The night was as dark as ink, swallowing the rugged terrain of the jagged mountain path.
This was the only path connecting Mt. Chimney and Route 112, and it was also the mandatory route to Lavaridge Town.
The scorched scent of volcanic ash permeated the air, and the moonlight was filtered by thin dust, casting mottled and bizarre shadows onto the craggy rocks.
Ariel did not choose to rest at a Pokémon Center.
For him, there were more important things waiting for him to complete than a bed at the Pokémon Center.
At this moment, he was standing on a giant rock, overlooking an open space below with a calm expression.
On the open space, a battle with a vast disparity in strength was underway.
"Awoo!"
A robust Houndoom roared and spat out scorching flames, the firelight instantly illuminating the surrounding rock walls.
Its opponent was an agile Sneasel.
Facing a powerful enemy that completely suppressed it in both type and level, Sneasel did not retreat in the slightest.
Its entire body was pitch black, and its claws and teeth shimmered with a cold light. Like a bolt of black lightning, it shuttled at high speeds through the gaps in the flames.
Ice Shard and Assurance hit the Houndoom, but the effects were negligible.
Meanwhile, the opponent's flames could deal fatal damage to Sneasel.
Every dodge was like dancing on the edge of a blade.
Every attack had to be precise to the extreme.
Ariel's gaze was tightly locked onto Sneasel; he could feel the tightening of every muscle and the intensification of every breath Sneasel took.
This was exactly the result he wanted.
Only under the pressure of a desperate situation can the deepest potential be stimulated.
During the battle, Sneasel's speed became faster and faster, and the angles of its moves became increasingly tricky.
It began to predict Houndoom's attacks, using the smallest movements to evade, and even used the intervals between the Flamethrowers to leave shallow marks on Houndoom's legs with its sharp claws.
Houndoom was completely enraged. It gave up on long-range Flamethrowers, its entire body erupting in blazing fire as it charged forward like a chariot.
"Now is the time."
Ariel thought to himself.
Sneasel did not retreat but instead advanced, facing the heat wave. Its entire body suddenly accelerated, and a black shadow instantly drew close to Houndoom's flank!
"Slash!"
Metal Claw!
sharp claws carved a deep gash into Houndoom's body, bringing out a string of sparks.
At that very moment, a majestic surge of energy erupted from within Sneasel. Its aura rose steadily, and the experience accumulated during the battle underwent a qualitative change in an instant!
Its level rose to Level 30!
Almost simultaneously, the sharp claw hanging around Sneasel's neck emitted a dark glow.
Nighttime, level up, holding a sharp claw.
All conditions for evolution were met!
Dazzling white light instantly enveloped Sneasel's body, and its form began to change and stretch violently within the light.
"Awoo!"
Seeing this, the heavily wounded Houndoom's eyes flared with ferocity.
It understood that this was its opponent's most vulnerable moment. Without hesitation, it opened its large mouth, and a fireball condensed with Fire-type energy rapidly took shape, aimed at that light of evolution.
A sneak attack?
The corners of Ariel's mouth curled up slightly; he didn't even lift an eyelid.
He just casually flicked his wrist, and two Poké Balls flew out.
"Bang! Bang!"
Red light flashed, and two large Pokémon appeared on either side of the evolution light, like two guardian deities, firmly protecting Sneasel in the middle.
On the left was a Krokorok with its large mouth agape. It was half-crouched, its tail rhythmically thumping the ground, sending sand and soil flying, looking arrogant as if it were second only to the heavens.
On the right was a Malamar floating in mid-air. The luminous organs on its head flickered, and its eight tentacles danced like ghosts. An invisible spiritual pressure instantly enveloped the entire field.
The two Level 34 Pokémon just stood there quietly, and the aura they emitted made the very air solidify.
The fireball in Houndoom's mouth instantly fizzled out. Looking at these two uninvited guests, its body froze in place, its canine eyes filled with a very human-like terror.
This... what's the situation?
It was just a fight; how did it call over its big brothers?
Krokorok and Malamar tilted their heads simultaneously, staring at Houndoom with a look that said, "Little brother, what were you trying to do just now?"
Houndoom: "..."
It silently withdrew its energy, tucked its tail, and even took two steps back, indicating it was just passing through to see the scenery.
In this comical standoff, the light of evolution reached its peak and then suddenly contracted.
The light dissipated, and a brand-new figure appeared in its place.
Its form was taller and more slender than Sneasel's, its posture elegant yet deadly.
The bright red crown on its head was like a queen's coronet, and the feathers by its ears were longer, trailing down its back.
Those crimson eyes possessed a heart-palpitating coldness and cunning. Most eye-catching were its claws, which had become longer and sharper.
Weavile, evolution successful!
"Wea!"
Feeling the new power surging within its body, Weavile let out a crisp and confident cry.
It didn't even look at the Krokorok and Malamar beside it; its gaze locked directly onto the Houndoom that had already been scared witless.
In its eyes was pure fighting spirit.
"Go."
Ariel issued a simple command:
"Use Ice Punch."
Before the words even finished, Weavile's figure had already vanished from its spot.
Houndoom only felt a blur before its eyes, and a bone-chilling cold had already spread from its abdomen.
It looked down to see a fist covered in frost deeply imprinted on the wound previously carved by the Metal Claw.
"Crack!"
Ice rapidly spread. The double blow of intense pain and flash-freezing prevented Houndoom from even letting out a scream; its body went limp, and it fell heavily to the ground, completely losing its ability to battle.
A one-hit KO!
Ariel nodded in satisfaction and recalled all three Pokémon.
He organized his current team composition.
Krokorok and Malamar were both Level 34, the absolute mainstays of the team.
Malamar's level had now caught up to Krokorok's; it could be said that Krokorok's position as the team leader was no longer secure.
The newly evolved Weavile, at Level 30, would only grow stronger in the future with its terrifying speed and attack power.
As for Frogadier, it was still Level 20 and needed more training.
"Krokorok is probably going to feel a sense of crisis."
Ariel gave a light chuckle, feeling quite good.
His strength had increased again, bringing him one step closer to his goal.
He looked up toward Lavaridge Town and was about to set off when his peripheral vision caught a figure on the mountain path ahead.
It was an old man leaning on a cane, standing quietly in the middle of the road, blocking his way.
An old man appearing in the middle of the night on this deserted volcanic mountain path?
Ariel's gaze instantly turned cold.
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