After returning home, Icarus and Bellsprout rested on the bed for a while. After all, they had to work overtime at night.
"Ding—!"
The alarm clock rang right on time.
"It's five. Wake up, Bellsprout. Let's eat first, then go pick up the throwing knives. We'll head out again tonight!" Icarus rubbed his eyes and shook his partner awake.
"Spri… Sprout~" Bellsprout stood up groggily and responded twice.
One trainer and one Pokémon quickly finished dinner and left the room.
Recently, Bellsprout had been consuming Poison Sacs, and its Poison-type energy had visibly improved.
Its Hypnosis Powder had become stronger, and sometimes dark-black powder would scatter in the air.
After testing just a tiny amount, Icarus had felt uncomfortable all over, experienced hallucinations, and drifted in and out of consciousness.
He felt that Bellsprout would soon comprehend Poison Powder. When that happened, with both Poison Powder and Hypnosis Powder, dealing with Bug-type Pokémon would become much easier.
"Heh…" Icarus couldn't help smirking.
"Spri?" Walking beside him, Bellsprout looked at him suspiciously, feeling that its trainer had been acting a little silly lately.
"Ahem! Let's hurry," Icarus said quickly when he noticed the look. "We'll try to get there early."
Soon, they arrived at the blacksmith shop.
"Perfect timing, little brother! I just finished forging them. Take a look." The burly shop owner quickly handed over the newly made throwing knives.
"Alright, let me test them."
Holding the cold, gleaming knife, Icarus walked toward the wooden target.
Whoosh!
A throwing knife pierced straight through the wooden target and embedded itself into the wall behind it.
"Not bad. Very good."
"Spri~" Bellsprout used its Vine Whip to retrieve the knife.
"Are you satisfied? About the remaining balance…" the shopkeeper asked eagerly.
"Here." Icarus handed over the rest of the Pokédollars. "We're done."
"Come again next time, little brother! Hehehe." The shopkeeper barely looked up, already busy counting his money.
After securing the upgraded throwing knives at his waist, Icarus hurried toward the city gate.
"Oh? Out again tonight?" A guard recognized him. "Are rookie trainers working this hard this year?"
"Can't help it, big brother. I'm on my own." Icarus smiled. "You said others went out too?"
"Yeah. Two rookies just left together, and another one went out alone earlier. You newcomers are really pushing yourselves."
"I'll stay near the outer perimeter and be back before the gates close," Icarus replied before leaving with Bellsprout.
As he walked, his expression gradually turned serious.
"They've noticed already… Tonight is the last chance. After this, I'll have to…"
His gaze hardened.
"Let's go, Bellsprout. This time we're only targeting Flying-types."
---
Under the effect of Repel spray, Icarus skillfully avoided other wild Pokémon and soon located two Zubat.
Although facing two at once was risky, he didn't have much time left.
Using the ultrasonic shielding device, Icarus and Bellsprout began coordinating.
"The intermediate protective suit really is different," he muttered. "The visibility is much clearer, and the range is better too. You really get what you pay for."
Click.
He switched off the ultrasonic shield.
The two Zubat, immediately receiving feedback, darted toward him.
This time, thanks to the improved night vision, he didn't need to get as close as before. At around ten meters, he opened fire.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The three shots were dodged with ease.
As Pokémon accustomed to living in darkness, Zubat lacked vision but possessed incredibly sensitive hearing and skin perception.
"Expected."
Last time, he had relied on panic. This time, he struck first. Even a Pidgey could dodge at this range—let alone Zubat, which was even more sensitive to airflow.
As the two Zubat swooped down to bite, Icarus rolled across the ground to avoid being locked in place.
Several bites landed against his protective suit—but none broke through.
The Zubat flew back into the air, confused.
Click.
The ultrasonic device set up by Bellsprout activated.
The two Zubat instantly panicked midair.
"What's happening?!"
"Now!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He didn't hold back. Six bullets in total.
Because there were two this time, they stabilized faster than before.
One Zubat successfully dodged most of the shots and attempted to regroup with its partner—
Boom!
It slammed directly into a tree trunk while evading the final shot.
"Good!"
Icarus immediately shifted focus and aimed at the stunned Zubat.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Snap!
The net captured it.
The trapped Zubat screeched in terror, calling for its companion.
The remaining Zubat, hearing the distress call, hesitated for only a moment before fleeing into the night.
"Lucky escape," Icarus muttered, watching it disappear.
He turned back to the captured Zubat.
"Alright, Bellsprout. Let's finish this."
"Spri spri!"
---
(End of Chapter 52)