Originally, he only intended to attract a small group, but when Cain saw who was leading the Scolipede stampede, he knew the situation had escalated.
A Scolipede much larger than the others was at the forefront, charging furiously toward them.
After his system scanned the data on this Scolipede, Cain couldn't help but frown.
Pokémon: Scolipede (Light Blue)
Ability: Poison Point
Egg Moves: Twineedle, Toxic Spikes, Take Down
Basic Moves: Baton Pass, Iron Defense, Megahorn, Defense Curl, Rollout, Poison Sting, Screech, Pursuit, Protect, Poison Tail, Venoshock, Agility, Steamroller, Toxic, Venom Drench, Rock Climb
Learned Moves: Iron Tail, Stomping Tantrum, Signal Beam
"This is a problem. Level 52, a quasi-elite-level Scolipede. Have we defeated too many and attracted their leader?" Cain thought to himself.
However, his body didn't hesitate. He quickly called his Pokémon back, hoping that the meadow would also intimidate this quasi-elite-level Scolipede.
As quickly as possible, he retreated from the forest and ran toward the safe zone. Cain felt relieved that this Scolipede didn't have the Speed Boost ability; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to escape in time.
Once they crossed the safety line, Cain didn't stop. He ran another thirty meters before finally pausing.
He didn't sense any movement behind him, and when he turned to look, he indeed saw the Scolipede halted at the safety line, not taking a single step forward.
However, unlike the previous groups, they didn't seem as scared to the point of retreating frantically. This time, the leader Scolipede stood firm at the line, her sharp eyes fixed on Cain.
She knew this human and his Pokémon were responsible for luring her herd out of the forest.
As the leader of her clan—one of the largest in this area—she couldn't let Cain and his Pokémon escape without consequences.
If she allowed it, her Scolipede herd would become the target of anyone looking to challenge them.
Yet, the leader Scolipede was also filled with doubt because she was well aware of what place this was.
Still, deep down, she felt profoundly frustrated.
She could see her enemies just a short distance away but didn't dare move forward.
Cain didn't approach too closely either. He knew the leader Scolipede's power was considerable and that she had no shortage of ranged attacks. Who knew how far her offensive reach could extend? He decided it would be safer to keep a thirty-meter distance.
The rest of the Scolipede formed an orderly line behind their leader, like soldiers awaiting orders. Despite being so close to the safety line, their innate fear of that place was still evident.
The leader Scolipede patrolled the line, clearly irritated but unwilling to cross it.
Meanwhile, Cain began to calm down.
Now, two conflicting thoughts filled his mind.
One hoped the leader Scolipede wouldn't cross that line and would return to her forest. If so, Cain could continue taking advantage of the Scolipede territory to train his Pokémon uninterrupted.
But another part of him was curious to see what kind of Pokémon could inspire such fear in a group of powerful Scolipede. What kind of Pokémon could keep them from advancing even with their leader present?
At the very least, the leader Scolipede was brave enough to stand right at the line. The others kept a one-meter distance for safety.
Cain, intrigued, instructed Slowking to use the move Teleport if the leader Scolipede crossed the line or came within twenty meters of them.
If they maintained a distance of more than twenty meters, his Pokémon could still defend against attacks. But within that range, everything would be riskier.
With the order given, Slowking activated his psychic powers, ready to use Teleport at any moment.
Feeling more confident, Cain provocatively sat on the ground, pulled out some Pokéblocks for his Pokémon, and began eating some snacks calmly.
He was playing with fire, flirting with danger.
Yes, Cain was tempting fate.
He knew he needed to find out what Pokémon inhabited that place and caused the Scolipede such fear. Otherwise, he wouldn't feel at ease.
He hoped the leader Scolipede would draw the mysterious Pokémon out of hiding.
And indeed, the leader Scolipede grew enraged at Cain's nonchalant attitude, as if nothing could harm him.
Her eyes filled with fury. She let out growls as her hesitation grew.
Cain smirked and decided to provoke her even more.
"Weavile, use Ice Beam on the leader Scolipede to help her make the right decision."
Weavile responded instantly. It stayed in place and launched the Ice Beam move.
From thirty meters away, the attack barely had any power when it hit the leader Scolipede, causing only a slight chill on her head.
But instead of calming down, the Scolipede felt her rage intensify.
"Wow, she has incredible patience. Weavile, now use Icicle Crash."
Under the stunned gaze of the leader Scolipede, a small icicle hit her face.
Scolipede didn't feel pain, but her pride and authority as a quasi-elite-level Pokémon were deeply wounded.
Her anger was uncontrollable.
She couldn't take it anymore. Under the astonished looks of the other Scolipede, the leader stepped past that crucial line.
After taking that first step, the leader Scolipede paused for a second, surprised that nothing happened.
Then, her fury unleashed fully. She charged toward Cain with a cold, murderous gaze.
Cain watched closely as the Scolipede crossed the line, and seeing nothing unexpected happen, his expression turned serious.
At Cain's signal, Slowking amplified its psychic power, enveloping Cain and his Pokémon in its energy.
The air around them began to distort from the power of the Teleport move.
But just before Slowking could use the move, and as the Scolipede was less than ten meters away, a dark shadow suddenly appeared on the ground of the meadow.
It looked like the outline of a bird, with wings spread wide, covering both Cain and the leader Scolipede.
"Wait!" Cain abruptly shouted.