"Go greet our 'neighbor'," Natsuhiko said with a smile.
If it were other gentler Pokémon, he might consider whether to provoke them, but since it's Salandit, no need to hesitate.
Once these vile creatures find out there's a "neighbor" in the nearby cave, they will surely come to "greet."
And it might be a continuous stream of "greetings."
Instead of waiting for trouble, it's better to cause trouble for them; after all, Natsuhiko is a "villain."
"Togetic." Togetic chuckled, covering its mouth.
It liked this very much.
Slowly approached.
Salandit had no idea of Natsuhiko's arrival, and under the cloak of superpowers, Natsuhiko's approach was utterly silent.
Until they entered Yujira's attack range.
"Yujira."
"Yongji." Yujira nodded; the spoon slightly bent.
Spirit Blade!
Blades made of superpowers appeared beside the Salandit resting on the wall.
The Salandit, lying quietly in the crevice waiting for prey, suddenly sensed danger and was startled, trying to dodge but already too late.
Bang bang bang—
Spirit Blade mercilessly struck Salandit's dark body.
No surprise, this Salandit lost combat ability under Yujira's attack.
The superpowers' restraint on Poison-type Pokémon had excellent attack effects.
Salandit wasn't very powerful, but they were naturally clever and cunning, liked team battles, and excelled at using their wits to disrupt enemy attack rhythms, defeating enemies using unexpected conditions.
Moreover, this Salandit wasn't strong, at most Senior Level strength, and couldn't resist Yujira's Spirit Blade.
Slowly walked in.
A faint fragrance spread in the air.
This was one of Salandit's unique abilities—a sweet Poison Gas; if inhaled excessively due to its pleasant smell, one would become poisoned and stagger.
This was one of Salandit's favorite hunting methods; when prey realized, it was already weakened by inhaling too much Poison Gas.
Fortunately, the concentration wasn't high, so it wasn't toxic, likely unconsciously released.
Actually.
The sweet Poison Gas could be released by all Salandits, but females could release a different gas from males—pheromone gas that confuses human males and all male Pokémon.
Once inhaled, they could be manipulated by Salandit at will.
This pheromone, when diluted, makes valuable seductive perfume, Pheromone Perfume.
Pheromone Perfume is one of the favorite perfumes of the upper class ladies in the Pokemon Realm, attracting men's attention, causing them to fall for it.
So actually, male Salandits aren't very valuable; they can't evolve, nor release Pheromone Gas, mostly like worker bees in hives, not even bees since bees can produce honey.
But female Salandits are more valuable.
Pheromone Perfume would sell well.
Determining this Salandit was male, Natsuhiko instantly lost interest.
Threw it directly into the Death God Coffin.
Utilizing its last residual value.
"Everyone has a responsibility to eliminate harm from the Pokemon Realm, starting with me," Natsuhiko joked.
If he encountered female Salandits, or even Salazzle, he wouldn't mind catching a few.
Though making perfume himself was troublesome, supplying perfume factories would still be profitable.
Just that the ratio between female and male Salandits is skewed, almost one to nine; among ten, only one is female.
But this Salandit served as a reminder for Natsuhiko.
Be wary of these "neighbors'" special gases.
He didn't want to become a "pawn" of Salazzle.
"Let's go, continue."
Having encountered one Salandit, there must be a group deeper in the tunnel; maybe he'd catch a few female Salandits.
Heightened alert.
Continued forward.
The surrounding temperature increased; Natsuhiko soon encountered the second, then the third, fourth Salandit...
The frequency of encountering Salandits increased, indicating their density rose, and the nest was near.
Until, after Yujira defeated a Salandit, a rustling noise arose in the tunnel.
Soon.
Plenty of narrow-eyed, cunning Salandit crawled along the rock walls, densely closing in.
Even the upper walls were covered with numerous Salandit.
"Seems...I underestimated the size of this group," Natsuhiko remarked, not wanting to see this claustrophobia-inducing scene.
Togetic gulped, nodding in agreement.
Wow, there's at least seven or eight hundred here?
At a ten-to-one ratio, there'd be seventy or eighty female Salandits.
But indeed...
The number is genuinely excessive.
Dadadada—
Yet, upon appearing, these Salandits didn't directly attack, but footsteps slowly approached.
Then, Natsuhiko saw the leader of these Salandits should be the only Salazzle.
Compared to Salandit, Salazzle was taller, thinner, stood upright, and had purple-red floral patterns on its abdomen, similar to Salandit's tail patterns.
Natsuhiko squinted at this Salazzle, unsure why it appeared.
Considering the group's size, its appearance wasn't necessary.
Salazzle's mouth curled upon seeing Natsuhiko and his four Pokémon.
Just this few?
It thought the troublemakers next door came, hastily leading the troops here.
"Hiss—"
Like a serpent's tongue flickering, it waved a hand lightly.
Receiving the command, Salandits rushed forward like locusts, forming a dense mass like a thick black cloud pouncing on Natsuhiko.
Though Salandits weren't adept at direct combat and their bodies fragile, such numbers were genuinely terrifying.
Most were Excellence Level, a few Senior Level, while Elite Level was scant.
Even so, the sheer number was overwhelming.
Natsuhiko's expression changed slightly.
"Retreat!"
Retreat while fighting.
Against these Poison and Fire-type Salandit, Yujira's superpowers were the primary output.
Indeed, Salandit's body was fragile, but their attribute combination provided resistance advantages.
Apart from four times weak Ground Type, two times weak Rock, Water, and superpowers, they resisted eight attributes two or four times.
Of course, Senior Level and below Salandit couldn't withstand Beedrill's insect-type techniques.
But the quantity was too vast; standing ground wasn't wise.
Natsuhiko didn't walk away, nor stay for a fight, maintaining a certain distance.
Tailing them.
Though numerous, the tunnel's size limited access; only around ten could approach them.
Such numbers posed no significant threat.
Soon.
The Salandits spread like a black carpet, covering the entire tunnel.
Finally feeling cornered by Natsuhiko and his tough group, Salazzle's sharp screech echoing.
Several Elite Level Salandits rushed to the front!
——————
Went out for dinner, returned late, the fifth update, though delayed, it arrived!