Led by the Arcanine, Zhang Tian and Minoto arrived at a frozen cave.
"Minoto, the Arcanine told me the Gore Magala is inside," Zhang said.
"Wait for me," Minoto nodded and began setting up a series of traps outside the cave entrance. While she worked, Zhang released all his Pokémon, instructing them to use their buffing skills to prepare for battle. In total, fifteen Pokémon materialized: Arcanine, Gardevoir, Rathalos, Brute Dragon, Nargacuga, Crimsondog Beast, Redhelm Arzuros, Barioth, Arzuros, Great Izuchi, Pidgeot, Tobi-Kadachi, Feraligatr, Gengar, and Rathian.
When Minoto finished her preparations, she turned and was stunned by the small army of monsters assembled behind Zhang. She knew he had tamed many creatures, but she never imagined it was this many. And judging by their auras, they were all incredibly powerful, on the same level as a Rathalos. She was particularly curious how a low-tier monster like a Great Izuchi had been trained to such a formidable level.
"Minoto, are you ready?" Zhang asked.
"I'm ready. The traps at the entrance will stop the Gore Magala from escaping," she confirmed.
"Then let's go," Zhang said.
"I'll take the lead. I'm stronger than you," Minoto stated, then took up her lance and shield and walked to the front. Zhang followed on his Arcanine, with Gardevoir sitting behind him. Gengar and Feraligatr hid in his shadow, while the Rathalos and the other wyverns trailed carefully behind.
Deep inside the cave, they entered a chamber the size of a football field.
"It's not a Gore Magala. It's a Goss Harag," Minoto frowned, looking at the monster across the cavern. The creature resembled a bear with long white fur, but its head looked like a demonic mask from a stage play. It stood six meters tall and seven meters long, roughly the same size as the Redhelm Arzuros.
This was a Goss Harag. Despite its size not being as imposing as a Rathalos, its ecological rank was a level higher, placing it in the same tier as Glavenus—an Elite Four-level monster.
Goss Harag (Frenzy Virus active)
Level: 69 (Elite Four Tier)
"Roar!" The Goss Harag, its ghost-like face a terrifying cyan, stood up. A black aura pulsed from its body as it glared at Minoto, its eyes filled with madness.
"Minoto, be careful! It's infected with the Frenzy Virus," Zhang called out.
"Don't worry. It's just a Goss Harag. I can handle it." The moment she spoke, the monster condensed blades of ice on its arms and charged.
"Flowing Spurt!" Minoto raised her lance and shield, used a Wirebug, and launched her own charge to meet it head-on.
Bang!
The two collided. The massive Goss Harag was sent staggering backward, while Minoto only took a few steps back. It was clear her strength was no joke.
"Flowing Spurt!" She thrust her lance again, piercing forward. The heavy weapon aimed straight for the Goss Harag's heart. Despite her timid way of speaking, her attacks were ruthless.
"Roar!" The Goss Harag raised its ice blades to block.
Bang! Bang!
Two explosions rang out as Minoto's lance shattered the ice blades and continued toward the monster's chest. The block had reduced her attack's power by more than half, so instead of a fatal blow, the lance tip lodged between the Goss Harag's ribs.
"Minoto, leave it alive! I can subdue it if you knock it unconscious!" Zhang shouted.
Hearing him, Minoto withdrew her lance, flipped it around, and swung the blunt end at the monster's head.
Clang!
The Goss Harag was knocked to the ground.
"Flowing Spurt!" She thrust again, this time with the butt of the lance.
Thud!
The blunt end struck the Goss Harag's head, instantly stunning it. The power gap between the Elite Four and Champion tiers was immense. Even with the Frenzy Virus, the Goss Harag was no match for Minoto. It made Zhang realize he might just be playing a support role on this hunt; Minoto was the main force. And if she was this strong, the Gore Magala would be no pushover either.
"Minoto, you're a beast," Zhang sighed. As he spoke, he threw a Luxury Ball.
"It was nothing," she replied meekly, all traces of the warrior who had just gone toe-to-toe with the monster gone.
"You… you're obviously so powerful, why do you act so timid?" Zhang couldn't help but rub her head, which made her face turn even redder.
"I don't like fighting," she shook her head and said softly.
"I see," Zhang nodded, then turned his attention to the now-still Luxury Ball.
[Goss Harag successfully subdued!]
[Beginning Pokémonization...]
[Pokémonization complete!]
[Notice: The Frenzy Virus has been expelled due to the host's inability to overcome it.]
[Notice: Because you did not defeat the Goss Harag alone, it will not obey your commands.]
[Condition: Once you have three Elite Four-tier Pokémon that obey your commands, the Goss Harag will obey you.]
[Goss Harag's information is as follows:]
Goss Harag
Level: 69 (Elite Four Tier)
Type: Fighting / Ice
Ability: Battle Frenzy (Upon entering battle, the Goss Harag gains a boost every ten seconds, increasing either its Attack or Speed by one stage.)
Exclusive Moves: Ice Blade Condensation, Icicle Crash, Ice Breath, Dragon Rush, Roar, Smash, Slash, Charge Slash, Triple Slash.
Base Stats:
HP: 90Attack: 190Defense: 90Sp. Atk: 30Sp. Def: 90Speed: 130
Total: 620
"So if I don't defeat a Pokémon by myself, it won't be obedient even if I capture it? What a frustrating rule," Zhang muttered. "It seems my plan to have Minoto help me catch a few more monsters won't work. If they won't obey, there's no point in catching them."
He shook his head and picked up the Luxury Ball.
"Is that how you subdue monsters?" Minoto asked, looking at the ball with curiosity. "It's so strange. I've never seen anything like it before."
"That's right. But only I can use it," Zhang explained. "Besides, normal riders don't subdue powerful adult monsters like I do. They usually hatch them from eggs and raise them to build a bond."
"I see. You're truly one of a kind," Minoto said with a smile. "My sister said you would save the world and become a savior. I didn't believe it at first, but now I do. You really are unique."
"I'll accept that compliment without any modesty," Zhang grinned, pocketing the Goss Harag's ball. "Should we continue? There are likely many more frenzied monsters in the Frost Islands. I'm afraid the Arcanine might lead us to other powerful infected creatures instead of the Gore Magala."
"Let's continue," Minoto said softly. "There are so many powerful individuals here. Hunting them is a good thing for us. After all, if they die from the Frenzy Virus, a new Gore Magala will soon hatch from their corpses."