Just as Walter had predicted, the sandstorm continued to intensify. By the second day, it had already escalated from a Level 8 to a Level 9 storm.
Metagross even had to replenish the Light Screen's energy—otherwise, its durability would have been completely depleted by now.
A Level 9 sandstorm was terrifying in its own right. The sand particles, denser than raindrops, might not pack much individual force, but their sheer numbers made them devastating.
The collective energy of the storm could reduce a building to rubble in mere seconds.
Fortunately, the closer the sandstorm got to the outer layers, the more its strength diminished. Otherwise, even a Level 9 sandstorm would be enough to wipe Hara City off the map—let alone a Level 10.
Julian's Light Screen shelter wasn't located in the outer regions but in the middle zone, where the storm's fury was far more intense.
Walter had urged Julian to move to the outskirts—after all, the horror of a Level 10 sandstorm was incomparable to Level 9.
Even the peripheral areas would become extremely dangerous. Staying in the middle zone? Not even an Elite-level Pokémon would dare face a Level 10 sandstorm head-on.
But Julian ignored the warning.
On the third day, the Level 10 sandstorm arrived as expected, its terrifying power completely blocking out the sun.
Inside the Light Screen shelter, Julian looked up at the pitch-black, ink-like sky—even though it was noon, the hottest part of the day, not a single ray of sunlight could be seen.
The dense sandstorm had completely blotted out the sun.
The Light Screen's soundproofing was excellent—during the Level 8 storm, only faint noises had penetrated. But now, with the Level 10 sandstorm raging outside, it felt like someone had placed a roaring electric fan right beside Julian's ears.
The howling wind and the relentless crackling of sand against the barrier filled the air. Each impact sent sparks flying, turning the storm-facing side of the shelter into a wall of fire.
Metagross had to reinforce that side of the Light Screen every hour—otherwise, the barrier would shatter, and the sandstorm would turn Julian into Swiss cheese.
In the face of a Level 10 sandstorm, all living things were equal.
Only Elite-level Pokémon—specifically those of Steel-, Rock-, or Ground-types—dared venture out in such conditions. Any other type would be shredded in minutes.
Inside the shelter, Walter stared in shock at the Aggron braving the storm outside. It had been standing in the Level 10 sandstorm for nearly ten hours straight.
And it wasn't alone—there was also a Steelix, Melmetal, Kartana, and Lucario—four more Steel-type Pokémon.
Even so, a Level 10 sandstorm wasn't something ordinary Elite-level Pokémon could withstand. Standing in it for extended periods without protection would eventually reduce even Steel-types to scrap metal.
However, as long as one grasped the key principles, the power of a Level 10 sandstorm could actually be used to temper Steel-type Pokémon and enhance their defensive capabilities.
Seeing that Melmetal, Kartana, and Lucario were all nearing their limits, Julian took out their Poké Balls and recalled them—then immediately released them again.
"Eat something and recover."
He placed some Pokéblocks and recovery medicine in front of the three Pokémon.
Though they all shared the Steel typing, none were particularly defense-oriented. Lasting ten hours in such conditions was already remarkable.
Kartana: "I can't believe I was outperformed by that giant snake."
The "giant snake" it was referring to was Steelix.
Julian: 'Where did you even get the confidence to compare yourself to Steelix when it comes to defense?'
In pure defensive stats, Steelix ranked third among all Pokémon. Kartana's defense? Well... not so great.
Its strengths lay in attack and speed, not durability.
After another five hours, Steelix finally reached its limit and was recalled by Julian.
Now, only Aggron remained standing in the Level 10 sandstorm. The relentless friction between the sand and its armor had heated its body to a faint glowing red.
Gulp—
Walter swallowed hard.
If not for the slight twitch of Aggron's eyelids, he'd have thought the Pokémon was already dead.
It had endured fifteen hours in a Level 10 sandstorm—and still hadn't reached its limit.
"Does that kind of defense really exist?"
Lucas murmured in disbelief.
"Of course it does! King Julian's Pokémon are just like this!"
Lena had fully become Julian's fanatic admirer, her eyes sparkling as she stared at him.
Another five hours passed—Aggron had lasted twenty hours in the storm. Its body, once faintly red, now glowed a bright orange-red, like a giant light bulb radiating heat.
Julian's expression had shifted from relaxed to tense, and now to deadly serious. He monitored Aggron's condition closely—this was the critical moment.
The relentless assault of the Level 10 sandstorm was like a forge hammering metal—its armor being endlessly pounded, refining it and pushing out impurities, increasing its density.
But if the hammering went too far, it could just as easily break the metal.
Aggron was at that very juncture now. If it held out, its defense would rise significantly.
If it failed, everything up to now would be for nothing.
Through Aura sensing, Julian could feel Aggron's aura violently fluctuating—a clear sign of pain and agony.
At first, resisting the Level 10 sandstorm had been effortless. Aggron had even dismissed it as "not that bad."
But now, as time passed, Aggron's outer armor was covered with scars left by the sandstorm's erosion—as if a human was stripped of their skin, leaving raw muscle exposed under the blazing sun, and someone rubbing salt all over it.
Who could endure that kind of pain?
And that was exactly what Aggron was enduring. Every second was pure torment.
Julian clenched his fists, heart aching for Aggron. Aggron's natural defenses were already incredibly strong—among Pokémon of the same tier, none could break through its defense.
Not even Pseudo-Champions. Only true Champions stood a chance.
So, it didn't have to go through this kind of torment. Julian had other ways to improve its defense, albeit at a slower pace.
But all of this was Aggron's own choice.
Don't be fooled by how it called one of the "Big Three Gluttons" alongside Steelix and Tyranitar. Beneath its fierce and savage exterior was a heart just as determined as Metagross's.
Sure, it couldn't beat Metagross in a fight—that was a fact—but it refused to be outdone in defense.
Julian had always seen Metagross as his "strongest spear" and Aggron as his "strongest shield."
Now, the "spear" had reached the Pseudo-Champion tier, capable of defeating early-stage Champions.
But the "shield" was still stuck at the peak of the Elite-level, unable to withstand Champion-level assaults.
'I don't deserve the title of the "strongest shield"—not yet. But I will earn it.'
"ROOOAAR—!!"
Aggron: "LET THE STORM RAGE HARDER!"
Julian: 'What kind of drama queen nonsense—'
*****
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