"Found it. Frenzy Serum… you're the one."
Leon spent 200 Battle Points in the system store and exchanged them for a vial of red liquid.
This was a drug capable of inducing violent rage in Pokémon. Against creatures like Rhydon, which were already naturally aggressive, its effect was especially potent.
As a junior breeder, Leon knew Rhydon's physiology and temperament very well.
"It's not as safe as a suppressive toxin," Leon thought calmly,"but it's more than enough. Once it goes berserk—and without its Trainer actively controlling it—Rhydon will act purely on instinct."
"And that's when my chance appears."
Leon's eyes sharpened.
He stopped retreating.
Instead, he charged forward.
"ROOOAR—!"
Seeing Leon approach, Rhydon stomped violently.
The earth shook.
The ground split apart like a spiderweb, glowing yellow light bursting from the cracks as overwhelming Ground-type energy erupted.
Leon leapt lightly—
—and vanished.
Reappearing directly above Luke and Alina, Leon unleashed his full power. A massive azure psychic hand manifested, descending with crushing force.
If it landed, both of them would die instantly.
But—
Rhydon's attack arrived at the same time.
Countless boulders collided with the psychic hand.
BOOOOM—!
An explosion tore through the air.
"Cough—!"
Leon landed on a tree, his blood churning violently. Pain surged through his body.
Before he could recover, a compressed energy blast was already on its way.
Layer after layer of psychic shields shattered.
At the last moment, Leon teleported again.
BOOM—!
Even as an Intermediate Psychic, fighting an Elite-tier Rhydon head-on was simply too much.
A direct confrontation was impossible.
Below, Luke remained unharmed under Rhydon's protection, only dusting ash off his clothes.
Red mist spread silently through the battlefield.
It seeped into the air.
Rhydon's pupils slowly filled with bloodshot veins. Its breathing grew heavy. A violent agitation clawed at its mind.
"Is that all you've got?" Leon's mocking voice echoed directly in Rhydon's consciousness.
"ROOOAR—!"
Rhydon's eyes burned even redder.
Its attacks became increasingly savage.
The aura it radiated was already brushing against advanced-tier power.
"How is he this strong?!" Luke's expression changed."Damn it—if I can't kill him on the island, I'll have my uncle deal with him outside. His Gengar will finish the job. This man cannot be allowed to live!"
Regret flashed briefly in Luke's mind.
He shouldn't have provoked someone like this.
But it vanished just as quickly.
There was no turning back.
Either Leon died—
—or Luke would.
Fortunately, Rhydon was protecting him.
As long as the trial ended, he could call on his Gym-level uncle to erase this threat completely.
Someone this strong now would only become more terrifying given time.
Leaving such an enemy alive was unthinkable.
"Damn it," Luke cursed internally."If I could control Rhydon properly, I might still be able to keep him here."
On the battlefield, Leon continued retreating under Rhydon's rampage.
His goal had already been achieved.
Now—
—he just had to wait for the drug to fully take effect.
"ROOOAR—!""Hiss—!"
After several exchanges, one Arbok was struck by Rhydon's attack wave and collapsed with a shrill cry.
"Rhydon, watch it!" Luke shouted.
Rhydon turned its blood-red gaze toward him.
For an instant, Luke felt as though he was staring into the eyes of a feral beast ready to tear him apart.
Cold sweat poured down his back.
Only the thought that this was his uncle's Pokémon kept him from panicking completely.
"Something's wrong…" Luke's instincts screamed."Rhydon, don't chase him. Stay here and protect me. That's my uncle's order!"
"ROOOAR—!"
Rhydon glanced back—
—and at that moment, another attack struck its head.
Leon was taunting it again.
The restraint snapped.
Ignoring Luke's shouting, Rhydon charged after Leon.
Trees were crushed.
The ground split open.
The jungle was reduced to ruin as its Elite-tier power was unleashed without restraint.
"No! Rhydon, come back!" Luke shouted desperately."Fearow! Arbok! Don't chase him—stay here and protect me!"
But it was too late.
All three Pokémon had bloodshot eyes now.
They chased Leon deep into the forest, leaving Luke behind.
"…This is bad!" Luke's face turned pale."What did he do?!"
"Just a small trick," Leon's voice whispered beside his ear.
Luke's pupils shrank.
Every hair on his body stood on end.
A primal fear flooded his mind.
Death.
Before he could react, an overwhelming force seized his neck.
"Let me go… my uncle won't spare you—"
CRACK.
The sound of twisting bone echoed.
Luke's neck snapped.
His body went limp and collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
"If he comes," Leon said coldly,"he can keep you company."
Leon straightened.
Given enough time, it was still uncertain who would win.
Worst case—
—he would simply hide within Team Rocket's base for a few years.
And besides—
Who would know who killed him?
Leon had no intention of leaving witnesses.
"Aaah—!"
Luke's death happened in an instant.
Beside him, Alina screamed, stumbling backward in terror.
"Don't kill me! Please don't kill me! I'll do anything you want!"
Her body trembled as she spoke, desperation overtaking her reason. In panic, she exposed pale skin, instinctively trying to use her appearance to survive.
She was undeniably attractive—fair-skinned, curvaceous, dressed provocatively. In such a pitiful state, many men would soften.
"Don't worry," Leon said calmly."I don't kill women."
"R-really?!"
Hope ignited in Alina's eyes.
I still have value.He won't kill me… he must want me.
She didn't care who she served.
"As long as I live."
"Yes," Leon smiled faintly."I don't kill women."
He looked past her—
—toward the forest where Rhydon was charging back.
"Then take me with you," Alina said sweetly."I'll serve you well."
"…?"
"Take you? where?" Leon asked flatly."Hand over your things. And… good luck."
He vanished.
In the same instant, he took everything Luke and Alina carried.
"ROOOAR—!"
The next second, massive boulders crashed down.
The ground shattered as overwhelming Ground-type energy erupted.
Alina was crushed on the spot.
Dead.