Chapter 3: Law of the Jungle
As Aoki and the Dark Crow were processing what had just happened, they saw a lilac-colored Pokémon standing in front of them, with the hare they had been after now lying behind it.
The new Pokémon bared its teeth and swiped at the air, almost as if claiming the hare as its own. Aoki could tell that the creature had clearly put in a lot of effort to drive the hare out of the bushes, only to have its prey snatched away right before its eyes. Thankfully, its quick reflexes allowed it to grab the hare just in time.
Pokémon: Little Rada (Red)
Gender: Male
Level: 10
Type: Normal
Ability: Run Away
Carrying Items: None
Genetic Moves: None
Basic Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, Growl, Bite
Tutor Moves: None
Learner Moves: None
The lilac Pokémon standing before Aoki and the Dark Crow was a Little Rada. It had used its Quick Attack to snatch the hare away in the blink of an eye.
"Ga!!!" The Dark Crow squawked in frustration, clearly angry that its meal had been stolen. It wasn't about to let this go without a fight. The bird's beak gleamed coldly, and had Aoki not been there, it might have attacked right away.
Despite being at level 10, this Little Rada wasn't much of a threat. Its Red qualification made it relatively common on the island, and while it was two levels higher than the Dark Crow, strength wasn't just about levels. It was about tactics and speed.
Aoki, still calm, glanced at the situation and said, "Since you're so eager, let's see if you can handle the Dark Crow." He had already suspected that something like this might happen when the hare first appeared. The hare wasn't stupid—it had been hiding for a reason.
"Dark Crow, use Tailwind!" Aoki commanded. A gust of wind swirled around the Dark Crow, enhancing its speed. The wind made the bird feel lighter, its movements sharper, and it gained the upper hand in speed.
Aoki smirked slightly. This wasn't a game. In reality, there were no turns. It was about who acted fastest. With its Speed stat of 91, and the added boost from Tailwind, the Dark Crow was much faster than Little Rada.
"Peck Attack!" Aoki ordered, his voice cold and firm. The strong survive in this world. There's no mercy for the weak.
The Dark Crow darted forward like a shadow in the night, its sharp beak striking Little Rada before it even had time to react.
"Squeak!!" Little Rada shrieked in pain. It wasn't expecting such a strong hit. It quickly turned to flee, clearly wanting no part of this fight.
"Dark Crow, use Frighten!" Aoki knew Little Rada's ability—Run Away—meant it was likely to flee if it took damage. He wouldn't let it get away that easily. The Dark Crow screeched loudly, its terrifying cry freezing Little Rada in its tracks. The timid Pokémon was paralyzed by fear, unsure of what to do next.
The move had a 30% chance of causing the target to become paralyzed by fear, and Aoki knew that, with perfect timing, the chance of success would be much higher.
"Now chase it down, Dark Crow! Peck again!" Aoki's voice was firm, showing no emotion. In the jungle, the law was simple—kill or be killed. Weakness was not an excuse, no matter how small the enemy might seem.
The Dark Crow struck again, and with one more sharp peck, Little Rada lost its consciousness.
Aoki's tone remained indifferent as he spoke. "Continue." His voice was like ice, his words cutting through the moment like a knife.
The Dark Crow hesitated. It looked at Aoki, then at Little Rada's limp form. For a brief moment, there was something in the bird's eyes—a flicker of hesitation. But then it steeled itself, and the sharp beak came down again, finishing the job.
Aoki's eyes softened just slightly as he watched. He understood. In this world, mercy was a luxury you couldn't afford. Even the smallest enemy could become a threat if you let your guard down. It took him a long time in his previous life to understand that. Now, he would teach his Pokémon the same harsh truth.
Only through strength could they survive on this island, and only through bloodshed could they rise. It was a bitter reality, but it was the truth.
He picked up the hare, and the Dark Crow flapped its wings and perched on his shoulder. Together, they moved deeper into the forest, the bond between them growing stronger with each step.
The fire crackled as Aoki roasted the hare over the flames, the sizzling sound echoing in the quiet woods. There was no seasoning, no luxury—just the raw, earthy smell of roasted meat filling the air.
The Dark Crow hopped eagerly around the fire, its eyes fixed on the roasting hare. It had never smelled anything quite like it, and its hunger was palpable.
Aoki watched with a faint smile. "It'll be ready soon. Don't worry," he said softly, though there was a touch of warmth in his voice.
Before long, the hare was cooked through. Aoki tore off a hind leg and offered it to the Dark Crow. It was enough to satisfy the bird, as the game on this island was leaner than expected. The Dark Crow quickly devoured the meat, and Aoki could sense the strength slowly returning to its body.
As he watched, he took a long breath. The Dark Crow needed time to recover, just as he did. But Aoki knew that to speed things up, he would need more than just food. He'd need something special.
"Chip, find some energy blocks that can restore the body and enhance the Pokémon's potential," Aoki whispered, his mind already working ahead.
Energy blocks. It was one of the abilities he had as a breeder, and it was a skill he had honed in his previous life. With the chip's help, he could make energy blocks that were perfect every time—precise down to the smallest detail. It was something Aoki had mastered, and it was essential if he wanted to quickly restore his Pokémon's strength.
As the chip processed his request, a list of materials and their effects appeared before his eyes.
---