Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

However, as a support Pokémon, Venomoth requires some very specific abilities and egg moves.

Additionally, Cain won't be able to enter Venomoth's territory for a while; if he tries, he'll likely be attacked by a swarm. Maybe another opportunity will arise in the future.

Now that his Pokémon are exhausted, Cain decided not to continue on his path and opted to rest first.

Judging by the situation in Venomoth's territory, it's likely that the Pokémon they encounter ahead will be even stronger, posing a greater danger.

It's better to wait until all his Pokémon have recovered before moving forward, to ensure safety.

Cain sat in the meadow for half an hour, allowing his Pokémon to have a simple lunch, before continuing to walk in the direction Slowpoke had previously indicated.

Before entering the final trial, Cain had considered marking his three subordinates with a psychic mark, which would allow him to find them quickly.

But in the end, he decided not to do it.

First, even if he gathered those three people, they wouldn't be much help. He'd have to put effort into protecting them, which wouldn't be worth it.

Additionally, while the final trial is filled with dangers, it's also an opportunity.

Exploring uncharted areas of the Trial Island and encountering high-potential Pokémon could result in capturing one or two, significantly boosting his strength.

Each person has their own luck, and fate is uncertain. For this reason, Cain decided to let them find their own path.

After observing the meadow for a while, Cain realized this area was a relatively common place where many herbivorous Pokémon came to graze.

Of course, a common environment doesn't mean it's safe, as many aggressive Pokémon also frequent this place to hunt.

Murkrow, perched on Cain's shoulder, was closely watching the surroundings.

Numerous unevolved Bug-type Pokémon could be seen wandering around.

Weedle, Caterpie, and Ledyba, among other relatively weak Pokémon before evolving, were in this area searching for food.

This also attracted many Flying-type Pokémon like Spearow, Fearow, Pidgey, and Pidgeotto, who feed on these weaker Bug Pokémon.

In Cain's view, a Pidgeotto suddenly descended from the sky, targeting a Weedle munching on leaves in the meadow.

Sensing the shadow that appeared over them, the surrounding Bug Pokémon froze, trying to hide in the tall grass to avoid being seen by Pidgeotto.

But Pidgeotto had already set its sights on its target.

Just as Weedle resigned itself to its fate, a Spearow emerged from the other side of the grass, blocking Pidgeotto's path to its prey.

The species of Spearow and Pidgeotto have always been rivals, so the two Pokémon began to fight in the air, allowing Weedle to escape, narrowly avoiding death.

However, the fight between Spearow and Pidgeotto soon turned into a battle between their respective flocks.

Two flocks, totaling dozens of Flying-type Pokémon, clashed in the sky above the meadow, forming a dark cloud.

For the other Pokémon that frequented this place, the battle of these Flying-types was a common sight.

These fights happened several times a day and generally didn't result in significant casualties, so many simply watched them as entertainment.

Particularly Pokémon like Tauros, powerful and in large herds, would only glance over before returning to grazing.

No matter how fiercely Pidgeotto and Spearow fought, neither would dare provoke a Tauros.

If they did, the aggressive nature of the Tauros would mean they might destroy their nest.

This vast meadow had an atmosphere similar to the Wild Area, where Pokémon ecology had been artificially simulated, but here it was a natural and evolved ecosystem.

One shouldn't think that just because Pidgeotto and Spearow hunt Weedle, they don't have predators.

When Weedle or Spinarak fully evolve into Beedrill or Ariados, they can hunt Spearow and Pidgeotto. It all depends on who's stronger at the time.

The presence of Cain and Murkrow didn't attract much attention; they were too small compared to the vast meadow.

Walking through the meadow, the Pokémon here had relatively low aggression, so as long as they weren't intentionally provoked, the area was quite safe.

As Cain observed his surroundings and moved slowly, he suddenly noticed some sturdy, gray-armored Pokémon moving through the grass.

Rhyhorn!

Cain's eyes lit up.

Rhyhorn is a relatively rare Pokémon, and its evolution, Rhydon, has considerable combat power.

However, Rhyhorn is a Rock and Ground-type Pokémon with many weaknesses, being four times vulnerable to Water- and Grass-type attacks and twice weak to Fighting, Ground, Steel, and Ice types. Overall, it's a Pokémon with many disadvantages.

But it has high attack, defense, and physical endurance, sacrificing its special attack and defense, which makes it a purely physical Pokémon. Although its speed is somewhat slow, its stat distribution is quite efficient.

Most importantly, Rhyhorn is a relatively rare Pokémon, and if it has good potential, its value would be quite high, potentially fetching a good price at the hunter's guild.

For the wealthy, having such an imposing Pokémon is a status symbol.

And for some trainers, Rhyhorn's evolution, Rhydon, is synonymous with strength and endurance.

Moreover, Cain knew that Rhydon has an additional evolution—Rhyperior!

Currently, this evolved form likely hasn't been discovered, and people believe Rhydon is Rhyhorn's final form.

If this evolution that further boosts its strength were revealed, Rhyhorn's value would skyrocket.

Interested, Cain began to approach stealthily.

Rhyhorn is a Pokémon highly sensitive to its surroundings, unlike Tauros, which doesn't bother as long as there's no red clothing nearby, even if you approach within a meter.

But Rhyhorn is different; any movement around them puts them on alert.

Imagine the power of a group of Rhyhorn charging; it would be even more terrifying than a Tauros stampede.

After all, they're fully armored Pokémon. Comparing them to tanks wouldn't be wrong.

To avoid attracting the attention of the Rhyhorn, Cain crouched down slowly, hiding in the tall grass.

He approached step by step.

At this distance, if the Rhyhorn charged, it would be difficult for Cain to escape.

Fortunately, Rhyhorn are powerful in a straight line, but turning is quite slow for them.

(End of chapter)

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