Chapter 33: A Contest of Strength? Machoke, Step Up!

"Machoke, go grab it!"

Facing this opponent, Riolu was far more cautious, because the Aura feedback told it that this was a powerful enemy far beyond itself!

But... only by constantly challenging strong foes could one grow stronger; the path of the strong had no shortcuts!

Riolu, its fighting spirit ignited, advanced instead of retreating, and met the attack head-on with Vacuum Wave.

"Haha... you've got guts!"

"Machoke!"

The two Pokémon, charging at each other, slammed their fists together!

A ring of air pressure rippled outward, the violent shock even cracking the walls.

"Riolu~"

In the end, Riolu was still no match for Machoke and was sent flying backward.

With a smack, Bai Jing stopped standing idly by and reached out to catch it.

"Riolu!"

"I know! Against an opponent this far beyond you, brute force is useless; you should flexibly use your Insight ability."

"Riolu?"

"Although it's stronger than you, strength doesn't mean everything. In terms of speed, it's far inferior to you, and most importantly, it's a physical attacker lacking any ranged methods."

"Understand? Use a kiting strategy!"

"Riolu!"

Enlightened, Riolu abandoned close combat, leaping and darting about while firing Aura Spheres one after another.

Machoke punched the incoming Aura Spheres to pieces, but couldn't catch Riolu, driven half-mad with frustration!

One punch collapsed a wall, one stomp shattered the ground, all four arms swiped wildly, yet Riolu dodged every strike with Quick Attack.

"Boss, I didn't expect this Riolu to be such a handful!"

The tall, thin man frowned. "We can't keep going like this. The commotion just now has already drawn attention; we can't stay here long!"

At that moment, an Aura Sphere circled behind and struck Machoke's back. Seizing the chance, Riolu launched a Vacuum Wave, hitting it square in its big face and knocking Machoke back to the tall, thin man's feet.

"Kid, I admit I underestimated you and your Riolu, but it ends here!"

"Machoke, use Focus Punch!"

Machoke rose to its feet, its aura exploding outward as it began to power up.

"Interrupt it, quick!"

Focus Punch is a Fighting-type ultimate move, and crucially, it's a ranged physical attack.

The Aura Sphere slammed into Machoke, but it simply tanked the hit!

The real world isn't a game; it's not so easy to interrupt!

Machoke let out a great roar and hurled a massive energy fist, its momentum tremendous and its speed blindingly fast, the energy contained within terrifyingly immense!

Riolu hurled two Aura Spheres in quick succession, but both were utterly crushed, unable to slow it down even for a moment!

Watching helplessly as the giant energy fist bore down, with no time to run, it could only stare in wide-eyed terror!

At the critical moment, a figure flashed past; Bai Jing scooped it up and bounded away to safety!

Focus Punch plowed straight through the alley, smashed through walls, destroyed every building in its path, and caused a massive explosion on the road, triggering enormous chaos!

Bai Jing shielded his eyes with one hand and let out a loud whistle!

"That's destruction of public property and inciting public panic — very criminal indeed!"

The tall, thin man ground his teeth, increasingly convinced that the kid before him was from the Xie Sect!

"Machoke, finish them off!"

Seeing Machoke charge over, Bai Jing chuckled. "Machoke, is it? Then let's see whose strength is greater!"