Chapter 154: Waiting for What?
Slowbro's "Fire Blast" was aimed precisely at Arthur.
There was a certain strength gap between it and Specter, and "Fire Blast" wasn't its most proficient STAB ultimate move; wanting to heavily injure Specter with this move was unrealistic.
Slowbro's purpose from the very beginning was precisely to force Specter to switch to defense to protect Arthur!
Regardless of whether Specter turned back to use "Light Screen" or "Protect," it would inevitably have to use up one skill.
Afterward, Specter would once again fall into a recovery period, and a few seconds of time would allow the drowsiness to accumulate further.
But who would have thought Arthur would directly yell out, "Don't mind me!"
Subsequently, he planted Honedge upside down into the ground, using the wide broadsword blade as a simple shield in front of his body. He half-knelt, one hand gripping the sword, the other protecting his face.
Just like that, in a posture resembling a rider receiving a salute, he half-knelt on the ground and chose to tank the hit!
However, before this, he had made one further arrangement—
Using a Poké Ball, he released Little Lapras at his side and, through their mental link, ordered, "Water Gun, maximum water output, spray me!"
Immediately following, he buried his head, bent his knees into a half-kneel, and didn't retreat a single step.
Even with the protection of water vapor, the terrifying instant high temperature of "Fire Blast" was still sufficient to cause horrific burns.
But Arthur was undeterred!
Solely to free up an offensive opportunity for Specter!
Boom!
A giant wall of fire swept across the land.
The spot was instantly filled with diffusing steam.
Slowbro and Jynx, for a moment, couldn't see clearly what had happened amidst the water vapor and mistakenly thought their plan had succeeded.
As a result, Jynx was still there, elegantly singing her song, when suddenly, a ghostly shadow attacked. An enraged claw strike nearly tore her into fragments!
Jynx possessed considerable energy resistance; her resistance to attacks like flames, lightning, and energy erosion was not weak. But her physical defenses alone were fragile; when facing purely physical attacks, she was quite helpless.
The "Shadow Claw" Specter unleashed, filled with rage, almost directly took her life.
However, it didn't make much difference now; her master wasn't nearby, so no one could help her return to her Poké Ball.
Slowbro, standing in front of Jynx, was scared stiff at this moment.
Unfortunately, he had just used his ultimate move and could do nothing at this point.
He could only watch helplessly as Gengar, after materializing, descended and, with a simple, direct finishing stab, its short little hand easily pierced Jynx's chest.
The terrified Slowbro turned tail and ran!
At this moment, their most fatal weakness was finally exposed—
That is, their master was not nearby.
Without a master present, no one could use a Poké Ball to recall them. Whether it was to dodge a critical, fatal blow, or to be timely withdrawn for treatment after being heavily injured, neither was possible.
Without the space for repeated retreats and engagements, Pokémon lost their greatest asset for taking risks on the battlefield!
Therefore, no matter how powerful a Pokémon might be, the role of the trainer could never be overlooked.
Subsequently, from the position the fire wall had just swept past, a human figure, still entirely wreathed in steam, his whole body bright red like a cooked prawn, charged over unstoppably.
This scared Slowbro into fleeing even more hastily.
Scary!
Too scary!!
Never seen anything that scares Pokémon this much!!
However, who would have thought Arthur wouldn't pay him any mind at all.
Borrowing the opportunity created by Slowbro moving aside, Arthur, with utmost speed, rushed across the final stretch of distance, arriving before Mismagius who was bound by special chains, and threw out an object.
Immediately, a red light flashed—
Mismagius directly vanished from the spot!
What he threw was precisely an empty Poké Ball he had asked for from Kevin in the slums earlier.
Seeing Specter coordinating in battle like this, the intelligent Mismagius had long ago guessed Arthur's identity. Therefore, this time, she offered no resistance to being captured; the process was exceptionally smooth.
The Poké Ball landed steadily on the ground.
Arthur scooped it up with one hand!
Just at this moment, Honedge instantly became alert. Using its own ribbon, it lifted its sheath and swiftly blocked Arthur's chest.
Ding!
A crisp sound.
Honedge's sheath was repelled by an immense impact force, recoiling backward to strike heavily against Arthur's chest, knocking the wind out of him, almost making him unable to breathe.
The entire sternum in his chest felt as if it were groaning.
Unlike the small-caliber pistol bullets from before that could be casually parried away with a sword swing, what came from a distance this time was a large-caliber sniper rifle bullet. Even though Honedge sacrificed its body, using its sheath to help Arthur block this shot, the impact force still nearly fractured his bones.
This shot also signified: enemy reinforcements had arrived!
Moreover, this was behind the enemy's battle lines; one person arriving was enough to indicate that the enemy's new encirclement net had already formed!
Therefore, if Slowbro had been just a little braver moments ago, slightly delaying Arthur's steps, perhaps at this moment, it would have become a hero.
Unfortunately, its courage had been shattered, and it missed this sole opportunity of its lifetime...
Subsequently, from behind, another short, miserable cry was heard.
Listening to the sound, it should be Little Lapras who had also been hit.
The snipers in the distance were clearly more than one!
When the enemy comes, they don't come in small numbers; they come with a large force pressing in!
Arthur, enduring the pain, rolled on the ground for a moment, first taking out a Poké Ball. Following the direction of the sound, he quickly recalled Little Lapras back.
Immediately, a sudden burst of "Haze" timely enveloped him, interfering with the distant sniper's line of sight, helping him dodge the subsequent second sniper shot!
Within the Haze, Kevin made his move, grabbing him with one hand and pulling him into the trenches underground.
After this night of fighting, if nothing else, Kevin's Honchkrow's "Haze" skill had truly been practiced to perfection; its timing was grasped to the peak of the second, its casting speed as swift as a startled swan goose taking flight!
Just two words: Utterly transparent (mastered)!
Shortly after, dense bullets enveloped the position where Arthur had just been, kicking up countless bits of grass and dust.
At this time, Kevin was already pulling Arthur, hunched over and keeping his head low, advancing quite a distance within the trench, far away from that concentrated fire zone.
In between, Specter returned to his shadow. Frogadier, having sustained some injuries and broken free from Electivire, also leaped down into the trench to rendezvous with them.
"What do we do next?" Kevin, after running quite a distance, lay prone in the trench, panting as he asked.
Arthur, beside him, was panting even harder.
Even the strongest will cannot withstand the instantaneous scorching heat of thousands of degrees. After the impact of the "Fire Blast," Arthur had forced himself to charge out, scare off Slowbro, and rescue Mismagius. He appeared incomparably brave and martial, but in reality, every part of his body was now in pain.
Not to mention, his chest had suffered another heavy blow afterward; now, even breathing was difficult.
"We've done all we can do. Next, we can only wait."
"Waiting for what?"
Kevin asked anxiously.
It can't be that we're waiting for a miracle, right? Bro, don't scare me!
"Cough, cough!" Arthur coughed violently twice, then finally said, "Waiting for that phone call I made earlier to take effect."
That phone call naturally referred to the one he had made not long ago to the Kubfu Alliance International Channel reporter, seeking military protection under the status of an overseas citizen.
If everything went smoothly, the military should come to rescue him.
If everything goes smoothly...
The waiting time is always the most agonizing, especially when scurrying through trenches, listening to the sound of gunfire drawing ever closer!
Fortunately, heaven still seemed to be looking out for them.
They didn't wait too long before the surrounding sounds seemed to change somewhat.
Following that, they finally heard what sounded like heavenly music—
It was a repeated shout, amplified by a Pokémon's "Echoed Voice" skill.
"Kubfu Alliance citizen Arthur, if you receive this, please reply. We have come to pick you up!"
"Kubfu Alliance citizen Arthur, if you receive this, please reply. We have come to pick you up!"
(End of Chapter)
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you