Chapter 34: The Hunter’s Grisly End

"AAAHH!"

Scarface screamed in agony as Bellossom's Razor Leaf sliced clean through his wrist, severing his hand with surgical precision.

He collapsed, writhing on the ground, his body drenched in cold sweat. His eyes, wide with shock, were now bloodshot from sheer pain.

His severed hand lay motionless on the dirt, his Poké Balls scattering across the ground.

It all happened in an instant.

Just as he and his last remaining subordinate were about to release more Pokémon—

Bellossom, under Ethan's command, struck first.

Not only had she severed Scarface's hand, but she had also eliminated the last remaining lackey.

By the time Scarface managed to stifle his screams and attempted to rise—

Ethan was already standing before him, accompanied by Oddish and Aron.

Scarface, drenched in sweat, stared at Ethan with pure hatred and terror.

His gaze darted toward his remaining Pokémon—Hitmonlee, Ludicolo, and Houndour—all of which had already been defeated.

"Useless trash!" He cursed them under his breath.

But before he could even finish his thoughts—

BAM!

Ethan's foot smashed into his face, sending him crashing back down.

"Where's Lairon?" Ethan asked calmly.

Given the nature of poachers, they wouldn't have simply let Aron escape.

Which meant Lairon must have created the opportunity for it to flee.

Scarface forced himself to stay calm.

After witnessing Ethan's ruthlessness, he knew this was not someone he could deceive easily.

If he wanted to survive, he needed to stall for time—until the rest of his gang arrived.

"Lairon… Lairon is in the canyon behind the mountain! Please, don't kill me! I-I can take you there!"

He sobbed and stuttered, playing the part of a terrified man on the verge of breaking.

His head was lowered, carefully hiding the malice in his eyes.

The so-called "canyon" was actually his gang's hideout.

If he could trick Ethan into going there, it wouldn't matter how strong Bellossom was—there was no way she could take on an entire squad of poachers and their Pokémon alone.

However—

Ethan wasn't fooled.

Hidden in his shadow, Haunter had already seen through Scarface's deception and relayed everything to Ethan.

Without a word, Ethan signaled Bellossom.

A second later—

SLASH!

Bellossom's Leaf Blade flashed, severing Scarface's other hand.

"AAAARRGGHH!!"

"YOU BASTARD! BOTH OF MY HANDS?!"

"YOU NEVER PLANNED TO SPARE ME, DID YOU?!"

"YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A MONSTER! KILL ME IF YOU DARE!"

"IF I SURVIVE THIS, I SWEAR I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN!"

"I'LL FIND YOUR FAMILY AND SLAUGHTER EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!"

Scarface had lost all hope.

As someone who prided himself on his blade skills, losing both hands was worse than death.

Realizing Ethan had no intention of sparing him, his sanity shattered.

He started screaming obscenities, his rage blinding him to reason.

But Ethan's expression remained calm.

When Scarface finally ran out of breath, Ethan kicked him in the mouth a few more times.

"If you have so much to say, keep talking while you still can."

"Let's see if you're still running your mouth later."

Initially, Ethan had planned to have Bellossom finish him off immediately.

But after that threat—

Ethan decided to change his mind.

Grabbing Scarface by the hair, he dragged him into the depths of the forest.

Aron had watched everything.

Its large eyes were filled with shock.

It had never imagined that the Bellossom, who was about the same size as itself, could be so powerful.

According to Haunter, this human had trained her to become this strong.

"If I follow him… could I become as strong as Bellossom too?" Aron wondered.

Ethan threw Scarface onto an open patch of grass and turned to walk away.

"Bellossom, use Sweet Scent."

The air was soon filled with a fragrant aroma.

It didn't take long before wild Pokémon from the surrounding area began to gather.

They stared hungrily at the wounded, helpless Scarface, their eyes filled with both greed and hatred.

"W-What are you doing?! If you want to kill me, just do it!"

"Where's your honor, you coward?!"

"Please… I was wrong… just kill me quickly!"

As the wild Pokémon drew closer, Scarface's fear overtook his anger.

He tried to crawl away, but with both hands gone, blood loss weakening him, and Ethan's kicks having shattered his ribs, he could barely even lift his body.

Then came the snakes.

Arbok and Ekans slithered closer, tongues flicking as they tasted the blood in the air.

Behind them, Rattata, Raticate, Fearow, Golbat, and several other scavengers lurked, their gazes predatory.

They had followed the scent of blood.

And now—

They had found their prey.

Some of them hesitated—

After all, Ethan was standing nearby.

But the first Raticate that tried to attack Ethan was instantly decapitated by Bellossom's Leaf Blade.

That was all it took.

They did not dare approach Ethan anymore.

Instead—

They turned their full attention to Scarface.

It was unclear which Pokémon struck first.

But in the next moment—

Dozens of Pokémon swarmed him.

Scarface's screams echoed through the forest.

The sight was gruesome beyond words.

Knowing that Aron, Oddish, and Haunter were still young, Ethan ordered them to close their eyes.

Bellossom, curious, tried to peek.

But Ethan smacked her lightly on the head.

Pouting, she reluctantly covered her eyes with her tiny hands.

And behind them—

Scarface's agonized wails faded into silence.