Chapter 469 - Absorbing the Mind Ore

In Aoki's impression, Haunter is actually a Pokémon that can learn both Role Play and Skill Swap simultaneously. If he couldn't find a Spoink that mastered both moves, he could capture one that knew Role Play and later have it pass the move onto Gengar after evolution.

This way, Haunter could serve as both Aoki's closest guardian and a temporary ability converter.

Haunter had already mastered Skill Swap—it only lacked Role Play.

Following Slowking's guidance, Aoki led his Pokémon deeper into the area.

It was expected that the Boink territory wouldn't house only Grumpigs.

As they ventured further, Aoki spotted a group of Spoink.

He activated his scanner, analyzing their data.

The Spoink seemed wary of Aoki and his group intruding into their domain. However, with their leader and the Grumpigs absent, they hesitated to attack outright, remaining on guard instead.

The scent of blood and the ominous presence of Aoki's Pokémon sent a clear message—these intruders were not to be trifled with.

Fortunately for them, Aoki had no interest in a slaughter.

As he scanned through the Spoink, his eyes suddenly gleamed.

One particular Spoink's data caught his attention:

Pokémon: Spoink (Light Green)

Gender: Female

Level: 20

Type: Psychic

Ability: Thick Fat

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Future Sight, Skill Swap

Basic Moves: Bounce, Confusion, Odor Sleuth, Psybeam, Psych Up, Confuse Ray

Learnt Moves: Role Play

TM Moves: None

This Spoink was unremarkable in terms of stats, aptitude, or appearance, but it was the only one in the group that had both Skill Swap and Role Play.

The rest either knew one move or neither.

Its aptitude was mediocre, but as a mere tool Pokémon, it was enough.

Aoki shot a glance at Honchkrow.

Honchkrow instantly understood, taking flight and swiftly snatching the targeted Spoink from the group.

The other Spoink, having anticipated an attack, retaliated with a flurry of moves. However, if even their evolved forms had failed against Honchkrow, what chance did they stand?

Honchkrow effortlessly evaded the attacks and returned to Aoki, dropping the captured Spoink at his feet.

Aoki surveyed the surroundings, chuckling. This place could serve as a useful resource. If the opportunity arose, he might even relocate these Spoink to the back mountain.

With Slowking's psychic barrier concealing their presence, Aoki and his team swiftly withdrew to the battlefield from earlier.

This time, Aoki didn't linger—he immediately departed with his Pokémon.

The captured Spoink was promptly knocked unconscious and sealed in a Pokéball.

Her value wouldn't come into play just yet; Aoki would deal with her later.

After walking for half an hour, ensuring they had completely exited Grumpig's territory, Aoki finally allowed his team to rest.

First, he treated their visible wounds and underlying injuries—something he always did after battle. Without Pokémon Center facilities, untreated damage could accumulate over time and cause lasting harm.

Slowking, using Heal Pulse, helped alleviate the team's fatigue.

With the added effects of Pokeblocks, the Pokémon were soon back in top form.

This was why Aoki could survive in the wild for extended periods without concern for his team's condition.

Next, Skorupi dug a burrow inside a massive tree trunk—spacious enough for all of them.

In these deep mountains, towering ancient trees were abundant.

During their stay, they used these hollow trees as shelters, sealing the entrance with bark and reinforcing it with Slowking's psychic barrier. This made it nearly impossible for wild Pokémon to detect them.

Leaving Slowking to maintain the barrier, Aoki allowed the rest of his Pokémon to rest.

Despite today's battle seeming straightforward, the psychological strain had been immense.

Once his Pokémon were settled, Aoki retrieved a black stone from his storage.

Activating his scanner, he analyzed the object once more.

Item: Mind Ore (Custom)

Description: A stone resembling a fragment of the Philosopher's Stone, recorded in ancient texts.

Effect: Enhances the psychic power of the user based on their potential.

"Mind Ore… let's see if you're really useful." Aoki muttered, levitating the stone with his psychic power.

By now, lifting a stone of this size was effortless for him.

According to the scanner's analysis, using Mind Ore required the psychic user to infuse it with their energy. This would trigger the stone's mysterious power, feeding it back to the user.

Aoki steadily increased the output of his psychic energy.

After days of training, his control had reached 70% mastery.

As his energy surrounded the stone, it began trembling in midair.

Crack!

A sharp sound rang out as the stone fractured, repelling Aoki's psychic power.

However, instead of falling, the Mind Ore followed the trajectory of his energy and shot straight into his mind.

A burst of foreign energy—unlike psychic power yet immensely more potent—flooded Aoki's consciousness.

His eyes shot open.

Had anyone been watching, they would have seen that his irises had turned completely black, blending seamlessly with his pupils.

Veins bulged on his forehead as a storm raged within his mind.

The psychic energy within him swirled chaotically, manipulated by the mysterious force.

But instead of resisting, the foreign energy gradually assimilated, transforming into a part of his own psychic power—only purer and far stronger.

Unlike artificial enhancements, this newfound power felt completely natural.

Aoki could already sense it.

He had broken through.