Nighttime.
Quicksand Team Headquarters Building.
The highest-ranking officials gathered, each wearing varying degrees of worry on their faces.
"Thirteen people on the first day... this result isn't even as good as ten years ago."
Sitting in the chief seat, the silver-haired, white-bearded Yogo sighed deeply.
Even as a second-rate force, the Quicksand Team is nonetheless declining with each generation.
The number of new recruits alone shows it.
Over a hundred participants on the first day, only one-eighth passed. Was the examination really that difficult?
"I think we should give it another look, considering that incident happened..."
Chester, slim with long hair, smiled slightly. "Maybe it was simply the influence of that lord."
The examination site, under the wrath of the Death God Plate, collapsed in many places; many unlucky souls were buried, taking a long time to dig out.
But everyone present was helpless about it.
After all, the other party was their financier, their behind-the-scenes boss.
The Quicksand Team was previously just a guard team funded by them in Pyrite Town to acquire mineral resources, bluntly put, "security."
It's only due to Pyrite Town's unique environment that they transformed into a special force. But this didn't mean they could break away from their financier's support; in fact, they needed the backdrop even more to avoid getting swallowed by other forces.
"Influence, ha, can't believe you have the face to say that. Wasn't the culprit someone under you? To allow subordinates to such a degree, wait until the boss comes back from Silicon City to see how you explain!"
The muscular man sneered.
Chester's expression froze, forcing a smile as he replied, "No need to worry about me, Cang Zhilang. I'll naturally handle it myself."
"Hmph! Hope so!"
Muscular man Cang Zhilang turned his head.
The two's relationship was just as bad as it appeared, nearly at the point of irreconcilability, only held back by the Quicksand Team's boss.
Half an hour later.
The unpleasant meeting concluded, Chester returned to his office, only to be greeted by a worried man.
"Lord Chester!" Suddenly the man's spirit perked up.
"Stone Wall..."
Chester sighed, "Just go back first."
"But Lord Chester! My nephew is still lying in the intensive care unit, unconscious! The doctor said that even if he's lucky enough to wake up, he won't be able to get out of bed normally for years!"
Stone Wall exclaimed excitedly, "I must avenge this grudge!"
"Shut up!"
Chester whispered sternly, "Do you even know what you're saying? Your nephew Chaitian brought it upon himself! Revenge? Do you have evidence? Merely on guesses and Pokémon reports?
"His current situation isn't something I can casually touch! Not to mention you haven't even been accounted for your little actions! Meeting you today was already a big risk!"
His heavy voice was like thunder.
Stone Wall looked at Chester in disbelief, stammering, "But..."
But all of this was done following your orders!
He didn't dare speak those words aloud, feeling a sixth sense that doing so might get him killed on the spot.
"Alright, you've been with the Quicksand Team for a long time, and with me for many years—I won't treat you unfairly. It's a bad situation now, hold back, think of the big picture."
Chester patted Stone Wall's shoulder.
"Think of the big picture..."
The latter's expression was bitter.
"The big picture" was Chester's catchphrase, often using it to suppress others, forcing them to compromise and not stir trouble; as Chester's subordinate, Stone Wall had always admired and tried to emulate it.
Who knew the hammer would one day fall on his own head.
But what else could he do?
That damn guy caught the attention of those top people, and as a mere squad leader, if he didn't want his family to be utterly ruined, he had to endure.
Nephew becomes a vegetable?
Endure!
Pokémon Rhyhorn severely injured?
Endure!
Stone Wall bit his lower lip, nearly drawing blood.
He took heavy steps, leaving the office. Unnoticed by him was a Mud Fish with malicious intent appearing and disappearing.
The dangerous glow in Chester's eyes faded away.
Screwing up and daring to come asking for answers, doesn't even know his own name!
If not worried about other subordinates' dissatisfaction, this useless failure would have been dealt with long ago!
Waste!
——
Hospital Room.
Baimu, clad in standard blue-and-white patient clothes, looked boredly out the window.
It was only during the check-up that he realized he had not just external and bruises but also a broken leg.
So now he's recuperating.
Luckily, the Ore Region's medical level was quite advanced, and fractures were considered minor, healing within a few days.
Unexpectedly, Chaitian had become a vegetable, unable to wake up.
Despite the desire to grind his bones to dust, he hadn't expected this outcome during their confrontation with the Rhyhorn—that he hadn't died?
Pity then that the Rhyhorn went berserk, didn't have the chance for a final blow...
He was filled with regret.
What puzzled Baimu more was Stone Wall, Chaitian's uncle, and a Quicksand Team squad leader's attitude.
The first time he came, that guy brought a group of ferocious-looking men, threatening that he must die in the hospital, making Baimu think they intended an immediate attack in the hospital.
Then they just turned and left.
The second time, he changed face completely, gifting, making small talk, speaking pleasant words about resolving feuds rather than making them.
Who'd buy that!
Your Excellency, why the sudden humility?
When Chaitian decided to deal him a fatal blow, they plunged into a life-and-death struggle. Stone Wall's murderous intent during the first visit seemed real, so his current behavior was just a guise.
A disguise to lull others into complacency.
Regardless of why Stone Wall was doing this, Baimu had to start considering how to quickly resolve Stone Wall.
As well as the vegetative Chaitian.
But thinking about it, could there be someone behind Stone Wall, perhaps an unknown higher-up?
There was too little information available.
Baimu shook his head, habitually glancing at another bed beside him.
Aron was asleep, breathing softly.
This fellow had been confirmed to be a wild Pokémon. Sent to the Pokémon Center for treatment, it had soon been returned, now nestled in a large jar-like nursery room, snoring and sleeping deeply.
The external injuries were healed, but the internal injuries were unclear.
The medic also mentioned it was a bit malnourished, best to supplement with fine iron or alloy steel.
An eater of 'gold.'
Baimu was skeptical about whether his small wallet could endure the damage; formal member subsidies would make it easier.
"Goo."
A soft cry caught his attention, and looking over, Aron was slightly opening its eyes.
"You're awake? Don't worry, this is a hospital, is there any discomfort?"
Baimu smiled as he opened the glass cover of the healing device for it.
Aron paused, jumped up to survey the surroundings, and after a glance, returned its gaze to Baimu.
"Goo!"
With that, it leaped from the healing device into Baimu's arms, rubbing its head affectionately like a little dog.
"Oof!"
Baimu grunted, feeling nearly crushed under the pressure, almost knocked unconscious, yet was intrigued by Aron's affection.
"It's okay, it's okay."
Originally, he thought it'd take several more interactions to win this guy's favor; it turned out much smoother than expected.
Opportunity?
As Baimu stroked its head, contemplating, he spoke:
"Aron, would you like... to be my partner?"
"Goo?"
Aron looked up, puzzled by his words.
Baimu softly said, "If you don't dislike me, I hope to gain your help—or rather, let's support each other, help each other, and live together in this place."
"Perhaps it's abrupt, but I desperately need your strength, and sincerely hope you'll stand by my side."
He placed Aron on the ground, adjusting his position to avoid harming his left leg, crouching with a hand extended toward it, "If you agree, please shake my hand."
As soon as he finished the sentence, Aron unhesitatingly lifted its front paw, placing it in his palm.
"Goo-doh!"
Needless to say!
It nodded earnestly, as if answering a self-evident question.
"Ah... thank you."
Baimu's smile widened uncontrollably.