Chapter 224: Luring the Enemy into the Trap

"Where's Jackie? Why isn't he here?"

Leaning against a tree trunk, Maki directed his question to Ingo, who had arrived first.

If there were anyone else around, Maki would have preferred to ask someone else. However, since he needed to understand the situation quickly, he reluctantly spoke to Ingo.

"No idea."

After answering, Ingo closed his eyes, adopting a demeanor that clearly indicated he had no interest in further conversation. Beside him, Weavile also shut its eyes, but the slight twitching of its ears suggested that it remained vigilant.

After a moment of consideration, Maki decided he wasn't confident in taking on Ingo and suppressed his frustration.

Before long, more Pokémon Hunters began arriving one after another.

As if deliberately making a grand entrance, Kano only appeared after everyone else had gathered, his pace unhurried.

"Everyone, Jackie sent word that Ron is currently resting ahead, seemingly organizing the resources he has accumulated to strengthen himself. This is our best opportunity to strike."

"Now, we will spread out and surround Ron. The moment anything seems off, immediately signal the others. Understood?"

Although the others were disgruntled that Jackie had only shared crucial intel with Kano, the allure of potential profit quickly made them overlook this grievance.

Only Ingo furrowed his brow, lost in thought.

Ron had a Gardevoir. Would Jackie really be able to observe him at such close range without being detected?

"I'm out."

Amidst the chorus of agreement, Ingo's abrupt decision to withdraw stood out starkly.

"Oh? May I ask why?"

Kano's gaze turned icy upon hearing Ingo's words.

"No reason. I'm leaving."

With that, Ingo departed with Weavile in tow, offering no further explanation.

Kano watched Ingo's retreating figure but ultimately chose not to act.

No matter how swiftly they moved, making a move against Ingo would inevitably create noise. If they ended up alerting Ron, the entire operation would be ruined.

"Alright, everyone. One less person means more spoils to go around. Let's not concern ourselves with that fool. Now, let's move."

Once Ingo was out of sight, Kano encouraged the remaining members.

Greed is a powerful motivator—few can resist it, especially when there's a quasi-Elite Four trainer like Kano leading them. The others hardly believed that Ron, who was only at the High Elite level, could pose a real threat.

Just as Kano had said, with one person gone, there was more to divide among the rest.

"One less person? It doesn't matter. The ones who showed up are already enough."

...

"Gardevoir, have Machamp and the others get ready. It's time to move."

With Gardevoir's psychic abilities acting as a radar, Ron easily detected their movements. He then had Gardevoir use its telepathy to alert the hidden Machamp, Persian, and Bellossom.

After giving directions for them to move out in three different directions, Ron and Gardevoir positioned themselves at an equidistant point, ready to provide immediate backup if necessary.

As they moved through the forest, the twilight gradually dimmed. The fading sunlight stretched the shadows of both trainers and Pokémon, as if reminding them of the struggle required to survive in this world.

A shadow suddenly streaked across the ground, slicing through two elongated figures like an arrow. Tiny flecks of darkness scattered in the air before the two shadows rapidly shrank, vanishing beneath lifeless bodies.

Similar scenes unfolded in different parts of the forest—the last light of dusk seemingly sending them off on their final journey.

Using Shave for swift movement, Machamp, Persian, and Gardevoir rapidly advanced, striking down their next targets under Gardevoir's guidance.

"Th-this is…!"

Two Pokémon Hunters who had reached the location Jackie mentioned, where Ron was supposedly stationed, trembled at the sight before them. Corpses hung from the trees, rendering them speechless with horror.

"Stay alert!"

Releasing his quasi-Elite Four Poliwrath, Kano forced himself to regain composure. He repeatedly reassured himself that Ron was only at the High Elite level, trying to suppress his creeping dread.

Upon hearing Kano's command, the other two hunters seemed to find an anchor in his presence. They quickly moved to his side, releasing their Pokémon.

As flashes of white light burst forth, six Pokémon instantly surrounded Kano and his group in a protective formation.

"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to my domain. It would be rude to let your fallen allies linger in loneliness—please, do join them."

Suddenly, with a Teleport, Gardevoir appeared nearby, bringing Ron with it. His voice rang in the ears of Kano and his team.

"Poliwrath, charge in and use Dynamic Punch—kill him!"

Barking out the command, Kano fixed his gaze on Ron.

With the power of a quasi-Elite Four, Poliwrath once again restored Kano's confidence. To him, if he could command Poliwrath to close the distance and eliminate Ron, the shameful fear gripping him would finally disappear.

"Machamp, Finger Pistol: Morning Peacock!"

"Persian, Finger Pistol: Shadow Claw Execution!"

"Bellossom, One-Sword Style: Finger Pistol—Verdant Shroud!"

Seeing Kano initiate an attack, Ron wasted no words and immediately issued a series of orders.

At that moment, the last traces of twilight vanished, and darkness swallowed the forest whole.

Blazing flames tore through the night sky, raining down upon Poliwrath like an unrelenting storm.

Before Kano could react, an overwhelming sense of danger engulfed him. Acting on instinct, he hastily commanded his Pokémon to use Protect, shielding himself within the barrier.

Shadowy claws danced amidst the battlefield, accompanied by a flurry of verdant leaves. The spectacle had an eerie beauty—but for Kano and his team, it was nothing short of a nightmare.

Desperately releasing all his Pokémon, Kano clung to the belief that as long as he could endure, Poliwrath would return after decapitating Ron, ensuring his victory.

"Machamp, Finger Pistol: Daytime Tiger!"

A ferocious white tiger surged forward, engulfing Poliwrath, whose mind was already clouded by Morning Peacock's relentless strikes.

As Machamp fully unleashed its overwhelming presence, shattering Kano's final hope, terror settled in.

"Q-quasi-Elite Four...!"

Staring in disbelief at the radiant figure of Machamp, Kano realized—perhaps for the first time—just how close he was to death.

If he could travel back in time, he would undoubtedly have chosen to leave alongside Ingo.

Unfortunately, there are no second chances in life.

With the upper hand secured, Machamp delivered a decisive Finger Pistol: Evening Elephant, completely taking down Poliwrath.

Before setting up the ambush on Kano and his group, Ron had already done his research—Kano's Poliwrath had only broken through the quasi-Elite Four tier six months ago, meaning it hadn't accumulated too much experience yet.

After all, under normal circumstances, advancing from quasi-Elite Four to Elite Four required two to three years of growth. Given that, Kano's Poliwrath was still within Machamp's manageable range.

With strategy on their side and an unprepared opponent, Poliwrath never even had the chance to fight back.

As Poliwrath fell, this whole operation—laughable as it was—ended in complete failure. However, the one who had left earlier intrigued Ron.

"According to Jackie's report, that guy should be Ingo, right?"

Murmuring to himself, Ron gazed in the direction where Ingo had disappeared.

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