"Rio!"
While human Trainers had to climb one step at a time, Riolu bounded straight up to the next landing.
In theory, as a Pokémon about to challenge a Gym, Riolu should have stayed in her ball to conserve her strength. Instead, she chose to climb on her own. A mountain like this was hardly a challenge for her.
"Meownei, go on ahead and catch up with her. Don't worry about me. I can manage."
Seeing how energetic Riolu was, Xin Mu motioned for Meownei to follow her.
As for him, his current fitness made climbing the mountain perfectly manageable, but running up it was a bit unrealistic.
Xin Mu had no worries about Meownei going out alone, but Riolu was still a little young. He therefore told Meownei to catch up first and wait for him at the summit.
"Meow~"
Meownei answered and hurried ahead.
Along the way, Xin Mu saw plenty of other people who also wanted to challenge the Gym. Their fitness levels varied, and quite a few had started trembling in the legs before they were even halfway up.
There were also some heavyset people struggling up the mountain as though they were trying to lose weight.
"Careful, buddy. Head back if you can't manage."
Someone ahead stepped on loose gravel and nearly twisted his ankle. Walking right behind him, Xin Mu instinctively reached out to steady him.
Although this was a separate trail, it wasn't far from the main route. Side paths connected them at regular intervals, and taking one out meant giving up.
"Thank... huh? I know you! You're that... that... Meowscarada's Trainer!"
The man Xin Mu had steadied actually recognized him, but even after racking his brains, he couldn't remember Xin Mu's name. In the end, all he remembered was Meowscarada.
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