Chapter 62: Winning the Championship

Chapter 62: Winning the Championship

"You're quite skilled."

This was the first time Luna had been at a disadvantage in the entire competition. She looked at Basalt, only to see a faint smile on his lips, which annoyed her.

"Smoochum, use Icy Wind."

Frowning, Luna decided to get serious. In any case, her Smoochum was currently protected by Reflect. Nothing to panic about.

Whoosh~~

A bone-chilling Icy Wind exhaled from Smoochum's mouth, causing the temperature of the field to drop by more than 5 degrees. The referee standing on the sidelines couldn't help but shiver.

"Drilbur, dodge and close the distance."

To everyone's surprise, faced with the highly damaging Icy Wind, Basalt didn't choose to have Drilbur use Dig to dodge. Instead, he met the challenge head-on and charged forward.

"What's going on? A suicide attack?"

On the guest panel, all the commentators were stunned, not understanding what was happening. But soon, they saw the problem. As Drilbur ran, its speed got faster and faster, reaching a terrifying level. Its movements were even more agile and swift than Luke's Meowth. It easily avoided the harassment of the Icy Wind every time.

Smoochum's Icy Wind couldn't hit it at all!

"What the, am I seeing a ghost?" Victor Wei couldn't help but swear, his face full of disbelief. Can a Drilbur's speed reach this level? This level should be considered breaking its species' limits, right?

"Miles, what's the situation with this Drilbur?" Officer Tanaka was also stunned for a long time. After coming to his senses, he quickly looked at Coach Miles, the meaning in his eyes self-evident.

Aren't you Basalt's coach? Then you should know his Drilbur very well, right? Stop hiding it, kid, and spit it out!

They didn't know that Coach Miles was even more baffled than they were. He had never seen Drilbur display this kind of speed before.

Coach Miles: (╬へ╬)

You might not believe me if I say it, but I, the coach, really don't know anything.

But faced with the questions from Officer Tanaka and Director King, Coach Miles could only spout nonsense. "We also did special training for Drilbur's speed and agility…"

Although he really didn't know, he couldn't show that he didn't know. Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing.

Damn it! Just how much has this Basalt kid hidden from me? Coach Miles gritted his teeth.

…

On the battlefield.

Basalt watched his little mole, its body as agile as a swallow, easily dodging the Icy Wind, a faint smile on his lips.

Just now, when Smoochum was constructing its Reflect barrier, Drilbur did nothing but quietly watch the opponent set up. Did you really think the little mole simply wanted to fight a war of attrition? Then you are truly naive.

Or did you think Basalt was a fool?

In reality, while Smoochum was constructing its Reflect, Drilbur had also secretly activated "Sandstorm," which in turn successfully triggered its "Sand Rush" ability, boosting its speed by forty percent.

It was just that the intensity of Drilbur's sandstorm was still too small. Never mind the audience and the guests; even the opposing Luna couldn't see it very clearly. She only felt that there seemed to be something yellowish-brown shrouding Drilbur.

It was all a tactical arrangement!

"It's about time to end this," Basalt suddenly looked up.

With the sandstorm appearing and its ability activated, Drilbur was now at full power. But while being at full power was impressive, it also consumed a lot of stamina. It absolutely could not drag this out. It had to be a quick battle.

Thinking of this, Basalt waved his hand and shouted, "Drilbur, use Rock Tomb and shatter that Reflect barrier!"

"Chari~" (▼へ▼)

Hearing this, Drilbur nodded excitedly. After its Sand Rush ability was activated, it felt like it was in top condition. It… was no longer satisfied with just dodging.

I'm going to crush this world!

Voom! Voom! Voom!…

Although it was still running, this didn't affect Drilbur's ability to form rock projectiles. It's unknown if it was because of the sandstorm, but Drilbur felt that its perception and control over Rock-type energy seemed to have improved a little. The rock projectiles formed even more effortlessly, and their power had also slightly increased.

At this moment, Smoochum was busy using Icy Wind to chase Drilbur and had no spare capacity to counter the rock projectiles. On top of that, Drilbur formed its rocks too quickly. Before Smoochum could react, the projectiles had already smashed into the Reflect barrier.

CRACK!

Under the bombardment of seven powerful rock projectiles, the Reflect wall facing Smoochum shattered on impact.

"Heavens! Drilbur's sudden Rock Tomb has smashed through the defensive gate of Reflect. Smoochum… is in danger!!!"

The commentator's voice rang out again, filled with excitement. Because the situation on the field seemed to be… starting to reverse!

Although the Reflect wall had reduced a huge portion of their power, each rock projectile was as large as Smoochum itself. If they were to smash down, with Smoochum's defense, it would be critically injured, if not defeated.

At this moment, the audience was holding its breath for Smoochum.

But Smoochum was Smoochum, after all. At the critical moment, it decisively stopped its Icy Wind and instead unleashed its psychic power frantically, using the move Confusion to, at the last second, deflect all seven rock projectiles.

However, the sudden high-intensity burst of psychic power consumed a lot of Smoochum's mental energy. Coupled with its repeated use of Icy Wind before, Smoochum was now beginning to pant heavily.

The key was, while Smoochum was moving, Drilbur's movements had not stopped. Taking advantage of the gap when Smoochum's attack was interrupted, Drilbur had already charged forward, closing the distance.

"Chari~" (▼ヘ▼#)

With a sharp cry, Drilbur's body suddenly spun, transforming into a spiral of energy. It leaped up like a drill and charged towards Smoochum.

High-Speed Spin!

Faced with this desperate situation, Smoochum had no choice but to once again drain its mental energy, using Confusion to try and push Drilbur away. Only this time, Confusion was not as effective. While using Rapid Spin, Drilbur, enveloped in Normal-type energy, had strong resistance to Psychic-type energy.

Only magic can defeat magic. And only magic can defend against magic. If Confusion wanted to deal damage, it had to first break through the energy of Rapid Spin. But in Smoochum's current state, the difficulty of that was not to be underestimated. Its psychic power was already on the verge of exhaustion.

"Smoo~chum~~"

Smoochum's eyes glowed with a strange light. It gritted its teeth, resisting with all its might.

BAM! BAM!

Although Drilbur's timing for the attack was good, its Rapid Spin was still narrowly blocked by the Confusion. But Drilbur's offensive was not halted. After being slightly deflected by the psychic power, it slid past Smoochum's side and back, shattering the Reflect walls there.

With that, Smoochum's Reflect defense system was now breached in three places, and it was unlikely to be effective again.

Although the attack had failed again, after Drilbur entered its "drill" state, it tilted its drill towards the ground and instantly tore open a large hole, its figure disappearing without a trace.

"There it is! There it is! Drilbur's move, Dig…" The commentator was ecstatic. Although Drilbur's Rock Tomb was also unforgettable, its signature move was still "Dig." This was the divine skill that had one-shotted a seed player! And now, it seemed Drilbur had already seized control of the situation.

"Smoochum…"

Faced with Drilbur's Dig, Luna's face changed dramatically. In just a short while, the situation on the field… had reversed to this extent? Luna had truly been caught completely off guard by Basalt.

As a Psychic-type Pokémon, although Smoochum's mental power was strong, its body was very frail, and its physical defense was extremely poor, not even comparable to Tyrogue's. If it was hit head-on by Dig, it would absolutely be one-shotted.

So, Luna had to be cautious. But after the continuous use of psychic defenses, Smoochum's mental energy was already depleted. As its trainer, Luna could see this. The Reflect defense system could no longer be reconstructed or repaired.

Luna had been backed into a corner by Basalt.

"Smoo~chum~~"

Just as Luna's brow furrowed, Smoochum timely spoke up to remind her. Although its mental energy was exhausted and it could no longer use psychic powers for attack or defense, it could still sense. At this moment, Smoochum had sensed that the Drilbur under the ground was rapidly approaching.

A Drilbur with its Sand Rush ability activated was truly fast! Even if it was digging while advancing.

Smoochum was backed against one Reflect wall. It also had one above its head and one below its feet. But the walls in front of it and to its left and right had been destroyed by Drilbur during the battle. Any of these three directions could be where Drilbur attacked from. But according to its senses, Drilbur seemed to be planning to attack from the front.

The opponent… was starting to accelerate! This was the prelude to an attack.

"Smoochum, full-power Icy Wind!"

Luna's gaze sharpened. She was preparing for a final, desperate struggle. In terms of stamina, Smoochum couldn't compare to Drilbur. If this became a battle of endurance, Smoochum would undoubtedly lose. Now that the opponent was actively attacking, and from the front, it was playing right into her hands. Luna couldn't ask for more.

Dig VS Icy Wind. Whoever wins becomes the champion.

Now was the time to decide the winner!

"Smoo~chum~~"

At this moment, Smoochum and Luna were of one mind, in complete agreement.

"Hoo-poof~~"

Sensing that Drilbur was already three to five meters underground in front of it, Smoochum took the initiative and spat out a stream of cold air. It had no choice. Drilbur was too fast. If it waited until Drilbur broke through the ground to use its move, it would probably be too late. So, it had to attack first.

But just as Smoochum used Icy Wind, it suddenly realized it had been tricked. Because in its perception, Drilbur was not attacking from the front, but had instead taken another step forward, arriving directly beneath it.

Smoochum was shocked. What did this mean? The space below it was protected by a Reflect wall! A single Reflect wall couldn't stop Drilbur, but it could at least hold for a few seconds, which would give it time to react and dodge.

BAM!

But soon, Smoochum discovered that it was wrong, very wrong. The Reflect wall beneath its feet did not buy it two or three seconds. Under Drilbur's "Dig" attack, it shattered on impact.

The Reflect wall hadn't even lasted for a second!

Drilbur, breaking through the ground and the wall, its body not even fully out of the earth, had already extended its large, hard claws, striking Smoochum on the chin and sending it flying.

BAM!

Just as Smoochum was sent flying, its head hit the Reflect wall above it. Its body bounced off and fell, rolling for a good distance. By the time its body stopped rolling, Smoochum's eyes were already swirling, and it had fainted.

"Hmph~~" (▼へ▼メ)

Drilbur panted heavily, a look of indignation on its face.

You thought you were safe with one Reflect wall holding me back? Who do you think you're looking down on?

When the Mole Emperor wants to win the championship, no one can stop me!

Drilbur: (▼へ▼メ)

Of course, I'm not just targeting you, Smoochum…

Author's Note: I looked at the donation pool and found that it has already reached 10,000 Qidian coins, so I'm releasing a bonus chapter.

Thank you all for your support, and I hope you will continue to support the Mole Emperor!

Drilbur: (▼へ▼メ)