Chapter 474: Could It Be That You Have Betrayed Too? The Shocked Little Tinkatink, This

The headstrong Houndour was completely dumbfounded.

It looked at its senior Houndour, who was silently averting its gaze, with an accusing stare, its eyes full of disbelief.

However, on the other side, Luo Mu had already arrived with the Eevee sisters.

Gritting its teeth, the Houndour turned around; its orange muzzle trembled, revealing rows of sharp fangs, while its devil-like tail hung low, swaying slightly.

It glared at Luo Mu and the Eevee sisters, a trace of coldness and resolve flashing in its eyes.

Even without your help, I can still teach this arrogant human and these two little ones a lesson!

Compared to the determined Houndour, Luo Mu felt somewhat surprised.

He glanced over at the Houndour and Houndoom pack gathered under the crooked-neck tree with no intention of approaching—having scared the small Tinkatink into climbing even higher—and then looked back at the Houndour before him.

What kind of stunt is this? Are wild Pokémon so particular nowadays that they want to fight one-on-one duels?

Or is this Houndour their leader, planning to face the battle alone to enhance its prestige?

It doesn't look like it; this Houndour appears much younger than the ones over there, its horns aren't as large or as curved, so it doesn't seem like the leader.

Luo Mu was quite baffled.

But at this moment, the Houndour could no longer hold back and launched an attack on its own initiative.

"Aowu—!"

After a loud howl, the Houndour lunged forward fiercely in a single leap.

Its first target was directly the shiny younger Eevee sister, since this little one obviously looked the weakest.

As for Luo Mu?

A mere human; it would be time enough to deal with him after finishing off the Pokémon!

"Bui!"

The older Eevee sister cried out in alarm, looking angrily at the Houndour as she stepped in front of her younger sister and began to charge up.

As an experienced Trainer, how could Luo Mu fail to see the Houndour's intention?

His movement was even faster than the older Eevee's; he pulled a spherical object he had prepared long ago from his satchel and, using his perfect throwing technique that never missed with a Poké Ball, accurately struck the Houndour right in the face!

"Take this! My Mud-Blind technique!"

The Houndour only perceived a high-speed object resembling mud flying toward it; before it could react, it was smashed directly, causing it to stumble and its mind to become slightly dazed.

Moreover, its eyes took the impact, and the splattered mud smeared over them, immediately impairing its vision!

At this moment, only one thought existed in the Houndour's mind.

What strength does this human have? If he had thrown a hard stone at me, my brain would probably have been smashed into a huge bump!

If only I hadn't yet found a supply channel for Sludge Balls and Apicot Berries, having only a tiny bit of material gifted by Sandy; otherwise, what I threw would have been a Sticky Ball.

Using the production method learned from Sandy, these mud balls he had recently hand-crafted had made a successful start; thinking of this, Luo Mu calmly issued his command.

"Rush over and use Double Kick!"

The older Eevee sister glanced at Luo Mu in surprise but did not stop her movements; she quickly adjusted into a running posture, sprinting to the front of the Houndour.

Even with limited vision, the Houndour relied on its sense of smell and its remaining sight to lock onto the Eevee, raising its front paw to slash at the older Eevee sister with its sharp claws.

"Bui!"

Unexpectedly, the older Eevee sister suddenly changed direction, running into the Houndour's blind spot, leaped toward its waist, rotated her body slightly, and aimed her hind legs, which bore pink paw pads, at that spot, executing two kicks in one fluid motion!

Boom! Boom!

Not only did the attack miss, but its fragile tofu-like waist also suffered two critical hits with excellent effect, leaving the Houndour both pained and furious.

After all, it was a Pokémon that had completed its final evolution; the Houndour relied on its decent constitution to resist the momentum of falling, the skin of its orange muzzle wrinkling slightly as scorching flames seeped through its teeth; it turned its body and opened its mouth to bite at the older Eevee sister!

Fire Fang!

"Protect."

Luo Mu's voice rang out like a ghost that would not depart.

The younger Eevee sister, whom he had already deployed nearby in advance, ran out in a few steps, blocking in front of her older sister who had no time to adjust her posture, as a translucent, honeycomb-shaped light shield formed.

Boom!

The Fire Fang landed on the light shield, and in an instant, sparks flew in all directions.

That barrier, which looked so thin and fragile as if it would shatter upon touch, proved incredibly difficult to break through, becoming a chalk wall that blocked the Houndour.

The Houndour grew even angrier, emitting muffled growls as it increased its biting force; flames splashed everywhere, yet it still could not break through.

"Dig, Helping Hand."

Luo Mu issued two commands in rapid succession without pause.

The figure of the older Eevee sister instantly vanished from the spot, leaving behind only a small hole leading underground that matched her size.

The next second, Protect shattered.

The Houndour, which itself could not maintain its posture in mid-air, retreated several steps, its vision recovering slightly.

It stared ferociously at the weak and helpless younger Eevee sister, opening its mouth full of fangs like a big bad wolf about to break into Little Red Riding Hood's house.

Flames of a slightly eerie color, carrying a wisp of black qi, began to gather.

The move "Flamethrower"; due to the inherent characteristics of the Houndour line, those burned by these flames would also suffer erosion from a neurotoxin attached within the fire, causing the wounds to continue experiencing burning pain until fully healed.

Facing the flames constantly gathering before it, there was not a trace of fear on the younger Eevee sister's small face, illuminated by the firelight.

She believed in her older sister, and she believed in Luo Mu.

Everything happened in just a few seconds.

Just as the flames in the mouth of the headstrong Houndour had condensed to their limit, and at the very moment the senior Houndour watching the show under the crooked-neck tree was hesitating whether to expose itself and come out to help—

The ground beneath the headstrong Houndour suddenly bulged, but its attention was already focused on the younger Eevee sister; it completely ignored the vibration of the ground and ignored the older Eevee sister underground.

Immediately after, the older Eevee sister, enveloped in earth-yellow energy, burst out from the hole, while the younger Eevee sister seized the opportunity, condensed her energy, and let out a crisp cry!

"Eevee Bui!" (Go, older sister!)

A phantom energy palm composed of Normal-type energy formed and slapped down twice.

Meanwhile, Sister Eevee felt unprecedented power surging within her body; with a determined expression, she fiercely rammed into the softest part of Houndoom's abdomen—

Boom!

"Whine—"

This time, Houndoom truly couldn't hold back, letting out a wail as it was knocked flat to the ground, watching in terror as Sister Eevee landed steadily with excellent balance, alongside her younger sister and the human who had calculated every move to trap it utterly.

This isn't right.

Shouldn't I be the one easily toying with them, leveraging my strength and size advantage?

Has the one being toyed with become me?

On the crooked-neck tree.

"Kanu."

Tinkatuff, while staying alert to the large pack of black dogs below and monitoring the battle, wore a face full of astonishment.

Even I would gain no advantage fighting an opponent of Houndoom's size.

How did those two Eevee manage it?

No... it must be that Luo Mu's command was too perfect.

He read every single one of Houndoom's moves, even deploying countermeasures in advance and digging a trap.

His depth of scheming is something that simple-minded Houndoom could never compare to.

Inexplicably, Tinkatuff's body suddenly shivered.

A moment later.

Houndoom: 【Image of a terrified dog head. jpg】

This Dig attack from Sister Eevee, boosted by Helping Hand and striking a critical hit, directly drained more than half of Houndoom's stamina.

At this moment, Houndoom looked terrified at Luo Mu and the Eevee sisters surrounding it, its eyes darting about unable to hide its panic, rarely employing its brain—which was a size smaller than normal—to start thinking.

What should I do—

In Houndoom's worldview, once defeated in a struggle, the options were submission, exile, or death; pick one of three.

Do I really have to show submission to this human and those two little ones in front of my three underlings, as well as my senior and the senior's underlings?

I don't want that kind of thing!

If that happens, I'll never be able to survive in the pack again!

But just then.

A neat rhythm of footsteps came from behind.

The simple-minded Houndoom suddenly realized that above its head, a shadow had suddenly fallen.

The scent told it: it was the Senior.

Houndoom froze, looking at the figure blocking its path, and began feeling moved all on its own.

As expected, is the Senior leading companions to avenge me?

Thump—

Senior Houndoom bent its front claws, lowered its head, and directly expressed submission to Luo Mu through action.

Immediately following, over a dozen Houndour led by Senior Houndoom performed the exact same motion in unison.

The simple-minded Houndoom was dumbfounded, and its three underling minions were equally dumbfounded.

Why has the Senior surrendered first!?

Have you truly betrayed us!

Tinkatuff, who had been on the crooked-neck tree preparing to find an opportunity to slip away, was also dumbfounded.

They've submitted already?

Tinkatuff suddenly realized that its dream of becoming the mountain king seemed to have shattered lightly.

Luo Mu was also somewhat surprised; after carefully examining the Senior Houndoom before him, he suddenly understood and said, "Could it be that you were tamed by a Serperior—"

"Whine~"

Senior Houndoom's eyes lit up, and its tail began wagging.

Seeing its reaction, Luo Mu felt somewhat helplessly amused.

Alright, it really is a subordinate tamed by a Serperior.

It loved doing these kinds of things in the past.

In a corner no one paid attention to, the simple-minded Houndoom, watching its usually brave Senior who often fought against the neighboring Salazzle pack now "wagging its tail and begging for mercy" to Luo Mu, and catching its apologetic glance that seemed to say "Sorry, actually I defected long ago," silently shattered inside.

"Tasty, isn't it?"

Luo Mu squatted halfway, holding what seemed to be some kind of freeze-dried treat in his hands, watching with amusement as Houndoom ate happily before him.

"Aowu!" (So delicious!)

Houndoom's tail wagged furiously; it let out a cry and continued to "bury its head and work hard."

While eating this freeze-dried treat with its rich texture, the simple-minded Houndoom thought to itself: There's actually something this delicious in the world; could it be that the Senior has been secretly eating such delicacies all along?

Truly enough to make a dog jealous.

Beside it, Senior Houndoom slowed its mealtime movements slightly, glanced at the junior beside it, and a look of surprise flashed in its eyes.

I really didn't expect this simple-minded fellow to show submission so easily.

Was it because of the food, or some other factor?

This simple-minded one has never seen the powerful form of a Serperior; could it really have been captured just by the food?

Truly hopeless.

Luo Mu scattered a few handfuls of freeze-dried treats to those Houndour looking at him eagerly; seeing them also begin to eat happily, he brushed the crumbs from his palms, looked at this group of fellows, and cleared his throat.

"Cough, cough. I don't know what orders the Serpent Monarch gave you, nor will I interfere; in short, just continue acting according to the Serpent Monarch's instructions. After I return, I'll have it come by when it has time to inspect your results."

"That is all I have to say; after eating, however you usually return to your pack, just go back directly."

"Awooo!"

The two Houndooms and the pack of Houndours all cried out in unison.

"Very good!"

Luo Mu nodded in satisfaction, looked at the Eevee sisters whose eyes were sparkling brightly, as well as the little Tinkatink beside them, and spoke:

"Then let's head back directly."

Under the gaze of the Houndooms and Houndours, their figures gradually faded into the distance.

Only after their figures had completely vanished did the Senior Houndoom curiously cry out toward the rash young Houndoom.

"Awoo?" (Why did you suddenly submit?)

The rash young Houndoom glanced at it, never stopping its movements, and let out a muffled cry.

"Awoooo—" (Since even you, Senior, submitted so early, the other side must surely have even more formidable individuals lurking; knowing we cannot win, why should I torment myself?)

The Senior Houndoom was stunned.

Could this thick-headed, single-track-minded youngster of theirs actually think of so many possibilities? Had it been beaten stupid!?

However.

The Houndoom suddenly felt that with these powerful backers, that preconceived plan of its might actually become reality.

If that creature can become the pack leader, why can't I!

Returning to the cave located halfway up the mountain on the opposite side of the small hill.

The little Tinkatink bowed solemnly to Luo Mu.

"Tinka." (Thank you for saving me.)

Then, it also expressed its gratitude to the Eevee sisters.

The Eevee sisters responded to it in a flustered manner.

Especially the older Eevee sister.

It felt that all its efforts had been entirely for its own sake; seeing the Houndours' evolved form, the Houndooms, fall before itself and its sister, all shadows and psychological pressure vanished.

Being commanded by Luo Mu to defeat the Houndooms without sustaining a single injury throughout the entire battle, it felt as though it were dreaming.

"It's nothing."

Luo Mu waved his hand, wearing an expression of great magnanimity.

At the same time, he silently thought to himself: Anyway, I will definitely make the little Tinkatink bind itself to me later, so what's wrong with saving one of my farm's Pokémon in advance?

The little Tinkatink, still unaware of the schemes brewing in Luo Mu's heart, enthusiastically invited him and the Eevee sisters to come inside and sit for a while.

Luo Mu, however, shook his head, took out an insulated food container, and said with a smile: "Did you forget? I invited you to visit my home; Ogerpon is waiting at home right now. Let's eat something first to tide us over, then we'll set off immediately—it's very close!"

The little Tinkatink's eyes instantly lit up.

A short while later.

Luo Mu, carrying the now empty insulated food container, directly led the Eevee sisters, along with the little Tinkatink—who had solemnly tidied up its cave and brought along its favorite hammer—down the mountain, walking toward the direction of the farm.

The journey was not far, and no wild Pokémon jumped out to block their path.

In just a little while, the outline of the farm could already be faintly seen.

"Welcome to my home as guests."

Luo Mu brought the little Tinkatink to the entrance of the farm and said with a smile.

At this moment, the little Tinkatink, which had already formed a vague suspicion in its heart, finally confirmed a fact.

This farm, which in its observation was terrifyingly large, rich in resources, and populated by powerful Pokémon, was truly Luo Mu's home!!!

Coincidentally, at this exact moment, the ground began to tremble violently.

Not far from near this farm entrance lay a part of the pasture district.

The Tauros galloping wildly within the pasture district were just like the little Tinkatink's heart, completely unable to calm down.

The hammer in the little Tinkatink's hand suddenly dropped onto the soft grass; it cupped its face in stunned shock and let out a scream.

"Tinkaaaa—!?"

This really is your home—!?

(End of Chapter)