"My lord, this is the item you purchased."
After handing over his seat number and bank card, Icarus received a Poké Ball. Inside it, a small black canine Pokémon looked up at him.
"Alright…"
He took back the bank card, feeling a sharp pang. Only five remained—his entire savings, gone.
But when he looked at Houndour staring back at him, he let out a small, relieved smile. Raising the Poké Ball closer, he spoke softly:
"Hello, Houndour. My name is Icarus. From now on, I'm your trainer."
"…"
Though no sound came through, he could see Houndour nod slightly.
Unlike wild Pokémon, Houndour had been raised in the Wu Neng Family's training base since birth. Its food and care had always been handled by humans.
Because of that, it didn't resist being captured. If anything, it looked forward to it.
After all, it finally had the chance to leave the base and see the outside world.
"Here, take your card back, Airi. Let's head out."
Icarus tucked away the Poké Ball and walked toward the exit.
"Mm… Brother Icarus, are we heading straight back to town?"
Airi took the card and followed beside him.
"Yeah."
Even if the evening auction had better items, it didn't matter anymore. He had no money left.
The two left the auction house and headed toward the gopher cave.
Since they didn't need to wait for a caravan, they moved quickly.
Repel spray cleared the path, while Weepinbell and Poliwhirl handled anything that slipped through. The return went smoothly, and they entered Greenveil Forest again.
"It's already past five. It'll be dark soon!"
Icarus checked the time and spoke urgently.
"We need to leave the inner area before night."
"Pidgeotto, scout ahead!"
"Got it! Poliwhirl, stay alert!"
Airi immediately followed up.
They sped forward.
"Rustle—"
As dusk settled, they finally saw the stone marker separating the inner and outer forest.
"Almost there—go!"
"Okay!"
They pushed forward—
—but just as Icarus passed beneath a tree, a purple shadow dropped.
"Got you!"
An Arbok lunged with its jaws wide open.
"Pidgeotto!!"
Hearing the noise, Pidgeotto turned sharply, but it was too late to intercept.
"Bell!"
Weepinbell reacted instantly, firing a burst of Bullet Seed.
At the same time—
"Let's test this!"
Instead of panicking, Icarus focused his strength into his right hand and threw a punch.
Bang!
He was knocked back and rolled across the ground—but he escaped the bite range.
"Hiss—!"
Struck by both attacks, Arbok cried out in pain.
"Now!"
Airi snapped back to focus.
"Poliwhirl, attack!"
"Poli!"
Water Gun! Water Bombs!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Caught off guard, Arbok was hit repeatedly.
"Bell!!!"
Weepinbell was furious.
Its vine lashed out—
Crack! Crack!
"How dare you attack Icarus!?"
It wrapped Arbok tightly—
SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!
The repeated impacts crushed its resistance.
"Chaa—!"
Already weakened, Arbok quickly lost the ability to fight.
"Pidgeotto!"
Pidgeotto swooped down and finished it with a decisive strike.
"Nice work, Airi."
Icarus stood up, brushing dust off his clothes.
"Hehe… it's nothing. Pokémon like Rattata do this all the time near the outer forest. I just reacted."
She smiled, then asked:
"Are you okay, Brother Icarus?"
"I'm fine. Just a bit dusty."
"Pidgeotto…"
The bird lowered its head in guilt.
"It's alright," Icarus said, patting it.
"You're not a radar. Just be more careful next time."
"Pidgeotto!"
It nodded firmly.
"Woof!"
With a flash, Houndour jumped out.
"Woof! Woof!!"
It rushed to Arbok's body, biting angrily.
It had wanted to come out earlier—but Icarus had stopped it to avoid injury.
"Alright, alright… I'm fine," Icarus said with a chuckle.
"This snake can be your extra dinner tonight."
Watching Houndour defend him so fiercely, he felt satisfied.
But also—
"…a bit too bold."
He shook his head slightly.
Dark-type Pokémon really did have that reckless edge.
(End of Chapter)