"Infer... nape..."
The flames around Infernape slowly faded.
It let out a pained cry, dropped to one knee, and gasped heavily for breath.
A flicker of pain flashed through its eyes.
Flare Blitz had dealt quite a bit of recoil damage to it as well.
"Zoroark!"
"You useless trash... get up!"
"You can't even beat a monkey. What good are you?"
Harker's face twisted viciously as he walked over to Zoroark, who was covered in wounds and had already lost the ability to battle.
Then he kicked Zoroark hard, roaring in fury.
The surrounding Trainers frowned deeply at the sight, but no one stepped forward to stop him.
No one dared.
All because he had a Champion-level father backing him.
Even though they despised what he was doing, they also knew Harker was like a powder keg right now.
Anyone who got close would set him off.
"You useless trash... get back on your feet! Keep fighting!"
"Move!"
Like a rabid dog, Harker kept kicking Zoroark while shouting furiously.
"Infer... nape..."
Anger flashed through Infernape's eyes.
It wanted to step in and stop him, but its injuries made it unable to move.
It was already doing well just to stay conscious.
Just then, a black figure silently appeared in front of Harker.
Harker was still venting his anger and had not even reacted yet.
SMACK!
A sharp slap rang out.
Harker suddenly felt a burning pain explode across his face. His pupils shrank violently.
His entire body was sent flying, saliva and blood spraying from his mouth. Two teeth flew out with them before he crashed heavily onto the ground.
"AAARGH!"
Harker let out a shrill scream and rolled across the ground.
"Gulp..."
The surrounding Trainers stared at the scene in disbelief and couldn't help swallowing hard.
Looking at the figure that had sent Harker flying with a single slap, their eyes were filled with shock.
Where did this absolute menace come from?
Or was he just insane?
He actually dared to hit Harker.
Did he have a death wish?
Whispers immediately rose from the crowd.
"It's over, it's over... that guy is finished."
"Ah... what a shame. Young people really are too impulsive. He actually hit Harker."
"It was satisfying to watch, but... damn. I don't even know what to say."
"With Harker's personality, after being humiliated like this, that guy is probably going to suffer badly. His family might get dragged into it too."
"Honestly, I respect the guts. That's youthful fire right there. The rest of us sold ours to rent and common sense years ago."
"But actions have consequences."
"How sad..."
...
The people around them felt sympathy, admiration, fear, and mockery.
Even more simply wanted to see how this would play out.
Everyone was talking at once.
And the young man who had sent Harker flying with a slap was none other than Aaron.
Aaron kept his head lowered, making his eyes impossible to see.
His face was expressionless as he silently took out a healing spray.
He walked over to Zoroark and treated it first.
Then he walked step by step to Infernape's side.
"Infer... nape..."
A strange gleam flashed through Infernape's eyes as it looked at the young man in front of it.
"Infernape... don't move. I'll treat you."
Aaron kept his head lowered and spoke to Infernape in a low, hoarse voice.
"Infer..."
Infernape quietly watched Aaron.
Then it nodded and did not stop him.
Aaron sprayed the healing spray over Infernape's body.
Soon, Infernape's injuries began to recover little by little.
"AAARGH!"
"You filthy bastard, how dare you hit me!?"
"You actually dared to hit me!?"
"Even my dad has never hit me!"
"I'm going to kill you!"
"I swear I'll kill you!"
"And I'll kill your whole family too! I'll make sure none of you die peacefully! I'll torture every last one of you!"
By then, Harker had finally come back to his senses.
He clutched his face, swollen like a slab of raw meat, his eyes filled with venomous hatred.
He stood up, pointed at Aaron, and screamed one hysterical threat after another.
Aaron slowly turned around and lifted his head slightly, revealing the eyes hidden beneath his bangs.
A light breeze drifted through.
Yellow leaves fell from the trees and floated through the air.
The wind tugged softly at Aaron's clothes.
His eyes carried a cold, bone-deep gleam as he quietly looked at Harker.
When Harker saw Aaron's gaze, his pupils widened uncontrollably, and he instinctively took several steps back.
For the first time, Harker felt like prey.
...