Pokemon: Hundredfold Power Surge

018 The Belated Enforcer, Ripple

"Houndoom, return."

The Pokémon hunter feigned compliance, pretending to recall Houndoom while subtly signaling Arbok to prepare for a sneak attack.

Arbok, having executed this tactic numerous times, moved instinctively. It was evident that these hunters had entrapped many victims before.

Qin Yun smirked. His primary concern was Houndoom if Kirlia attacked recklessly, Houndoom might retaliate against him, putting him in immediate danger. But with Arbok still some distance away, he had a brief window to act.

"Kirlia."

Qin Yun didn't speak aloud, but their bond was strong. Despite having been together for only a week, Kirlia could sense his intentions through their mental connection.

"Teleport."

"Finger Gun."

The sequence was flawless, executed in perfect sync.

The Pokémon hunter, sensing something amiss, reacted instinctively.

"Houndoom, protect me! Quickly!"

Too late.

The Finger Gun struck precisely as the words left his mouth, piercing his forehead clean through. His eyes widened in shock, as if unable to comprehend how a mere high school student had outmaneuvered him so effortlessly.

The remaining hunter froze in sheer terror. Unlike his fallen partner, he had no control over Houndoom and had already lost his own Pokémon. Against Kirlia, he was utterly defenseless.

His knees buckled as he collapsed to the ground, panic overwhelming him.

"Please! Spare me! It was all his idea! He was the leader! I had no choice!"

Houndoom let out a mournful howl, its crimson eyes fixed on its fallen master.

Qin Yun exhaled softly, watching the scene unfold.

Pokémon were not inherently good or evil they simply followed their trainers with unwavering loyalty, regardless of morality. That was the purity of Pokémon.

But this Houndoom had placed its trust in the wrong person.

"Kirlia, return."

His heart was heavy. This was the first time he had taken a life.

With Houndoom's master dead, it was unpredictable how the Pokémon would react. Qin Yun decided to remain cautious.

The remaining hunter no longer posed a threat without his Pokémon. Now, all that was left was to wait for the enforcers to arrive.

Then, Qin Yun's sharp instincts flared someone was approaching. He turned his gaze toward the sound, his body tensing in preparation.

A majestic Arcanine emerged from the trees, its fur gleaming like a mane of fire. Riding atop the Legendary Pokémon was a woman clad in a black enforcement uniform, her expression sharp and commanding.

Qin Yun immediately recognized the attire.

A Pokémon Enforcer.

Pokémon Enforcers were a specialized task force dedicated to protecting wild Pokémon from poachers and malicious trainers. Their sole mission was to combat Pokémon hunters and ensure the safety of both humans and Pokémon alike.

But they had arrived late too late. The battle had already concluded.

"Ripple, Pokémon Enforcer! You are under arrest!"

Without hesitation, Ripple leaped gracefully from Arcanine's back. Her movements were smooth, exuding the confidence of an elite trainer.

However, upon landing, she realized something was off.

Typically, at the sight of an enforcer, criminals would panic and attempt to flee.

But today, one hunter looked at her as if she were his savior, while the other Qin Yun remained eerily calm, watching as though observing a spectacle.

Before Ripple could speak, the terrified Pokémon hunter scrambled forward, pleading frantically.

"Enforcer! I'm a Pokémon hunter! Please, arrest me! Hurry!"

His desperate movements agitated Houndoom, whose eyes flashed red with rage.

"Houndoom, no!"

Ripple's face paled as she quickly issued a command to Arcanine, but it was too late.

A blur of movement intercepted Houndoom mid-attack.

Ripple's sharp eyes caught sight of the figure Kirlia.

With a single precise motion, Kirlia halted Houndoom's charge, forcing it to retreat.

Qin Yun exhaled slowly. He had no regrets. A dead Pokémon hunter was of no value, while a captured one could be exchanged for a bounty a practical decision.

Ripple, however, was relieved.

"Arcanine, Extreme Speed!"

A streak of golden fur flashed across the battlefield. Arcanine slammed into Houndoom at incredible speed, overwhelming it instantly. Houndoom collapsed, unable to continue the fight. The power gap between them was undeniable.

Qin Yun narrowed his eyes as a translucent screen appeared before him, revealing Arcanine's stats:

[Pokémon: Arcanine]

[Type: Fire]

[Ability: Flash Fire]

[Strength: Elite Intermediate]

[Potential: High]

[Moves: Extreme Speed, Take Down, Crunch, Ember, Flame Wheel, Flamethrower, Fire Spin]

[Description: Arcanine is a Pokémon radiating majesty and justice. Its roar commands respect, compelling people to bow instinctively. It is fiercely loyal to its trainer and serves as a steadfast companion.]

High potential, elite intermediate strength it was no surprise that Arcanine had dominated Houndoom so effortlessly.

Furthermore, its moveset was extensive, covering a range of powerful Fire- and Normal-type attacks. Among elite Pokémon of its level, it was undoubtedly formidable.

For Ripple to be this strong at such a young age spoke volumes about her skill.

Qin Yun kept his thoughts to himself, maintaining his composed exterior.

"You're under arrest."

Ripple secured the surviving Pokémon hunter with iron restraints. The man didn't resist he was too terrified.

Only now did Ripple take a proper look at the scene.

The battlefield was a mess. Two unconscious Houndooms lay sprawled on the ground. A fainted Golbat. A dead Pokémon hunter. And standing among them a high school student who seemed utterly unshaken by it all.

Her mind pieced together the events, and her gaze flickered with astonishment.

"…Did you take them down by yourself?"

Qin Yun nodded. His eyes, however, were on the truck. Inside was the shiny Fomantis the true reason he had engaged in this battle.

But with the enforcers present, things had become complicated.

Ripple scrutinized him for a moment, then smiled.

"Impressive. You're quite the hero, aren't you?"

She then shifted her attention to Kirlia, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

Kirlia was not just strong it was exceptionally well-trained. Its coordination with Qin Yun was nearly flawless.

Of course, she wasn't dismissing her own Pokémon Arcanine was a powerhouse in its own right.

Qin Yun, however, had something else on his mind.

"By the way, I believe there's a regulation regarding Pokémon hunters…"

Ripple raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"I defeated these Pokémon hunters. According to League policy, I have the right to select one of the Pokémon they captured as compensation."

This rule had been implemented to encourage trainers to report Pokémon hunters instead of keeping captured Pokémon for themselves.

Trainers who successfully subdued hunters were allowed to claim one captured Pokémon but only for personal use. The Pokémon could not be sold, traded, or given away, and any violation of this would result in severe punishment from the League.

Ripple crossed her arms and studied him.

"You've done your research."

Qin Yun smirked. "Of course."

His eyes flickered toward the truck.

There was a shiny Pokémon waiting for him.