Chapter 437: The Face of a Ruthless Merchant

"The race begins!"

A fifty-kilometer marathon — this challenge tests the trainer's physique and willpower.

Running fast in this leg is useless, because you can't sprint the whole way — that would be suicide.

So the contestants are all very courteous, choosing to jog instead; some even adopt a brisk walk, all to conserve their stamina.

The host is quite satisfied — this round shouldn't bring any more surprises, because the troublemaker has already been dealt with by him.

Just as he was about to turn and leave to follow the entire race, his eyes caught a figure walking over, and he couldn't help but give a start.

Why is the troublemaker still here?

""910" contestant Bai Jing, didn't we have an agreement? Why are you—"

"Relax, I said I wouldn't take part, so I won't take part."

"Then why are you here—"

"I let them follow along and run — that should be fine, right?"

Bai Jing released Gabite and Gible!

"Ah, this—"

"Relax, they won't interfere with the contestants. I just want to give them a bit of training."

"Don't cause trouble!"

The moment Gabite and Gible saw each other they wanted to throw down; Bai Jing punched each of them once, and only then did they calm down a little.

The host's mouth twitched. "If you can guarantee you won't interfere with the normal running of the race, I suppose it should be fine!"

"Relax, I promise!"

"Go on, start running!"

Bai Jing released Aegislash, then sat down on it.

Gabite and Gible started running on their little short legs, looking rather comical.

Those little short legs simply couldn't go fast, and on top of that they were wearing gravity bands.

Watching the one man and two Pokémon gradually recede into the distance, the host sighed.

He was helpless too — if he refused, he was afraid Bai Jing would cause trouble. And a trainer who could casually release two quasi-legendaries — could he be a simple character? Just treat it as giving him face!

He could only hope that he really wouldn't cause any trouble!

Bai Jing didn't cause trouble, but the two little ones were restless — while running, for some unknown reason they started wrestling with each other.

I throw you a punch, you bite me back; yowling in pain yet never forgetting to retaliate.

Is this a fight? No, it's clearly two cute creatures showing off, drawing every spectator's gaze over.

"Behave!"

After punching each of them once, Bai Jing picked one up in each hand.

"Will you two ever stop?"

Gabite turned its head away in a tsundere huff, while Gible was still baring its fangs.

"How about this — since neither of you will submit to the other, let's settle it with this race. Whoever reaches the finish line first is the big brother, and the other has to obey them from now on."

"How about it? Want to race?"

"Gabi!"

"Sha!"

The two little ones stared at each other, full of fighting spirit.

"Very well — begin!"

Bai Jing put them down, but no sooner had he done so than Gabite suddenly punched Gible to the ground, then kicked up its heels and bolted.

Though that "bolt" was indeed very slow!

After running for a stretch, Gabite turned its head to look back, its smug expression fading, and it stopped as well.

Because the Gible behind it was gone, replaced by a hole in the ground.

Dig?

Gabite let out a wicked chuckle, suddenly leapt high into the air, and slammed heavily into the ground.

Earthquake!

After doing all that, it burst into hearty laughter, overjoyed, and continued running!

A while later, a dizzy and wobbly Gible burst out from underground, howling as it gave chase.....

Bai Jing shook his head. "These two really can't sit still for a moment!"

Then he lay back on Aegislash and followed along at his leisure.

Although the two little ones had short legs, their stamina was plentiful, and as they ran they gradually caught up to the trailing contestants, slowly overtaking them.

That guy Bai Jing, meanwhile, hauled out all sorts of things and started doing business, leaving the host with a face full of black lines.

"What? A ragged towel for a hundred?"

"A bottle of mineral water for two hundred?"

Bai Jing laughed. "Small-time business, small-time business — no bargaining, quack!"

"Bai-ge, even a profiteer wouldn't be this ruthless!"

"It's a free market. You don't have to buy, you know. There's a small shop a few kilometers ahead — you can tough it out till you get there."

The organizers had thoughtfully set up a small shop every ten kilometers, but ten kilometers is just too far — a normal person gets thirsty after running a few kilometers, and after a few more their throat feels like it's being scraped by a knife.

Bai Jing's appearance was simply a timely rain — except he was a total rip-off!

"What about the chocolate?"

1.6 "Two-fifty!"

"I think you're a complete idiot, you damned profiteer!"

"Chocolate is the best way to replenish calories, it's really not expensive!"

Indeed, compared to the sky-high prices of mineral water and towels, chocolate at this price really wasn't expensive.

But then again, eating chocolate would make you even thirstier, so you had to buy another bottle of water.

"Are you going to buy or not? Let me tell you, goods are limited—if you don't want it, I'm moving on ahead."

"I'll buy! I'll buy it!"

"I'll buy too!"

The classmates gnashed their teeth, having no choice but to let this damned profiteer make a killing off them.