Good fortune lifted Sieg's spirits. Though only a single day had passed, it felt like a lifetime ago.
Walking through Mauville City's outskirts, he finally caught sight of the city skyline, and his pace quickened involuntarily.
"Phew~ Finally almost there. Living in the wild really isn't pleasant, constantly on edge. No wonder so many trainers refuse to spend the night outdoors."
Seeing the city clearly now, a smile spread unconsciously across Sieg's face.
By the time he entered the city, it was already six or seven in the morning. Office workers and street vendors had already set out early, settling into their respective jobs.
Sieg walked along the streets, but having spent an entire night in the wilderness, he'd picked up some unpleasant odors. Combined with his somewhat tattered trainer attire, he inevitably drew attention.
Though people whispered behind his back, no one came forward to point fingers.
Because Sieg's appearance was unmistakably that of a trainer. Coupled with the Poké Balls at his waist, it was clear to everyone that he was a respectable trainer.
And one experienced enough to survive a night in the wild, no less.
Not wanting to be gawked at like some circus attraction, Sieg hurried his pace and returned to the Pokémon Center.
Upon entering his room, he immediately checked for listening devices or traps of any kind.
Only then did he allow himself to relax, heading into the bathroom for a proper shower. Though special treatment had already eliminated the faint smell of blood from his body, caution was paramount.
Sieg scrubbed himself thoroughly inside and out, ensuring that even Pokémon with the keenest sense of smell couldn't detect any trace of blood.
"This trip was incredibly fruitful. I won't have to worry about breeding funds for quite a while."
Not only had he captured several Electric-type Pokémon, including a Shiny Pichu, but also a level 36 Ursaring and a Persian.
Beyond that, there were the spoils from Kikuta that he hadn't examined yet.
He arranged all the Poké Balls neatly, organizing them by level and rarity.
Kikuta had been a worthy Elite Apprentice after all. She'd had quite substantial savings, over a million Pokédollars, though it was all stored on a League savings card and couldn't be touched immediately.
He'd need to find someone in the black market to crack the password and launder it before the funds could flow into his own wallet.
Alternatively, he could simply sell the savings card at a discount. With a million in savings, he might only get about half, but it would be absolutely safe.
Though this approach meant losing a significant sum, Sieg had no desire to be connected to Kikuta's death.
Kikuta's other belongings were few and ordinary. The only thing of value was an enhancement item, a very common type-boosting held item: a Magnet.
When equipped, it increased the power of Electric-type moves. This particular Magnet provided a 10% boost, making it worth nearly a million.
After hastily organizing everything, Sieg confirmed he hadn't left any loose ends along the way. The battle scene and body in the power plant had been properly handled. Only then did he lie down on the bed, finally at ease.
A full night of traveling had left him utterly exhausted.
At last, he could rest properly. Sure enough, the moment his head hit the pillow, Sieg was out cold.
Umbreon curled up beside his pillow, standing guard.
When Sieg next awoke, the sky outside was painted with the red hues of sunset. Evening had arrived.
Sieg rubbed his growling stomach and headed straight to the Pokémon Center's restaurant for dinner, ordering some of his Pokémon's favorite foods as well.
"Sandile, slow down. No one's going to steal it from you."
Sieg watched his Sandile on the floor, locked in fierce combat with a leg of lamb, devouring it ravenously. He affectionately stroked its rough skin.
Among all of Sieg's Pokémon, only Sandile had a taste for this kind of meat. But Sandile's voracious eating style certainly startled some of the other patrons at the restaurant.
Just as he finished dinner and prepared to leave.
A pale-faced young man flanked by two bodyguards in black suddenly blocked his path.
He was scrawny with pallid cheeks and vacant, lifeless eyes. He appeared to be in his early twenties, but walked with an unsteady gait, clearly someone who had overindulged in worldly pleasures.
Still, clothes make the man. The young man was dressed impeccably, head to toe in designer brands.
Noticing someone blocking their way, Sandile instinctively bared its teeth and assumed a battle stance. This combat readiness had been ingrained since birth.
Umbreon also adopted a guarded posture. As the Pokémon who most often protected Sieg, she naturally took responsibility for her trainer's safety.
"How much for that Sandile of yours? Name your price!"
He looked down at Sieg with an arrogant expression, chin raised as if bestowing charity.
Hearing this, Sieg's previously pleasant demeanor instantly turned cold. His eyes narrowed as he swept his gaze over the him and his two bodyguards.
"Get lost."
A murderous glint flashed in Sieg's eyes.
The pressure emanating from someone who had spent his time fighting for life and death with criminals and bandits with countless blood on his hands was not something two ordinary bodyguards could withstand.
Sieg walked straight past the three of them and out of the Pokémon Center, a cold smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
It was a long moment before the young man recovered, turning to curse at his two bodyguards.
"What the hell! You're supposed to be elite security personnel, so why did you just freeze up like..."
His outburst drew the displeasure of many onlookers. After someone quietly reported to Nurse Joy, the man was promptly escorted out.
Though arrogant, he knew better than to cause trouble in a Pokémon Center. He bowed and scraped before Nurse Joy, hastily taking his leave.
After all, while his family had decent standing, barely qualifying as third-rate and appearing like giants to ordinary trainers, before the Joy family, they were no different from ants.
Even the strongest member of his family, the patriarch himself, would have to show the utmost respect when facing a Nurse Joy.
After exiting the Pokémon Center, he looked around but saw no sign of Sieg. He barked orders at his two bodyguards: "What are you standing around for! Go find that guy!"
Trust fund brats like him loved nothing more than collecting all sorts of unusual Pokémon. Strength didn't matter, what mattered was that they're rare and unique enough.
Only then could he flaunt his status and earn bragging rights among his circle of fellow rich kids.
When he first spotted Sieg's Sandile, he was puzzled, not recognizing what kind of Pokémon it was. Only after asking his bodyguard did he learn it was a rare species.
That's why he tried to buy it with money, only to be shot down completely.