Chapter 72: Terrifying Power

This time, everything was arranged smoothly. Under the call of the chief examiner, everyone obediently walked toward the test stone to conduct the test.

They had already gone through two rounds of tests, so the participants were quite familiar with how to achieve a high attack value.

The results showed that everyone had improved noticeably. Although the increase wasn't as large as in the second test, under the threat of life and death, the improvement was considerable.

Especially for those who were at the bottom, they trained desperately during this week to avoid being in the last place, as being last meant death.

"Number 46, attack value: 198. Next!"

"Number 54, attack value: 178. Next!"

"Number 58, attack value..."

As the examiner announced the numbers and attack values one by one, some were satisfied with their results and smiled, while others, worried, could not hide their anxiety.

However, they didn't fall into despair, as they still had the option to challenge in the last opportunity to fight until the end.

Each test was like a filtering process, eliminating the weak and letting the strongest shine. If you had talent, you wouldn't go unnoticed.

"Ekans, use Bite!"

"Boom!"

"Number 99, attack value: 337."

It wasn't long before it was Xander and his Ekans's turn. This time, the attack value reached 337 points, being the first to surpass 300 points up to that moment.

Amidst exclamations of amazement, Xander, with a proud expression, stepped down from the stage with his Ekans.

Since Cain surpassed him in the last test, Xander had intensified his training, and his Ekans, with its great pride, was also very unsatisfied with being overtaken by Murkrow.

Moreover, with the training methods that Xander obtained from his brother for Ekans, the improvements over the week were remarkable.

Surrounded by his followers, Xander returned to his original position. After glancing at Cain, his expression softened.

Although he was proud, he wasn't foolish.

It was clear that the attack value test wasn't the main point; the focus was on the challenges that would come after. No matter how well you did now, if you couldn't win in the battle, it was all in vain.

Cain also had to admit that, with limited resources, Xander had trained his Ekans almost to perfection. If it weren't for Cain having lived a previous life, Xander probably would have achieved first place overwhelmingly.

Xander's result stirred a wave of excitement, and the following participants gave their all.

"Number 134, attack value: 308."

This was the second participant to surpass 300 points after Xander. Her Pokémon was a large Zubat, the same girl who took third place in the last test, Jasmine, with the number 134.

In his past life, Cain didn't have many memories of her. Even after joining Team Rocket, he had no contact with her. She was a very mysterious person.

As a girl who had managed to keep third place in an environment as cruel as the trial island, under the pressure of Cain and Xander, it hadn't been easy.

Additionally, she had managed to gather a group of people to compete with Xander, without him being able to do anything about it.

"This person is not simple," Cain thought silently.

"Number 156, attack value: 330."

The strongest loner, Alec, the first participant to evolve his Pokémon, his Poochyena, which evolved into Mightyena, using this advantage to surpass Jasmine and take second place, right behind Xander.

Since Umbra mentioned that this test was different, Cain had noticed more and more strange things.

So many Pokémon with excellent potential, some of which could even attract the attention of Team Rocket Captains or Officers, were handed over to these participants just like that.

Xander's Ekans, Jasmine's giant Zubat—all were high-potential Pokémon, and even Alec's Mightyena had outstanding potential.

Furthermore, among so many Kanto Pokémon, a Pokémon from Hoenn suddenly appeared. Isn't that strange?

Thinking about it carefully is terrifying.

This test definitely has something odd.

In his past life, where survival was already a challenge, Cain hadn't thought much about this, but now, repeating it, he realizes how strange it all is.

"Number 234, prepare for the test!"

The examiner's voice interrupted Cain's thoughts.

Finally, it was his turn for the test.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, Cain approached the stage with Murkrow.

Those who had already been humiliated by Cain dared not mock him this time. And with the way he eliminated Soros, recruited Skye, and distributed Soros's Koffing, Cain had built the image of a ruthless and cunning character in the minds of all participants.

For the first time, Jasmine and Alec fixed their gaze on the stage. As someone who had surpassed everyone, Cain left a deep mark in their minds.

"Murkrow, use Tailwind! Increase speed and use Wing Attack!" Ignoring all the looks, Cain calmly gave his command.

Murkrow flew into the sky, increasing its speed with Tailwind. Upon reaching the peak, it dove down, the sound of its flight resonating throughout the square.

The people below watched Cain's sequence of actions in astonishment.

Although they already knew that Cain had a special trick for Murkrow's attack, this time the trick was more striking, showing an all-out attack stance, in stark contrast to the previous times when it seemed carefree.

He didn't make them wait long. Murkrow, diving at high speed, struck with its wings filled with flying energy, emitting a faint white light, crashing against the test stone with a roar that made the ground seem to tremble.

Although the test stone was extremely hard, made with high Team Rocket technology and almost indestructible, it felt as though it was about to break.

Perhaps because of the loud commotion, after the attack, the square fell into complete silence.

All eyes, after a brief blink, fixed incredulously on the white letters on the black stone.

"Attack value: 458."

In the square, those closely watching the test stone were speechless, faces filled with disbelief.

They were prepared for Cain to take first place again, but they didn't expect his attack value to reach 458 points.

The result far exceeded their expectations. Cain not only secured first place but left Xander behind by 121 points.

It's important to remember that some participants with the worst results can't even reach an attack value of 121!

Today's result was a true overwhelming victory.

Only one word can describe the impression Cain left on everyone's hearts:

Terrifying!

(End of chapter)