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After listening to Liam's words, Max gave him a speechless glance before continuing.
"Just as you said earlier, that Hunter Group goes around poaching Pokémon with methods that are utterly despicable. Once, when they were trying to capture a Bellossom near Mahogany Town, I happened to pass by with Lina. Naturally, we couldn't just ignore it—we stepped in and taught them a lesson."
At this point, Max paused slightly, his brows furrowing, clearly about to touch on something crucial.
"We had already subdued those Hunter Group guys, and while we were waiting for the police to arrive and take them away… a mysterious person suddenly attacked us!"
"That guy was unbelievably strong! I never thought a human could physically go head-to-head with my Charizard! But he did it… with nothing but his body, he completely overpowered Charizard. At the very last moment—if Charizard hadn't shielded me from most of the damage, and if the police hadn't arrived when they did—we both probably would have died there…"
Recalling that battle, Max's expression twisted, his face dark with resentment and unwillingness.
"A mysterious person… attacking you out of nowhere? Was that mysterious person part of the Hunter Group? And to fight your Charizard with just his body! Could he be some kind of martial arts master?"
Humans who could surpass some Pokémon with sheer physical ability did exist. Liam knew of several, including Bruno, Kiyo from Johto and, of course, Sabrina.
Leaving aside other regions, just those few—though their powerful bodies and martial skills let them contend with Pokémon—it would still be extremely difficult to outright crush a Charizard. Who, then, was this man who injured Max?
Liam's thoughts raced, his face showing puzzlement as he asked Max.
"I don't think that mysterious person was part of the Hunter Group. Maybe he did intend to rescue those poachers, but judging by their reactions, they didn't seem to know him either… As for being a martial arts master, I don't think so. His fighting style was very strange—his movements were bizarre, not something normal people could pull off. And he seemed to have some kind of special device on him, able to form sharp ice blades. The wounds on me and Charizard were all cut by those ice blades…"
At this, Max pressed a hand against his chest, his face flashing with pain, as though his injury was flaring up again.
"Ice blades…"
After hearing this, a cold, ruthless figure appeared in Liam's mind. Frowning tightly, he asked Max with some uncertainty.
"Max, did that mysterious man wear a mask… and have really long hair?"
From Max's description, Liam already had a suspect in mind.
"Hm? How do you know what he looked like? Did you meet him too? You know who he is! Tell me!"
Max suddenly grew agitated, slamming his hands on the table as he stood up, glaring at Liam with burning hatred.
"…I've never seen him. I only came across some classified files with photos resembling the person you described. There wasn't much else. I just asked casually. You know my position—when it comes to sensitive intel, I do have some access."
Looking at Max's reaction, Liam denied it without hesitation. Of course he recognized who Max had fought—it was clearly the Masked Man controlled by Pryce.
That man's strength was terrifying. There was no way Liam would let Max run into danger again. Something like this… Liam would handle it himself, in due time.
"...…"
Max gave Liam a doubtful look, but eventually sat back down in silence, lowering his head.
The waiting room lapsed into quiet once again.
...…
"Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen. Here are your PokeBalls. Mr. Liam, these are yours."
Time passed quickly—almost two hours in a blink. Finally, Nurse Joy came into the waiting area carrying the trays of PokeBalls. She first handed Liam's PokeBalls over with a gentle smile, then turned toward Max, who was looking at her expectantly. Her expression instantly hardened.
"Hmph! Here are your PokeBalls. Take them and leave. Next time I see your Charizard hurt like this again, I'll have Officer Jenny arrest you for Pokémon abuse! Hmph!"
With a sharp motion, Nurse Joy tossed Max's PokeBalls and tray against his chest, then glared fiercely and stormed off, leaving Max with a bitter smile.
Liam: "…You pissed her off?"
Max: "…Charizard's wounds… Nurse Joy has always been the one treating them. They were really severe before, and its body still has traces of lingering cold energy that haven't been dispelled. The injuries never fully healed, so I've had to trouble her frequently. Over time…"
Max's face was full of helplessness as he explained softly, glancing nervously at Nurse Joy's stormy figure as she left.
"Hmph. Honestly, Nurse Joy is far too kind. If it were me, I'd already have had Officer Jenny lock you up, just like she said, to keep you from recklessly dragging Charizard into fights."
Hearing his explanation, Liam gave Max a disdainful look, clearly siding with Nurse Joy.
Max: "…."
...…
By now it was late. With their Pokémon fully recovered, and Charizard's injuries stabilized, there was no reason to linger at the Pokémon Center. Liam decided they should return to Max's place.
When the two of them arrived at Max's home, it was nearly midnight. As soon as Max opened the door, Lina and Delia—who had been waiting anxiously—rushed over, eyes full of concern for their partners.
"Uh… I'm back…"
Looking at Lina, whose eyes were slightly red at the corners, Max couldn't help but give a wry smile.
"Welcome home…"
Lina simply smiled warmly, not saying more.
Meanwhile…
Delia darted straight into Liam's arms, hugging him tightly around the waist. Liam smiled as he held her, just about to comfort her, when suddenly—sharp pain shot through his side. His face instantly contorted.
"Hiss! Ow, ow, ow! Delia! I'm sorry! I won't do it again!!"
Liam was nearly in tears. Delia hadn't even stated his "crime" yet, but surely if he confessed early, the sentence would be lighter?
"Pfft~ hahaha~"
At the sight, Max and Lina both burst out laughing, their eyes sparkling with sweetness at the contrast between Liam and Delia.