"Well, it's two Caterpie. Let's send out Poliwag and show them what we can do!"
Airi followed Icarus to a bush. She mimicked him by peering through the binoculars, already eager to rush out and fight.
"Wait a second, Airi. Are you planning to attack them head-on?"
Hearing her words, Icarus quickly grabbed her arm.
"Isn't that how it's done?" Airi asked, confused beneath her mask.
"If every battle were fought head-on, Takashima wouldn't have died in a sneak attack."
Icarus's voice turned cold.
"Airi, remember this—there is no such thing as fairness in the wild. The only thing that matters is using whatever means you have to defeat your opponent."
He deliberately brought up Takashima again to burn the lesson into her mind.
"…I understand, Brother Icarus! I'll remember!" Her voice trembled slightly.
"…Sorry, Airi. I just don't want you making the same mistake again."
"I know, Brother Icarus. You don't need to apologize. Then… what should I do?"
"Move in quietly with Poliwag. Once you're within range, attack immediately with your strongest moves."
"Mm… got it."
---
The girl nodded and carefully advanced with Poliwag.
Soon, they were close enough.
Looking at the two Caterpie, a mix of determination and fear flashed in her eyes.
"Poliwag, use Water Gun on the one on the left. I'll take the one on the right with a water arrow."
Water energy gathered in her right hand, slowly forming into a sharp arrow.
"Yo!" Poliwag responded, firing a thick stream of water from its mouth.
At the same time—
"Whoosh!"
Airi swung her arm, releasing the water arrow.
"Wuu! Wuu!" The two Caterpie reacted too late, letting out frightened cries.
"Pfft!"
The water arrow pierced straight through one of them.
"Bang!"
The other was blasted back into a tree by the Water Gun.
"Don't stop—finish them!" Icarus stepped in, urging her forward.
"Okay! Poliwag, use Water Bombs—focus on mine first!"
A water bomb formed in her hand and slammed into the fallen Caterpie.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Poliwag adjusted its aim, firing multiple water bombs in quick succession.
The Caterpie tried to defend with String Shot, but it only blocked the first attack.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
It collapsed, completely defeated.
---
Meanwhile, the second Caterpie tried to escape.
"Bubble!"
"Pop! Pop! Pop!"
Poliwag fired a stream of bubbles, each one bursting on impact.
The fleeing Caterpie fell, losing its ability to fight.
---
"We did it! Haha! Poliwag, we won!"
Airi picked up Poliwag, overjoyed.
"Yo yo~!" it cried happily, tail wagging.
---
"That's enough."
Icarus's voice cut through her excitement.
"You're still in the wild. After a battle, your first priority should be staying alert—and collecting your spoils."
"A-Ah… right! Sorry, Brother Icarus… I got too excited!"
Flustered, Airi quickly set Poliwag down.
"Poliwag, keep watch around us."
Then she hesitated slightly and lowered her voice.
"Brother Icarus… what exactly counts as spoils? Do we capture them and sell them?"
---
Airi nodded, still unsure.
"Pokémon like Caterpie out here have poor potential. No one buys them—and there's an unspoken rule against selling low-quality Pokémon."
Icarus walked over to one of the fallen Caterpie and took out a dagger.
"Your spoils are their materials—the silk sacs and usable meat. Watch carefully."
---
"Pfft!"
The blade pierced cleanly through the Caterpie.
A few drops of blood splattered onto Airi's protective suit.
"T-This…! Brother Icarus—ugh…!"
Her face turned pale as she gagged.
She had never even killed a fish before—only ever handled prepared food.
This was the first time she'd seen a living Pokémon killed right in front of her.
---
"Don't look away."
Icarus didn't even turn back.
"Open your eyes and watch."
"If you can't handle this, then go back to living as an ordinary person in town—with Poliwag. I won't take you any further."
His voice was cold and absolute.
---
His hands never stopped moving.
If she can't get past this, she's useless to me.
Then I'll just hand her over to Team Rocket.
---
"I'm watching… Brother Icarus…!"
Her voice trembled, but she forced her eyes open.
"I don't want to be left alone again…!"
Tears welled up, but she didn't look away.
---
"Good. Then watch carefully. I'll only show this once."
This time, Icarus slowed his movements.
Step by step, he removed the silk sac and separated the usable meat.
---
After a while, he held up the bloodied materials.
"Your turn."
He placed the dagger into Airi's trembling hands.
---
Her fingers shook as she gripped it.
Looking at the blood staining her hands, she clenched her teeth.
"…Okay."
---
On the path of a Trainer, there is no distinction between male or female.
Once you choose this road, even with blood on your hands—you have to keep moving forward.
---
(End of Chapter)
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