After counting the money several times in excitement, Icarus set aside 700 Pokédollars to return the next day.
He placed the remaining cash into his old, worn backpack, then put that backpack inside his portable space backpack.
"Good. This way it's safe. I'll only feel at ease if I carry it with me."
Nodding to himself, he began preparing dinner.
Although few people lived near the garbage station, petty theft was still a concern. The shack's lock certainly wasn't high-end.
His rise as a Trainer had been quiet, but he carried Bellsprout everywhere, and the scar on his face was distinctive. Most townspeople probably recognized him by now. Thieves often targeted ordinary Trainers like him.
"Bellsprout, dinner's ready!"
Bellsprout, who had been outside practicing the release speed of its powder, rushed in immediately.
"Spri~!"
It stared eagerly at the fragrant Rattata meat, vines already stretching forward.
"Wait. Eat this poison sac first. From now on, you'll eat one before every three meals."
Icarus handed over a freshly thawed Weedle poison sac.
"Now that you've comprehended Sleep Powder, it means your Poison typing has awakened further. Weedle's poison sac won't harm you. On the contrary, this mild toxicity should help strengthen your own."
"Spri… sprout…"
Bellsprout swallowed it in one gulp. The moment it burst, bitterness flooded its mouth.
"Haha, you'll have to get used to it. Hurry and absorb it."
"Spri… spri…"
With a bitter expression, Bellsprout began absorbing the poison energy.
A short while later—
"Spri! Spri spri!"
Although the taste was terrible, it excitedly told Icarus that the poison energy inside its body had deepened slightly.
"Good. Then we'll stick to the plan. One per meal. If it stops working, we'll switch sources. Now let's eat."
"Spri spri…"
Though reluctant about regularly eating the bitter sacs, Bellsprout still nodded for the sake of becoming stronger. Then it quickly devoured the Rattata meat.
"Spri~!"
Perhaps because of the contrast after the bitterness, the meat tasted especially delicious.
"Rest for a bit after eating. Then continue practicing your powder release speed."
"Spri~ woo~"
Bellsprout nodded happily.
---
The night passed quickly.
The next morning, Bellsprout didn't linger in bed. It couldn't wait to eat fresh Bug-type meat again.
"Let's go. We'll return the extra money to Boss Wu Er first, then head to the city gate."
Icarus placed a brand-new bottle of Potion into his backpack, opened the door, and stepped out.
"Spri!"
Full of energy after eating both poison sac and meat, Bellsprout followed closely.
They soon arrived at the butcher shop.
"Boss, I appreciate your care, but I still need to return the extra money. I can support myself now."
Icarus placed 700 Pokédollars on the counter, explained briefly, then immediately pulled Bellsprout away before the boss could respond.
The boss walked to the doorway with heavy steps, watching their retreating figures.
"That kid… I hope he stays safe. Being a Trainer isn't easy."
He looked at the 700 Pokédollars on the table and sighed.
---
After leaving town, they chose the opposite direction from yesterday.
"It seems everything's become more alert. Bellsprout, confident?"
Through his binoculars, Icarus spotted five Weedle.
"Spri spri."
No problem.
"Be careful. Don't get too close. Just release Sleep Powder within range. Two of them are on guard."
Bellsprout nodded and began to sneak forward.
Since mastering Sleep Powder, Icarus's role had shifted more toward support. Throwing knives made noise. Sleep Powder was far quieter.
His job now was interference and precision strikes.
"Shushasha…"
Fine powder slowly enveloped the Weedle.
"Woo~! Woo!"
The weaker Weedle quickly cried out in warning as dizziness set in.
Seeing the disturbance, Icarus immediately threw three knives at the Weedle shaking its head most violently.
"Spri!"
Bellsprout activated Growth beforehand—now a routine step—then unleashed an enhanced Vine Whip.
The two stronger Weedle fired Poison Sting at the incoming knives, attempting to protect their companions.
"Ding! Ding!"
Two knives were deflected.
But—
"Smack! Smack!"
The strengthened Vine Whip still struck, severely injuring one of them.
"Nice job! I'll control these two. Finish the weaker ones first!"
Two more knives embedded into the injured Weedle, paralyzing powder spreading.
The two Weedle howled weakly on the ground.
"Whoa! Whoa!"
Poison Stings scattered wildly.
A vine instantly bound one paralyzed Weedle, then slammed it into another.
"Bang!"
They crashed together.
One immediately lost the ability to fight. The other barely managed a final Poison Sting toward Bellsprout.
"Spri—!"
Caught off guard, Bellsprout cried out in pain.
"Stay calm! Bind the left one and smash it!"
"Whip! Whip!"
Two vines wrapped around the Weedle on the left.
"Spri! (◣д◢)"
Angry but controlled, Bellsprout obeyed and slammed the attacker hard.
"Boom!"
Both Weedle lost the ability to fight.
"Good. Absorb those two. I'll handle the other three."
Icarus quickly finished off the remaining Weedle while staying vigilant.
Meanwhile, Bellsprout absorbed energy from its targets.
Once Bellsprout's condition stabilized, Icarus began dismantling the corpses efficiently, keeping watch as always.
(End of Chapter 36)
---------------Author---------------
Thank you NARTER-501,
George Simon, RebelRob_94,
Domnick Dawson, terrance smith, What if stories for supporting me!
read 40 chapters ahead on:
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
Every 50 power stones= 1 chapter
Every 5 reviews = 1 chapters