The battle was over.
Bulbasaur, the victor, raised its head and cried out excitedly.
"Seed! Seed!"
Sam immediately activated the Eye of Exploration.
[Pokémon]: Bulbasaur
[Type]: Grass / Poison
[Ability]: Overgrow
(When HP decreases, the power of Grass-type moves increases.)
[Strength]: Advanced Novice
[Potential]: Elite
Winning the battle wasn't the only reason Bulbasaur was so excited.
It could clearly feel itself growing stronger.
This was the terrifying effect of the tenfold experience card granted by the system. Within a single day of activating it, Bulbasaur's strength had already risen to a whole new level.
Ash looked a little dejected after losing, but he quickly pulled himself together.
"You're strong, Sam," Ash said seriously. "But one day, Pikachu and I will defeat you."
"I'll be waiting for that day," Sam replied with a smile.
That said, Sam didn't truly believe that day would ever come.
With the system's support, his growth rate was something Ash couldn't possibly imagine. Sam only hoped that when they met again in the future, Ash wouldn't lose heart because of the gap in strength.
"Sam, where are you going next?" Ash asked. "Do you want to travel together?"
Travel together?
Sam thought about it carefully, then shook his head.
He was used to being alone. Unless there were special circumstances, solo travel suited him better.
More importantly, Ash wasn't a beautiful girl, so Sam had absolutely no interest in sticking together.
"No," Sam said calmly. "I plan to train in Viridian City for a while before setting off. Let's part ways here."
The tenfold experience card had a time limit. Sam had no intention of wasting something so valuable.
After saying goodbye to Ash and Misty, he immediately began searching for suitable opponents within Viridian City.
"You're strong, Bulbasaur. I lost."
The Bug Catcher returned his defeated Butterfree to its Poké Ball and conceded without complaint.
"Thanks for the battle," Sam replied politely.
After winning, Sam's expression didn't change much.
This was already the twelfth Bug Catcher he had defeated. The joy of victory had long since faded.
It was time to leave.
In just five days, Bulbasaur's strength had risen to the lower tier of the normal level. Even with the tenfold experience card, battling Bug Catchers no longer provided meaningful growth.
Viridian City had served its purpose.
But before leaving, Sam still had one very important thing to do.
…
In front of a majestic building, two armored guards blocked Sam's path.
"Please present your identification," one of them said coldly.
Sam had come prepared. He handed over his Pokédex.
"Wait here."
The guard examined it carefully. After confirming its authenticity, he returned it and led Sam inside.
So this is the Viridian Gym, known as the number one Gym in Kanto.
Sam took a deep breath as he followed the guard inside.
Contrary to his expectations, the interior of the Viridian Gym wasn't flashy at all.
The entire Gym was dominated by shades of brown, the color of earth.
It perfectly matched its leader.
Giovanni, known as the Earth, held a deep attachment to ground-type power.
"Are you the challenger?"
A magnetic male voice echoed from above.
Giovanni sat high on a special platform, looking down at Sam.
"A Rookie Trainer dares to challenge the Viridian Gym," Giovanni continued calmly.
"Should I call you arrogant… or courageous?"
Being looked down on from above made Sam uncomfortable, as if he were shorter than everyone else.
But this was Giovanni's territory.
No matter how displeased he felt, Sam didn't show it.
"Yes, I'm the challenger," Sam replied steadily.
"As for whether I'm arrogant or courageous, won't that be clear once the battle is over?"
Sam's confidence sparked Giovanni's interest.
"Interesting," Giovanni said, smiling faintly. "Let me see your strength."
"Please come out, Tyranitar!"
Sam didn't choose Bulbasaur.
Instead, he immediately summoned his trump card.
Over the past few days in Viridian City, Sam had already learned enough about the Viridian Gym.
This was not a Gym meant for Rookie Trainers.
Although beginners were allowed to challenge it, anyone who overestimated their strength would have their confidence crushed by Giovanni's overwhelming power.
Giovanni existed to teach arrogant Trainers a harsh lesson.
That was exactly why Ash had chosen to avoid this place.
Ash might be reckless,
but he wasn't stupid.
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