Chapter 102: Escort
Ron tossed out a set of spare clothes with a satisfied grin.
The contents of the memory card—a full gigabyte of incriminating material—gave him a newfound sense of confidence.
Aki glared at Ron coldly, wishing she could tear him apart.
Having grown up navigating the treacherous world of commerce, Aki was no stranger to merchants who smiled on the surface while harboring curses in their hearts. But Ron's shamelessness, worn openly like a badge of honor, was something she had never encountered before.
"Aki, I suggest you reign in that glare," Ron said, shaking his camera bag with a smug smile. "If my hand slips and these photos get out, even if you return to the Yolton District, you'll never make it as the family head."
Aki forced a strained smile. "Fine. Can we leave now?"
"Good. Let's get moving," Ron said with a nod.
The earlier use of Teleport, courtesy of his Ralts, had put significant distance between them and Karson's group. However, it didn't guarantee their safety, which suited Ron perfectly.
In a direct confrontation, Ron wasn't confident in taking on Karson and his entire team. But in a game of cat-and-mouse within a forest, he felt he had the upper hand.
Unlike Ron's calm demeanor, Aki was visibly anxious, her mind racing with questions. With Ralts' ability to teleport, they could easily keep out of reach of their pursuers. So why were they moving so slowly?
Every time she voiced this concern, Ron would silently pull out his camera, leaving her no choice but to drop the subject.
Although Ron had agreed to escort Aki home, he had no intention of following her orders.
Based on the map, they would reach the Yolton District in two days at their current pace. Ron anticipated that Karson and his group would grow increasingly desperate as time ticked down, providing him with the perfect opportunity to eliminate the poachers.
By evening, the enticing aroma of roasted chicken and rabbit wafted through the campsite.
Under normal circumstances, Aki wouldn't have looked twice at such food. But after days of surviving on dry rations, she found her resolve weakening. Her gaze lingered hungrily on the roasting meat.
"Don't bother staring. This is your meal," Ron said, handing her a hard rice ball. "If you want roasted meat, it'll cost you a million League coins per serving."
Aki hesitated for only a moment. "Fine, but I want the rabbit."
"Seriously? Rabbits are so cute, and you want to eat one?" Ron said, feigning outrage. Then, handing her a seasoning packet, he added, "Make sure to use this spice blend for the best flavor."
Ignoring Ron's theatrics, Aki eagerly grabbed the roasted rabbit, tearing off a leg and savoring it despite the heat.
Satisfied with the million League coins credited to his account, Ron cheerfully shared his roasted chicken with his Machamp and began mentally calculating how much more he could squeeze out of Aki.
His creativity didn't disappoint.
Water? One bottle, a million League coins.
Meat? One piece, a million League coins.
Sleep? A sleeping bag rental, a million League coins.
Bug spray? A small bottle, you guessed it—a million League coins.
In just over a day, the value of Aki's promised resources had ballooned from fifty million to sixty million League coins.
Thanks to Ralts' teleportation, they encountered no obstacles or pursuers on their journey. By Ron's estimate, they were now only half a day away from the Yolton District. Aki resolved not to let Ron extort another League coin from her.
"Let's stop here," Ron suddenly announced.
"What? We're so close to safety! If we stop now, Karson's group might catch up!" Aki snapped, unable to hide her frustration.
"Exactly. I'm waiting for them," Ron said, his voice icy. "And one more thing: just because I agreed to escort you doesn't mean I take orders from you."
Leaning in, he added, "If you can't grasp that, then the sixty million League coins you promised me will be meaningless—because you'll be dead."
The killing intent radiating from Ron made Aki's blood run cold. This wasn't the first time she'd seen him like this, but it still left her trembling.
"I-I understand," she stammered.
"Good. Now, climb that tree and stay put. Ralts will keep track of your location with its psychic abilities. If you try to run, I'll hunt you down and kill you myself."
With that chilling warning, Ron began setting his plan into motion.
He positioned Machamp and his other Pokémon in ambush near Aki's hiding spot, patiently waiting for their targets.
The wait was long. From early afternoon until nearly five in the evening, Ron and his team remained on high alert.
Finally, faint rustling noises signaled the approach of Karson's group.
Perched in the tree, Aki struggled against the aches in her body, her confusion growing. Why couldn't they just keep moving?
Her question was answered when Karson's group entered the trap.
Without hesitation, Ron's Persian and Bellossom attacked, allowing Machamp to deliver a devastating punch that took Karson's head clean off.
Blood and brain matter splattered as the body collapsed to the ground. Persian and Bellossom swiftly claimed more lives, leaving no chance for the poachers to retaliate.
------
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON!!!
Join here: patreon.com / madbot635
There are more than 40 advance chapters available for you!