing. Ekans had ambushed him with Poison Sting.

Fortunately, Zhang Cheng had reacted quickly enough. Otherwise, he would