NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30: Chapter 30: The Safe Zone
The sharp claws of a feline slashed through the air, sending a spray of crimson blood arcing outward.
With increasingly refined hunting techniques, Persian effortlessly dispatched another trial participant attempting to pass through Ron's territory.
Emerging from his hiding spot, Ron skillfully began cleaning up the aftermath.
With just one day remaining until the trial's conclusion, more and more participants sought shelter, opting to wait out the remainder in hiding.
Until the final results were revealed, no one could be certain if only a hundred participants were left standing.
For safety, most chose to hide and observe the situation, providing Ron with additional opportunities to strike.
In the name of fairness, Persian and Machoke took turns handling the attacks. Their styles, however, were worlds apart.
Machoke relied on sheer brute strength, facing opponents head-on and overpowering them with raw force. Persian, on the other hand, moved from the shadows, fully leveraging its predatory instincts.
In just a couple of days, the duo had eliminated five trial participants.
As the final day approached, the remaining participants secured their hiding spots, denying Ron further chances to act.
Pulling out the signal device he had worn around his neck from the beginning, Ron couldn't help but marvel at its durability against electricity.
A small screen displayed the number 98—an unambiguous message that 98 participants remained.
After a moment, the display updated with a new message:
"All remaining 98 participants must reach the safe zone within two days. Failure to comply will result in immediate elimination!"
"Well, well. It seems this is the final hurdle of the trial," Ron remarked with a smile as he read the message.
The "safe zone" referred to their initial starting point.
Though the message announced the trial's conclusion, participants were still fair game until they stepped into the safe zone.
In other words, anyone foolish enough to let their guard down would likely meet their end.
Stowing the signal device, Ron began making his way leisurely toward the safe zone.
Having already eliminated enough participants, Ron now aimed to only confront those who provoked or stumbled upon him, rather than actively seeking targets.
Near the safe zone, several participants—having grasped the true implications of the message—prepared ambushes to hunt those returning.
To reduce their competition and improve their final rankings, many set traps and awaited their prey.
Whether someone was the hunter or the hunted would be decided in battle.
About two hours later, the first sounds of combat rang out, marking the beginning of the hunt.
Like a lit fuse, the battles erupted one after another, blood beginning to pool on the ground.
Similar clashes occurred deeper in the forest. Compared to the skirmishes near the safe zone, the forest's confrontations were swift and ruthless.
In one such encounter, Persian struck swiftly and lethally, its claws slashing the throat of a participant attempting to ambush Ron.
Ignoring the lifeless body behind him, Ron continued onward with Machoke and Gloom, while Persian remained hidden, guarding from the shadows.
Near the safe zone, a cold-faced youth with grayish pupils walked calmly toward the safe zone, followed by an Arbok slithering ominously at his heels.
No one dared challenge him. The corpses of Pokémon and participants littering his path served as a stark warning.
Shortly after his arrival, another figure approached the safe zone from the opposite direction—a red-haired youth with a hooked nose, laughing maniacally.
In front of him stood a towering Nidoking and a trial participant pleading desperately for mercy.
The outcome was clear. The red-haired youth's target lay lifeless on the ground, his Pokémon reduced to corpses as well.
"P-please… s-spare me…" the participant stammered, terror rendering him almost incoherent.
"Nidoking, crush this trash's skull!"
Ignoring the pleas, the red-haired youth delivered his sentence coldly.
Nidoking's massive fist swung down, the sound of impact echoing as red and white mingled grotesquely.
Inhaling deeply, the red-haired youth savored the metallic tang of blood in the air before striding into the safe zone, a look of satisfaction on his face.
By dusk, Ron emerged from the forest.
Glancing at the blood-soaked ground ahead, Ron seemed unfazed by the evident danger as he walked straight toward the safe zone.
Under the cover of darkness, some participants grew emboldened, making fatal mistakes—such as Makino, who decided to attack Ron with his Arbok.
Slithering silently through the darkness, the Arbok's venomous fangs targeted Ron's neck.
As it lunged, Arbok envisioned the moment its fangs would pierce Ron's flesh.
But in the next instant, a flash of white streaked past its vision.
Flying through the air, Arbok felt its strength rapidly draining. Collapsing to the ground, its lifeblood seeped into the soil.
Makino, hidden in the shadows, instinctively tried to flee but was intercepted by Persian.
With another swipe of its claws, Persian added another stain to the bloodied ground.
After Makino's defeat, Ron's dominance was undeniable, and no one dared to challenge him further.
"Pick any available room. Meals will be delivered on schedule," a Rocket grunt said coldly as Ron stepped into the safe zone.
"Combat is strictly prohibited here. Violators will be executed."
Even as a novice-level elite trainer, Ron could feel the overwhelming danger radiating from the Rocket grunt.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Ron selected an empty room and flipped the wooden sign outside to indicate occupancy before locking the door.
The exterior of the room appeared unremarkable, but inside, Ron found it spacious and well-equipped, complete with a private bath and toilet.
Releasing Machoke and his other Pokémon, Ron allowed them to familiarize themselves with the space while he headed to the bathroom.
Although he wasn't a neat freak, the prolonged time in the forest had left him with an unpleasant stench that even occasional river baths couldn't eliminate.
After cleaning up, Ron heard a knock at the door. It was the food delivery, as promised.
Given the Rocket grunt's earlier warning, no one dared stir up trouble within the safe zone.
Examining the portions, Ron realized the meals had been carefully prepared to accommodate his Pokémon as well—a subtle reminder that the room was likely under surveillance.
Ron didn't mind. Under these circumstances, it was best to endure such inconveniences. Besides, the Rockets' vigilance likely served to weed out spies among the trial participants.
Enjoying the meal provided, Ron quietly waited for the trial to officially conclude.
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