There wasn't much to do at night. Amid the sounds of rustling leaves and the soft chirping of insects, Aoki and his loyal companion, Murkrow, drifted off to sleep in the safety of their tent.
In sleep, time passed unknowingly. When Aoki's eyes opened again, the sun had already climbed the sky, painting it with warm, reddish hues.
Another day began. Cooking, training, and routines followed as if choreographed by habit. Aoki worked on strengthening his body while Murkrow focused on sharpening its skills. They both shared a belief that consistent effort would always yield rewards in the end.
People often say, "The plan for a year lies in spring, and the plan for a day lies in the morning." Aoki believed in this wisdom, knowing that morning training often yielded the best results.
Murkrow had recently learned four new moves through a Technical Machine: Dark Pulse, Protect, Substitute, and Taunt. Each move required focused training to master. While Protect couldn't be directly trained like the others, the rest demanded practice to ensure proficiency. Mastering moves was crucial; only then could they serve a purpose in battle.
The defensive moves, Protect and Substitute, were critical for survival in the wild. Among the offensive options, Dark Pulse, a vital Dark-type attack, required extensive training to maximize its potential. Each move had unique applications, and mastering them all would allow Murkrow to adapt to various situations effectively.
Additionally, Murkrow had recently gained the move Wing Attack upon leveling up. Due to constant weight training, Murkrow's wing strength had steadily improved, which naturally enhanced the power of the move.
"Murkrow, use Dark Pulse on that tree!" Aoki commanded after completing his own physical workout.
Acknowledging the order, Murkrow nodded and unleashed the move on a tree of average thickness. A malicious aura radiated from its body as dark energy began to gather and spread, surging forward like a wave. The attack struck the tree with force, leaving faint dark scratches on its bark. A soft, sizzling sound lingered where the energy had scorched the surface, evidence of the residual power of the Dark-type move.
"See the scratches left by Dark Pulse?" Aoki pointed out. "It's a strong move, but right now, it doesn't deal much damage. Even this tree only lost some bark. Apart from Psychic- or Ghost-type Pokémon, other opponents won't take much harm from this attack yet. But don't worry—this is just the start. With practice, you'll learn to control the move better, condense its energy, and increase its effectiveness. Once you do, even strong Psychic or Ghost Pokémon will fall before you."
Murkrow nodded eagerly, determined to improve. It understood the significance of the move and could feel its raw power, though it struggled to wield it effectively. The key to improvement lay in relentless training.
Dark energy began to pulse again within Murkrow as it worked on controlling the spread of the energy, focusing it into a tighter, more concentrated attack. This time, when Murkrow unleashed Dark Pulse, the result was markedly different. Instead of a wide area of effect, the energy struck the tree with precision, creating a small, dark hole in the bark. Smoke rose from the impact site—a clear sign of increased power.
Aoki smiled with satisfaction. "By controlling the energy and minimizing unnecessary dispersal, you've made the move much stronger. This time, the damage was significantly greater. However, your execution is still too slow. Speeding up the charge time will be your next challenge. But you're doing great, Murkrow."
Encouraged by Aoki's praise, Murkrow nodded enthusiastically and redoubled its efforts.
Aoki felt a swell of pride. Murkrow's determination and willingness to grow were a testament to their strong bond. For a trainer, having such a committed partner was an honor.
After about an hour of training, Aoki decided it was time to move on. While their primary objective for the day was exploration, he made sure not to neglect Murkrow's training, believing that every moment was an opportunity to grow stronger.
Murkrow, slightly fatigued from the session, regained its strength after consuming a few Pokeblocks. These nutritional supplements worked wonders, rapidly restoring its stamina and even providing a subtle boost to its overall vitality. The difference was remarkable—what would have taken hours to recover naturally was achieved in mere minutes with the Pokeblocks.
Such efficiency highlighted the importance of skilled breeders, individuals who could craft these valuable items. Breeders might not be the strongest trainers, but their role was indispensable. Each Pokeblock held the potential to enhance a Pokémon's performance, making breeders highly sought after by trainers and organizations alike.
As Aoki and Murkrow returned to their original path, the forest around them began to stir with life. The rising sun brought warmth, and more Pokémon emerged from their hiding places. The further they traveled, the stronger the wild Pokémon became, though their numbers thinned as territory disputes kept them spaced out. Occasionally, they passed injured Pokémon or even lifeless bodies, evidence of the harsh realities of survival.
Remaining vigilant, Aoki and Murkrow pressed on. The system in Aoki's body acted as an advanced scanning device, ensuring that no threat could sneak up on them undetected. It was this constant surveillance that alerted Aoki to the presence of a group of Pokémon tailing them.
The pursuers drew closer until one of them, a Pinsir, burst from the bushes, aiming straight for Aoki.
"Caw!" Murkrow reacted instantly, using its Tailwind ability to gain a burst of speed and intercept the attacker.
Aoki smirked as he recognized the Pinsir. It was the same one Murkrow had defeated days earlier. This time, it seemed to have learned from its loss, targeting Aoki directly. But its plan was flawed; Aoki had already sensed the danger thanks to his system and was prepared to dodge. Fresh chapters posted on N0veI.Fiɾe.net
"Boom!" Before Aoki could celebrate Pinsir's failed ambush, three more Pinsir emerged from the surrounding bushes. The group appeared well-coordinated, their mutual understanding evident in their synchronized movements. However, Aoki remained calm.
"Four Pinsir, huh?" Aoki remarked with a hint of amusement. "They really don't know their limits."
The Pinsir launched their attack, charging at Aoki as their primary target. But Aoki's confidence never wavered.
"Murkrow, use Screech!" Aoki commanded coolly.