Chapter 5: Blood Nourishment

Clang!

The sharp knife was tossed to the ground without hesitation, causing Zorua's body to tremble. The last trace of confusion in its eyes vanished instantly, replaced by alertness. It curled up slightly, clearly preparing to pounce.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," Sato said softly, channeling the Power of Darkness within him toward the wound on his hand.

A surge of pure Dark-type energy slowly spread out along with the seeping blood. Using his blood as a medium, the Power of Darkness didn't dissipate immediately. Instead, it merged with the blood, radiating an irresistible allure to the Dark-type Zorua.

The second extension of the Power of Darkness: Blood Nourishment.

With Dark energy as its core, when mixed with the user's own blood, this pure energy became easily absorbable by Dark-type Pokémon, enhancing their physical condition, intelligence, and even innate potential.

In his past life, Sato had fought desperately in a life-or-death battle against Zorua, his arm getting bitten by its sharp fangs. At that moment, the weak Power of Darkness inside him had miraculously pulled Zorua out of its bloodthirsty frenzy.

Now, however, Sato had deliberately cut his hand on his own accord, and Zorua had yet to be consumed by the surrounding stench of blood.

The irresistible temptation drew Zorua forward step by step. It slowly approached Sato, then extended its small tongue and began licking his blood.

Only then did Sato finally take the time to observe his past-life companion, who had entrusted its life to him.

A frail, bony frame.

Messy, dull fur.

A balding tail and several long whip scars.

Sato knew all too well—this Zorua was a discarded Pokémon from the organization.

Its previous trainer had died on a mission. Because Zorua was weak, it had been left behind at the base rather than sent on assignments.

Zorua had never been seen in Kanto before. Even in Unova, where it originated, Zorua was considered extremely rare.

At this time, the Pokémon League still lacked strong control over different regions, making information exchange difficult. This resulted in rare and powerful Pokémon like Zorua being unrecognized in Kanto.

Kanto had no native Dark-type Pokémon. Trainers were unfamiliar with their weaknesses, strengths, or even their moves.

Thus, a gem like Zorua was overlooked and eventually reduced to nothing more than a trial Pokémon.

"From now on, stay with me."

Sato extended his hand, gently running his fingers through Zorua's messy fur.

Zorua stiffened for a brief moment but seemed to understand his words. It then allowed itself to be petted obediently.

"Zorr~"

The wound on Sato's arm wasn't deep, so only a small amount of blood had flowed before the cut sealed itself.

Zorua nudged Sato's arm affectionately, signaling that it had had enough.

"You just can't drink any more, huh?"

Sato grinned, tapping its small head.

Unlike in his past life, where his Power of Darkness had been weak and sparse, the energy inside him now was far more concentrated. Even a small amount was more than enough for the frail Zorua.

"Zoru~"

Zorua's blue eyes shifted, a hint of cunning flashing through them before it suddenly whimpered and acted cute.

Seeing this, Sato couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.

Before evolving, Zorua was playful, mischievous, and skilled in deception.

Even after enduring immense suffering, it never lost its lively nature.

But after evolving into Zoroark, it became silent and cold—a natural predator of the night, one that never wasted words when actions sufficed.

Click!

The iron cage door opened automatically.

The dim light cast a shadow over Zorua's body.

It shivered violently, then darted behind Sato, trembling.

Sato turned and picked up Zorua, feeling its frail frame.

A trace of heartache flickered in his eyes as he lowered his head and stepped out.

"Hmm?"

"What's that in his arms?"

"Is that… a Pokémon? Weren't we supposed to kill them?"

Murmurs of shock and confusion filled the air.

Sato looked up.

There were about seventeen or eighteen other recruits who had passed, whispering amongst themselves.

The second-round cages had mostly contained Rattata and Furret— Pokémon that were agile yet weak.

Even with a knife, Rattata had been far more troublesome than Caterpie.

The second trial was meant to weed out recruits with physical weaknesses or those still hesitant to kill.

"Number 136, what are you holding? Why didn't you kill it? Do you want to die instead?"

The Red-rank assassin's voice rang out, laced with unusual excitement.

He seemed eager for something.

"I tamed it. That should count as passing, right?"

"Of course not. I'll give you one chance—kill it right now, and I'll let you pass!"

The Red-rank assassin's eyes gleamed with amusement.

Watching someone kill their own Pokémon just to survive?

What a delicious spectacle!

Sato frowned deeply.

In his past life, he had also brought Zorua out of the cage, yet no one had questioned him.

After all, taming a Pokémon inside the cage was harder than killing one.

Any organization—whether righteous or evil—would never turn away true talent.

Something was wrong.

Sato tightened his grip on the trembling Zorua, then shifted his gaze to the silent Blue-rank assassin.

He was the true authority here.

"I said, kill it!"

The Red-rank assassin snarled, stepping forward alongside his Houndoom.

Both man and Pokémon radiated intimidation.

"Zorr…"

Zorua turned its head, its body still trembling, but it still bared its fangs at the vastly stronger Houndoom.

A slender hand suddenly covered Zorua's eyes.

At the same time, Sato carefully calculated the strength of his current body and the Power of Darkness, searching for a way to break free.

Yet, even as his mind raced, his gaze never left the Blue-rank assassin.

He couldn't let Zorua provoke Houndoom further.

"Enough. Fall in line."

"Lord Kalo, but—"

The Red-rank assassin tried to object but was met with a pair of bottomless eyes and an uncontested aura of terror.

Houndoom, too, instantly cowered.

It whimpered in submission, tail between its legs, retreating behind its master.

"Y-Yes… Lord Kalo. Number 136, fall in line!"

The Red-rank assassin barked his command, his eyes dark with resentment.

He had clearly marked Sato as an enemy.

Lowering his head, Sato silently took his place at the end of the line.

The Zorua in his arms trembled a little less, though its rapid heartbeat still pulsed against Sato's chest.

For Zorua, even just baring its fangs had been a battle of life and death.

Gently stroking its fur, Sato channeled traces of the Power of Darkness through his palm, calming its emotions.

His eyes darkened.

He had already memorized Houndoom's distinct Dark-type energy signature.

He hadn't expected his second kill to appear so soon.