NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 95: Chapter 95: The Final Slaughter
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Amidst the shock brought by the growing number of corpses, more and more people chose to leave.
Perhaps the elite mid-tier trainer could handle Ron, but the real question remained—could they survive until that happened?
In the face of death, greed cooled as if doused by a bucket of cold water.
Eventually, among the vanguard group pursuing Ron, only one elite mid-tier trainer remained. The others had either fallen or fled.
Spotting the opportunity, Ron decided to target the remaining trainer.
Before making his move, Persian and Bellossom scouted the area, each approaching from a different direction to ensure no other trainers or Pokémon were nearby.
Once the area was confirmed clear, Ron prepared for the attack.
Although Ron knew Machamp and the others stood little chance in a head-on fight against the opponent, he opted for the simplest and most efficient method: an ambush.
With a roar, Machamp charged at Sandslash.
"Oh? Looks like you've grown overconfident, thinking Machamp, an elite low-tier Pokémon, could defeat my Sandslash."
Before Matsuyama could finish his sentence, a sharp claw pierced his chest.
Hearing a strange sound behind it, Sandslash turned to find its trainer collapsing, blood spreading on the ground.
As Sandslash turned, Machamp used Shave (Soru) to appear behind it, launching a close-quarters attack that sent it flying.
Seizing the opening, Persian used Sucker Punch in combination with Feint Attack, delivering a critical blow to Sandslash's vulnerable abdomen.
After felling so many Pokémon, Persian's accumulated experience allowed it to reach level 37, now just halfway to level 38.
Skilled at looting, Ron quickly took all valuables from Matsuyama's body before disappearing with his team, leaving behind two lifeless corpses.
Roughly half an hour later, a group of eight trainers arrived.
The lower-tier elite trainers, afraid of meeting the same fate, had already left, ensuring that only elite mid-tier trainers remained.
"It's Matsuyama. Like us, his Sandslash was elite mid-tier. I can't believe he's dead."
"From the evidence, it looks like the opponent attacked head-on, killing both Sandslash and Matsuyama before Matsuyama had a chance to summon his second Pokémon," said Katsuya, the strongest of the eight, his tone cautious and laced with subtle fear.
Katsuya doubted he could hold out long against an adversary capable of killing Matsuyama so swiftly, let alone defeat them.
"That's impossible! If Ron were that strong, why would he only participate in low-tier battles without entering the mid- or high-tier competitions?" shouted one of the others, trying to rationalize the shocking events.
"Who knows? Either way, I'm not going any further," Katsuya declared, turning back with his Pokémon.
"I may want the money and speed-training techniques Ron supposedly has, but I value my life more."
True to his word, Katsuya left. He understood that Ron's strength was sufficient to kill a mid-tier elite trainer effortlessly. This alone was enough to quell his greed.
The remaining seven hesitated. On one hand, they feared Ron's strength; on the other, they couldn't resist the allure of the wealth Ron carried.
As Katsuya's figure disappeared, Ron, watching from the shadows, was confused.
What was going on? Wasn't it just one mid-tier trainer? Why were they so scared?
Although Ron couldn't comprehend their thoughts, he knew he couldn't let Katsuya escape and miss out on a significant reward.
Leaving Bellossom to monitor the other four, Ron pursued Katsuya with Machamp and Persian.
Though Katsuya had chosen to retreat, Ron doubted that someone who had once hunted him would spare him after robbing him of his possessions.
If they chose to hunt him, Ron saw no reason to show mercy.
Katsuya, walking through the forest, felt both relieved and regretful. The trail of corpses had weighed heavily on him, making him eager to relax.
Thinking about the delights of Saffron City, Katsuya imagined its entertainment and the charming girls who could help him forget the stress of the pursuit.
His fantasies were interrupted by a sound behind him.
Instinctively, Katsuya and his Poliwrath turned to defend themselves.
Standing before them was a sturdy Machamp. The only Machamp that could be here now was Ron's.
As Katsuya opened his mouth to explain, a sharp pain pierced his chest. Persian's claws effortlessly took the lives of both Katsuya and his Poliwrath.
Leaves scattered as two more bodies were left behind.
Meanwhile, of the remaining seven, six chose to leave, while only Takeo, who had argued against Katsuya, continued the pursuit.
Millions of League coins were at stake. Even knowing the risks, how many could resist such temptation?
The six who left decided to split up. Unlike Katsuya, not all of them had the leisure to seek entertainment; many had their own journeys to continue.
Their decision to disperse played directly into Ron's hands, allowing him to pick them off one by one.
Over the course of a day, Ron stained the forest with more blood.
However, even with his skill and timing, Ron's strength had limits.
After eliminating three, including Takeo, the remaining four managed to escape, forcing Ron to end his spree and continue his journey.
Three days later, news of the massacre spread.
Among those who pursued Ron, over 20 elite low-tier trainers and five elite mid-tier trainers had died, while the rest fled.
This made Ron's name known throughout Saffron City.
Many believed Ron was at least elite high-tier in strength, as they couldn't fathom anyone weaker accomplishing such feats.
Meanwhile, within the Pokémon League, those aware of Ron's true abilities began to take interest. However, learning of his ties to the Rangers, they chose silence.
After all, one Ron was not worth provoking the Rangers over.
Unaware of all this, Ron continued his journey through the forest, determined to push his Machamp to break through to the elite intermediate level.