"Slowking, use psychic energy and water-type energy to create a protective layer over Combusken's body. Try to achieve a heat-insulating effect," Cain instructed the Slowking that had just emerged from its Poké Ball.
Slowking immediately understood Cain's words.
Its eyes began to glow with psychic energy, while currents of water swirled around it.
In an environment like this, Slowking could control water without difficulty due to its skill and power.
First, it created a thin layer of psychic energy, followed by a membrane of water, completely wrapping around Combusken.
"Combusken, follow my instructions to move forward. You don't know where the item is, so listen to my directions," Cain said seriously as he looked at Combusken.
When Combusken suggested the idea, Cain didn't stop him because he could see the determination in his eyes.
As the only fire-type Pokémon on Cain's team, he was the most suitable candidate for the task. Moreover, his level wasn't too high, which would prevent the nearby Magcargo from perceiving him as a threat if he entered the magma.
Had Cain opted to have Slowking use psychic energy to extract the item directly, there was a risk the Magcargo would interpret it as a threat and respond with hostility.
This could cause the magma to become agitated, and the object they were searching for might vanish without a trace.
The layer that Slowking created around Combusken was designed to be autonomous. Once applied to the Pokémon, the connection to Slowking would be severed, eliminating any potential sensation of threat the Magcargo might detect.
"Bussk," the Pokémon nodded firmly before jumping straight into the magma.
Cain used telepathy to stay in contact with Combusken while the system projected a three-dimensional model, showing his exact position.
He guided the Pokémon step by step toward the item.
Cain remained vigilant at all times. If he sensed that Combusken could no longer endure the heat, he would immediately order Slowking to extract him from the magma, abandoning the search in favor of Combusken's safety.
Safety was always the highest priority.
This would also serve as a trial for Combusken.
Fortunately, the Pokémon showed no signs of fear.
His strong legs and arms allowed him to move swiftly through the magma. The Slugma and Magcargo around him made no attempt to stop him, as they did not perceive any threat from an ordinary fire-type Pokémon.
The water layer was the first to disappear, evaporating almost completely within seconds of contacting the magma.
The psychic energy layer, meticulously prepared by Slowking, held out a bit longer.
However, when Combusken finally grabbed the item, the psychic layer also vanished, as it had no energy source to sustain it.
From that moment on, Combusken's real trial began.
The magma, now unimpeded by any protective layer, touched his body directly, and his feathers began to singe instantly, taking on a scorched yellow hue.
Despite the searing heat, Combusken didn't stop moving. He rolled, then pushed himself toward the surface with all his might.
One hand clutched the item tightly—a soft, hot mass—while the other helped propel him forward. His legs never stopped kicking, as if he were swimming.
"Combusken, if you can't take it anymore, use Protect immediately," Cain said via telepathy.
If Combusken used the move Protect, Slowking would be ready to rescue him that instant, minimizing the risk of serious injury.
However, Combusken mentally rejected Cain's suggestion and pressed forward with determination.
Although the distance wasn't far, the magma made every movement feel like an immense challenge.
Combusken's feathers were now completely curled from the heat, but at the same time, he felt a dense fire-type energy enter through every pore, flowing into his body.
His body seemed to be changing, swelling slightly, though he couldn't tell if it was just an illusion.
Additionally, the object in his hands began to pulse, as if it were a heart. From the red mass he held, thin threads of energy flowed through Combusken's skin and into his body.
A burning sensation coursed through him, but it quickly faded.
Surprisingly, the heat from the magma seemed to decrease, reaching a level Combusken could withstand. Even his feathers stopped singeing.
When he was just about to reach the surface, Combusken made a powerful leap, bursting out of the magma.
Slowking used its psychic energy to catch him immediately.
Magma still dripped from Combusken's body, but there were no signs of burns on his skin.
Cain looked at Combusken in astonishment. Although he had clearly felt the pain Combusken endured when coming into contact with the magma, now he seemed perfectly fine.
With a smile, Combusken held out his hands, showing the item he had recovered.
However, upon seeing it, both Cain and Combusken were surprised.
What had once been a soft, fist-sized orb had now shrunk to at least one-tenth its original size and had transformed into a red, solid, and shining stone.
The Crimson Rock.
Cain nodded as he looked at the stone and confirmed with the system that it was indeed the correct item.
However, Combusken seemed somewhat confused.
Through telepathy, he explained to Cain what had happened. The object had changed form while he held it.
When Cain analyzed Combusken's data again, he noticed that certain changes had occurred—all of them positive.
Pokémon: Combusken (Light Purple)
Gender: Male
Level: 32
Type: Fire + Fighting
Ability: Speed Boost
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Flame Burst, Agility, Last Resort, Feint
Basic Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember, Sand Attack, Peck, Double Kick, Flame Charge, Quick Attack, Bulk Up
Learned Moves: Heat Wave
TM Moves: Protect
The system indicated that his quality, previously Quasi-Purple, was now clearly Light Purple. Although this breakthrough had been expected, the time required to reach it had been drastically shortened.
Additionally, Combusken had leveled up from 31 to 32, and his overall strength had significantly improved, both in energy and physical condition.
However, Cain noticed something strange: "The Radiance of the Sun's Messenger," the item Combusken had been carrying, was no longer listed among his equipped items.
"Could it have fused with his body? If so, the effects should be even greater," Cain thought.
"System, monitor any changes in Combusken's body," Cain ordered, staying alert.
(End of Chapter)