135. Claire

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Evan and the other three landed in a small town on the edge of the Heavenly Scourge Mountains.

As soon as they stepped onto solid ground, they stretched their legs, trying to ease the stiffness from their tibias.

Everyone was exhausted from sitting on their Flying Pokémon for so long.

Their legs were completely numb...

"Tsk, I need to buy some gear later," Evan muttered.

"This can't go on like this."

Evan wasn't pleased with the situation. It was clear that this needed to be addressed soon—Dragonite had to be equipped with a saddle.

Hearing Evan say this, the corners of Rosa's mouth twitched slightly.

"You should have done that a long time ago," she sighed.

Her legs had been sore yesterday, and today, they ached even more.

It was unbearable.

Instead of heading straight into the mountains, the three of them decided to stroll around town first.

Meanwhile, Evan went directly to buy riding gear for Charizard, Dragonite, and Pidgeot, ensuring they had better travel conditions.

Once everything was settled, they finally set off toward the mountains.

"Where exactly did you find Salamence before?" Evan asked Sophia as they walked.

"Should we check it out now?"

Sophia quickly pulled out a map and explained, "It's a bit far from here."

"About half an hour away."

"That's with Flying Pokémon, of course."

"In that case, we can just fly there," Evan decided.

After confirming the distance, Sophia glanced at Evan.

"Then let's go."

"We'll check it out first."

Evan quickened his pace, heading outside the town. He released his Pokémon and attached the newly purchased gear before they took off toward the mountains.

When they arrived, they found the area already crowded with people.

Seeing the scene before him, Evan felt numb.

"See? I told you there would be a lot of people here," Rosa muttered.

"There are so many people that even the Pokémon are gone!"

"And some people are even setting up stalls here?"

Sophia sighed, feeling frustrated.

"I didn't think word would spread so quickly," she admitted.

"But let's head down and figure things out first."

"And... I see Claire over there."

Evan's expression turned slightly strange at Sophia's words.

From a distance, he spotted the unmistakable pink-haired young lady—she stood out too much to miss.

She seemed deep in thought.

Evan let Dragonite land right beside her.

Claire immediately noticed Evan.

"Oh, it's you," she said with mild surprise.

"Are you here to join the fun?"

She had always thought Evan was a homebody—someone who didn't like going out much.

So why was he suddenly here?

And with two girls, no less.

"Wait a minute... are you on a date?"

"Oh my, I didn't expect you to have a girlfriend."

"Two, actually! What a scumbag."

Claire gave him a look of disapproval before continuing to tease him without pause.

"The worst part is that you actually betrayed our world."

"Evan, I'm truly disappointed in you."

"I told you before, don't get deceived by three-dimensional women."

"And now look at you!"

"You barely lasted any time before getting a girlfriend."

Evan had just gotten off Dragonite when he heard Claire's bizarre rant.

"...Are you an idiot?"

"What are you even talking about?"

Evan was completely speechless.

This girl's thought process was incomprehensible.

Both Sophia and Rosa rolled their eyes at her.

"Sister Claire, please don't joke," Sophia said.

"We're not on a date."

She was genuinely puzzled.

Why did Claire immediately assume they were dating just because they came here together?

And why were her thoughts so strange?

Claire laughed, then suddenly rushed forward and hugged Sophia.

"Just kidding, just kidding!" she grinned.

"Don't be mad, Sophia."

Evan shuddered at Claire's words.

He quickly changed the subject, trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere.

"You still haven't answered my question," Evan said.

"You're a Fairy-type Trainer. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for Salamence?"

"Or are you planning to build a second team?"

Claire immediately laughed at his words.

"Of course, I plan to capture it and transfer it to Eli."

"If I succeed, I'll be able to earn enough Energy Cubes to last for months!"

"For my Pokémon, I have to work hard to find ways to make money."

"No choice—especially since you refuse to give me a discount!"

At that, Evan instantly lost interest in continuing the conversation.

Everything was fine—except when it came to discounts.

Sophia and Rosa, standing nearby, couldn't help but find it amusing.

Just as they were chatting, a sudden shout rang out:

"Poacher, get lost!"

The moment those words were spoken, Evan and the others witnessed an unexpected scene.

The people who had been setting up stalls immediately stood up, hurriedly packed away their goods, and without hesitation, released their Pokémon.

"Poacher?"

"Where? Let me at 'em!"

"Move aside, I got this!"

"Take this, 500,000 Pokédollars bounty!!"

Chaos erupted instantly.

A swarm of Trainers commanded their Pokémon to charge in a specific direction.

Over there, a group of people had been singled out—poachers.

Apparently, they had been recognized.

The guy who shouted first stood frozen in place, stunned.

He had just yelled, so why did a whole mob charge forward?

As a newbie, he was completely bewildered.

Even Claire, standing beside Evan, seemed eager to join in.

But after seeing several powerful Trainers already storming into action, she hesitated.

In the end, she gave up on the idea.

"Wow... this is intense," Evan muttered.

What a scene.

The way people reacted to poachers was like sharks smelling blood.

At this rate, those poachers were probably regretting their entire life decisions.

Getting recognized here, of all places, was a death sentence.

Now they had the undivided attention of a bunch of Trainers—who clearly saw them as nothing more than easy bounty money.

Still, something felt off.

Evan turned to Claire .

"Have poachers been showing up more often lately?"

"Why do we keep running into them?"

Claire casually twirled a strand of her pink hair.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she replied:

"Well, all the Elites are about to be replaced soon."

"Some sewer rats think this is their chance to make a comeback."

"But it doesn't really matter."

"Once Violet officially takes office, those guys will be crying."

"Oh, right!"

As she spoke, something suddenly seemed to cross her mind.

She turned toward Evan, her face lighting up with a smile.

Evan immediately noticed the expression.

He tensed.

"...Just say whatever it is already," he said warily.

"You don't have to look at me like that!!"

It was honestly a little terrifying.

Whenever Claire smiled like that, it always felt like something very bad was about to happen.