-139- Subduing Murkrow

"Not only can it use Tailwind, but it can also use Mimic? Murkrow, you really gave me a huge surprise!"

Tong Si grew increasingly fond of this Murkrow.

"Continue the attack, Quick Attack to build up speed, then use Thunder Punch!"

At Tong Si's command, Electabuzz immediately initiated Quick Attack.

Boosted by Quick Attack's acceleration, Electabuzz finally managed to catch up to Murkrow.

Yet at that very moment, Murkrow moved like a phantom, instantly executing a surprise strike.

"Night Shade!"

Tong Si had not expected Murkrow to wield a Ghost-type move with such formidable power.

Electabuzz, previously suspended in the air, crashed straight down after being struck by Night Shade.

"Don't give up, Electabuzz! Use Brick Break on the ground, jump up, and use Ice Punch!"

Tong Si shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Ele-buzz!"

Electabuzz acknowledged the command immediately. As it plummeted to the ground, it twisted its body and slammed a fist into the earth.

Electabuzz vaulted back into the air once more.

"Murk?"

Murkrow seemed stunned by Electabuzz's maneuver.

Battles could be fought like this?

"Ele-buzz!"

Frigid ice elemental energy surged toward Murkrow.

Relying on Tailwind, Murkrow hastily scrambled out of the way.

Yet at that exact instant, a flicker of electric current flashed.

"Murk?"

Murkrow was slightly taken aback. Could that previous Ice Punch have been a feint?

"Thunderbolt!"

Tong Si uttered each word with precision.

"Ele-buzz!"

Amplified by the Electirizer and Magnet, a powerful Thunderbolt struck Murkrow head-on.

For a Murkrow, Electric-type moves dealt double damage.

After taking this enhanced Thunderbolt, Murkrow flew unsteadily, wobbling through the air.

"It's still not down?"

Tong Si murmured to himself, "Interesting!"

Tong Si's affection for this Murkrow grew stronger by the second.

"Hit it with another Thunderbolt, Electabuzz!"

Tong Si issued his next command.

"Ele-buzz!"

Electabuzz continued to channel its power.

Enduring the paralyzing numbness, Murkrow forced itself to fly upward.

Immediately afterward, it went into a steep downward dive.

Tong Si watched as Murkrow pulled in its wings, executing a sharp spin right before reaching the ground.

Combining low-altitude drifting with a high-speed dive, it closed in directly on Electabuzz.

"Could this be... Brave Bird?"

Tong Si was momentarily dumbfounded.

Just how many surprises was this Murkrow hiding? It could even use a move like Brave Bird?

"Murk!"

"Ele-buzz!"

Both Pokémon prepared themselves for a head-on collision.

Electabuzz's Thunderbolt struck Murkrow squarely.

Refusing to yield, Murkrow plowed through the surging electrical current right up to Electabuzz's face.

Brave Bird landed a direct hit on Electabuzz!

Electabuzz was sent flying backward, slamming heavily against the wall of the Seven Crows Tower.

Murkrow fluttered unsteadily in the air for a moment before plummeting straight to the ground.

"Thwack!"

"Go, Poké Ball!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Tong Si threw his Poké Ball.

"Clang!"

Murkrow vanished inside the Poké Ball.

"Ele-buzz..."

Electabuzz slowly picked itself off the ground; the previous impact had left it in quite a rough state.

Wobble...
Wobble...
Wobble...
"Click!"

After shaking violently a few times, the Poké Ball finally fell still.

"Awesome! I caught a Murkrow!"

The joy on the corners of Tong Si's lips refused to be contained.

Capturing Murkrow made him immensely happy.

[Beep-boop.]
[Congratulations to the Host for successfully capturing a Pokémon. Rewarded with 500,000 points.]

The system's voice chimed in right on cue.

Every time he captured a Pokémon, he would receive 500,000 points.

Tong Si felt this was icing on the cake, a double blessing.

Even the system had shown up to celebrate with him.

"Come on out, Murkrow!"

Retrieving the Poké Ball, Tong Si released Murkrow back into the open air.

"Murk!"

Murkrow circled once around the top of Tong Si's head.

"Murkrow, I'll be counting on you from now on."

Tong Si extended his hand toward Murkrow. Murkrow flew down and gave Tong Si's finger a gentle peck—its way of showing friendship.

Following the capture, Murkrow's detailed stats surfaced on his data panel.

Murkrow
Level: 30
Gender: Male
Ability: Prankster
Potential: Champion
Moves: Peck, Astonish, Pursuit, Haze, Wing Attack, Night Shade, Assurance, Taunt, Sucker Punch, Tailwind, Mimic, Brave Bird
...

Seeing Murkrow's moveset left Tong Si momentarily dazed.

Not only did Murkrow know every move it could possibly learn at its current level, but it had even mastered moves it hadn't yet reached the level to learn?

Not only that, but moves like Mimic and Brave Bird should be considered egg moves inherited by Murkrow, right?

He could only say it truly lived up to being a descendant of the Crow God—simply extraordinary.

"Tong Si, congratulations on catching this Murkrow."

"Please take good care of this child from now on... Its strength is formidable, and its temper is a bit stubborn. Hopefully, staying by your side will help it grow even better."

The elderly man and woman each offered Tong Si a parting word of advice.

"I will, Seniors. I promise I'll take good care of Murkrow."

Tong Si assured the two elders.

"Murk~"

Murkrow flew over to the two elders, and the other two Murkrows fluttered over as well.

"Murkrow, be a good bird. We'll take good care of these two, so you don't need to worry."

The old woman said to Murkrow.

"Murk~"

Murkrow showed deep reluctance to part with the old man and woman.

Those two Murkrows were practically its younger brothers, and it dearly hoped they would grow stronger and stronger.

After exchanging farewells, Tong Si departed with Murkrow in tow.

Traveling straight from the Seven Crows Tower, they arrived at the Pokémon Association.

Tong Si and Bai Chen had arranged to meet at the Pokémon Association building.

"Tong Si, over here..."

The moment he reached the entrance of the Pokémon Association, Tong Si heard Bai Chen's voice.

"Brother Chen, you must have received quite a few commendations after resolving this incident, right?"

Tong Si nudged Bai Chen playfully, dropping any pretense of a hint and going straight for a blatant prompt.

Putting aside the perks provided by the Pokémon Association, just the fact that he had captured a Spiritomb with quasi-deific potential was enough to make Bai Chen laugh in his sleep.

"I know, I know... Since you helped me out so much this time, I definitely have to give you some perks!"

Bai Chen glanced at Tong Si, thinking this fellow was still as crafty as ever.

Entering the Pokémon Association together, Bai Chen led Tong Si straight to the redemption area.

"Pick whatever you like here. Your Brother Chen has more redemption points than he knows what to do with. Just pick whatever catches your eye, and I'll foot the bill."

Bai Chen rubbed his nose, putting on a generous front.

Hearing this, Tong Si couldn't help but chuckle.

Playing the big shot, are we?

The redemption area of the Pokémon Association had no shortage of good items, and the more precious an item was, the higher the required redemption points.

Even the cheapest items cost upwards of a million points; there was no bargain bin here.

However, since Bai Chen was eager to play the wealthy benefactor, Tong Si had no intention of holding back!

... (To be continued)