Chapter 38

Fifth update!!! Rest, my brain can't take it anymore.

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"Only reacting now, I'm afraid it's a bit late, Gym Leader Brock." Huo La's tone was calm. "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip to attack!"

Two thick vines shot out from the hole and struck fiercely at Onix's body. Onix, feeling the pain, let out bursts of hissing.

"Since it likes to hide underground, we'll force it out! Onix, use Dig, turn this land over!" Onix's huge body drilled into the ground fiercely, and the originally flat field instantly bulged with twisted gullies, the soil churning endlessly.

"Boom!" With a muffled sound, Bulbasaur in the hole was hard-hit and flew out, falling heavily to the ground. Fortunately, Bulbasaur's base was stable, and it supported its body with its four limbs, stabilizing its figure, only with a bit more dust and scratches on its body.

After knocking Bulbasaur away, Onix also drilled out from the ground, coiling in the center of the field.

Huo La looked at Bulbasaur in the field—it still had the strength to fight, but the scars on its body were already clearly visible.

Turning to look at Onix again, its head was drooping lower, obviously the drowsy effect of Sleep Powder and the continuous absorption of Leech Seed were making its state constantly decline.

"Onix, use Tackle!" Brock seized the opportunity to order.

"Since that's the case, I can only gamble!" Huo La's eyes constricted. "Bulbasaur, use the force of its Tackle to soar, use Razor Leaf."

Onix's huge body rushed toward Bulbasaur with the sound of tearing wind. Just at the moment of impact, Bulbasaur turned sideways abruptly, soaring into the air along with the airflow brought by Onix's momentum, like a green leaf lifted by the wind.

It adjusted its posture in the air, the flower bud on its back flashing with sharp green light, dozens of sharp-edged leaves condensing into shape, and swung them fiercely following Huo La's command: "Razor Leaf, aim for the fire hydrant!"

"Swish—" The leaves hit the fire hydrant valve at the top of the field precisely like boomerangs. The metal valve was cut open instantly, and high-pressure water immediately gushed out from the breach, sprinkling over the entire battlefield like a torrential rain.

The water flow spread rapidly as soon as it touched the ground, and the originally dry field soon became muddy and slippery.

Onix belonged to the Rock and Ground types and feared water the most. Being poured with cold water, it immediately let out a painful hiss. Its huge body was unstable on the slippery ground, and coupled with the sleepiness of Sleep Powder and the dual influence of Leech Seed continuously absorbing stamina, its movements became more and more sluggish, its head almost drooping to the ground.

"Now is the time! Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf again, aim for its vitals!" Huo La seized the opportunity and ordered sharply.

Bulbasaur, which had not yet landed in the air, condensed its power again. This time, the Razor Leaf was denser and sharper than before, rushing straight at Onix with the sound of tearing air.

Onix, having lost its ability to dodge, had no way to resist. The leaves hit its body one after another, each strike accompanied by the subtle sound of rocks shattering.

Finally, after the last round of Razor Leaf fell, Onix's huge body swayed, let out a powerless moan, and fell heavily onto the slippery ground, its eyes rolling back and thoroughly losing its ability to battle.

"Onix!"

Brock hurriedly stepped forward, then sighed, recalled the unconscious Onix, looked up at Huo La, his face revealing sincere praise: "Good tactic, not only using the field advantage but also bringing Bulbasaur's abilities into full play—you won this match."

Huo La took the dark gray badge and the TM with both hands, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement.

This was not only proof of defeating the Gym but also the first important milestone on his path to becoming a Trainer.

"Take out your Pokédex." Brock reminded with a smile. "Badges recognized by the League can be scanned through the Pokédex and bound to your TrainerID, so you can prove your battle record wherever you go."

Huo La hurriedly took out his Pokédex and gently pressed the octagonal dark gray badge against it. The screen lit up instantly, and the pattern of the badge was clearly imprinted on the "Gym Battle Record" page of the Pokédex.

Just at this moment, a system prompt sound that only he could hear suddenly rang out: "Ding! Detected that the Host has obtained the first Gym Badge, the system 'Badge Display Interface' has been unlocked."

Huo La subconsciously frowned, his eyes flashing slightly.

Brock immediately noticed his abnormality and asked with concern: "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the Pokédex?"

"Nothing." Huo La quickly restrained his expression, smiled at Brock, and took the opportunity to find an excuse: "Just suddenly thought, if someone scanned someone else's badge, wouldn't they be able to fake it?"

"You're quite observant." Brock smiled knowingly. "Try tapping the dark gray badge on the Pokédex."

Huo La tapped it as instructed, and the badge pattern flipped over, with a unique code clearly displayed on the back.

"All badges are uniformly crafted by the League using special metal. The styles are different, but each one has an exclusive code, and it cannot be tampered with after being bound to the Trainer's ID." Brock explained.

Huo La suddenly realized and nodded gently.

"Seriously, your familiarity with Pokémon, your tactical layout, and your keenness in responding to the situation—I've been a Gym Leader for so long, I've rarely seen anyone who can compare to you." Brock changed the subject, his tone carrying a bit of emotion. "Speaking of which, it's a coincidence; the last Trainer who left such a deep impression on me also came from Pallet Town."

"It's Red, right?" Huo La blurted out.

"Yes, that's him." A trace of memory flashed in Brock's eyes. "He was different from you; he didn't have so many 'calculations,' but when he used Charmeleon to fight my Onix head-on, that intuition and drive for battle was the top-tier I've ever seen in my life."

Although Brock was only in his teens, he had been in charge of the Pewter Gym for many years and had seen countless Trainers, so his eye for talent had long been honed to be sharp and precise.

"Calculations, huh..." Huo La repeated in a low voice, neither denying nor arguing, just saying calmly, "My mother told me before that the battle of Poison-type Pokémon never relies on brute force, but on 'calculations' and 'technique.' To let them bring these two points into full play, I, as their Trainer, must always think ahead."

After Brock finished listening, he nodded solemnly, obviously fully agreeing with his statement—a true Trainer is never a brute who only knows how to shout "charge," but a navigator who can plan the optimal route for their partners.

"Alright, next you can continue your Trainer journey. This road has never lacked challenges." Brock reached out, patted Huo La's shoulder gently, his tone carrying a steadiness that didn't match his age.

Huo La carefully put away the Pokédex and the dark gray badge, looked up at Brock, and first thanked him earnestly: "Thank you for your encouragement; I will overcome the challenges on this road one by one."

His voice paused, and he changed the subject, asking with a bit of interrogation: "By the way, Gym Leader Brock, are you really prepared to give up your own dream of being a Breeder?"

As soon as this was said, the hand Brock had on Huo La's shoulder trembled slightly.

Huo La took a pebble out of his pocket and placed it in Brock's hand: "Gym Leader Brock, there is an uncle selling stones at the Pokémon Center. The stones he sells are quite good. This stone is the 'tea-brewing stone' he sold me. You can go take a look; perhaps it will make you gain something."

"In addition, I will be staying in room XXX at the Pokémon Center for the next two days. If you have figured it out and want to pursue your dream, I am willing to be your partner and move forward with you."

After speaking, Huo La bowed to Brock and then walked out of the Pewter Gym.