300. Recruit Again

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The dungeon was recommended as a level 80 challenge, and there wasn't a single ordinary grunt throughout the entire Team Aqua base.

All were "Team Aqua Elite Members" and "Team Aqua Executives." In terms of strength, they were considerably more powerful than ordinary grunts.

The Pokémon in the possession of these elite members and executives were all above level 55, with the average reaching level 60.

To put it in perspective, Team Magma Leader Maxie, whom Chris had encountered at Mt. Chimney, didn't possess this level of strength.

Any of these elite members or executives could easily defeat Maxie in battle. Such a scenario would typically only be possible in a game.

However, these elite members and executives were completely outmatched by Chris in his current state.

Thanks to Mega Gardevoir's precise teleportation, it only took Chris half an hour to reach the final room.

Passing through a gateway, Chris arrived at a Dive pool.

Not far away, researchers in white lab coats were bustling about.

Archie sat on a sofa directly across from Chris, holding a glass of red wine and with his legs crossed. He had been observing Chris's performance with interest.

This confirmed to Archie that his wait had been worthwhile.

"Leader, let me test his strength first!" Shelly stepped forward and declared.

The recognition Archie had shown toward Chris was something she had never fully accepted.

Archie raised the wine glass in his hand and gestured toward Chris, as if saying: Enjoy the upcoming battle.

With Archie's approval, Shelly threw her Poké Ball.

A Walrein materialized before her, its plump body filled with blubber. It should have been cute and docile in its natural icy habitat, but this one had developed sharp fangs. Paired with its fierce eyes, any cuteness had been replaced with ferocity!

A level "74" indicator appeared above its head.

"Icy Wind!" commanded Shelly.

Walrein raised its head high, exhaling a stream of frigid air as if sneezing, enveloping Chris completely.

"About as strong as Guzma," Chris murmured, unconsciously using Guzma as a benchmark to measure his rival's strength. He didn't switch Pokémon.

Garchomp stepped forward, ready to battle Walrein.

"Dragon Breath!"

A roar escaped Garchomp's mouth as dark green breath erupted violently like a tidal wave!

The two forces collided midway between the Pokémon and immediately exploded, producing thick smoke.

A second later, Garchomp's sharp claws tore through the black smoke, its body wrapped in dark green energy as it charged forward. This was a "Dragon Rush"!

Behind the smoke, Shelly had already prepared a blue curtain of water behind Walrein.

Chris had planned to launch a Sucker Punch when the smoke appeared, and Shelly had anticipated this exact strategy!

"Slash!" Chris commanded quietly.

The dark green energy surrounding Garchomp's body instantly dissipated, replaced by dazzling white light concentrated on its two sharp claws.

As the Surf attack approached, Garchomp swung its claws.

Immediately, a sharp white blade of light slashed outward, splitting the ocean wave in two and striking Walrein who was hiding behind the water.

Walrein staggered, and the "frost" it had been gathering in its mouth scattered.

It had been preparing to unleash another Icy Wind when the wave submerged Garchomp, intending to freeze Garchomp directly in the current.

"Quick Attack!" Chris commanded softly.

Garchomp's footsteps created sparks on the floor as its figure immediately accelerated, gliding across the water like a speedboat, closing in on Walrein in the blink of an eye.

"Walrein, Ice Fang!" Shelly yelled.

"Ruuuu!" Walrein gritted its teeth to stabilize its bulky form, proudly displaying its fangs. Among its species, long, impressive tusks were considered attractive and provided advantages during mating season. They were also symbols of power and dominance.

The pale, elongated tusks became wrapped in frosty energy as Walrein lunged toward the approaching Garchomp.

"Dragon Dance!" Chris directed.

Garchomp's agile body dodged Walrein's tusks, its movements smooth and fluid. Dark green energy flashed across its body as its speed and attack power rapidly increased.

Turning around, without waiting for Chris to issue another command...

Garchomp capitalized on its momentum, drawing from the techniques it had learned from Machamp to execute a devastating Slash!

"BOOM!"

The entire Team Aqua base shook from the impact. Walrein's head was deeply embedded in the metal floor, with cracks spreading outward for about three meters in all directions.

One hit was all it took—Walrein couldn't rise again.

This was the normal outcome with Garchomp's attack power, especially using a Slash technique based on Machamp's training.

It was fortunate that this world had a Pokémon protection mechanism, otherwise this attack wouldn't have simply smashed Walrein's head into the floor—it would have decapitated the Pokémon on the spot!

The results would have been extremely bloody!

"Damn..." Shelly gritted her teeth, retrieving Walrein with its Poké Ball. She wanted to send out a second Pokémon to restore her dignity but was stopped by Archie.

"That's enough. Let me handle this." Archie had already set down his wine glass and risen from the sofa. He looked at Chris with admiration in his eyes, showing no surprise that Shelly had lost to him.

"What a coincidence that you came here. How about it? Would you like to accept my previous proposal and join us to witness the arrival of a new era together?" Archie once again extended an olive branch to Chris.

Chris shook his head slightly, taking out a Poké Ball to recall the victorious Garchomp.

"If you want to recruit me, you should wait until you defeat me."

"Excellent! I like your attitude." Archie nodded with a smile and casually threw his own Poké Ball.

With a flash of silver light, a level 83 Sharpedo appeared before him.

Its streamlined body and pale fangs were evidence of its ferocity.

Surrounded by an Aqua Ring, the Sharpedo hovered in mid-air, using Water Sport as a base so it wouldn't flop on the ground like a beached fish—this was a basic technique for Water-type Trainers.

It was clear that Archie wasn't planning to engage Chris in a lengthy battle, but rather wanted to determine the outcome directly.

Chris also threw a Poké Ball, sending out Greninja as his chosen Pokémon.