Cain spent another entire day hunting Dustox, finally managing to clear out all the relatively low-level Dustox on the outer areas.
Finally, within a level 30 Dustox, he found a medium energy crystal.
Item: Medium Energy Crystal
Attribute: Poison Type
Effect: Can increase a Pokémon's Poison-type energy when consumed. Repeated use may even improve the Pokémon's Poison-type talent.
Origin: Forms inside a Pokémon after using a significant amount of high-purity energy.
Cain led Slowpoke and the others in a true guerrilla war, ultimately bringing down this level 30 Dustox, which had a dark yellow color quality.
The number of Dustox in the forest decreased drastically. To protect their territory, they had to disperse their forces.
This gave Cain the opportunity he needed.
In each previous battle, when a level 30 Dustox appeared, Cain would retreat with his Pokémon.
This led the Dustox to believe that as long as a level 30 Dustox was present, Cain wouldn't dare to attack again.
But reality was quite different. The strong Dustox that the group leader had sent out were taken down one by one by Cain.
By the end of the day, the Dustox group was reduced to only a few.
Although Bug-type Pokémon grow quickly, these newly evolved Dustox posed no obstacle for Cain and his Pokémon.
Cain's plan for tomorrow was simple: eliminate the Dustox leader. Once that was done, the Dustox group would essentially be neutralized.
For a long time, the Dustox would likely no longer be a significant group on the island.
Cain was in no rush, as he planned to do the same with other groups on the island.
The benefits of his hunt had been enormous.
This place seemed to have gone untouched by humans for a long time.
Cain found many rare herbs and berries in the Dustox Forest, all of which he collected.
Not to mention, after so much battle, his Pokémon's skills had improved considerably.
After a day of facing high-level Pokémon, although they hadn't leveled up, their mastery of moves had improved greatly. Even Skorupi had perfected its basic moves.
At dawn, Cain led his Pokémon back to the now familiar Dustox Forest.
The poisonous dust that used to fill the air had significantly diminished. Now, with the sunlight, they could see the plants more than ten meters away.
Stepping on the leaf-covered ground, he ignored the growls of the Cascoon around him.
He knew that these newly evolved Pokémon wouldn't be a problem. Their levels were too low, and the experience they gave was negligible.
Instead of spending energy on them, Cain preferred to reserve himself for the fight against the Dustox leader.
Upon reaching the center of the forest, Cain saw that the Dustox leader was already waiting for him.
After the past few days of fighting, the leader had understood what Cain intended to do: exterminate their entire Dustox group.
Or at least, eliminate all the current Dustox, as he didn't seem to have any intention of attacking the Cascoon.
This relieved the leader somewhat, as even if she died, new Dustox would soon appear in the forest.
Bug-type Pokémon grow quickly.
"It seems you already know we're going to fight. You even sent away the Dustox with potential to keep them out of this, right?" Cain said with a smile, looking at the solitary Dustox leader.
It was true; of the entire group, only the leader remained to face Cain.
The young, promising Dustox had been sent away.
During these days of battle, the leader had noticed that Cain didn't pay much attention to low-level Dustox but targeted the strongest ones.
The leader understood that Cain was simply gathering experience for his Pokémon.
A spark of admiration shone in the Dustox leader's eyes. She had reached her position after years of life and training, relying on her talent and skills.
Cain's Pokémon were young but powerful, clearly cultivated with care.
What would have happened if she had been raised the same way?
The Dustox leader didn't dare to imagine it.
But as the leader of her group, even if she admired Cain's strength, she couldn't allow someone who was massacring her people to go on.
The pride of a leader didn't allow her to surrender to anyone.
Cain observed the Dustox leader, whose aura of power was unmistakable. For the first time, he could see her full stats.
Pokémon: Dustox (Green)
Ability: Compound Eyes
Equipped Item: Leadership (Able to improve a Pokémon's aptitude by a small level)
Basic Moves: Gust, Confusion, Poison Powder, Moonlight, Venoshock, Psybeam, Silver Wind, Light Screen, Whirlwind, Toxic
Learned Moves: Bug Bite, Signal Beam, Snore
"Leadership? So this Dustox has that special trait." Cain paused at the 'Leadership' ability listed in Dustox's stats.
He remembered the first time he'd seen this ability in his current life was on the test island when he faced the group of Beedrill. The leader of the Beedrill also had "Leadership."
"Leadership" is a very special trait, exclusive to group leaders. It cannot be obtained simply by defeating the Pokémon who possesses it.
This item has the ability to improve a Pokémon's aptitude by a small level, which means the Dustox leader may have originally had a light green aptitude.
The Pokémon world is fair. Bug-type Pokémon have a fast growth and reproduction rate, but their growth potential and lifespan are limited.
This makes them both desirable and less popular.
Bug-type Pokémon tend to form groups, increasing the chances of one with "Leadership" appearing.
Cain thought for a moment: "What would happen if I captured a Pokémon with Leadership?"
Originally, on the test island, he had wanted to try it, but circumstances hadn't allowed it. Now, perhaps, he had an opportunity.
However, considering Dustox's level, Cain decided to postpone this idea.
"If you survive the battle, I'll capture you and see what happens. If not, I'm very sorry." Cain told the Dustox leader, regardless of whether she understood.