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Liam poked his head out, and the first thing that came into view was a massive underground cavern. The walls all around were wrapped in rock, and at the very center of the ceiling seemed to be a water source — clear water continuously bubbled down, forming a small lake in the middle of the cavern.
Around the lake, several Slowpoke were sleeping peacefully, being freely captured by a group of people in black clothing.
There were indeed quite a few people here, all wearing black uniforms — clearly members of the Hunter Group.
They were openly and recklessly capturing Slowpoke, stuffing each one into long iron cages, stacking the cages together. Judging from the pile, there were already over twenty caught, but the group clearly wasn't satisfied and kept going.
"Come on, everyone! We're almost at the number we need. Lord Beima will be coming soon to pick them up personally. We absolutely can't afford any mistakes!"
"Yes, sir!"
Slowpoke really lived up to their name. With their vacant, dull expressions, they didn't even try to run when approached — they didn't even bother turning their heads. They simply lay still on the rocks by the lake as the Hunters netted them up and tossed them into cages.
"Report! The number of Slowpoke is enough!"
After grabbing a few more, the member counting the captures shouted to another squadmate.
"Alright, got it. Stop catching them — leave the rest here so they can keep breeding. If another client needs them, we'll just come back. Pack it up, we're leaving."
The man who received the report glanced at the now-thinned Slowpoke group by the lake, smirked, and waved for the others to start moving the captured Pokémon.
Seeing this, Liam knew he couldn't wait any longer. He signaled to Scyther, preparing to launch an ambush.
But just then—
"You bastards! Where exactly are you planning to take the Slowpoke God? Doing this will get you punished!"
A rough, angry voice shouted from a corner as the Hunters started moving the cages.
"Huh? Someone else? Oh, right…. didn't they catch a guy from the nearby town too? So that's where he was…"
Liam, who had been ready to attack, paused and quietly pulled back into the tunnel to watch.
"Hey, old man! What are you yelling about? You should be thankful we haven't roughed you up yet! If you weren't so old, we would've already taught you a lesson, you hear?!"
A Hunter ran toward the voice and yanked out a short, "elderly" man. His hands were tied, but his expression was not the least bit fearful — just full of rage.
"Bastard! You're the old one! Your whole family's old! I'm not even forty yet, you hear me? Where do I look old to you?!"
His words left everyone silent — including Liam.
"Oh, come on! You've practically lost all your hair, and you expect me to believe you're under forty? Who's buying that story?"
Hearing this, the "old man" immediately grew more agitated, struggling furiously. His curses poured out nonstop until the Hunter, now annoyed, raised a fist to hit him.
"Stop!"
Seeing this, Liam knew he couldn't stay hidden anymore. He leapt from the tunnel mouth, shouting at the Hunter to stop.
But then—
"Ahhh!"
The "old man" cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.
"Bastard! I told you to stop! Why'd you still hit me?!" he yelled at the Hunter, still aggressive despite being on the ground.
"How was I supposed to know who you were? You think I'd stop just because you told me to? Hey, you with the mask! Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?!"
The Hunter glared at Liam, while the other squad members stopped working and turned toward him cautiously.
Liam was already in a foul mood and when that happened, he never held back in a fight.
"Scyther! Vacuum Wave!"
"Chyaaas!!"
At the command, Scyther darted in front of Liam, its blade-arms slicing through the air, sending rapid blades of compressed air flying toward the Hunters.
The attack came so fast that they didn't even have time to react — in seconds they were scattering like headless chickens.
"You bastard! You dare attack the Hunter Group? Clearly you don't know who you're messing with! In that case, I'll teach you! Go! Sunkern!"
The Hunter who had hit the "old man" dodged the attack by rolling through the dirt, then stood up, furious and filthy. He quickly sent out his Pokémon to fight Liam.
"Haaana"
Liam stared at the wide-eyed Sunkern that appeared in front of him, feeling… awkward.
"Hahaha! Scared now, huh? Too late! I'll teach you a lesson! Sunkern, use Razor Leaf!"
"Haaa~na!"
Sunkern shook the green sprout on its head and threw out… a single flimsy leaf.
Yes. Just one. And it looked like a strong breeze could blow it away.
"Chyaaas…"
When the leaf finally drifted close, Scyther wordlessly swung a blade, slicing it to bits. Its face then twisted into a glare full of fury at being underestimated.
"Haaa—!!"
One glare from Scyther was enough to make the Sunkern burst into tears and jump back behind its trainer's legs, refusing to come out.
Hunter: "…"
Liam: "…Hah. And I was expecting an actual battle. I waited all this time for this? Scyther — use the back of your blade!"
"Chyaaas!!"
"Ahhh! Nooo!"
"Aaahhhh!"
Scyther dashed forward, its blades a blur. Within a few breaths, the only ones still standing in the cavern were Liam and Scyther.