After resolving and capturing this not-so-large Mudsdale herd, Natsuhiko took a short rest with a few Pokémon before continuing up the stairs to the top floor.
On the way up.
Some floors had wild Pokémon, while others did not.
Among the wild Pokémon encountered, some were reasonably docile and did not initiate attacks, but some were quite aggressive and engaged in battle upon seeing Natsuhiko.
But in the end, the result was the same.
The only difference was whether Natsuhiko acquired some valuable Pokémon that could be sold.
However, recently, Natsuhiko has been more restrained even when capturing wild Pokémon.
The Salandit group of sixty to seventy females and a few males nearly occupied half of his empty Pokeball inventory.
Furthermore, some scattered Pokémon and the recently captured Mudsdale herd already consumed more than half.
He originally thought he was adequately prepared, but who knew upon entering the alternate space, he captured so many at once.
So now he's more restrained unless they are truly valuable, he won't capture them.
Pokémon with better temperament he may spare, while the aggressive ones he would bury in a Death God Coffin.
Lately, it could be said the three Death God Coffins have been having their best days, only eating and sleeping, with dense energy allowing them to rapidly advance and grow.
Two of the Death God Coffins that initially swallowed two of Tom Rokicki's Pokémon are not far from breaking through to Gym Leader Level.
Thus, moving forward with stops, Natsuhiko was finally nearing the top floor of this Cliff Sword Stone Tower.
How do you know?
Because the closer to the top, the higher the surrounding temperature, and the humidity in the air had dropped significantly, similar to the feeling he had when entering the Molten Rock Cave where Turtonator resided.
Though it's not as hot as the Molten Rock Cave.
Reaching another floor uninhabited by wild Pokémon, Natsuhiko looked up.
Gently wiped his forehead.
"This one floor after another, feels just like the tower-climbing games I used to play." He said, revealing a smile.
It's hard to avoid finding pleasure in tedious and monotonous actions.
"There should be something good on the top floor, right?"
He caught quite a few wild Pokémon along the way.
But it was far from his expected harvest in the ruins; it would have been fine if he hadn't held such high expectations, but having hoped for more, not achieving it inevitably brought disappointment.
"There might be a very strong wild Pokémon or a group of them guarding it."
Thinking of this, Natsuhiko decided to rest again.
He would proceed once he adjusted to his optimal state.
Otherwise, encountering a strong Pokémon attack might be dangerous.
This rest lasted a whole hour.
"Let's go, all the way to the top." Natsuhiko stood up, patted the dust off himself, and called back the Pokémon playing nearby.
Once again stepped onto the stairs.
Things went smoother than imagined.
The higher they went, the fewer wild Pokémon there were, and the frequency of encounters decreased markedly.
It made sense; by now, they must be several hundred meters high, and normally, how many wild Pokémon would reside in such a place?
Especially inside the Cliff Sword castle, apart from rocks, there was no other food source.
Finally.
As Natsuhiko stepped onto the last stair, he arrived at the top floor of the Cliff Sword.
Compared to the expansive first floor, the space here was significantly smaller, presenting a pyramidal structure.
What caught Natsuhiko's attention was naturally the dark red stone continuously emitting light and heat, with golden patterns, placed on the peculiar navy-blue stone platform at the spacious center of the top floor.
Original Groudon Shell Fragments!
As expected, Natsuhiko's prediction was correct; within this alternate space, there was not just one Original Groudon Shell Fragment. The one at the top of this desert ruin's Cliff Sword tall tower was the second piece he had seen.
The golden patterns on the fragment would intermittently glow; a close inspection revealed that the dark red patterns flickering in the gaps of the Cliff Sword Stone Tower were identical.
Moreover, these patterns spread across the top floor's ground like branching twigs, converging at the peculiar stone platform where the block was located.
"Cha-caw Yee!!"
Togetic pointed excitedly at the Original Groudon Shell Fragment.
Natsuhiko knew what the excitement was about.
It wasn't excitement about finding something good; it was excited because the direction it initially pointed wasn't wrong.
Previously, Natsuhiko felt a bit aimless in this desert, so he had Togetic randomly point a direction, betting to see if they could come across more Original Groudon Shell Fragments.
The outcome led them to the quicksand vortex inhabited by Krookodile, and faced with its attacks, they had to retreat.
But now.
It was proven that Togetic's direction was correct; indeed, there were Original Groudon Shell Fragments under the quicksand vortex within the ruins.
Natsuhiko curiously rubbed its head.
Indeed.
You can always trust Teacher Poke.
If goals aren't met, it's definitely not Teacher Poke's fault, but rather you not doing it right.
Who knew there would be ruins under the quicksand vortex.
Who knew inside these ruins would be Groudon's relic, truly retaining a stone piece within the Cliff Sword.
He twitched his lips.
"Well done."
Togetic placed its hands on its waist, raised its head, and winked at Beedrill, Yujira, and Doublade.
See?
Doublade nodded, truly convinced.
Amazing.
"Cha-caw Yee—"
Excited, Togetic cried, flying towards the stone wanting to bring it back as treasure for Natsuhiko.
But.
Upon nearing it.
Crack!
A sudden crisp sound of stone fracturing echoed.
Natsuhiko's expression changed slightly, hastily calling out to Togetic, "Come back!"
Togetic was momentarily stunned, not knowing what was happening.
Crack, crack, crack—
The sound of stones breaking became more and more distinct, increasingly intensive.
Togetic hurriedly flew back to Natsuhiko, its small eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Cha-caw Yee?"
'Is this place going to collapse?'
Yet it clearly did nothing.
"Yongji."
At this moment, it was the observant Yujira that identified the source of the sound, pointing to the "stone platform" bearing the Original Groudon Shell Fragment.
Numerous cracks had already formed on the platform, and they were rapidly spreading.
Shhhhh—
A fiery red flame rose from the largest crack.
Soon, more and more flames emerged, becoming increasingly intense.
The surrounding temperature also continuously rose with the flames.
'I said there couldn't be no Pokémon guarding such a treasure.'
Natsuhiko internally muttered.
Earlier he thought the stone platform a bit peculiar; now it proved his hunch.
He stared at it a while and then became aware.
"If it's that, then it makes sense."
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The promised ten chapters have ended! Thanks for everyone's support! (Exhausted.jpg) The big move is on CD again, next time continue the boom! After reading ten chapters, vote for a monthly ticket~~
Aha—typed the title too quickly, and can't modify, please understand~~ (Bowing)