NOVEL NEXT Chapter 171: Chapter 171: The Elite Milotic!
Chapter 171: The Elite Milotic!
"So aggressive? Dragonite, use Ice Beam!"
The moment Lance issued the command, a streak of frozen energy shot out like a beam of light, striking Salamence directly.
Its Hyper Beam was disrupted, veering off-course and carving a sharp arc across the sky before dissipating.
Meanwhile, the Ice Beam hit its mark perfectly.
---
Crack!
A thick layer of ice rapidly spread across Salamence's body.
It froze solid in midair, plummeting like a broken kite—
Slamming into the ground, leaving a massive crater.
---
"What an intense battle…"
The other trainers dismounted from Dragonite, surveying the battlefield with grim expressions.
---
"Metagross, come out!"
A massive four-legged Pokémon appeared, its silver body gleaming under the sunlight.
Even in terms of sheer size, it was nearly as imposing as Dragonite.
---
"Metagross, please gather the injured Pokémon nearby."
---
"Metaaa…"
Metagross let out a low hum, then vanished in an instant.
Moments later, it returned—
Bringing with it dozens of wounded Pokémon.
---
They included Lileep, Deerling, Furret, and several other species.
Even the battered Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Shiftry were among them.
Each Pokémon bore severe injuries, their cries of pain echoing through the battlefield.
---
"Come out, Milotic."
Seeing this, Granny retrieved a Poké Ball from her belt.
With a flash of light—
A Milotic with sleek, shimmering scales and an elegantly coiled body emerged.
Its presence alone exuded a soothing aura.
---
"Use Life Dew."
Tiny, glowing droplets of water formed around Milotic, shimmering as they fell gently upon the injured Pokémon.
The mystical healing properties of the attack worked instantly—
Many lesser injuries were healed immediately.
However, when the droplets landed on Serperior's body…
---
Milotic frowned.
---
It refused to believe it couldn't heal the grass serpent.
So it released another wave of Life Dew—
This time, a stronger and more concentrated one.
Yet…
The droplets vanished without effect upon touching Serperior's charred body.
---
Clearly…
Serperior's injuries were too severe.
---
Granny knelt down beside the fallen Serperior and took out a vial of vibrant green medicine from her pouch.
She sprayed it carefully over Serperior's wounds, checking its condition.
Moments later, she sighed in regret.
---
"This Serperior… won't survive."
---
Her tone carried genuine sorrow.
This Serperior had struggled for so many years in the wild.
It had finally reached the Elite Four level—
Yet now, it was about to die here.
---
The damage from Hyper Beam was simply too severe.
Its internal organs had shifted, sustaining massive internal injuries.
If it were in a Pokémon Center, there might still be a chance to save it through surgery.
But out here, in the wilderness…
There was no hope.
---
"Alright, we should start clearing out the lesser Pokémon…"
The League President was about to instruct the trainers to evacuate the weaker Pokémon.
But—
Lance suddenly spoke up.
---
"Wait."
He turned to Granny with a sharp look.
---
"Granny, you're an expert Pokémon breeder, right?"
"Can you ask these Pokémon if they've seen a human here recently?"
---
"…A human?"
---
Granny raised an eyebrow.
Even the League President looked startled.
"A person?"
---
Until now, they had assumed Lance had come because of the rogue Salamence.
But now…
Lance had just revealed that he was looking for someone?
---
The League President's mind flashed with realization.
---
Just days ago, two investigators from the Mu family had been dispatched to Waveguide Town to deal with Pokémon attacks.
When they arrived, however, they found that the incident had already been resolved.
By none other than—
This year's National High School Champion, Hikaru.
---
And now…
Lance was here, searching for someone?
Could it be…
That Hikaru had ventured deep into Qinling Forest?
If so, then—
This was a major problem.
---
"Understood."
Granny nodded.
She summoned Gengar.
A grinning shadow emerged, floating above the ground.
As a Ghost-type Pokémon, Gengar had the ability to easily communicate with other Pokémon.
---
Gengar floated through the injured Pokémon, interacting with them one by one.
But…
Every single Pokémon shook its head.
---
Lance's heart sank.
Dragonite had told him that Hikaru's last known location was right here.
If Latias had been flying at full speed…
The only Pokémon that could have caught up were either:
1. Elite Four-level Flying Pokémon
2. Ghost Pokémon that could phase through space
---
Lance's gaze shifted.
It landed on the frozen Salamence.
---
Dragonite's Ice Beam—
At Champion-level strength—
Had nearly crippled this wild Salamence.
---
"Expose its head, Dragonite."
---
"Roar!"
Dragonite obeyed, slashing its claws through the ice.
Crack!
The ice shattered, revealing Salamence's head.
---
Lance stepped forward, eyes cold.
---
"I'm going to ask you once.
You'd better answer.
Otherwise… don't blame me for being ruthless."
---
A surge of Draconic Aura erupted from Lance, pressing down like a mountain upon Salamence.
Even the surrounding trees rustled violently under the sheer force of his presence.
---
"Grrrr…"
Salamence whimpered, lowering its head.
It was terrified.
This Dragonite…
It far surpassed anything it had ever faced before.
It had no choice.
It had to comply.
---
"Have you seen a human around here recently?"
---
Salamence immediately shook its head.
"Rooaar!" (No! I haven't seen any humans!)
---
Lance's expression darkened.
Dragonite raised its claws, resting them lightly on Salamence's neck.
A mere gesture—
Yet Salamence trembled uncontrollably.
---
"You're sure?"
Lance narrowed his eyes.
His Dragon Aura allowed him to sense emotions.
And he could tell—
Salamence wasn't lying.
---
But if even this Salamence hadn't seen Hikaru…
Then where the hell had that kid gone?
---
Lance changed tactics.
"Fine. Then tell me… Is there anything special around this area?"
---
This time, Salamence hesitated.
Its eyes shifted slightly.
Its emotions fluctuated.
---
Clearly, it knew something.
---
"Rooaar…!" (I don't know!)
---
"Say it!"
Lance raised his voice, his thunderous command shaking the battlefield.
Salamence flinched, then—
It turned its gaze toward a particular direction…
The World Tree.
---
Lance's expression sharpened.
---
"I'll leave the situation here to you both. I have something urgent to do."
He recalled Salamence into a Poké Ball, then—
Jumped onto Dragonite's back.
Without another word, he soared toward the World Tree.
To be continued…
---
Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin
[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]
*Thank you*