"And the third task… this is actually my first time taking one like this. But if we keep developing, we'll definitely encounter this kind sooner or later—so think of it as getting used to it in advance."
Before assigning the third mission, Icarus deliberately warned them to prepare mentally.
"What is it?" Airi leaned forward, curiosity piqued, peeking at the screen.
Task No. 57644
Level: ★★★
Description: Assist Alliance Investigator Depp and the local police in pursuing a group of escaped criminals. Trainers are responsible for search and containment. Direct combat is optional, but killing criminals yields bonus rewards.
Known Info:
Leader: high normal-level (quasi-elite)
Subordinates: 4 trainers (mid–low normal level)
Reward:
70 merit points
60,000 Alliance currency (+ bonus rewards)
After reading, Airi's face went pale.
"B-Brother Icarus… should we pick something else? These are trainers… they can actually kill people…"
Shitou stayed silent, expression serious. He hadn't expected a three-star mission at all.
"Listen first," Icarus said calmly.
"The police department is basically part of the military. Most officers are from the pioneer teams or city guards.
You both know I have connections with the guards—so our safety will be higher than usual."
He continued:
"I checked this Investigator Depp. He's under Officer Jenny and is an elite-level trainer.
Our job is only to search and signal. Once we find them, we notify him. He'll handle the rest.
Even if things go wrong… we still have four normal-level Pokémon. We can hold them off."
He stopped, letting them decide.
"I'm in," Shitou said first.
He trusted Icarus.
"…Okay. I'll do it too," Airi said after hesitation.
She understood the risk—but also the reward. And having four normal-level Pokémon gave her confidence.
"Good."
Icarus accepted the mission.
"The investigator arrives the day after tomorrow. We'll act then. For now—we complete the Paras mission."
"Then we might even finish the second mission too!" Airi added.
"That depends on whether you two can handle disadvantage matchups quickly," Icarus smirked.
"You'll suffer the most, Airi."
"Hey! Why me—… oh."
She froze.
"Right. Paras resists Water… I'm the only one fully countered here…"
She turned and glared at Shitou.
"…Yeah," he nodded awkwardly.
"Hmph. My Pokémon has dual typing too, you know!"
"Enough joking. Let's move."
Heading Out
After leaving the city, Airi pulled out her sky-blue Pokédex.
"Navigation set—Paras territory. Passing through four habitats. Warning: increased Rattata activity…"
"Let's go, Houndour," Icarus said.
"Woof!"
Houndour moved ahead confidently.
Geodude floated beside Shitou, already alert.
Outer Forest
With Pidgeotto scouting from above and Houndour clearing the way, bugs and Rattata fell quickly.
They could have just intimidated everything with aura—
But Icarus chose otherwise.
Houndour needed real combat.
Inner Forest
As soon as they stepped inside—
Icarus's tone changed.
"Houndour. No loud barking here. Follow commands only. Focus on scouting and support—don't rush."
"Woof…" it lowered its voice.
"Good."
"Pidgeotto, scout ahead. Houndour, track scent."
The system activated.
But this time—
Houndour found nothing.
Moments later, Pidgeotto returned and led the way.
"Hmph…" Houndour was clearly frustrated.
Icarus rubbed its head.
"Get stronger. Reach normal level—and I'll let you take the lead here."
"Woof!"
That was all it needed.
Target Found
They stopped 30 meters away.
"A Parasect… and seven Paras," Airi whispered nervously.
Pidgeotto confirmed the energy levels.
"Relax," Icarus said.
Parasect: low normal-level
5 Paras: low normal-level
2 Paras: high rookie-level
"We can win."
Strategy
"Ground moves won't be effective—they're controlled by the mushrooms.
So:
Pidgeotto → Air control
Geodude → target Parasect
Airi → handle left side
Weepinbell + Houndour → assist and clean up"
Everyone prepared.
Battle Begins
Poison powder drifted down first.
"Now! Move!"
"Air Slash!"
"Rock Throw!"
"Water Gun!"
Chaos erupted.
Wind blades shredded through the field.
Parasect was knocked back hard by a compressed rock attack.
"Now! Pidgeotto, Whirlwind!"
Split Combat
"Ignore the rest—finish that Parasect!"
"Weepinbell, Houndour—right side!"
The right-side Paras countered immediately—
Fury Cutter combo!
Three vines snapped instantly.
But—
"Houndour—Ember!"
"WHOOSH—"
Two rookie-level Paras went down instantly.
Burned.
Helpless.
The battle had just begun—
And the team was already showing coordination.
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