Ten minutes later.
Crack.
Listening to the crisp sound of ice cracking from behind.
Natsuhiko toyed with a special card in his hand, which bore the emblem of the Hunter Guild and a unique serial number.
In the past, he had encountered two Pokémon Hunters out "fishing," but hadn't really checked their belongings much before tossing them into the swamp.
"This thing is probably the ID for a Pokémon Hunter from the Hunter Guild..."
"Hmm—"
After freezing Ann Jie into a block of ice and shattering it without any thought of preservation, Froslass led four Snorunt to stand behind Natsuhiko.
In its hand, it held an irregular light blue ice block, fist-sized, emitting a white chill continuously.
Hearing the sound, Natsuhiko turned around.
His gaze swept across Froslass and the four Snorunt behind it, lingering on the blue Shining Snow Child for a second before finally resting on the ice block in Froslass's hand.
Though the temperature inside the Ice Cave was already low, the ice block in its hand still emanated a chilling air, showing just how low the temperature of this fist-sized ice crystal was.
Natsuhiko dared not touch it directly, instead using his superpowers to cradle it, slowly moving it closer to himself.
Merely getting close, the biting cold pierced through the barrier of his superpowers, making him shiver subconsciously.
"Non-Melting Ice?"
But soon Natsuhiko shook his head. "No, that's not right. The explanation for Non-Melting Ice is 'ice that can isolate temperatures,' it shouldn't be this cold."
Glancing at Froslass, he then surveyed the solid ice crystals within the Ice Cave.
Earlier, when Beedrill sent Copper Bell flying, the bell crashed into an ice block. The supposedly fragile ice block did not shatter directly but only showed fine cracks.
This showed that the ice blocks in this Ice Cave were much harder than ordinary ice.
"Thousand-Year Ice?" Natsuhiko asked for confirmation.
"Hmm—"
Froslass nodded.
"No wonder the ice blocks here are so hard, and Froslass's strength, particularly the power of its Ice-type Techniques, is very strong."
Having something like this indeed explains it.
Legend has it that Kanto's former Ice-type Elite, Uncle Liu, his Swinub and Piloswine gained their strength and terrifying Ice-type Techniques because he found some pieces of 'Ten Thousand Year Ice' during his travels in his youth.
"Is it for me?"
Froslass nodded again, very grateful to Natsuhiko for his help.
Just now, it had thrown caution to the wind to attack Beedrill, but Natsuhiko still saved its child, which made Froslass deeply grateful from the bottom of its heart.
And the nature of a Froslass Pokémon is to be especially friendly to trusted and favored Pokémon or creatures.
It was an honor for Natsuhiko to barely become one of them.
That's why it took out the very precious "Thousand-Year Ice" for him.
Looking at the Thousand-Year Ice wrapped in his superpowers, Natsuhiko suddenly smiled self-mockingly.
"I must be obsessed. My first thought upon seeing this was to give it to Kona to cultivate a Dragon Slayer Shell."
He murmured a little, then said to Froslass:
"I'll accept it, but this is for you. Your injuries are not light; if not treated in time, they might leave unnecessary hidden troubles."
What he took out was a bottle of special healing spray, of his own making, with a good effect on such external wounds.
Natsuhiko had finally entered the beginner stage as a Breeder; he could not only make some Energy Blocks but also many other Pokémon Items.
The healing spray was one of them.
"Hmm?"
Froslass looked at the healing spray Natsuhiko handed over; the high-end bottle made it unsure how to use it.
Sss—
No choice, Natsuhiko had to apply the healing spray himself onto Froslass's wound.
The cool, soothing feeling made it squint its eyes in comfort.
Seeing Froslass's expression, and the four Snorunt silently gathered around his feet, Natsuhiko had an idea.
"Froslass, I have a suggestion. Would you like to hear it?" Natsuhiko suddenly said.
"Hmm?"
Froslass opened its eyes, showing confusion.
Natsuhiko thought for a moment and spoke:
"Staying here, you'll eventually be discovered again. There's no guarantee that person just now hasn't revealed your situation to the outside. In time, someone might come looking for you again. You and your children, especially this little one, are highly attractive."
After a slight pause, he continued: "One or two you might handle, but that person was part of an organization. Next time, it could be several or even a dozen."
At this, Froslass's expression changed.
"I have a suggestion: follow me and leave, and I'll find you a safe place to live."
"Of course, it's just a suggestion. The choice is still yours," Natsuhiko added at the end.
Having heard Natsuhiko's words, Froslass fell into contemplation.
It felt that Natsuhiko's words made sense, and it believed Natsuhiko wasn't trying to trick them.
Otherwise, Natsuhiko's Pokémon's strength could have easily caught the Snorunt while Beedrill held it off.
The most important thing was, Froslass trusted Natsuhiko.
However, it was still a bit hesitant.
Natsuhiko noticed Froslass's hesitation, "Are you worried about finding a suitable environment for you to live in?"
Pokémon like Froslass and Snorunt do have high requirements for their living environment.
"Hmm."
Froslass nodded, hesitated for a moment, then gestured for Natsuhiko to follow it.
It floated towards the depths of the Ice Cave.
Moving aside a block of ice blocking the path, a narrow passage appeared before them.
As soon as they approached, a wave of cold air hit them.
Natsuhiko's expression became peculiar.
Hunching, he and his Pokémon squeezed in behind Froslass and the Snorunt.
After passing through a not too long narrow passage, the horizon opened up again.
Compared to the Ice Cave outside, it was even colder in here, with frost covering all around.
The reason for the low temperature was a large, leg-thick prismatic ice crystal in the center of the wall emanating a pervasive chill.
Natsuhiko looked at his superpower-held fist-sized ice block, then compared it to the one on the wall.
He pursed his lips.
So that's how it is.
No wonder it was so generous.
"Hmm—"
Froslass indicated that such a large piece was somewhat wasted being left here.
Natsuhiko nodded in agreement.
With this piece, no matter where it's placed, the terrain and environment will change, creating a suitable habitat for Froslass and the Snorunt.
By taking it, their living environment would be nothing to worry about.
Moreover.
If utilized well, this piece of "ice" could cultivate a very excellent Ice-type Pokémon, couldn't it?
The kind that can completely crush Dragon Types and Flying Types.
Natsuhiko stroked his chin.
"So, if I could take it, would you be willing to leave this place?"
"Hmm?"
Froslass blinked in surprise, scanning Natsuhiko up and down.
He wasn't that tall.
Yet it didn't look like something he could carry away.
In this respect, Froslass slightly underestimated the current human spatial technology.
A small Pokeball can hold a massive Snorlax, let alone a space backpack?