However, Icarus, who had stayed at the rear, quickly realized something—
He had nowhere to go.
By hanging back, he had successfully avoided the most chaotic and dangerous initial clash.
But because of that, all the opponents had already been taken.
---
Earlier, the four undercover agents Luke mentioned had suddenly thrown off their disguises, revealing their black "R" uniforms.
That sudden betrayal instantly overwhelmed three trainers, who were captured alive on the spot.
---
The situation had now become:
54 Rocket grunts vs. 20 remaining trainers, along with a group of trembling civilians and inexperienced juniors gathered near the innermost caravan.
---
Icarus observed carefully.
Around the central trucks, aside from terrified civilians, there were several novice trainers—young boys and girls wearing clothing marked with the Jiang family insignia.
Their Pokémon—Rattata, Pidgey, Mankey—stood guard nervously.
So they brought their kids out to "gain experience"…
Icarus looked at them for a moment.
Then looked away.
Wrong place, wrong time.
---
He had already assessed the situation there.
That central zone was the most intense battlefield.
Two high-level caravan trainers were defending
Two Rocket squad leaders were attacking
Supported by 4–5 mid-level grunts
That was not a place he could interfere.
---
So he tried elsewhere.
But the result was frustrating.
No one wanted him.
---
Teams of two or three were already ganging up on single opponents.
That meant guaranteed wins—and guaranteed loot.
Why would anyone suddenly accept a stranger to split the rewards?
---
Best case?
They'd block him out.
Worst case?
They'd treat him as competition—and attack him directly.
---
"…Damn it."
Icarus clicked his tongue.
What is this? I came all this way just to watch?
These people are greedy as hell—everyone's eating alone! No sense of teamwork at all!
---
But complaining changed nothing.
He had no opening.
---
So in the end, he retreated even further—to the outer edge of the battlefield.
Safer.
And at least from here, he could observe.
---
Fine… treat it as experience.
His eyes scanned the battlefield, analyzing movements, positioning, timing.
---
Then—
"Hmm?"
His attention snapped back to the central battle.
---
The two high-level caravan trainers were struggling.
One Pokémon after another fell—
But they didn't release any new ones.
---
They're out…
Icarus narrowed his eyes.
So that's it. They're finished.
---
Those kids are about to be captured.
---
But suddenly—
The two trainers each threw out a Poké Ball again.
"Graveler!"
---
Two previously defeated Graveler reappeared.
They looked weak—clearly only hastily treated.
But they were still standing.
---
"You think two injured Pokémon can stop us?"
One Rocket grunt sneered.
---
"Be careful!" a squad leader immediately shouted.
"They're going to self-destruct!"
---
"Heh… you figured it out."
The caravan trainers didn't bother hiding it.
"Graveler—Self-Destruct!"
---
"Self-Destruct as well!"
---
"GRRRR—!"
Despite their injuries, both Graveler began glowing intensely—
Their bodies swelling with unstable energy.
---
"Run! All of you, run!"
The trainers turned and shouted at the juniors behind them.
---
"Run! RUN!"
Panic exploded among the civilians and young trainers.
They scattered in all directions.
---
But then—
Something changed.
---
As they passed the caravan—
A few desperate civilians suddenly stopped.
---
"Wait…!"
"What's mine is mine!"
---
They rushed to the cargo truck—
Opened it—
And grabbed whatever they could.
---
"Crash—!"
The container overturned.
---
In an instant—
Energy crystals spilled everywhere.
---
That moment—
Greed took over.
---
"Mine!"
"I'll grab some too!"
"Just one handful—then I run!"
---
Most of the fleeing crowd bent down, grabbing whatever they could before escaping.
Only a few kept running without looking back.
---
Then—
BOOM!!!
BOOM!!!
---
The Graveler exploded.
---
But the damage…
Was limited.
---
They were already heavily injured.
This wasn't a full-power, life-burning explosion.
---
Only one unlucky Rocket grunt was blasted away.
A few Pokémon lost combat capability.
---
That was all.
---
"Hah… that's it?"
The two Rocket squad leaders emerged largely unharmed.
They had already switched to fresh Pokémon to shield themselves.
---
Meanwhile—
The caravan trainers weren't so lucky.
---
With no Pokémon left—
Even though they tried to retreat—
They were caught in the blast.
Now both lay on the ground, unable to move.
---
The battle… was over.
---
"Captain… should we chase those kids?"
"Or…"
Several Rocket grunts stared at the scattered energy crystals, eyes burning with greed.
---
One squad leader spat.
"Chase them? For what?"
"One kid is worth 100 points—that's about 10 in cash."
---
He pointed at the ground.
"Pick up just two of these—and you've already made that."
---
The implication was obvious.
---
"…You're right."
The other captain's eyes flickered.
"And we didn't open the cargo ourselves."
"Those brats already took a bunch."
---
He smirked.
"This has nothing to do with us."
---
"Exactly!"
"We were delayed by the explosion!"
"Didn't see anything!"
---
The grunts quickly fell in line, nodding eagerly.
Excuses—instantly prepared.
---
And then—
They rushed forward.
---
To grab everything.
---
At the edge of the battlefield—
Icarus watched.
Silently.
---
Now—
Finally—
There was an opening.
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