Honchkrow's recent leveling speed could be described as meteoric, even temporarily surpassing Umbreon.
Naturally, this was partially due to its own efforts, but more significantly because of Team Rocket's green serum and the residual Dusk Stone energy remaining in its body from evolution.
These two factors combined allowed Honchkrow's recent rapid advancement, already reaching level 38.
"In a few more days, we'll have to execute the mission. Raikou... who knows what dangers await. Best if Honchkrow can break through to elite level, that would provide another layer of insurance and trump card."
Sieg leaned against the bedside, watching Honchkrow vigilantly stationed in the corner. A trace of warmth flashed in his eyes.
Sieg immediately checked the remaining Rocket Points in his account. After selling the Magnet last time, quite a bit remained.
He opened Team Rocket's exchange list, navigating to the Pokémon materials column, searching for Dark and Flying-type materials.
After careful selection, he ultimately chose a complete quasi-Elite Four level Mandibuzz corpse, directly emptying all the Rocket Points in his account to barely afford the purchase.
In less than an hour, the corpse was delivered directly to his door. After showing his ID card and signing for delivery, Sieg moved the body into his room.
The Mandibuzz corpse was preserved in a special glass container. Examining the body closely, Sieg found it to be in pristine condition, with only a single wound on the neck.
Clearly, it had likely been killed in one strike by an extremely powerful Pokémon. To one-shot a quasi-Elite Four level Pokémon, Sieg clicked his tongue in amazement.
However, that wasn't his concern. His current objective was figuring out how to dissect this corpse, extract useful material parts, then formulate a breakthrough potion for Honchkrow.
Mandibuzz was currently the only other non-legendary Pokémon evolutionary line in the world possessing both Dark and Flying-types, the other being his Honchkrow.
Actually, Sieg had initially wanted to purchase a Honchkrow corpse, but unfortunately, only elite-level ones were available at most.
"This Mandibuzz has a rather robust build, clearly the Big Pecks ability. Therefore, its heart activity should have been relatively high."
Sieg continuously gestured in the air with a small knife. This kind of dissection work was also one of the essential courses for trainers operating in criminal circles.
Sieg carefully dissected the Pokémon's parts, extracting various materials.
Mandibuzz's heart, Mandibuzz's talons, Mandibuzz's crest feathers.
Sieg spent two full hours before completing the flawless extraction of these materials. The most troublesome was the heart, he needed to lower its internal activity while extracting it intact.
From start to finish, it was delicate precision work.
First, extract all active factors from the heart, retain the essence, discard the dross. Black liquid surged in the potion bottle, the purest Dark-type energy extracted from the heart.
Crest feathers were often the most important plumage of avian Pokémon, containing extremely pure Flying-type energy.
Shadows on the windowsill gradually climbed. Finally, at high noon, Sieg completed the simple potion formulation.
"To achieve its maximum effect, Honchkrow needs to go a thoroughly exhilarating battle first! Only by consuming it afterwards can the potion's full efficacy be unleashed."
Sieg felt inspired, sensing him progress in his pharmaceutical expertise. The feeling of broadening his knowledge like that was intoxicating.
Mauville City Outskirts.
The entire sky was shrouded in darkness. Walking along League-maintained roads, every trainer wrapped their clothing tight, hurrying along.
Sieg observed the nearby gray, gloomy tones. Along the roadside, one or two police officers were still checking identifications.
As for why there weren't any Officer Jennies present?
Did you really think Officer Jenny, living in pampered luxury, would come out in such terrible weather?
Sieg unsurprisingly underwent questioning, though fortunately was released after a quick inspection.
"Strange. In this terrible weather, someone's actually heading toward the outskirts?" One officer watched Sieg's departing figure, somewhat puzzled.
Everyone else was fleeing from the outskirts toward the city; this person was doing the exact opposite. How peculiar, how peculiar indeed.
As the former highest-potential member of the team, Honchkrow naturally possessed some pride.
Though Krokorok later joined the team and took the position of highest potential, Sieg still valued Honchkrow tremendously.
Including Honchkrow itself working extremely hard, often unconsciously increasing its own training regimen during sessions.
"Don't worry, Honchkrow. I see all your efforts. I'll definitely make you the strongest Flying-Type you can be"
Sieg crouched down, stroking Honchkrow's smooth black feathers.
Honchkrow locked eyes with Sieg for a moment, meeting his gaze directly. Within them, the confidence and burning desire to grow stronger showed no signs of fading.
Sieg smiled, satisfied.
"You've never disappointed me, Honchkrow."
Sieg plunged into the dangerous wild forest with Honchkrow. Facing potentially dangerous situations at any moment, Honchkrow fully assumed its role as a scout.
Using its awareness and night vision, it vigilantly watched their surroundings, prepared for sudden wild Pokémon ambushes at any time.
Sure enough, they'd barely entered when a Pokémon ambushed them, a Sawsbuck.
This Pokémon was rather special, a unique species whose appearance transformed with the changing seasons.
Many people gauged the seasons by observing Sawsbuck's antlers and viewed them as beautiful.
They believed, that its Spring Form's light pink flower color being paler represented greater beauty, its Summer Form's branches and leaves being thicker and larger represented greater majesty and that its Autumn Form's drooping branches being redder represented greater magnificence.
Though Sawsbuck had many enthusiasts, only its Winter Form wasn't particularly popular. Because Winter Form was more reserved, easily domesticated andalso the best opportunity to befriend it.
"Autumn Form? Autumn Sawsbuck are always temperamentally violent, with males constantly fighting."
Sieg's eyes brightened. The energy waves emanating from this Sawsbuck matched Honchkrow's level almost exactly, a perfectly suitable sparring partner!
In this forest, this Sawsbuck's level definitely ranked among the higher-level predators. Countless weak Pokémon had likely died at its hands, becoming food.
Facing this Pokémon's sudden ambush, Sieg calmly commanded Honchkrow.
"Honchkrow, use Tailwind to boost yourself, then use Gust for ranged attacks."
Though current Honchkrow no longer possessed the Prankster ability, long-term training had formed muscle memory.
Therefore, Tailwind's execution speed remained quick.