Over the next few days, Icarus continued hunting in the wild alongside Houndour and Shitou.
To earn more money, he also went to the Pokémon Center to accept a few one-star missions to complete with Shitou. These missions were meant for rookie-level trainers, but due to League rules, only officially registered normal-level trainers could accept them.
As for rewards, Icarus split them fairly—50/50 for merit points and battle gains.
At first, Shitou didn't even want the merit points. After all, he wasn't officially registered yet and couldn't use them. Besides, he already felt like he had gained plenty just by following Icarus.
But Icarus insisted.
He recorded Shitou's share and promised to transfer it once he advanced. That sincerity deeply moved Shitou.
The truth was simple—Icarus wasn't being generous for no reason. He understood that money issues break teams. Better to divide things clearly from the start than let small amounts cause big problems later.
And one-star missions weren't worth fighting over anyway.
⸻
Over these days of hunting and missions, Icarus's finances improved again. His bank balance climbed to around 160,000. As for merit points, after accounting for Shitou's share, he had about 280.
Originally, they planned to hunt again that night.
But Shitou brought good news—
Geodude was about to break through.
So Icarus let Shitou stay behind while he went out alone with Houndour.
After all, this was just a breakthrough, not evolution. There was no need for a group to guard it. With proper guidance, Geodude could handle it.
⸻
Breakthrough
Behind Shitou's house, Geodude slowly absorbed a low-grade Rock-type energy crystal.
Earth-yellow energy began to flow around its body.
"Hey Cha Hey Cha!"
The aura grew stronger… and stronger—
"Hey CHA!"
At the peak—
Something inside it broke through.
Its energy surged.
"Now! Crush the crystal—absorb it all!" Shitou shouted.
"Hey Cha!"
BOOM!
The crystal shattered, releasing a wave of energy.
Geodude absorbed it rapidly.
Cracks formed across its rocky body—but its power skyrocketed.
Soon, it stabilized.
Its body was larger. Its surface darker and sturdier.
But the cracks remained.
"Eat the iron ore."
Shitou quickly handed over refined ore.
Crunch. Crack.
The damage repaired itself.
Rock-type advantage—efficient recovery without medicine.
⸻
"Show me your new move," Shitou said, smiling.
Geodude floated forward.
Both fists glowed.
BOOM!
The ground shook violently.
Nearby trees trembled—one even collapsed.
"That's Stomp! You learned it already?!"
Shitou was genuinely shocked.
"Hey Cha~!"
Geodude beamed with pride.
⸻
"Good. Train it immediately," Shitou said seriously.
He knew:
Magnitude = unstable, wide damage
Stomp = controlled, reliable
Mastering it meant better team safety.
⸻
Two Days Later
Shitou trained non-stop.
Meanwhile, Icarus hunted alone with Houndour.
With two mid-level Pokémon, the forest outskirts posed no threat.
Daily routine:
Out at dawn
Back at night
Houndour became the main attacker.
Thanks to honey + constant battles, its strength skyrocketed.
⸻
Growth
In just two days:
Houndour reached high rookie level
Learned Bite
Combined it with Thunder Fang
Icarus named it:
Thunder Bite
In battle, it:
Broke a Weedle's defense instantly
Bit it clean in half
Burned it black
Brutal. Efficient.
⸻
Profits matched the effort.
Icarus's balance hit 200,000.
⸻
Reunion
On the third day, Shitou returned.
Now fully stable at normal level.
The three gathered at the Pokémon Center:
Icarus
Airi
Shitou
Four normal-level Pokémon total.
They were finally ready.
⸻
Choosing Missions
"Brother Icarus, we can take two-star missions now!" Airi said excitedly.
"I'll choose carefully," Icarus replied.
⸻
Mission 1: Paras Mushrooms
Collect 30 mushrooms
High payout
"Airi" recognized the value immediately.
Shitou frowned. "We're weak against it."
Icarus nodded.
"True. But:
I have Pidgeotto and Houndour
You need experience fighting disadvantage matchups
Paras are slow—manageable"
And the real reason?
Money.
High margin.
⸻
They agreed.
⸻
Mission 2: Grimer Cleanup
"Shitou, this one's yours," Icarus said.
Ground-types counter it.
Both agreed quickly.
Then Icarus admitted:
"I want the poison cores."
For Weepinbell's toxicity training.
He offered to deduct it from his share.
Both refused.
"Don't treat us like outsiders," Airi said.
"You've already helped us enough," Shitou added.
⸻
Icarus paused.
Then nodded.
"Alright. I won't hold back."
⸻
The team was officially formed.
Three trainers.
One goal.
Stronger battles ahead.