The aftershocks of the battle gradually subsided.
A cold aura lingered in the air from the dissipated Shadow Ball energy.
The aura flowing around Greninja, however, was more than a notch stronger than before.
It had broken through.
Ariel's eyes fell on Greninja; he wasn't particularly surprised.
High-intensity life-and-death combat was naturally the best breeding ground for breakthroughs.
He turned his head and looked to the other side.
Steven's battle had ended long ago—or rather, it could hardly be called a battle.
That massive Aggron was like a mobile steel fortress; just by standing there, the heavy pressure it emitted kept ordinary Ghost-type Pokémon from daring to approach.
Occasionally, a few blind ones would rush forward, only to be casually pinned to the ground by its foot, unable to move or put up any decent resistance.
On the ground lay several fainted Gastly and Haunter scattered about—wild Pokémon drawn by the commotion. Aggron hadn't even used a single move.
This was Steven's strength; even a casual effort was enough to crush everything.
"Gulp."
Tome swallowed hard, her throat feeling a bit dry.
She looked at the fallen Gym Leader Level Gengar and Mismagius on Ariel's side, then at the scene on Steven's side where he'd cleared them out as easily as sweeping away trash. Her mind went blank.
Masaki, beside her, wasn't doing much better. He subconsciously pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, but his eyes had long since lost focus.
Is this... what a 'God-tier Carry' looks like?
They had previously thought Ariel and Steven were strong, but they didn't have a clear concept of exactly how strong.
Now, they understood. The Ghost-type Pokémon that in their eyes were enough to cause massive trouble—or even wipe out their party—were as fragile as paper in front of these two.
A sense of security, an unprecedented sense of security, tightly enveloped the two of them.
Following these two, it felt like even the most dangerous places were just a picnic.
Ariel ignored their shock and methodically processed the spoils of war.
With a flash of red light, the Gym Leader Level Gengar that had been so overbearing just a moment ago was cleanly pulled into a ball.
The Poké Ball wobbled twice on the ground before falling completely silent.
Next was the Mismagius.
As for the remaining Superior Level Ghost-types, Ariel's gaze swept over them, finally stopping on a Sableye that was slightly larger than its peers and had a more cunning look in its eyes.
This little thing had been the slipperiest during the fight, escaping Weavile's claws several times. It was somewhat interesting.
Another Poké Ball flew out, capturing this Sableye as well.
Having finished this, Ariel's gaze fell on a corner.
Larvitar was happily munching on a piece of ore emitting a faint purple glow. The ore seemed to be an energy crystal unique to Mt. Pyre, offering significant benefits to Ghost and Dark-type Pokémon.
As it swallowed bite after bite, a faint glow of leveling up would occasionally shimmer across its body.
Ariel glanced at its data.
Its level had quietly reached Level 18.
This leveling speed was practically faster than a rocket.
"Let's keep moving."
Ariel clapped his hands, signaling the group to prepare to set out.
"Mr. Ariel, Mr. Steven, please wait a moment."
Masaki finally snapped out of his shock. He stepped forward quickly, regaining some of a scholar's composure.
"There are six floors in total inside Mt. Pyre, and we are currently only on the first floor. The terrain here is intricate and complex, like a maze. Furthermore, because it's been eroded by Ghost-type energy for years, tools like compasses will fail. If we rush in blindly, it's very easy to lose our way."
As he spoke, he took a Poké Ball from his waist and opened it.
With a flash of white light, a small Sandshrew appeared before everyone.
This Sandshrew looked a bit timid; as soon as it came out, it warily scanned its surroundings. When it felt the lingering ghost aura in the air, its body couldn't help but shiver.
"This is my Pokémon, Sandshrew,"
Masaki introduced.
"Let it lead the way for us."
He crouched down and gently patted Sandshrew's back. The little fellow immediately understood; it moved its four short legs, sniffed the ground, and trotted off in one direction.
The four of them followed behind it.
Ariel's gaze fell on the leading Sandshrew, and his brow furrowed imperceptibly.
A Sandshrew that wasn't even Level 22?
Acting as a guide in a place like this?
What a joke.
In Mt. Pyre, Superior Level wild Pokémon were everywhere, and Gym Leader Level ones weren't rare either.
With the offensive just now, if even a single Haunter had slipped through, a single Shadow Ball could have one-shot this Sandshrew.
This wasn't malicious speculation; it was a basic judgment based on the power gap.
Seemingly sensing Ariel's doubts, Masaki, walking beside him, took the initiative to explain:
"Mr. Ariel, do you think my Sandshrew's level is too low to be suitable for scouting here?"
Ariel didn't deny it and nodded.
Masaki gave a bitter smile:
"That is precisely its advantage. For a Pokémon like Sandshrew, the lower the level, the more timid it is, and the more acute its perception of danger. Inside Mt. Pyre, any slight disturbance might represent a powerful wild Pokémon. Once it senses something wrong, it will immediately curl into a ball. That's the most direct alarm."
He paused and continued:
"If it evolves into Sandslash, it becomes bolder and its temperament becomes more aggressive. This innate sharp perception would actually degenerate. By then, it would no longer be a qualified scout."
Hearing this explanation, a flash of realization appeared in Steven's eyes.
"I see. So it's the same principle as miners keeping a canary in a mine shaft?"
Steven stroked his chin and said with great interest,
"Canaries are extremely sensitive to toxic gases and can provide an early warning. Your Sandshrew is used to warn of danger. One prevents gas, one prevents Pokémon—I've really learned something new."
Listening to the conversation between the two, Ariel also felt a stir in his heart.
So that's how it was.
The rules of the world aren't always as cold as game data.
There are some things that levels and stat panels cannot reflect.
It seemed that the things taught in the League's Trainer School weren't all just theoretical talk.
There was real substance in there as well.
He had learned another trick.
Just then, Tome, who had been following behind, finally couldn't suppress her curiosity. Looking at the eloquent Masaki, she blinked and asked:
"Masaki, you know so much. So... which one is your highest-level Pokémon?"
She had stayed at the Rock Gym for many years and was quite well-informed, so she was naturally curious about the actual strength of someone like Masaki, who possessed such rich theoretical knowledge.
As soon as this question was asked, the air instantly went quiet.
Steven also cast a curious glance.
Ariel also looked at Masaki; he wanted to know the answer too.
The composure on Masaki's face instantly froze. He coughed awkwardly twice, a hint of unnatural redness rising in his cheeks. His eyes wandered, not daring to meet anyone's gaze.
He was silent for a long while. Finally, under Tome's expectant gaze, he silently raised his hand and, with some difficulty...
Pointed at that tiny Sandshrew that was currently diligently leading the way in front.
The air seemed to freeze at this moment.
Tome's expression went from expectation to confusion, and then to blankness.
The corner of Steven's mouth twitched uncontrollably, as if he were trying his best to hold something back.
Ariel: "..."
So, after all that talk, this theory master's strongest Pokémon was this warning device that wasn't even Level 22?
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