Icarus's Team Rocket contribution points hadn't changed in a long time. Ever since obtaining the Black Sludge, his focus had shifted almost entirely toward the Alliance side. He only completed Team Rocket missions occasionally whenever it was convenient.
As a result, his Team Rocket contribution points increased painfully slowly. Right now, he only had 180 points, not even enough to exchange for a common high-grade secret manual for Weepinbell.
He clearly remembered that Weepinbell's high-grade secret manual required 250 contribution points.
However, Houndour's evolution plan only cost 120 points, equivalent to 120,000 Alliance currency. That was still acceptable, and he had already exchanged for it.
The real issue was the required evolution materials.
After checking the list, Icarus estimated that collecting all the materials would cost around 500,000 Alliance currency, or roughly 500 contribution points.
He had secretly compared prices at material stores in town and discovered that Team Rocket's internal prices were significantly cheaper. Because of that, he planned to focus entirely on Team Rocket missions during this period of solo activity.
"A low-grade Fire Stone, one mid-grade Dark-type energy crystal, and one low-grade Normal-type energy crystal already cost 350,000…"
Looking at the evolution requirements, Icarus rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
Even though the Team Rocket price only required 320 contribution points, for someone who currently had just 60 usable points left, it was still an enormous amount.
As for why Team Rocket's internal prices were cheaper, Icarus guessed it was likely because of the previous raid on the Jiangqi Family. Everyone had made a fortune during that operation, so evolution materials were naturally abundant internally.
He had also quietly investigated the Jiangqi Family after returning to town.
Officially, the story claimed they had been attacked by a Pokémon horde, suffering heavy losses in both personnel and cargo. Fortunately, the family's Elite-level patriarch survived unharmed, with only one of their most talented descendants dying during the incident.
So although the losses were serious, they weren't devastating enough to shake the family's foundation. The Jiangqi Family still remained one of the four major families of the town.
"But the hardest material to obtain is probably this…"
Icarus continued scrolling through the evolution plan, his expression growing even more helpless.
"Two Elite-level Houndoom horns…"
They were available on the exchange list, even low-grade ones.
But each horn cost 80 contribution points.
Eighty thousand Alliance currency per horn!
He still remembered that when Pidgey evolved, the Gym Leader-level Pidgeot feathers only cost 50,000 each.
He hadn't expected Houndoom horns to be so expensive.
Still, after thinking about it carefully, he understood why.
A Houndoom's horns were one of its most valuable body parts and represented much of its intimidating aura. Meanwhile, the feathers used for Pidgey's evolution weren't even the primary feathers, merely energy-rich secondary feathers.
Thinking that way, Icarus reluctantly accepted the price.
After all, this was already the best evolution plan available within his current authority.
Other plans also claimed they could increase aptitude by two small stages, but Houndour already possessed Superior lower-grade aptitude. Judging from those plans' descriptions, Icarus doubted the energy involved would truly be enough.
And more importantly, he didn't dare gamble.
Houndour only had one chance to evolve.
So, following the principle that expensive usually meant better quality, he ultimately chose this plan.
"Now then… let's see if there are any worthwhile missions."
Inside Team Rocket's underground base, Icarus stood before a self-service computer, browsing the mission board.
He specifically searched for missions with high contribution rewards. Money didn't matter much right now. What he desperately needed were contribution points.
After all, besides Houndour's evolution plan, both Pidgeotto and Weepinbell still required high-grade secret manuals.
As for Xiao Ling and Shi Tou…
He wasn't their babysitter.
Why would he use Team Rocket channels to help upgrade their secret manuals?
As far as he knew, Xiao Ling had already exchanged Alliance merit points for a mid-grade Poliwag training manual. She would probably exchange for a common low-grade Staryu manual next.
Besides, occasionally revealing a low-grade secret manual was still believable.
But if he kept continuously producing mid-grade and high-grade manuals one after another, it would become suspicious very quickly.
The three of them often completed missions together. They all had a rough understanding of each other's finances. If he suddenly pulled out multiple expensive secret manuals, it would be impossible not to attract attention.
So it was better to use those resources secretly for himself.
And honestly…
Icarus also had a selfish thought.
If he continued obtaining secret manuals through Team Rocket's discounted internal channels, then naturally his progress would slowly surpass Xiao Ling and Shi Tou's.
That advantage mattered.
After browsing for a while, Icarus finally selected several missions.
The first category involved long-term hunting missions for Pokémon materials.
Team Rocket always seemed to have endless demand for Pokémon materials. Nearly every kind of material could be exchanged for contribution points.
This suited him perfectly.
As long as he paid attention while traveling, he could casually complete one or two material missions along the way.
The second mission was even easier.
Or rather…
Easy for Ning Hui.
It involved gathering information on the rising younger generation from the town's medium and small families over recent years. Contribution rewards depended on the usefulness of the information.
Even the lowest-quality accepted information rewarded at least 5 contribution points.
Ning Hui worked specifically with Trainer registration and certification at the Pokémon Center. She had access to those families' original registration records.
Although the data only included their starter Pokémon and aptitude grades, it still had value.
Even if those Trainers had already grown stronger after years of development, knowing their original Pokémon types and aptitudes was still useful information.
The mission explicitly stated there was no penalty for failure.
So for Icarus, it was essentially free money.
The third mission depended on convenience.
If it happened to align with his route, he would do it. Otherwise, he would focus entirely on hunting material missions.
Today's third mission involved exterminating an Oddish tribe near the Team Rocket base.
Normally, Pokémon groups existing near the base wasn't unusual.
The problem was that this Oddish tribe had developed far too quickly.
Because Team Rocket routinely cleared the surrounding area, there were very few powerful wild Pokémon nearby. To outsiders, dangerous Pokémon still appeared to roam the region, but those were actually disguised patrol members.
This safe environment caused the Oddish tribe to grow explosively.
In just over a month, they had already produced seven or eight Gloom.
And the smell…
The stench was so overwhelming that even some higher-ups inside the base had become furious.
Apparently, one executive had finally snapped, which directly resulted in this extermination mission.
The reward was generous:
40 contribution points.
And all materials obtained could be kept personally.
That was extremely profitable.
After all, besides the medicinal flower on its head, Gloom also produced nectar.
Although nectar lacked honey's aptitude-enhancing effect, it was an outstanding nutritional supplement. For humans, its nutritional value was even considered superior to ordinary honey.
Market price:
4,000 Alliance currency per jin.
As for whether he could handle the mission—
According to the mission description, yes.
The tribe had only recently evolved. Most of the Gloom were likely ordinary low-level, perhaps with one or two ordinary mid-level members at most, accompanied by over twenty newborn Oddish.
Icarus believed this was manageable.
With Houndour and Pidgeotto holding type advantage, the offensive pressure should be enough.
As for Weepinbell, he intended to use it as a frontline tank.
Grass- and Poison-type attacks wouldn't deal much damage to Weepinbell anyway.
Combined with Ingrain, Absorb, Synthesis, and Black Sludge recovery under sunny weather, Weepinbell should easily endure prolonged combat.
"Let's move."
After accepting the missions, Icarus immediately headed toward the nearest Oddish tribe.
"Shasha~"
Not long afterward, Icarus arrived near the tribe with his three Pokémon.
"Woof woof! Woof woof!"
The moment they approached, Houndour immediately covered its nose with its paws.
It was unbearably disgusting.
Even worse than the industrial district.
"No wonder nobody wanted this mission…"
Even through his mask, Icarus could smell the horrifying stench.
With Houndour's enhanced sense of smell, the suffering was obviously far worse.
"Chirp chirp!"
Pidgeotto also covered its beak with a wing, expressing deep disgust.
Only Weepinbell seemed mostly unaffected.
Perhaps because it constantly handled poison and corrosive substances, it was already used to unpleasant smells.
Or perhaps plants simply tolerated it better.
"Here, wear these first."
Fortunately, Icarus had prepared beforehand.
He took out special Pokémon nose plugs — a stretchable mud-like substance that could either seal the nostrils completely or spread into a thin filtering layer.
He applied a thin coating over Pidgeotto's beak while stuffing Houndour's nose more firmly.
"Woof…"
Even then, Houndour still looked pitiful.
"Houndour, let's finish this quickly. Just endure it for a while. When you use Ember later, increase the firepower."
Seeing its miserable expression, Icarus could only comfort it helplessly before adding another layer of filtering mud.
At this point, he truly understood why nobody accepted this mission.
This really was a filthy job.
And Houndour's powerful sense of smell had practically become a curse here.
Still, retreating now was impossible.
"Houndour, find them."
"Woof!"
Soon, they discovered four Oddish and one Gloom hiding underground.
"Pidgeotto, use Twister!"
"Houndour, ignite it with Ember!"
"Chirp~!"
"Woof!"
The spinning wind instantly transformed into a blazing fire tornado.
"Duo!" "Mana!" "Hanaaa!"
The hidden Pokémon were violently swept into the air before they could even fully emerge.
Under the combined Flying- and Fire-type assault, the Oddish were instantly defeated upon crashing back to the ground.
Only the Gloom barely remained conscious.
"Houndour, finish it."
"Whoosh!"
A final Ember struck directly into the Gloom's body.
"Hanaaaa—!"
The Gloom collapsed completely.
"Stand guard. I'll collect the materials."
Then came the truly painful part.
The moment Icarus approached the scorched Gloom, the smell intensified several times over.
"Ugh—!"
The odor was so horrifying that even manure from his previous life seemed fragrant in comparison.
It was like fermented fish, sewage, rotting vegetables, and burning rubber mixed together.
Still…
Money was money.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to harvest the nectar and medicinal flower.
Only after finally extracting the sweet-smelling nectar did he feel slightly alive again.
Soon afterward, he continued deeper into the territory.
After clearing several more patrol groups, the remaining tribe members finally realized something was wrong.
The Gloom leader immediately gathered all surviving members together.
On the grassy clearing ahead stood three Gloom surrounded by fourteen remaining Oddish.
The leader's flower was darker and larger than the others', clearly marking it as the strongest among them.
"Hana!?"
When the numbers were counted, rage filled its eyes.
In barely a month, the tribe had finally begun recovering from disaster…
And now half their members were already dead.