Chapter 11: The Secret Realm of the Grass Insects

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Xia Yu walked through the forest, contemplating the nature of this mysterious realm. Almost every secret realm is characterized by a few dominant elemental energies. It was clear that this one was saturated with grass-type energy. Everywhere along the path were vibrant flowers and lush trees, teeming with life—classic hallmarks of a grass-type domain. It was highly likely that many grass-type Pokémon lived here, and their potential was generally higher than those outside.

Besides the strong grass energy, there was also a notable presence of bug-type energy, something Xia Yu deduced from the reaction of his Pinsir. As a bug-type Pokémon, Pinsir was highly sensitive to bug-type energy. When Xia Yu summoned it, Pinsir became visibly excited—it clearly felt comfortable and at ease within this realm.

Apart from grass and bug energies, Xia Yu couldn’t yet discern if there were traces of other elemental energies. He decided to delve deeper.

While Xia Yu was lost in thought, voices suddenly reached his ears from ahead, causing him to halt instantly. He cautiously crept forward to investigate.

“Liao San, we’ve struck gold,” a young man with a buzz cut, dressed in a black shirt, said excitedly to a bald, burly man named Liao San beside him. “So many rare Pokémon—this is going to be a fortune.”

Liao San’s face was rough and scarred, and he smiled a grimace that was more unsettling than any frown, his eyes radiating greed. “Haozi, get to work. Don’t let anyone else find out. Once we secure this haul, we can leave this realm for good.”

In front of Liao San and Haozi stood four Grovyle, indicating that a Grovyle community thrived in this realm.

“Ding! Task triggered: Grass Sovereign.”

“This realm is dominated by grass-type energy, with bug-type energy secondary. Two major grass-type clans inhabit the forest: the Sceptile clan and the Venusaur clan. The two clans have battled repeatedly over territory, with no decisive victor. As this realm begins to merge with the real world, the balance will be upset. Before the realm is fully claimed, capture one Pokémon from either clan and train it to become the Grass Sovereign.”

“Task requirements: Capture a Grovyle or a Bulbasaur.”

“Task rewards: 1. Rewards vary depending on the Pokémon captured; 2. Clues to a mysterious treasure.”

“Failure penalty: Randomly lowers one Pokémon’s potential by one rank.”

The sudden task startled Xia Yu, and the penalty sent a chill through him. If he failed, his Woobat’s potential would be reduced to Gym Leader level—a loss he could not accept. No matter what, he had to complete this mission. Xia Yu’s gaze shifted to the four Grovyle before him.

Sovereign level, Lord level, Lord level, Lord level.

All four Grovyle had decent potential. Thanks to the realm’s grass-type energy, their potential was generally higher than those outside, with none below Lord level and one even at Sovereign level. However, none reached Xia Yu’s minimum capture standard. Though their potential was good, their combat power was only Rare level—relatively weak.

At that moment, Liao San and Haozi each summoned their Pokémon. Liao San called forth a Murkrow, a Dark/Flying-type, while Haozi summoned a Togekiss, a Fairy-type.

[Murkrow]

Gender: Male

Type: Dark/Flying

Potential: Lord level

Combat Power: Lord level

Ability: Insomnia

Skills: Wing Attack, Smokescreen, Scary Face, Feint, Sucker Punch, Gust, Peck, Night Shade, Pursuit, Taunt, Trick, Strange Light, Bulk Up

[Togekiss]

Gender: Female

Type: Fairy

Potential: Lord level

Combat Power: Lord level

Ability: Quick Feet

Skills: Flame Fang, Thunder Fang, Tackle, Tail Wag, Charm, Bite, Lick, Headbutt, Roar, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Play Rough, Heal Bell

Both Murkrow and Togekiss were Lord level in combat power. Such strength was commendable in a small city like Starlight City, but Xia Yu was unfazed. The three Pokémon in his possession—Pinsir at Sovereign level, Charizard and Accelgor at Gym Leader level—were among the elite in Starlight City. They were more than sufficient to handle Liao San and Haozi.

Still, Xia Yu remained cautious. This realm would undoubtedly attract many skilled trainers. With the arrival of Champion-level experts, his three Pokémon would no longer be enough. He had to complete the task quickly.

“Pinsir, Accelgor, prepare to engage,” Xia Yu quietly ordered, summoning the two Pokémon he had raised from infancy. Their bond was strong, and they would obey without hesitation.

Liao San and Haozi’s Pokémon launched their attacks first. Murkrow and Togekiss swooped toward the four Grovyle, striking.

Murkrow used Wing Attack. The difference in combat power, combined with the type advantage of Flying moves against Grovyle, swiftly took down one Grovyle with a single blow.

Meanwhile, Togekiss was not to be outdone. Using Flame Fang, its fiery fangs instantly defeated another Grovyle.

Just a brief encounter, and two Grovyle had been felled.

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“Murkrow, pursue them!”

“Togekiss, don’t let them escape!”

At Liao San and Haozi’s command, Murkrow and Togekiss chased the remaining two Grovyle, while the two men threw Pokéballs at the two unconscious Grovyle.

“Attack! Pinsir, use Bullet Punch on Togekiss! Accelgor, strike Murkrow head-on!”

Pinsir struck first. Its massive pincers glowed with silvery steel energy as its red figure darted through the forest.

“Bang!”

Bullet Punch is a steel-type physical move that unleashes a rapid, bullet-like strike guaranteed to hit first. Togekiss had no time to react and was struck solidly.

In the game, Pinsir’s Bullet Punch is a priority move with only 40 base power, but the steel-type STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) raises damage by 1.5 times. Additionally, Pinsir’s Technician ability boosts the power of low-damage moves by 1.5 times. Steel moves also deal double damage to Fairy types like Togekiss.

Moreover, Pinsir’s Sovereign-level combat power was one rank higher than Togekiss’s Lord level, equivalent to a ten-level difference in the game, making this attack potentially decisive.

However, reality differs from the game. Though type bonuses, ability boosts, and type matchups have effect, damage is not fixed. Some Pokémon can train to reduce their type weaknesses.

For example, the Shrew with a hundred consecutive wins in the anime had somewhat overcome its water-type vulnerability.

It was clear Togekiss had excellent stamina and resistance. Pinsir’s strike severely injured it but didn’t finish it off.

Though Xia Yu was surprised, he was not worried—another Bullet Punch would suffice.

Meanwhile, Accelgor’s Headbutt was equally devastating. With 90 base power plus the 1.5x STAB bonus, it dealt a heavy blow to Murkrow.

More importantly, Accelgor’s combat power was Gym Leader level—two ranks higher than Murkrow’s Lord level. Despite no type advantage, the significant power gap allowed Accelgor to dispatch Murkrow with a single strike.

[Headbutt]: A high-power bug-type physical move usable only immediately upon entering battle— a priority move.

Just one encounter, and the difference in strength was clear as day!