Chapter 104:

As Cain and his comrades returned to their campsite, the fiery orb in the western sky sank, bidding a reluctant farewell to its last ray of light. The crimson glow on the horizon was gone, replaced by the lustrous moon that had risen early in the east. The lunar goddess cast a faint halo upon the land, and the forest outside Goldenrod City embraced the arrival of its own nocturnal reign.

With the aid of Miltank, Cain carefully washed all the ingredients in the cool waters of the nearby lake. From his ring, he withdrew his special cooking tools and placed the barbecue grill upon the crackling bonfire, arranging the bottles of condiments with tidy precision at its side. Slowpoke sat upon a simple stone stool, using Confusion to assist in the cooking process.

The hares and pheasants were sorted meticulously and cooked to perfection under Cain's skillful expertise. Those that required longer roasting were placed in the middle of the grill, while those that cooked quickly and had a tendency to burn were set aside. The fragrant aroma of cumin, salt, and pepper wafted through the air, enhancing the succulent flavors of the barbecue meat.

Thanks to the scarce human presence in the area, the meat of the wild animals was especially plump and savory. As the meat roasted, it turned a lovely golden hue, with glistening droplets of oil sizzling into the fire below.

Murkrow and Slowpoke had always been passionate about food, catching an abundance of ingredients in the forest, aside from the many wild Pokemon. The meat roasting on the grill was only a fraction of what they had collected, but even so, they were all staring hungrily at it, almost afraid to move, for fear that the food would vanish if they did.

Miltank, usually shy and bashful, was now the most heroic member of the team when it came to eating. Her mouth watered with anticipation, and she could not help but drool at the sight of the food.

But Cain had not given them the go-ahead to dig in, so they merely gazed with rapt attention, except for Gastly, who could only smell the tantalizing aroma, his hunger unsatisfied.

Despite his agony, Gastly had acquired enough death aura from the countless Pokemon he had defeated that day to sustain him for several days. Nevertheless, he would have given anything to taste the delicious barbecue meat.

Although he couldn't eat it, he focused on his role as a vigilant sentinel, watching for any danger that might arise.

Cain surveyed the golden-brown roast before him. As a chef, he knew it was his duty to taste the meat first.

With a sharp knife, he sliced a tender piece of rabbit and savored it in his mouth, savoring the burst of juices and seasoning that exploded on his tongue. The meat was delectable, and he had become a master of barbecuing through years of dedication and practice.

Cain smiled at the eager faces of Miltank, Slowpoke, and Murkrow, giving them permission to indulge, but warning them not to snatch the food. They could only eat more once they had finished what was on their plates.

Cain knew that his ravenous team could finish all the meat in a flash, leaving him far behind in the cooking process. He limited their consumption, only allowing them to eat at a pace he could keep up with.

While Cain cooked, he occasionally picked up a succulent piece of meat that had fallen onto the grill and devoured it with relish. But even with his hearty appetite, he was soon sated.

However, his Pokemon's hunger seemed insatiable today. They devoured one portion of barbecued meat after another, even consuming the fish Slowpoke had managed to catch in the end. Of them all, Miltank's appetite was the most voracious, eating nearly half the food by herself.

But the enticing aroma of the barbecue also drew the attention of many other Pokemon lurking in the surrounding forest. Pairs of fiery or emerald eyes peered through the underbrush, watching Cain and his companions.

Yet Cain was not unduly concerned about the wild Pokemon attracted by the fire and the meat's aroma. With Gastly as their watchful protector, no Pokemon could launch a sneak attack under their noses. If it came to a head-on battle, the Pokemon who had just eaten were even more fearless.

Surviving in the wild meant there were times when running away would be futile or even backfire. To survive, one had to show their claws and fangs, inspiring fear in their potential adversaries.

During the day's battle, Cain's Pokemon had been ruthless, killing decisively. A faint scent of blood and a hint of the murderous aura still clung to their bodies. Ordinary humans might not have sensed it, but other Pokemon could detect the threatening aura emanating from Murkrow and the others.

Thus, although the aroma of the barbecue was enticing, the wild Pokemon dared not approach.

Murkrow and Slowpoke had followed Cain for a long time and developed immense confidence under his command. They believed that there was no enemy they could not defeat with Cain's guidance. As a result, a powerful aura emanated from their bodies, deterring most Pokemon from approaching.

Despite that, as more and more Pokemon gathered to watch, there would be always be one or two daring creatures that would attempt to steal the food. And just as the last morsel was about to be consumed, a wild Ariados couldn't resist the lure and jumped out to attack.

The crimson spider jumped from a nearby branch, supported by gravity and spider silk, like a flaming comet hurtling from the sky. Its razor-sharp claws glimmered with a purple glow as it pounced towards Cain.

The Ariados realized that among these creatures, the one in the middle seemed the weakest. Though its aura was equally robust, its instincts as a Pokemon told it that dealing with the one in the center would allow it to indulge in the tempting fragrance of the meat.

But every move it made was under Gastly's watchful gaze.

Before it could strike, Gastly had already alerted Cain to be prepared. Murkrow and Slowpoke, who had been dining with Cain, were also primed to retaliate.

Cain smiled, threw down his knife, and declared, "Looks like it's time for a post-meal exercise. Murkrow, use Wing Attack! Slowpoke, use Confusion to control it!"