Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

“kia”

It was the Knight Snail that was provoked by the Giant Rock Monster.

Its eyes flashed with a sharp light, and it instantly crossed its two lances into a cross shape and swung them out.

"Chong"

This time the sound was much crisper than the last time.

Pang Yanguai hardened slightly as a sign of caution.

However, since the base power of the Cross Scissors is much greater than that of the Combo Slash, even though the Hardening ability has increased its defensive capabilities, a significant mark was still left on the Giant Rock Monster's body.

Tetsuya had a general understanding of the current offensive capabilities of the Knights Snail.

Judging from the strength of typical elite-level Pokémon, the Knight Snail's offensive capabilities are already among the best.

However, the level 32 Knight Snail still has a lot of room for improvement.

After reaching the elite peak, in terms of pure offense, its power may not be weaker than Gallade of the same level.

"After successfully activating the Fatal Needle skill effect, the Knight Snail's attack power should be able to increase by one level."

After imagining the Knight Snail's general fighting style, Tetsuya felt that the Knight Snail might not even need to rely on defense to launch counterattacks; it could simply pierce the enemy's body directly.

Fatal Sting, a Bug-type move with a base power of 50, has the effect of greatly increasing the user's attack power if the target is brought to near death by the attack.

This improvement is even greater than a single sword dance.

Compared to other Pokémon that can also master this skill, such as Beedrill, Ariados, or Drapion, Escavalier has considerable advantages in all aspects.

For example, its strong defensive capabilities allow it to perform its first enhancement more perfectly, and the Bug-type affinity can increase the "kill threshold" of the Deadly Sting move.

"Now let's test the Knight Snail's defensive capabilities."

Having finished testing physical attacks, it's time for Knight Snail's specialty: defense.

Tetsuya then commanded the giant rock monster: "Let's use Rock Slide to test its physical defense first."

The next moment, several huge rocks fell from the sky.

The Knight Snail suddenly spread its arms wide, its body gleaming with an iron-like luster.

"Clap clap clap"

A series of cracking sounds rang out.

The rock that hit the knight snail immediately turned into rubble.

Zhe nodded unconsciously: "After using Iron Wall, it almost perfectly resisted the rockfall. That's an exaggerated defensive capability."

Even the most skilled Knight Snail, after strengthening itself with Iron Wall, might not be able to withstand the Rock Slide attack of the Quasi-Elite King Giant Rock Monster with its elite-level strength.

After all, strictly speaking, the abilities that the Giant Rock Monster excels in overlap quite a bit with those of the Knight Snail, and its physical attack ability is also among the best.

But don't forget that Tetsuya's Knight Snail already had an incredibly strong defensive capability during its Gekko bug phase.

To this day, he still doesn't understand what kind of experiment the Plasma Team did to make a Gekko bug so powerful.

Compared to its kind, Tetsuya's Knight Snail has at least twice the defensive capabilities, which is quite outrageous.

He even felt that the potential of the Heavenly King level was somewhat unworthy of the abilities displayed by the Knight Snail.

"Next up is the Power Gem."

With that in mind, Tetsuya ordered Pang Yan Guai to launch a second attack.

A dazzling light shone from Pang Yanguai's eyes.

"boom"

The Knight Snail didn't have time to react this time and was sent flying.

The rock-type energy on the giant rock monster fluctuated slightly, and the dust raised around the Knight Snail dissipated.

“kia”

The Knight Snail stood up to indicate that he was alright.

Tetsuya glanced at it and indeed, the armor was only a little dirty, with barely noticeable scratches.

He was also trying to confirm that, generally speaking, the Knight Snail's defenses against physical and energy attacks are almost equal.

However, this attack also allowed Tetsuya to discover the Knight Snail's weakness.

"Speed ​​does seem to be a minor problem." Tetsuya frowned as he looked at the slightly panting Knight Snail.

Just as he had thought, the Knight Snail was not incapable of bursting into high speed, but the price of bursting into high speed was a significant drop in stamina and a weakening of its ability to fight continuously.

For the Knight Snail, the best combat strategy is still not to take the initiative to attack, because that would consume too much resources.

"Let's eat an orange and take a break."

Tetsuya walked over to the Knight Snail, took out an Orange Fruit, and handed it to it.

The knight snail took the lance with its lance and began to gnaw on it.

Tetsuya tossed a special rock to the giant rock monster as an extra treat, then took them back to the room.

Overall, the evolved Knight Snail is still quite powerful.

In a one-on-one battle, even a Gallade that's a few levels higher might not be able to defeat Escavalier in a short time.

Its defensive capabilities are a real headache for the elves.

Of course, it's even less likely that the Knight Snail could defeat Gallade; its mobility is too poor to catch Gallade, a Psychic-type Pokémon.

In close combat, Gallade, skilled in fighting, will not give Escavalier a chance to defeat her.

"Little guy, your strength is now completely at the bottom."

In the room, Tetsuya lay on the bed, teasing the Ice Vulpix.

The Ice Vulpix, lying on its back, is playing with its own tail.

Hearing the trainer's words, he blinked once, but then didn't take it to heart at all.

Isn't it normal for a baby to have weaknesses?

Tetsuya smiled and patted its little belly.

That's true. Once new companions join, this little guy will probably want to get stronger.

Many elves share the desire to avoid being overtaken by newcomers.

Moreover, the reason why the Ice Vulpix becomes stronger is simply because of an Ice Stone, and its strength will increase exponentially when it evolves into the Ice Nine-Tails.

Tetsuya isn't in a hurry to evolve Vulpix into Nine-Tails, because then it won't be as easy to pet or cuddle it while sleeping.

If the Ice-type Six-Tails is just an air conditioner, then the Ice-type Nine-Tails is at least an icebox.

Sleeping with someone in your arms all night can easily make you sick.

Outside the window, a blue light flashed across the starry night sky.

Tetsuya and the spirits, who had fallen into a deep sleep sometime earlier, were unaware that their new friend had reappeared.

Chapter 426 Leibo Mountain in the Mist (Revised, will be available in half an hour)

Early the next morning.

Upon waking from his sleep, Tetsuya immediately noticed a white, fabric-like prop on the table in the room.

“Sheer chiffon, huh?” A slight smile appeared on his lips.

The sudden appearance of the ice-type item, which could enter the room without him and his companions noticing, was something only Articuno would do.

It seems like we won't need to come to Snow Mountain again later.

Tetsuya got out of bed and picked up the white, transparent chiffon prop.

A chill ran through him, instantly sobering him up considerably.

Although it looks like woven fabric, the transparent chiffon is actually made entirely of ice and snow, and its special energy structure prevents it from melting easily.

Its function is to help Ice-type Pokémon improve their control over Ice-type energy.

Simply put, it increases the Special Attack and Special Defense of Ice-type Pokémon.

Articuno is quite generous; Tetsuya could tell at a glance that the quality of this transparent chiffon was quite high, so the effect shouldn't be too bad.

However, the fact that the other party sneaked over to deliver the gift in the middle of the night was strangely kind of cute.

Is this the arrogance of a divine beast? Tetsuya thought to himself, both amused and exasperated.

After quickly washing up in the bathroom and waking up the few kids who were still in bed, he put them back in their Poké Balls and soon arrived at the front desk.

"Please help me send this piece of non-melting ice to the headmaster of the Pokémon Ninja Academy."

Tetsuya took out the piece of non-melting ice from his backpack.

Although it doesn't seem to have much effect, the headmaster would probably be very happy to see this piece of ice that won't melt.

After thinking for a moment, he took out a blue feather and placed it on the non-melting ice.

Yesterday's battle was so intense that a shower of blue feathers fell from the top of Mount Shirayuki, and Tetsuya managed to collect some of them amidst the chaos.

The Articuno inside has very little power, but it's still quite valuable as a souvenir, since it's a part that fell off a legendary Pokémon.

Tetsuya isn't short of money right now, and he plans to use these feathers to make a fan, which should be a great experience to use in the summer.

The trainers who had also gotten up early were practically drooling as they watched the unmelted ice.

When people come to Snow Mountain, besides hoping to try their luck and encounter Articuno, isn't the main reason to catch a good Ice-type Pokémon or get some valuable items?

The Unmeltable Ice, which enhances the power of ice-attribute skills when carried, is quite popular in the market.

Moreover, judging from the cold aura emanating from it, this piece of unmelting ice is definitely not a broken type.

"Hey...brother." The mountaineer with a full beard looked at Tetsuya's face and forced out the title through gritted teeth, "Where did you find this piece of non-melting ice?"

Making money isn't shameful.

Tetsuya gave him a speechless look: "At the top of the mountain."

He swore he wasn't lying; Articuno was indeed on the mountaintop, and the ice that wouldn't melt was indeed given to him by Articuno.

The light in the bearded mountain climber's eyes dimmed instantly.

"Yes, yes."

He muttered to himself.

The spirits that live in the snowy mountains gradually increase in strength from the foot of the mountain to the summit.

Given the mountaineer's strength, he should have been able to turn back halfway up the mountain; going any further would likely have cost him his life.

Rare and precious items like Unmelting Ice can only be generated at the mountaintop when conditions are right; below the halfway point, it's purely a matter of luck.

Furthermore, Nurse Joy from the Pokémon Center also issued a notice today stating that no one will be allowed to climb to the halfway point of Mount White for the next five years.

It is said to be because the weather changes are too unpredictable.

This completely thwarted the mountaineer's ulterior motives.

If there were no lockdown, sending an emergency call for help might still be somewhat useful in case of danger. But once there is a lockdown, you'll really be left helpless when you're in danger.

The league has no obligation to guarantee the safety of trainers who are courting death, especially after Nurse Joy issued the lockdown order.

He didn't find it strange.

The Snow Mountain has been closed more than ten times in history, ranging from one or two months to one or two years. This time it's just been a little longer.

Compared to the previous situation where no progress was possible, sealing off only the area above the halfway point of the mountain is still acceptable.

At least you don't have to worry about a significant reduction in your earnings.

"It happened."

The mountain climber seemed to suddenly remember something and hurriedly ran out of the Pokémon Center.

He didn't even bother to ask what the blue feather was.

The trainers who had been listening intently also dispersed, losing interest.

Their strength was almost on par with that of the mountaineers, so they were not fortunate enough to experience the origin of this unmelting ice.