For ordinary Trainers, mental strength could sharpen their senses and steady their willpower.
The stronger a Trainer became, the more confident and radiant they appeared.
Of course, once one reached true mastery, they would return to simplicity—an unfathomable state where every move carried immeasurable weight.
Gengar's Hypnosis was, in essence, a psychic assault. Against an Elite Four–level Trainer, unless it was a sneak attack, such a move was useless.
Even if the opponent was merely human, Gengar would fail to hypnotize them.
On the contrary, the sheer mental pressure of an Elite Four member was enough to intimidate a Gengar with nothing but their aura.
He still remembered the original story—how Brock, when he first met Cynthia, had been utterly captivated, yet dared not make a move.
Brock, bold enough to flirt shamelessly with Officer Jennys and Nurse Joys across the land, had faltered before Cynthia.
What was that?
That was aura. The invisible, intangible presence of a Champion-level Trainer—a force of spirit so overwhelming that it alone compelled respect.
"Come out, Gengar." Yozora released his Pokémon without a flicker of expression.
Times had changed.
Now, in Yozora's eyes, even Rocket elites were nothing more than small-time thugs.
"You're courting death! Golbat, use Steel Wing!" The two Rocket elites shouted in unison.
Two Golbat shot forward, their wings glowing brightly, like twin blades of light slashing straight at Gengar.
But—
Just as they were about to strike, Gengar's shadowy form suddenly vanished.
Both Golbat froze, midair.
Three seconds later, Gengar reappeared right behind them, grinning wickedly, tongue lashing out. One lick each—and both Golbat collapsed in a faint.
Lick wasn't even a powerful attack.
But in Gengar's hands, even that tiny bit of damage was enough to instantly down two senior-level Golbat.
The gap in power was simply too vast.
The fact that Yozora could command such a Gengar at will was proof of his rapid growth.
"Gengar, Hypnosis." Yozora's calm order rang out.
The two Rocket elites didn't even have time to scream before they were caught in the spell—half-asleep, dazed and mumbling.
"You Rockets already captured Articuno. Why are you still here?" Yozora asked.
Under hypnosis, the two answered smoothly, "There are priceless Never-Melt Ice deposits in Articuno's cave. The main force collected most of them and already left, but some remain buried beneath the frozen riverbed. Our elite squad was ordered to excavate them."
"And the two of us… were stationed outside to keep watch."
"How many of you are inside?" Yozora pressed.
"Not many. Just one elite squad, around a dozen people, led personally by Lord Boqi," one of them replied.
Yozora raised a brow. "Boqi?"
Even under hypnosis, the two wore faintly proud expressions. "Our captain is a direct subordinate of Lord Proton, one of Team Rocket's Four Generals. Lord Boqi's strength is second only to an Elite Four member—he's considered a top-class Trainer."
Yozora nodded slightly, relieved.
If it had been Proton himself, that might have been troublesome.
But this so-called Boqi, without even Elite Four–level power, was hardly worth concern.
"Good. In fact, I am Proton. I happen to be short on funds right now. Transfer all your savings to account 10086. Once my business here is concluded, I'll see to it that you're promoted." Yozora's voice was smooth, detached.
"L–Lord Proton?! Y-yes, right away! If we can serve you, my lord, we'd gladly die a thousand times over!" The two Rockets, half-asleep, dropped into groveling obedience.
At once, they began transferring funds.
As Rocket elites, they had robbed, extorted, and murdered their way into no small fortune. Between the two of them, their savings totaled over fifteen million.
Ding—Transfer complete.
A massive sum now sat in Yozora's account.
Even as they finalized the transfer, Gengar extended its ghostly hands, tearing away their life energy and devouring it greedily.
In the freezing snow, the two men trembled violently as their vitality ebbed away.
"C-cold… so cold, Lord Proton! We're freezing!" they cried.
"Don't mind it. You're Rocket elites, forged through countless trials and hellish training. Surely you won't crumble under a little chill?" Yozora's tone was merciless.
"Y-yes, of course…" The pair shivered violently, nodding like broken puppets, not daring to utter another complaint.
"One last question. I heard Articuno had a chick. Where is it now?" Yozora asked.
The two shook their heads, their faces turning ashen, frost already forming across their cheeks.
That meant their life force was nearly drained, unable to resist the biting cold any longer.
"When we arrived, the battle between the main force and Articuno was already over. As for its chick, we don't know. But one thing is certain—it's not in the cave. Perhaps it already flew far from the island."
"So… cold…"
With a final sigh, their bodies stiffened and collapsed into the snow.
A quick aura check confirmed it—their life force had scattered. They were dead.
Gengar slurped down the last wisp of energy with a satisfied grin, its body even plumper than before.
Yozora sensed its aura again—it had grown noticeably stronger.
Its rate of growth was frightening.
With such potential, it didn't even need battles anymore. Just feeding like this, it could climb in strength at terrifying speed.
Of course, Yozora had his own principles. Gengar would be made to hold a line it must never cross.
As for these two? Their auras had been dark and twisted, drenched in blood and cruelty. Murderers and marauders to the core.
Against people like that, Yozora felt no need to show mercy.
He collected their dimensional storage gear without inspection, then strode deeper into the cave with Gengar at his side.
The instant they entered, the air grew even colder.
Inside ran an icy river—not frozen, but frigid enough to sting. Occasionally, a Seel leapt out of the water, splashing before diving back.
"Hm? This energy… stronger than even a high-grade Ice Stone, several times stronger… could it be a supreme Ice Stone?" Yozora paused.
From about three meters beneath his feet pulsed a powerful energy signature.
Still, he didn't rush to dig. First, he would clear out the Rockets. Then, he could take his time excavating.
A feeling stirred in his chest—this wave might just take off. Economically take off.
It was a pity, though… that the Articuno chick had already left the cave, perhaps even flown off the island.
That was a small regret.
(End of Chapter)