"Bellsprout, no need to release Poison Powder anymore."
Seeing the weakened Rattata, Icarus stepped forward without caring that they had already noticed him.
"We'll go in directly. Pidgey, use Gust for wide-range suppression. Bellsprout, use Vine Whip on the one that's still shouting."
"Pidgey!"
"Spri!"
Sneak attacks were efficient—but if the enemy didn't resist at all, it felt dull.
Receiving the order, Pidgey immediately flew forward and began flapping its wings.
"Huu~ huhu!"
A powerful gust struck the Rattata that were not fully asleep.
"Ratta! Ratta!"
Their unhealed wounds split open under the force of the wind, and blood began seeping out again. Two heavily injured Rattata collapsed after a single round of Gust, completely losing the ability to fight.
"Rattataaa!"
The leader, enduring the wind while squinting against the force, realized only three of them could still move. Rage filled its eyes.
The tearing pain from its reopened wounds actually helped it shake off the lingering drowsiness from Sleep Powder.
Before it could issue an order—
"Smack!"
A thorn-covered vine lashed across its face.
"Rattata—!"
The leader was sent flying before it could finish its cry.
The remaining two Rattata panicked at the sight.
"During battle, you must stay alert," Icarus said coldly. "Shouting uselessly won't save you. Pidgey, use Tackle on the nearest one."
"Pidgey!"
White energy coated its body as it dove.
"Boom!"
The struck Rattata rolled twice across the grass and lay still.
At the same time—
"Crack!"
Bellsprout's thorned vine smashed into the last standing one, knocking it down instantly.
A silver flash cut through the air.
"Thud!"
A throwing knife embedded itself into the back of the fleeing leader.
"So you're the only one left," Icarus said calmly. "Trying to escape? Leaving your companions behind? Some leader you are."
"Pidgey!"
Pidgey rose into the air directly above the leader, blocking any escape route.
The leader glared upward. It was at its limit. Since escape was impossible—
A fierce determination flashed in its eyes.
If it couldn't flee, it would capture the human and turn the situation around.
White energy suddenly flared around its body.
"Oh? Focus Energy and Quick Attack. Not bad," Icarus muttered. "But did you forget about Bellsprout?"
The purple blur shot forward.
"Moo—!"
Bellsprout had already prepared. Its vines crossed defensively, blocking the Quick Attack and forcing the leader back two steps.
"Newly advanced high-level strength," Icarus observed quietly. "With the Focus Energy boost, its attack power isn't weak."
"But it's still two against one."
"Pidgey, compress the wind—hit it!"
"Huuuu!"
The narrowed Gust became far more concentrated and powerful.
The leader couldn't open its eyes under the pressure. Sharp Flying-type energy sliced across its body, leaving multiple fresh wounds.
"Bellsprout, finish it. Vine Whip!"
Two thorn-covered vines lashed forward.
"Smack!"
"Rattata—!"
The bloodied leader screamed and collapsed, losing the ability to fight.
---
"Bellsprout, give it a heavy dose of Sleep Powder."
"Shushasha—"
At close range, the powder was inhaled instantly. The leader fell into deep sleep.
"Alright. Poké Ball."
Icarus took out a blank Poké Ball and threw it.
Click.
The ball shook twice… then locked with a clear snap.
Capture successful.
"That was easier than expected," he said, picking it up. "You were already thinking of escaping. Your will wasn't very firm."
He placed the Poké Ball into his backpack and looked at Bellsprout and Pidgey.
"You both did well. Now, clean up the battlefield."
He drew his dagger and walked toward the defeated Caterpie.
"Pidgey? Pidgey?"
Pidgey hesitated. It had trained in battles before—but only to knock opponents unconscious. It had never killed.
"Spri spri. Sprout."
Bellsprout stepped forward like an older brother, explaining patiently.
All the meat they ate came from these Bug-types. Without killing them, they couldn't obtain energy-rich meat.
And if they wanted to grow stronger quickly, Icarus would need money—to buy energy crystals, TMs, and other resources.
Those required selling materials gathered from wild Pokémon.
"So…"
"Stab."
A thorned vine pierced straight through a Caterpie's eye.
The Bug-type twitched twice before going still.
"Spri."
Bellsprout looked calmly at Pidgey. Do you understand?
"Pidgey… Pidgey."
After a brief pause, Pidgey nodded firmly.
At the Pokémon House, it had been taught to obey its Trainer—and the senior Pokémon. What Bellsprout said made sense.
"Spri!"
Satisfied, Bellsprout nodded.
Under its signal, Pidgey steeled itself and swiftly ended one of the fallen Rattata with its claws and sharp beak.
The forest returned to silence once more.
(End of Chapter 62)
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