"Luke, are you really sure there's nothing to worry about?"Alina said softly, her voice sweet and seductive as she nestled into his arms. Her pale fingers traced slow circles on his chest."Even with two Arbok and a Fearow, you still have to be careful on this island…"
"Relax," Luke said with a pleased grin."As long as you take good care of me, I'll make sure you're safe."
He leaned back confidently.
"I got inside information from my uncle. The strongest Pokémon on this trial island are only Elite-tier, and there aren't many of them. Don't worry."
"Elite-tier Pokémon?" Alina pouted."Then it's still dangerous—ah~ you're so mean."
Luke squeezed her waist and laughed softly.
"So what if they're Elite-tier?" he said smugly."What makes you think I can't deal with them? Are you doubting my strength, huh?"
His hands didn't stop moving, drawing soft laughter and playful scolding from the woman in his arms.
When Leon arrived, this was exactly what he saw.
"Living the good life," Leon muttered quietly."No wonder he's so confident."
Your enemy often understands you better than anyone else.
Leon had studied Luke from the very beginning—his personality, habits, social circle, temperament. Everything.
That was precisely why Leon had come here himself.
From what Leon knew, Luke was petty, vindictive, and obsessed with revenge. Once he decided to kill someone, he wouldn't let it go.
If Leon didn't encounter him on the trial island, Luke would hunt him down after they left.
Avoidance was impossible.
Unless Leon died here.
Which wasn't going to happen.
So there was only one choice.
Luke had to die.
Even if killing him came with consequences.
Leon scanned the surroundings carefully, committing every detail to memory as he calculated the fastest, cleanest way to kill him.
"Two Arbok… the Fearow isn't out. Still in its Poké Ball."
"There's definitely something else."
Kill plans flashed through his mind one after another.
Soon, he settled on the simplest option.
Teleport in and crush his neck instantly.
"Ehehe, you're so annoying."
As the two flirted, Leon suddenly vanished—
—and reappeared right next to them, striking with full force. A single blow meant to kill.
"Not good!"
Luke sensed the sudden surge of power instantly.
One of the Poké Balls on his body burst open.
A towering Pokémon appeared, forcibly shattering Leon's psychic assault and knocking him backward.
"ROAR—!"
The massive figure planted itself in front of Luke and Alina, radiating terrifying pressure.
"Elite-tier Rhydon!"
Leon's eyes narrowed as he retreated to a safe distance.
So that's it.
No wonder Luke was so fearless—he had an Elite-tier Rhydon guarding him.
"It's you!"
Luke finally recognized his attacker.
"I didn't expect this," Luke said coldly."You're a psychic?"
Then his expression hardened.
He has to die here. While he's still weak.
"If he survives today, he'll become a disaster."
"Rhydon, kill him!" Luke shouted."Use Rock Tomb!"
"ROAR—!"
Rhydon ignored the command and instead unleashed Stone Edge, jagged rocks tearing through the air toward Leon.
Luke frowned briefly.
"Whatever. As long as it kills him."
Leon teleported again, narrowly avoiding the attack. He retaliated with compressed psychic energy spheres—
—but they were easily deflected.
Attempts to restrain Luke with psychic pressure were also broken instantly.
Elite-tier Pokémon had an extremely sharp perception of surrounding energies. Psychic power was still just power—and Leon's wasn't strong enough to overwhelm Rhydon.
Still, Rhydon couldn't pin Leon down either.
With teleportation, Leon moved unpredictably, evading attacks while searching for an opening.
"Damn it!"
Luke realized the problem immediately.
"Come out, Fearow! Arbok, get over here! Support Rhydon!"
A Fearow took to the air, while both Arbok slithered back into formation.
"So that's why you're so confident," Luke sneered."A psychic… but this is all you've got."
Surrounded by four Pokémon, Luke finally relaxed and began issuing commands.
"Hiss—!"
Both Arbok opened their mouths, launching dense volleys of Poison Sting, saturating every spot Leon might appear.
Fearow dove repeatedly from the sky, claws tearing downward.
Rhydon unleashed powerful attacks nonstop.
For a moment, Leon was completely overwhelmed.
"Tch… this won't work."
Leon's expression darkened as he dodged desperately, his mind racing.
If he couldn't find a solution soon, he would have to retreat before his stamina ran out.
Otherwise—
He would die.
The system panel automatically displayed Rhydon's information.
Pokémon: Rhydon (Male)Type: Ground / RockAbility: Rock HeadPotential: GymLevel: 42
Moves:
Fury Attack
Horn Attack
Stomp
Scary Face
Rock Blast
Slash
Hammer Arm
Rock Tomb
Roar
Stone Edge
Earthquake
On top of that, there were two Arbok—Levels 25 and 26—and a Level 29 Fearow.
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing Leon completely suppressed, Luke burst into laughter.
He pulled Alina closer, pride written all over his face.
"See?""This is my confidence against Elite-tier Pokémon."
"On this island—what do I have to fear?"
"Hehe~ I knew Luke was the strongest," Alina flattered him sweetly.
Luke laughed even louder.
"Perfect. Let's enjoy the show."
BOOM—!
Leon barely avoided another barrage and landed in an open area, forcing himself to think.
If Rhydon wasn't here, he could handle the others—even head-on.
But Rhydon was the problem.
The Poké Ball on his belt containing Gyarados shook violently, eager to join the fight.
Leon pressed it down.
Too dangerous.
He could teleport.
Gyarados couldn't.
"If this keeps up… I'll have to retreat."
Leon glanced at the system interface, scanning for usable items.
"Slowing Poison… no good. Too slow against an Elite-tier Rhydon. Would work on a Raticate, maybe."
His gaze moved further down the list.
In real combat, there were no rules.
No fairness.
No restrictions.
Only one thing mattered.
Winning.