Chapter 115: Skin Him Alive!
At this moment, directly ahead on Arthur and his team's route, there was a large experimental field hidden among the trees, painstakingly cultivated—and now being ravaged by brute force.
Normally, this area would have several woodland Pokémon hired by the research institute, tending to and watering the fields. But right now, they had all been frightened far away. A gang of poachers had parked their vehicle right in the middle of the farmland.
Tire tracks stretched from the edge of the plot all the way to their current location, crushing every single crop beneath them without a second thought. Only a patch of mandrake flowers in front of the hood was miraculously untouched—because a Salazzle with a jet-black back and eerie purple-red markings on her belly was feasting there.
The poachers in the car were starting to lose patience.
"Damn it, Jin, how long is your Salazzle going to eat? Shouldn't we get moving?" one of them grumbled. All they could do was sit in the car, watching the Salazzle enjoy her feast, bored out of their minds.
None of these poachers had much education. They had no clue that the research institute's crops were worth a fortune—driving in, they didn't realize their wheels had already rolled over fields of gold and silver. Not that it would have changed anything; even if they had known, they wouldn't have stopped.
In this world, most high-value, energy-rich crops require special techniques for harvesting and storage, or their energy quickly leaks away and they become worthless. Of course, none of this group of ignorant poachers had a clue.
So, destined to stumble blindly into treasure and leave empty-handed, they trampled through a land of wealth without even realizing it—venting their twisted destructive urges as they went.
But even destruction gets old after a while. By now, most of them just wanted to get home with today's haul.
But the tattooed young man named Jin, who owned the Salazzle, was helpless too. He cautiously poked his head out the window and called out, "Salazzle, are you done eating? Let's go!"
One hand quietly held a Poké Ball, ready to use the retrieval beam the moment she finished.
He had barely finished speaking when a flaming whip, over ten meters long, lashed out with a whoosh, cutting through the air and slamming into the car door with no regard for the trainer's authority—nearly roasting the hand holding the Poké Ball.
Crash! The flaming whip shattered the window glass instantly.
All the poachers inside jumped in fright. Jin, sitting closest to the door, was sprayed with broken glass, but he didn't dare say a word. Outside, the Salazzle paused her feast, and her narrow, reptilian slit pupils flicked toward the poaching gang.
No words were needed; her intentions were crystal clear.
Interrupt my meal one more time, and I'll whip you to death!
Jin could only sheepishly put his Poké Ball back at his waist and give his companions a helpless shrug—meaning, I tried my best, but there's just no way to carry this.
The leader in the front seat silently pulled out a cigarette, lit it, rolled down the window, and blew out a ring of smoke, lost in thought. When it came to Salazzle's personality, there was nothing their whole crew could do.
Right now, the whole gang felt like they'd become wild male Night Thief Fire Lizards, humbly serving the tribe's one and only Lizard Queen.
Even the leader couldn't help feeling down. But despite her attitude, Salazzle was strong—there was no way they'd actually let Jin release her.
So what else could they do?
Of course—they just had to forgive her...
"Guess we'll… wait a little longer," the leader finally said, his tone full of resignation.
Just then, something none of them expected happened—a deafening engine roar echoed from the distance. The mechanical noise was completely out of place in the forest, instantly setting the gang on alert.
"Shit! An engine? It's the rangers! Damn it! How did they catch up so fast? Didn't I tell you to burn the place down and wipe out any trace of our scent once you were done?!"
The leader was so shocked he nearly jumped out of the driver's seat. He quickly started the car.
"Move, damn it! Let the Pokémon out to block them! Guns out, get ready! Jin, call Salazzle again! We're really leaving this time!"
But before he could finish, a line of tracer bullets zipped past their car, almost hitting the doors and tires.
David's team didn't hesitate at all; the moment they issued their warning, the first burst of bullets had already been fired.
"Attention, vehicle ahead! This is a nature reserve! According to international conventions, your actions constitute severe damage to the peaceful coexistence between humans and Pokémon! Stop your vehicle, identify yourselves, and submit to inspection immediately, or face the consequences!"
This was a pre-recorded message that David's team blasted through their car loudspeaker whenever such situations arose. They were used to it, and so were the poachers.
The team up front responded with a string of profanities and a hail of gunfire.
"Reflect Barrier! All Pokémon with this move, set up Reflect Barrier in front of the car!"
David shouted from the back vehicle.
Reflect Barrier: a Psychic-type move that creates a gray-black, rectangular, physical barrier in a designated area, very effective at blocking physical projectile attacks—including bullets. It's widely usable; many Pokémon can learn it. There's also "Light Screen," which filters energy attacks more effectively but doesn't block physical shots. Together, these two are known as the "Twin Psychic Barriers"—basic, but extremely practical defensive skills.
The rangers' two jeeps quickly set up the barriers, blocking the poachers' gunfire.
Right after, someone on David's team stood up, grabbed a portable rocket launcher from the back seat, and—without a word—fired straight at the poachers, who had just ignored the warning and fired first.
"Holy shit! It's Kubfu rangers!"
In that instant, the poaching crew realized—they were screwed!
Across the Eastern Continent, the official language of all the human alliances was the same, and the people didn't look much different. Most of the time, it was hard to tell at a glance which alliance the other side belonged to.
But the moment fighting broke out, you'd know soon enough.
The rangers from their own Starlight Alliance were poorly equipped, poorly trained, and usually cowardly—always ready to back down. But the Kubfu rangers were the exact opposite! Those lunatics had top-tier gear and a reputation for reckless aggression.
Anyone who dared to ignore their warnings and fight back would instantly find themselves facing a response like a world war was breaking out!
It was enough to make a man curse.
For poaching gangs who spent their lives in the Everpine Forest, Kubfu rangers were the last people they wanted to run into.
The leader was completely baffled—how had Kubfu rangers, whose regular patrol route was so far away, caught up to them so quickly this time? Which idiot screwed up?
Right now, the leader was so furious he wanted to skin the guy alive!
(End of Chapter)