Holding the dagger, Airi walked slowly toward the other Caterpie, step by step.
Drip… drip…
Blood trickled down her hand—so different from water.
She raised the dagger again and again… only to lower it each time.
She was struggling.
She knew Pokémon were intelligent. Her Poliwag was no different from a human child.
Killing Pokémon… felt no different from killing people.
"Airi! Think about your parents! Your cousin!" Icarus's voice turned cold and sharp.
"They all died to Pokémon attacks!
Every year, countless humans die because of Pokémon! Entire villages, towns—even cities—are destroyed by Pokémon swarms!
They are Pokémon. You are human!"
"AH!"
Her parents' final moments flashed before her eyes—devoured in the wild, leaving nothing behind.
"Pfft!"
The dagger plunged down.
It pierced straight through Caterpie's head. Blood splattered across her mask and visor.
"Good," Icarus said calmly as he stepped beside her. "Now—take out the silk sac."
Airi didn't reply.
She lowered her head and began dissecting the body, copying Icarus's earlier movements.
Before long, a blood-stained silk sac rested in her trembling hand.
"Not bad. You learn quickly. Next, separate the edible meat—avoid these parts."
Icarus pointed while explaining.
"Crack… tear…"
Under his guidance, Airi carefully cut the flesh apart.
Within a minute, she had cleanly separated the silk sac and several kilograms of usable meat.
"Good. Put everything into separate bags. Then bury the remains."
He handed her the storage bags.
"Okay… ugh—"
Airi quickly buried the remains, stuffed the loot into her backpack—
—and immediately turned aside and retched.
"Airi," Icarus said, patting her back, his tone heavy but steady,
"I'm not trying to force you. But you need to adapt to this world.
You chose to become a trainer. And without backing, the only thing you can rely on… is yourself.
This path isn't a game.
Even elite trainers stand on piles of bones."
"Ugh… I know…"
Airi turned back, her face pale—but her eyes held both pain and determination.
"I'm already lucky… I have a good starter… and I have you guiding me…
I'm just… too weak…"
She clenched her fists.
"I still need you to push me this far…"
Icarus gave a small nod.
"Good. Then decide—rest for a bit, or continue?"
"I'll rest for a moment… sorry."
"That's fine."
He turned slightly.
"Pidgeotto, scout ahead. Find a Weedle."
"Pidge!"
The bird Pokémon flew off.
"Yo yo~"
Poliwag hopped over, looking at Airi with concern.
Airi gave a weak smile and hugged it.
"Poliwag… I must look pathetic, huh?"
"Yo! Yo!"
Poliwag immediately protested, encouraging her.
Airi let out a small laugh.
"Looks like I needed you to comfort me… alright, I'm okay now. Thank you, Poliwag."
She lifted her mask and gently kissed it.
"Yo~!" Poliwag chirped happily.
Nearby, Weepinbell watched and nudged Icarus with a vine, clearly wanting the same treatment.
"…Not happening," Icarus said flatly, though he still patted its head.
Weepinbell seemed satisfied enough.
Soon, Pidgeotto returned.
It had found a lone Weedle nearby.
"Airi, let's move."
"Coming, Brother Icarus!"
They followed Pidgeotto deeper into the area.
After a short walk, Icarus stopped and gestured forward.
Airi lifted her binoculars.
"It's a Weedle… looks like it's been in fights before."
"Good. This one's yours," Icarus said. "No reminders this time."
Airi nodded.
"Let's go, Poliwag."
"Yo!"
They crept forward.
Just as they reached about ten meters—
"Wii!"
The Weedle detected them instantly and fired a Poison Sting.
"Poliwag! Continuous Water Bombs!"
The first water bomb collided with the Poison Sting mid-air.
But the rest—
"Boom! Boom!"
Combined with Airi's water arrow, they slammed straight into the Weedle.
"Don't stop! Water Gun—then Bubble!"
Poliwag followed up immediately.
"Bang!"
The Water Gun knocked Weedle to the ground.
"Pop! Pop! Pop!"
Bubbles exploded across its body.
"Wii…!"
The Weedle collapsed, completely defeated.
"Nice! Stay alert, Poliwag—I'll handle the body."
This time, Airi didn't hesitate.
She stepped forward—
Her hands still trembling slightly—
"Pfft!"
The dagger pierced cleanly through Weedle's eye.
Its life ended instantly.
Icarus watched quietly.
Then nodded.
"Good… now you're finally a real trainer."
-------------Author---------------
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