The light of Machop's evolution immediately drew everyone's attention—after all, Pokémon evolution was still a rare spectacle in this world.
But it wasn't just humans who noticed it.
To death beasts—who were instinctively hostile toward Pokémon—the vibrant life force released during evolution was like a blazing beacon in the dark.
Within seconds, all nearby Rotmice swiveled in unison and charged toward the evolving Pokémon.
At the very front of the charge was none other than the one who had just ambushed Growlithe—the Rotmouse Queen herself!
Among the horde, her movements were the most agile, a streak of black lightning tearing toward the light.
"Machop!!"
Xiao Zhang's eyes widened in horror.
The Rotmouse Queen was too fast. Even Pawniard, standing just a few steps away, hadn't reacted in time!
Su Bai frowned slightly but did not intervene.
He, or either of his powerful Pokémon—Diancie or Meloetta—could easily have intercepted the Rotmouse Queen's ambush in a flash.
But that was never the point of his presence here.
This was a battlefield, where chaos and danger were the norm.
And besides—this was just a skirmish with C-rank death beasts. If the trainers couldn't even handle this…
How would they survive against B-rank, A-rank, or even S-rank threats?
What—was he supposed to be their babysitter forever?
And more importantly—Pokémon evolution was not so easily interrupted!
For a moment, time seemed to freeze on the battlefield.
The Rotmouse Queen's hideous face was fully exposed, her bristling barbed back unmistakably identifying her as their leader.
Her claws gleamed with a cruel glint, radiating vicious killing intent.
Under the eyes of everyone present, she dove straight toward the evolving Machop.
But in the next instant—a massive hand emerged from the cocoon of light, fingers splayed.
SMACK!
That thick, muscular palm swung unapologetically, landing a brutal slap on the Rotmouse Queen's head!
BOOM!
Her body, which had lunged straight at Machop, was sent crashing down into the ground, forming a deep crater!
"Choke! Choke!!"
A voice, deeper and far more powerful than before, echoed out from within the light.
As the glow faded, a gray-skinned Pokémon beat its powerful chest and let out a triumphant roar to the sky!
Gone was the somewhat dopey appearance of Machop—what now stood in its place was a true muscle-bound warrior: Machoke!
Its entire frame rippled with muscles.
Above its waist, a gleaming golden belt caught the light.
Thick red stripes marked its arms, highlighting the hard lines of strength.
Three ridges atop its head gave it the aura of a battle-hardened champion—a beast of muscle and might!
"That's… Machop's evolution—Machoke!?"
Xiao Zhang, who had been on the verge of panic, immediately opened his Pokédex.
When he saw the entry on the screen, his face lit up with joy.
His Machop had already evolved!
And he wasn't the only one surprised.
Veteran customers like Wang Tao were all stunned.
Machop hadn't been with Xiao Zhang for long—how had it already evolved?
And more than that, it looked incredibly strong!
Beside Su Bai, martial artist Shi Ce glanced at Machoke… then down at his own biceps.
Scratching his head in frustration, he muttered:
"...My muscles... kinda look worse than that Pokémon's."
Su Bai looked over at Shi Ce's thick, knotted musculature. He had to admit, the fighter was built.
But compared to Machoke… he really did fall just a little short.
Still…
Knowing that this Machoke was female, something about it just felt slightly off...
Machoke's slap had successfully stopped the Rotmouse Queen's ambush.
But that didn't mean the B-rank deathbeast was down for the count.
As the leader of C-rank Rotmice, her strength exceeded that of most ordinary B-ranks.
Being slammed into the ground wasn't enough to kill her.
Her small crimson eyes burned with hatred.
In a flash, she sprang back up.
Her claws extended dramatically, changing from a sickly white to a deep, toxic purple-black.
The foul stench that surrounded them left no doubt—they were laced with deadly venom.
Anyone would instinctively avoid such an attack.
But for Machoke—who had just evolved—there was only one word in her mind:
Brawl.
Much like her trainer, the quietly tenacious Xiao Zhang, this unique Machoke had never learned how to retreat.
"Choke! Choke!!"
With a thunderous roar, her muscles bulged, fists clenched like cauldrons, and instead of dodging, she charged forward!
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!
She unleashed Strength—a Normal-type move with 80 base power.
A simple, brutal barrage that relied purely on raw, physical might.
Her fists blurred, becoming a storm of afterimages, each one landing squarely on the Rotmouse Queen.
Blow after blow, relentless and merciless!
This—this was how a Fighting-type faced an opponent wielding claws and venom.
No gimmicks. No dodging. Just sheer, overwhelming force.
Machop's Pokédex entry had said it clearly—its muscles are as hard as steel.
That wasn't an exaggeration.
Even in her unevolved state, Machop could throw 100 full-grown humans. All that power was locked within her steel-forged muscles.
Now, in her evolved form as Machoke, her body was even harder, even stronger.
The Queen's claws, however sharp and toxic, were shattered under the repeated impact.
And next—an endless rain of fists came crashing down on her from above!
The Rotmouse Queen had originally aimed for Machoke's neck.
Now, in midair with nowhere to maneuver, she could only be pummeled downward once more!
BOOOOM!!
This time, the impact was even louder.
But Machoke's fists didn't stop.
Like a raging storm, she rained down blows faster and harder, her roars echoing through the battlefield.
Cracks spidered across the ground from the sheer force.
Even nearby Rotmice were blown back by the shockwaves, unable to approach!
Su Bai watched the scene unfold, blood pumping.
If only this had some ORA ORA ORA sound effects… the scene would be perfect!
Too bad—nobody in this world would get the reference.
He shook his head with a sigh.
Finally, when the Rotmouse Queen stopped twitching…
…so did Machoke's fists.
From initial struggle to complete stillness, the Queen's end was brutal and final.
With a triumphant cry, Machoke hoisted the Rotmouse Queen's corpse high, and howled to the sky!
"Choke! Choke!!"
Scratches and gashes covered her fists.
Dark purple venom still oozed faintly across her skin.
But none of that mattered.
Her pride was unshakable.
The Rotmouse Queen... was dead.