Silicon City.
A certain opulent hall.
Elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies walked back and forth, holding drinks and speaking softly.
Pokémon adorned with jewels on their fur carried themselves proudly, showcasing their most beautiful side to those around them.
Large screens hung all around the hall, displaying scenes from the desert, with a crowd of heads in motion.
A man resembling a host stood in the center, holding a microphone, and smiled as he spoke:
"Dear guests, the contest is about to begin. Let us welcome our distinguished mayor of Silicon City, Mr. Ergin!"
The gentlemen and ladies applauded enthusiastically.
On the second floor of the hall, a small elderly man with hair as white as frost, holding a short cane and a wide smile on his face, slowly descended to the first floor, accompanied by a Slowking.
The host cheerfully jogged over, holding the microphone below Mr. Ergin's mouth.
Mr. Ergin smiled graciously and began to speak: "Ladies and gentlemen, it's another year for the Charitable Pokémon Battle Tournament, and I believe everyone is eager with anticipation. As the mayor and the chairman of the tournament, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the pioneers of charity."
Clap clap clap—
The applause grew even more enthusiastic.
Mr. Ergin continued: "As everyone knows, the environment in Pyrite Town is extremely harsh, and many children are living in dire conditions, unsure of their future. I believe our donations this year will be even more effective in improving their lives!"
"Well said!"
"Mr. Ergin is truly compassionate!"
"What mercy! Mr. Ergin is a living saint!"
The gentlemen loudly expressed their praise and admiration, while the ladies dabbed their eyes with handkerchiefs.
Mr. Ergin's smile widened as he slightly raised his right hand to quiet the crowd, "Thank you all for your kind words. I am but a humble servant doing some insignificant work. If I may, let me be the first to lead by example, by donating one hundred million to the Charitable Pokémon Battle Tournament in my personal capacity!"
The applause was thunderous.
"What a gesture, Mr. Ergin! I will also contribute seventy million!"
"Great! I'll give thirty million!"
"I'll donate forty million!"
The upper-class individuals scrambled to show off their wealth, and every time someone pledged a donation, they received Mr. Ergin's approving glance.
Many were flushed with excitement, like fans acknowledged by their idol.
In the corner.
A man holding a wine glass watched indifferently, as if observing some kind of performance.
This so-called charitable event was doubtlessly a ploy by the mayor of Silicon City in collusion with certain factions in Pyrite Town to accumulate wealth.
The entrepreneurs and tycoons present were forced to participate, eager or not, spending a day to witness this sordid Pokémon battle event.
Charity?
Charity does not involve forcing thirty children to fight recklessly for money without allowing surrender or withdrawal.
Safety measures?
None.
Rules against targeting vital areas?
None either.
All rules exist to make the competition "real," casually throwing people and Pokémon into a cage called the arena, with even designated tips as part of the spectacle—
The man's right fist clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white, yet he was powerless to change anything and was even forced to join in.
This is because he was also a beneficiary; his family and business constraints left him only able to hypocritically resist in his heart, imagining grand ambitions of changing the Ore Region.
Many among the attending businessmen had the privilege to disdain all this, but he did not.
Ore.
The corner of the Pokémon World, a land far removed from other regions, when will you see your truly clear skies?
"Gulp!"
The man drank the wine in one gulp, quickly merging into the crowd, raising his finger as he exclaimed, "I will donate fifty million!"
Clap clap clap—
The amounts were predetermined, and what was paid would be returned after the event, accompanied by his share of the donations.
The money from the "nobles" was fully refunded, the "citizens" shared seventy-thirty.
Amid the applause, the man, burdened with frustration, looked up at the screen, soon locking onto a somewhat familiar figure.
Hmm...
So you're participating too?
So, after a week of enjoying the benefits of official membership, will you still possess your original sincerity?
The man withdrew from the celebration of the Mareep and the farmers, casually finding a seat in the audience, waiting for the competition to begin.
——
The desert.
The competition entered the countdown stage.
The two competing teams were brought to the entrance, first undergoing body and backpack searches, prohibiting all items that could contact the outside world.
Next, they were fitted with wristbands according to the rules and took turns introducing themselves, exchanging trash talk and intimidation in the pre-game segment arranged by the organizers.
Baimu had no intention of being overly flamboyant, saying a few words before stepping down, but others seemed eager to win the "audience's" favor, showcasing themselves as much as possible.
When he finished, Otsuka regretfully noted that without memorable content, they would find it hard to receive tips.
In turn.
It was Jian from the Evil Dog Team's turn with the microphone, and his cold smile assessed everyone in the Quicksand Team as he spoke words that left them utterly shocked and the audience exceptionally enthusiastic.
"Someone among you is quite capable, approaching me with a request to take one of your legs."
"Ha, taking a leg? Hahahahahaha! Utterly absurd!"
Jian laughed maniacally, "Rest assured, be completely assured! Each of you fifteen, I will slowly grasp, break your arms and limbs until you cry for your mothers, and then I'll tear your throats!"
The hideously twisted face and undisguised killing intent evoked cheers from those enjoying the spectacle.
The members of the Quicksand Team bore dark expressions at such provocation; how many could swallow this without retaliation?
Even if fearful on the inside, they couldn't let it show on their faces now.
"A clumsy attempt to sow discord! Everyone, don't believe him!"
"That's right! How can one person handle all fifteen of us? It's just empty talk!"
"Is your Evil Dog Team only skilled with words, barking non-stop?"
The shouts and curses quickly received feedback from the members of the Evil Dog Team.
"What the hell did you say?"
"Try repeating that! Born from a courtesan's sheet!"
Seeing the trash talk devolve into meaningless insults, the organizers immediately intervened to stop it, leading both sides to revert to glaring at each other.
In the crowd, Baimu watched Jian from across the way, while Jian stared intently at him, coldly smirking before shifting his gaze after six or seven seconds.
Quite direct.
It seemed that the person whose leg would be taken was him, but who was behind this commission?
Baimu curiously scanned the surroundings, taking in all the astonishment, suspicion, panic, and rage in his view.
"I see..."
He rubbed his chin, having roughly understood the current situation.
Beside him, as the competition neared, Otsuka grew anxious, unable to help but say, "Baimu, we..."
"Don't fret, remember what you said, if we can't win, we'll run," he patted Otsuka's shoulder, indicating reassurance.
If he had surplus strength like in the initiation exam, Baimu wouldn't mind lending this young man a hand.
But he really couldn't help; Jian from the Evil Dog Team had clearly targeted him, and although he claimed he would "treat everyone equally," who knows if he was just bluffing.
It was very likely he'd throw a smoke bullet then come specifically to catch him.
He absolutely needed to ensure his own safety first.
Baimu held a Pokeball in his hand, silently watching the Quicksand Team members put on blindfolds one by one under the assistance of staff, entering the container-like "cabins" in sequence.
The blindfolds could be removed only upon reaching the destination, when the wristbands rang, doing so prematurely would be a violation.
No one would be foolish enough to break the rule at this point.
Next door, staff members were also working with the Evil Dog Team.
When it was Otsuka's turn in front of him, Baimu glanced at the neighboring side, just in time to meet Jian's gaze.
"Hey!"
Jian grinned wickedly, making a throat-slitting gesture.
Without changing his expression, he watched as both Jian and Otsuka entered different cabins, turning abruptly when the staff member approached him, smiling at Yuan Du behind.
"Good luck."
"Huh? Hmm... You too, good luck." Yuan Du forced a smile in response.