A dense swarm of Rattata flooded in from all directions.
Even though Natsuhiko and Weedle were prepared, they were caught off guard.
"It seems this task is much more challenging than expected," Natsuhiko thought to himself.
But surprise aside, it wasn't the time to panic.
"Weedle, Power Grid!"
"Woo!"
Weedle opened its mouth and spit out a wide web, laced with dancing yellow arcs of electricity.
As soon as contact was made, many Rattata were ensnared in the web, the accompanying current shocking them and causing a cacophony of cries.
"Poison Needle!"
Natsuhiko retreated down the stairs, while the Weedle on his shoulder continuously shot Poison Needles, without needing to aim, a wide area spraying that felled patches of Rattata.
Nevertheless, the number of Rattata was overwhelming; Natsuhiko had to retreat to the stairway entrance.
He glanced at the small door frame.
With a flash of insight, Natsuhiko said, "Weedle, seal this door with string."
Hearing this, Weedle's eyes lit up, instantly understanding his intent.
Taking advantage of the Rattata's delay due to collisions and fallen comrades, Weedle spun its web, sealing the entire door frame with strong silk.
Only small holes were left, just enough for an unobstructed view, precisely preventing further Rattata advances.
Next...
All Weedle needed to do was continuously shoot Poison Needles through these holes at the advancing Rattata.
Though there were many Rattata, Natsuhiko could clearly see that these Rattata were unimpressive, no different from those beside Assef who had blocked their path at the entrance.
Weak, frenzied, and undisciplined.
Once the method was found, dealing with them wasn't hard.
"It's actually a good training opportunity, Weedle, it's rare to have so many live Pokémon as training targets."
Having successfully halted their progress, there was nothing to panic about anymore; he even saw it as a great training opportunity.
In fact, a thought flashed through his mind.
If this were a game, so many Rattata, even though they're low-level, Weedle isn't that high-leveled either, how many experience points would they gain?
After this battle, Weedle might evolve, right?
He shook his head with a smile, dismissing the idle thought.
"Woo!!"
Weedle earnestly continued to shoot Poison Needles through the web-blocked door frame, hitting the Rattata in the rear.
If a Rattata seemed likely to break through the web, it would temporarily stop attacking and reinforce the silk line, using the Power Grid when necessary to ensure the Rattata were stopped.
And so it went.
Using a method akin to "grinding experience" against a wall corner, Natsuhiko and Weedle gradually cleared out swathes of Rattata.
Meanwhile, Natsuhiko noticed a rather peculiar situation.
Originally, these hordes of frenzied Rattata shouldn't have lost their fighting ability so quickly after being struck by a Poison Needle.
But those hit by the Poison Needle seemed to instantly awaken from madness, regaining instincts and rationality, casting wary glances at Weedle before turning to flee, vanishing without a trace in moments.
This sped up the clearing.
So very quickly.
Behind the silk-blocked door frame, aside from leaving a small number of remaining Rattata, most of them fled.
And the Rattata blocking Natsuhiko and Weedle were finally all cleared out.
The extremely resilient silk web that was tough for the Rattata to break through was easily sliced open by a flick of Weedle's tail.
They resumed their ascent of the stairs.
"Woo?" Weedle called softly.
Natsuhiko took out an Energy Block; it was the last one he had. No matter if today's task was completed or not, they'd have to go back and buy more. These had great benefits for Pokémon and should not be cut off.
"What do you think happened with those Rattata? It's evident they were controlled by some entity, and that's our target this time."
"Woo?!"
Weedle looked shocked.
What kind of entity could control so many Rattata?
"It's just because you haven't seen it, so you find it surprising. However..." thinking of the file Lotto gave for the task, "the objective for this mission is indeed somewhat special."
"Woo..."
"You'll know when you see it."
They continued climbing.
Not knowing which floor the target was on, but it didn't matter; Weedle had some instinctual perception.
Unknowingly, they reached the top floor of the dilapidated apartment building.
At the top of the stairs was an almost completely enclosed small space, without windows or lights, the environment dark and closed.
Such places were often where residents stored clutter.
But when Natsuhiko and Weedle arrived, they found the area unexpectedly clean with not even a speck of dust.
"Woo!"
Weedle let out a soft cry, its small eyes fixed intently on a corner.
Seeing its reaction, Natsuhiko followed Weedle's gaze.
In the nearly pitch-dark cramped corner, there sat a slender, withered figure.
By the starlight, he could barely make out its body a mix of yellow and brown, with light-colored ears on its head, a not too long but not too short nose swinging back and forth.
Upon seeing its appearance, Natsuhiko could confirm it was the task's target.
Psychic-type Pokémon, Drowzee (Sulip)!
Natsuhiko and Weedle's arrival seemed not to draw Drowzee's attention, it just sat on a box, quietly sitting.
Upon approaching.
Natsuhiko was slightly surprised to discover the Drowzee was holding a book.
A book... not very profound, even very simple – a children's book with stories only appreciated by children.
Yet Drowzee appeared engrossed in it.
This was evident from its raised mouth corners and often-wiggling ears.
Out of the ordinary, Natsuhiko chose not to interrupt, pulling over a box, and sat nearby Drowzee.
Weedle blinked its curious eyes.
A book-loving Pokémon, it was the first time seeing one.
The key point, did the Pokémon understand the words in the book?
A curious silence gradually spread.
Finally.
Pat!
Drowzee closed the book with a hint of longing, carefully placing it on the box in front, matching the book's edges neatly with the box's, smoothing over slightly folded page corners.
Turning around to look at Natsuhiko and Weedle, its gaze pausing on Weedle briefly, it finally settled on Natsuhiko.
Its eyes suddenly lit up with a pale blue aura.
Weedle shivered, rushing to stand in front of Natsuhiko.
Before it could assume a defensive stance, Natsuhiko gently patted its back, signaling to stay calm.
Because in his ears, a rather youthful voice suddenly sounded.
"Hello~"
"Telepathy?" Natsuhiko looked at Drowzee in confusion, both the aura around its eyes and the voice in his head indicated this.
"Yes." The voice rang again.
It seemed Natsuhiko only needed to respond in his mind for Drowzee to hear.
"So, you're the one controlling those Rattata downstairs?" Natsuhiko was slightly surprised, but only that.
"Yes." Drowzee nodded calmly.
Looking at Weedle again, it said very calmly, "You were sent by them, right? Thanks, let me finish the last story, I'm ready, you can do it."
The voice was a bit rough, but the main idea was understandable.
The blue aura in Drowzee's eyes dimmed, as it opened its arms with a calm acceptance.
This...
Gave up resistance?