Cain didn't say anything about his objective; he simply had his Pokémon prepare.
"You're the same... Seems like you don't remember someone as insignificant as me."
He paused before continuing in an icy voice:
"I'll give you a hint. Saffron City. The Hunter Guild. Rose. Ring any bells?"
The smile on Cain's face turned frigid.
After hearing those words, Logan seemed to remember something.
"You're... You're that...!"
Logan's pupils contracted sharply, his expression eerily similar to the one Rose had back then. But in his case, it wasn't just surprise — it was also fear.
He finally remembered which Slowpoke Cain had been referring to.
That kid who had been brought by Rose to the guild to register as a hunter. Back then, Logan had just been appointed head of a regional guild — the most lucrative one at that: Saffron City's. Full of enthusiasm, he acted arrogantly and ostentatiously.
It wasn't until he came to the Hoenn region and ran into wall after wall that his arrogance mellowed... at least a little. Until he reached Elite level, and once again revealed his true nature.
He never would have imagined that the weak kid who barely escaped with his life would now come back for revenge.
Cain hadn't expected to find Logan here either. He thought Logan would be negotiating with Team Magma at Mt. Chimney.
However, thinking it through, for the Hunter Guild to gain access to this mysterious space alongside Team Magma, there had to be someone acting as a go-between. Most likely, that person was Logan.
And it wasn't just Team Magma... There were also Team Aqua members present.
Did that mean that, in addition to Logan and the other Elite-level trainer, there was a third Elite trainer from the guild involved in this operation, responsible for contacting Team Aqua?
Cain narrowed his eyes. He had already extracted some valuable information from Logan.
"That's right. I'm that ignorant kid who didn't know his place," he replied scornfully, making no attempt to hide his contempt for Logan.
The horror hadn't yet faded from Logan's face, but his mind was now clouded with rage and jealousy.
"Feraligatr, tear him apart!" Logan roared.
Feraligatr let out a determined roar, his eyes reflecting the sadness of someone going to the slaughter — but with a murderous resolve. He charged fiercely at Cain.
However, he had barely moved when he was instantly stopped by Slowking's psychic powers and Florges' Grass Knot move.
Immediately after, Drapion struck from the air. His pincers smashed Feraligatr to the ground and pinned him in place.
Electric sparks coursed through his claws.
Logan had acted too. He didn't truly believe Feraligatr could defeat Cain — he just wanted a distraction.
At some point, he had drawn a knife and was now trying to stab Cain in the chest.
After all, as a Pokémon hunter, he possessed decent physical skills.
"I did it!" he screamed with a crazed grin upon seeing that Cain didn't move, while his Pokémon restrained Feraligatr.
Even if he died, he intended to take Cain down with him.
But the unexpected happened: just as the blade was a mere centimeter from Cain's body, it stopped. No matter how hard he pushed, it wouldn't advance.
Psychic power!
Cain had never stopped watching Logan. He had been prepared the moment the knife came out.
Crack!
Cain grabbed his arm and twisted it violently. Logan's arm bent at an unnatural angle.
He had mercilessly broken it.
With his other hand, Cain grabbed him by the neck and slowly lifted him. The knife was still in Logan's hand — but now the blade was pointing toward himself.
"Ahhh!"
The pain from the broken arm made Logan scream in desperation. His forehead was drenched in cold sweat within seconds.
But he soon stopped screaming.
Cain was squeezing his throat tightly. His voice was choked off.
Cain, now standing nearly 1.80 meters tall, lifted Logan effortlessly with one arm. His expression was as cold as death as he stared into his eyes. Then he let go of the knife hand.
The broken arm had no strength, and the knife fell.
Cain caught it midair and held it firmly.
Then he loosened his grip on Logan's throat a bit, lowering him until they were face to face.
He twirled the knife skillfully — clearly an expert.
"You didn't expect that weak little boy to come settle the score, did you? Never imagined I'd grow up this fast either, huh?"
Cain's voice was frigid. With the knife, he traced a line from Logan's throat up to his cheek, stopping just beside his eye.
The blade was so sharp that it left a shallow cut from which blood oozed.
If untreated, the scar would be permanent.
But neither of them had the mind to worry about that right now.
Logan was ashen from the pain of his broken arm. His lips were colorless, his forehead soaked in sweat. He didn't know if it was fear or agony.
The knife near his eye made him shiver.
"Anyway," Cain said casually, "I don't really care about what happened in the past. Now you answer, I ask. If you're honest, I'll give you a quick death. But if you lie... I'll take your face apart piece by piece."
One look was enough to make it clear he wasn't bluffing.
With no hope of survival, Logan only wished for a quick end.
He nodded with difficulty, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
After all, who can face death calmly?
Death isn't scary. What's scary is waiting for it.
Logan's pale face flushed faintly.
Cain slightly loosened his grip on his neck, letting him breathe.
"What's the goal of the Hunter Guild this time?" Cain asked directly.
Though he had captured some members before, none had high enough rank to know the truth. But Logan just might.
"A Pokémon... A legendary Pokémon," Logan answered with difficulty.
"What Pokémon?"
"I... cough cough... I don't know..."
Logan spoke with great effort. Cain loosened his grip a little more.
But upon hearing "I don't know," the knife in Cain's other hand pressed harder.
A new bleeding wound opened just under Logan's eye.
"I... I really don't know! This mission is being led by Mitchell. I was only in charge of contacting Team Magma."
"Apparently, the Council of Elders is also involved and supported this operation. That's why the guild offered enough benefits to convince Team Magma."
Logan spoke as quickly as he could, afraid that any delay would cost him an eye.
Because before dying, he didn't want to suffer any more pain.
(End of chapter)