Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 102: Betting a Hand

Startled, Rio rushed to the window and looked down. He saw Froakie had landed right between a Level 58 Scizor and a Level 55 Hariyama that were mid-battle. It recklessly launched a Water Pulse at the Scizor’s trainer—but Scizor blocked it effortlessly with one arm, then caught Froakie with a single hand.

"Froakie~" Froakie screamed furiously at Scizor’s trainer—Hunter C.

"Aren’t you the Froakie I sold to the Goldenrod Black Market half a month ago?" Hunter C seemed to recognize it. He looked up and saw Hunter H jumping down from the fourth-floor window, followed by a Haunter.

"Sorry—that Froakie belongs to me." Rio landed smoothly, guided by Psychic.

"This Froakie is yours? What a coincidence, H. Did you know I sold it to a Goldenrod black market vendor half a month ago? If you wanted a Froakie, you could’ve just said so in the group—I’d have given you a discount, and a better one at that." Hunter C laughed heartily. The other hunters joined in, saying they could sell him one too.

Rio frowned—he could feel these bastards were mocking him.

Hunter C laughed for a while before his tone turned serious: "I’d suggest you sell it back to the black market. This Froakie looks good, but let me tell you—when I caught it, one of its kin was accidentally cut down by my Scizor while trying to protect it. Froakie saw it happen with its own eyes. Pokémon that witness the death of their kin usually never listen to trainers again. Oh, but you probably know all about that kind of thing—no need for me to explain."

"Thanks, but I know what to do. I don’t need your advice." Rio frowned and reached for his Poké Ball to recall Froakie—but Hunter C had his Scizor block it with its arm.

"H—I just gave you such valuable information. Shouldn’t you show some appreciation? How about a bounty battle?" Hunter C grinned, making it clear that Froakie wasn’t going anywhere unless Rio fought him.

The other hunters chimed in: "Yeah, H—he gave you good info. The least you can do is battle him!"

"Exactly—it’s only fifty thousand. We’re all about to get over a hundred million from this mission. What’s fifty thousand to you?"

Rio’s cold gaze swept across them. Then, in a voice devoid of warmth, he said: "You’re all so confident you can beat me? How about we skip the money and bet something more interesting—like a hand? Loser chops off their hand."

Silence fell instantly. The hunters behind their masks all showed traces of fear. None of them had expected Hunter H to say something like that.

"What’s wrong? Scared? Don’t dare to bet a hand?" Rio chuckled, but the laughter stopped after two seconds, replaced by a chilling tone: "If you don’t have the guts, then shut your mouths!!!"

"Jumping around all smug—yet you don’t even dare to bet a hand? What makes you think you can win against me? If you’re so sure of victory, then put your hands on the line—right here, right now!"

Rio scanned the suddenly cowed hunters, feeling a surge of satisfaction. All bullies—cowards when someone pushes back. I haven’t even shown my real strength—just a little trash talk, and they all fold? Boring. Too boring.

Just as Rio thought it was over, Hunter C spoke up: "Fine—let’s bet. Whoever chickens out is the coward."

Oh, we have a brave one here. Rio laughed. There’s no way your Level 58 Scizor beats me—unless you have something even stronger. And what could be stronger than Elite Four? "Deal—let’s do it. The loser chops off their hand. No backing out—or you’ll be a laughingstock."

Rio turned to the other hunters: "You’re all witnesses."

The other hunters quickly agreed: "Sure."

"No problem."

"Whoever loses and backs out—I’ll look down on them forever."

Rio smirked, then pulled out his Poké Ball and aimed it at Froakie. "Move your hand," he said coldly to Scizor. Scizor looked at Hunter C, who nodded. Reluctantly, Scizor moved its arm, and Rio successfully recalled Froakie.

Poké Ball in hand, Rio walked to the other side of the battlefield. The previous combatant—Hunter F—was still standing there. Seeing Rio approaching calmly, he instinctively took two steps back and vacated the spot.

"Good—you know how to read the room." Rio praised him, then called out to Hunter C: "Give your Pokémon some healing items—so you don’t have any excuses if you lose."

"That’s your style, not mine!" Hunter C shot back, annoyed, but still pulled out a Super Potion and used it on Scizor. Truth be told, he was already regretting his rash decision. If he lost, he’d lose a hand—the stakes were higher than anything he’d ever faced.

"Come on, Scizor—I’m counting on you." Hunter C wiped the cold sweat off his face and encouraged his Pokémon.

Across the field, Rio pointed Froakie’s Poké Ball at the arena. He wanted Froakie to watch him take down that bastard.

Ten minutes later, Scizor was fully recovered. Rio didn’t choose Haunter for this battle—instead, he summoned the god of violence on his team. That’s right—Primeape!

"Pu-cha!"

With a flash of light, Primeape appeared.