Less than ten minutes after Sato ehe tunnel, a bright light shoo the underground passage.
The Green-rank assassin cautiously sent Misdreavus ahead to scout, only desding himself after firming it was safe.
Sato had not left clues at every turn, but he had calcuted the distances precisely—just enough that, with some effort, his pursuer could still track him.
Even while riding on Pidgeot, the assassin had taken quite some time to locate this cave.
At this point, the Green-rank assassi like he was being led by the nose.
"Misdreavus, use Will-O-Wisp."
"Misdreeee!"
Several blue ghostly fmes flickered ience.
Misdreavus split the fmes, giving three to its trainer while keeping three floating protectively around itself.
Uhe dim light of the Will-O-Wisps, the Green-rank assassin could barely make out the path ahead. Misdreavus, excited by the dark enviro, eagerly took the lead.
"Be careful."
"Misdreee~"
---------
Sato paused at every fork, carefully analyzing the tunnels.
The undergrouwork was incredibly plex, yet it had only orance. If he hadn't been desperately fleeing the Goldenrod Division in his past life, he would never have stumbled upon this pce.
He had no idea how deep he was now.
Had he not been here before, even he would struggle to navigate.
Meanwhile, the Green-rank assassin easily spotted Sato's tracks and checked his badge, only to realize there was no signal. If he wao report this, he would have to turn back.
Despite notig several anomalies, the assassily promoted to Green-rank, was still thrilled about his new position.
Even with lingering doubts, he trusted his own strength. Besides, he had participated in many trials before, and never had he heard of a cave this massive.
Perhaps a rare Pokémon or valuable treasure was hidden here?
vinced by his reasoning, the assassin followed Sato's tracks, which had bee pletely exposed on purpose.
....
Sato could barely tain his excitement.
In his past life, his rise to Gold-rank assassin had beeo four key factors:
Zorua ated for 30%, Dark Energy ated for 30% his own caution and luck ated for 10%. The remaining 30% came from the sed Pokémoained in this trial.
"Huff… grrk… huff… grrk…"
A deep rumbling breath, like the exhation of a mountain, echoed through the cave.
Sato ched his fists, gng at Zorua beside him, then at Gastly, hidden in the shadows. Then, he quied his pace toward the source of the sound.
Every step he took caused small rocks to tremble, shaken by the sheer power of the creature's breathing.
Dark Energy pulsated within him, radiating an unmistakable excitement.
Finally, the massive figure appeared.
A colossal gree, as t as a mountain, emerged into view. Its armor-like scales, massive limbs, and Godzil-like physique exuded a suffog presence, even while asleep.
"Laaaaar?"
A sharp, childlike voice rang out.
On the massive Tyranitar's back, a small Larvitar peered curiously at the unfamiliar visitor.
"It's been a while, Larvitar… Tyranitar."
Sato smiled slightly at the adorable Larvitar, then turned bad walked away into the tunnel.
Now that he had firmed Larvitar's presence, and that the dying Tyranitar had yet to pass away, only one final obstacle remained.
If he could elimihe assassin following him, then his escape would be guaranteed.
...
At some point, Tyranitar's deep breathing had ceased.
Its murky eyes flickered open, gazing at the retreating Sato, as if pting something.
....
The deeper the Green-rank assassiured, the more uneasy he felt. Never had he imagihat such a vast underground structure could exist.
As he turned another er, Misdreavus, carrying the Will-O-Wisp fmes, once again flew ahead.
"Misdreee!"
A pierg scream echoed through the cave. The assassin immediately jumped back, instinctively hurling a Poké Ball.
A massive Arbok emerged, coiling defensively in front of him.
"Boom!"
Misdreavus, weighing barely a kilogram, was flung aside, nding limp and motionless.
The assassin's expression twisted with rage.
"Arbok, use Acid Spray—bst it!"
"Chaaaar!"
The three-meter-tall Arbok raised its head and unleashed a barrage of Acid Spray toward the tunrance.
A pu stench filled the air—even inhaling a small amount would cause dizziness.
"Zor…?"
A itiful cry echoed from the tunnel er, sounding like a Pokémon begging for mercy.
For a brief moment, Arbok hesitated.
"Kehehe!"
A chilling ugh suddenly rang out from above Arbok. Before it could react, a rge Shadow Ball smmed directly into its head!
Fake Tears + Shadow Ball!
"Arbok, above you!" the assassin shouted, but suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
"Shhk!"
Before he could react, Sato had already appeared behind him, plunging a dagger into his shoulder. Not lethal—but enough to disable his dominant arm.
"Argh! Sandssh, kill him!"
The assassin hurled another Poké Ball, releasing a Sandssh, which immediately lunged with its cws at Sato.
"Just a little more!"
Sato was impressed by the assassin's instincts, but frustrated by his owen-year-old body.
Seeing Sandssh's attack closing in, he rolled aside, barely dodging.
"Gastly, use Curse! Zorua, use Scary Face!"
Gastly sacrificed half its HP to pce a deadly curse on Arbok, while Zorua's Scary Faterrupted its charge.
"Kill them all!"
The assassin clutched his shoulder, screaming in agony. The Dark Energy-infused dagger was eroding his wound, making him dizzy with pain.
"Chaaaar!"
With Fake Tears, Scary Face, and Curse all active, Arbok—normally the one inflig status effects—was now suffering its own torment.
Uo track Gastly's movements, and with Zorua still unseen, it turs attack toward Sato!
But suddenly, a wave of cold energy surged through its body.
Curse activated—draining a quarter of its HP instantly!
"Gastly, keep firing Shadow Balls at Arbok! Zorua, use Dark Pulse—kill the assassin!"
