Chapter 132:

As the Huntress vanished into the frost-kissed air, Cain wasted no time. With the mighty Onix now captured, his primary goal was complete. His focus shifted to returning to the Team Rocket base and securing the elusive quest item.

Cain released the newly tamed Onix, its gargantuan form dwarfing him. Under the watchful gaze of the ever-present Slowpoke, the creature begrudgingly acquiesced. Though destined for the Hunter's Guild as a mission exchange, the Onix would first serve as Cain's formidable steed, ideal for navigating the treacherous mountain path.

Vaulting onto the Onix's rocky spine, Cain urged the colossal Pokémon forward, plummeting down the mountain at breakneck speed. The uneven terrain was no match for the Onix, as it transformed even the roughest ground into a smooth ride.

Upon reaching level terrain, Cain chose not to stow away the Onix. Its swiftness vastly outpaced his own, and although it attracted the ire of other Pokémon, he was unfazed. He embraced the challenges, treating them as valuable training opportunities. The encounter with the girl still resonated with him—he couldn't afford complacency, not when so many formidable young trainers roamed the world.

The Onix blazed a trail, plowing through smaller trees and only slightly altering its course for the more robust trunks. Its passage incited the territorial instincts of the region's powerful Pokémon, each roar and growl a testament to the disruption it caused.

In truth, the Onix longed to cry out. Ordinarily, it would never have dared such brazen behavior, but the omnipresent threat from its new master left it little choice. It yearned to communicate its plight to the furious wild Pokémon, to explain that it was forced into this rampage.

Yet, the Onix's fears proved unfounded. Though some adversaries exceeded Cain and his team's abilities, they could hold their own just long enough to escape the creatures' domains. Once beyond the borders of their territories, most Pokémon ceased their pursuit, allowing Cain and his team to press onward.

Some adversaries, however, doggedly pursued them. Sneasel's ice-type moves slowed these tenacious creatures, allowing Cain and his team to shake them off eventually.

Thus, the onslaught the Onix had dreaded never materialized, and their journey continued without hindrance.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Cain guided the Onix to the forest's edge. Their pace had more than doubled since entering this wild terrain.

If not for the growing throngs of people, Cain would have ridden the Onix straight to Mahogany Town.

Cain even contemplated keeping the Onix as his personal mount, its convenience far surpassing any solo endeavor.

.....

Cain donned his nondescript clothing and a cap to blend in with the crowd. Head down, he navigated through the bustling streets and entered Mahogany Town.

He could feel the city's atmosphere had grown tense—an almost palpable aura of danger hung in the air.

"The conflict between the Association and Team Rocket is escalating. I must complete the mission quickly," Cain thought to himself.

Upon entering the now somber Pokémon Center of Mahogany Town, Cain found it eerily deserted. There was no queue when he approached the counter to seek treatment.

Handing the Poké Ball containing Sneasel to the medical staff, he paid the fee and requested a thorough examination of Sneasel's physical condition.

Sneasel appeared healthy, however, Cain couldn't be sure if it harbored any hidden injuries. In the wilderness, it would have nursed its wounds in solitude, away in its cave.

After a ten-minute wait, Cain reclaimed the Poké Ball.

Despite Sneasel's slight malnourishment, its overall health and development were deemed satisfactory. The medical staff recommended feeding Sneasel more nutritious fare, such as Pokéblocks, if Cain could spare the resources.

Cain smiled and nodded in agreement, grateful for their assistance.

Opting for safety, he booked a room at the Pokémon Center, not wanting to risk staying at an external hotel given Mahogany Town's current climate.

That night, Cain ventured into the city's black market. With Mahogany Town housing the largest Team Rocket base in the Johto region, it was no surprise that most of its patrons were Team Rocket members.

In his previous life, Cain had been well-acquainted with this particular black market. Upon submitting his quest to the Hunter's Guild, he received a generous bounty of points and cash.

For the time being, Cain retained the Onix. With a month to complete the mission, he saw no reason to rush, and the Onix still held potential value.

The Swinub netted Cain a total of 150,000 points, while the Light Green aptitude Donphan fetched 500,000 points. In addition to the Pokéblocks he'd crafted for Whitney, he'd earned a total of 2.4 million Pokédollars.

Now with 3.25 million Pokédollars at his disposal, Cain embarked on a shopping spree at the local black market grocery store. He purchased ingredients to concoct high-grade Pokéblocks tailored for Sneasel, along with a variety of other items, spending a total of 250,000 Pokédollars.

Upon leaving the black market, Cain's funds had dwindled to 3,000,000 Pokédollars.

While this sum might seem extravagant to the average person, it was barely a dent in the resources required to nurture six or more Pokémon in Cain's care.

Cain knew all too well that the money he'd spent on materials would be a mere fraction of the cost if he were to buy rare items or TMs. His wallet would be drained in no time.

Deciding to reserve his funds for emergencies, Cain held off on purchasing TMs for his Pokémon. Unless absolutely necessary, he preferred to acquire the TMs he desired through Team Rocket's exchange list.

Stepping out of the black market, Cain sighed with relief. He noticed that the atmosphere had grown tense, with the usually boisterous street vendors subdued. Many seemed eager to sell their wares and buy items or materials to bolster their strength swiftly.

The city's denizens weren't oblivious to the mounting tension. The increased presence of Association trainers, along with numerous unfamiliar faces, inevitably led some to speculate on the situation.

As Cain walked through the streets, he observed that most people were tight-lipped and hurried, exchanging only a few words before continuing on their way.

Not wanting to linger outside, Cain returned to the safety of the Pokémon Center. His identity as an Association trainer provided some protection.

"I'll collect Umbra's mission item tomorrow and leave. The situation is getting out of hand." Resolving to depart, Cain lay on the bed and prepared for sleep.