Chapter 126:

At this point, Sneasel had been subdued by Cain. Although he remained slightly disobedient, Cain hoped that over time, Sneasel would integrate into the team and develop a good rapport with the other Pokemon.

Of all of Cain's Pokemon, Miltank had the strongest bond with Sneasel. It was unclear whether it was due to Miltank's gentle demeanor or the fact that she provided Sneasel with milk.

Sneasel remained wary of Cain despite obeying his commands. He couldn't help but feel a sense of defiance towards his trainer.

However, Murkrow and Slowpoke welcomed Sneasel with open arms. Initially, Sneasel didn't take kindly to Murkrow and Slowpoke's friendly gestures. But as they persistently stuck by his side, Sneasel began to warm up to them.

Cain paid little attention to Sneasel's resistance. The fact that Sneasel was slowly accepting him was already a promising sign.

Cain didn't believe he was the type of trainer who could easily command the obedience of every Pokemon he encountered. He knew it would take time and effort to establish trust and respect.

After a grueling day of chasing Sneasel, Cain checked his watch and realized it was already 7 PM. None of the Pokemon had eaten anything since morning.

In the frigid cave, Cain set about building a fire pit out of stones to cook their meal. He sliced up various meats and added homemade seasonings to a large pot, creating a mouth-watering hot pot. As the rich aroma wafted through the cave, the Pokemon gathered around, enticed by the smell.

Sneasel, initially hesitant, was eventually convinced by Miltank to join the others by the fire. Eating hot pot in the cold cave proved to be a smart decision as it helped bring the Pokemon closer together. Sneasel, who had previously been reluctant to interact with the others, began to communicate more and more as he enjoyed the delicious meal.

Cain waited patiently until the others had their fill before joining in on the feast. The once-cold cave was now alive with chatter and laughter as the Pokemon enjoyed their meal.

Afterwards, each Pokemon received a bottle of milk, and they sat against the cave wall, chatting amicably. Cain even woke up Skorupi to join in on the fun, and the curious Pokemon crawled up to Sneasel to greet him.

As time wore on, they pitched their tents in the cave and settled down for the night.

---

"Sneasel, you've lived in this cave for a long time. Have you seen a Swinub around here?" Cain asked Sneasel, who was pretending to be cold and aloof.

After a night of rest in Sneasel's cave, they set out early the next morning to search for a Swinub to complete the mission for the Hunter's Guild.

Cain knew that finding a Swinub with the right level and aptitude would not be easy, but he was determined to complete the mission.

Sneasel nodded in response to Cain's question, recalling his experiences living in the area. He couldn't remember exactly how long he had been there, but he knew where to find food.

Sneasel had a keen sense of smell and was familiar with the habits of the lazy Swinubs in the area. They would collect food and pile it up in one place, allowing them to eat for extended periods without having to move around.

Swinubs were not social Pokemon and were fiercely protective of their food. Sneasel had learned this the hard way, having faced their wrath when he attempted to steal from them.

Anyway, Sneasel knew where to find Swinubs and could guide Cain to them, saving them valuable time in their search.

Under Sneasel's guidance, they searched the ice caves for Swinubs. While there were plenty of Swinubs in the area, they were difficult to locate due to the complex cave system. Even when they did find a few, Cain didn't attack them as their level and aptitude were not up to par.

Despite the challenges of navigating the labyrinthine cave system, Cain trusted in Sneasel's expertise and knowledge of the area.

After several hours of searching, they finally stumbled upon a Swinub with the aptitude and level they were looking for.

Pokémon: Swinub (Dark Yellow)

Gender: Female

Level: 22

Type: Ice + Ground

Ability: Oblivious

Held items: None

Egg moves: Icicle Spear, Mud Shot

Basic moves: Odor Sleuth, Tackle, Mud Sport, Powder Snow, Mud-Slap, Endure, Mud Bomb, Icy Wind

Taught moves: Stealth Rock

Technical Machines (TMs): None

Cain knew that capturing this Swinub would complete his Hunter Mission, so he wasted no time in taking action.

"Slowpoke, use Water Gun," Cain commanded.

Slowpoke obeyed, shooting a powerful stream of water towards the Swinub's nest. The lazy Swinub was caught off guard by the sudden attack, and its home was flooded in an instant.

"AAHHH!" Enraged by the intrusion, the Swinub roared angrily and charged out of its flooded nest. Despite its normally lazy and slow demeanor, it was not to be underestimated.

Now, with bloodshot eyes, the Swinub glared at the culprit responsible for destroying its home - Slowpoke.