Chapter 96: A Toxic Encounter

As Ashborn descended, he finally saw the treasure: a round, purple orb about the size of an adult's fist, surrounded by Weezing and Muk.

"Toxic Orb," Ashborn muttered.

The Toxic Orb was a Poison-type treasure that could slowly increase the Poison-type power of Poison-type Pokémon.

However, if the Pokémon was too weak, it could be poisoned by the orb itself.

Some non-Poison Pokémon could also carry Toxic Orbs due to their Abilities.

For example, a Pokémon with the Poison Healing Ability could recover from the orb's poisoning.

The market value of Toxic Orbs exceeded one billion, making them highly sought-after by countless Poison trainers.

Like Mega Evolution stones, they were rare and primarily traded among noble families or top Trainers.

The Muk and Weezing spotted Ashborn, the intruder, but didn't immediately attack. Pokémon weren't devoid of intelligence.

They instinctively perceived this strange species as a threat to their treasure.

At the same time, they sensed a threat from Metagross.

For these reasons, the leaders of Muk and Weezing hesitated to act rashly, but they released a large amount of purple poisonous gas.

If Ashborn entered the gas, his gas mask would likely fail.

The gas released by the two pseudo-Elite Pokémon, strengthened by the Toxic Orb, would overwhelm his mask.

While the gas was deadly to humans, it was beneficial to the Muk and Weezing.

"Come out, Dragonair," Ashborn commanded.

Dragonair emerged, and Ashborn transferred from Metagross to its back.

The appearance of another strange Pokémon made the Muk and Weezing more restless.

"Metagross, Mega Evolution!"

Ashborn held the key around his neck, and the flashing light triggered Metagross's Mega Evolution. A burst of colorful light transformed Metagross into its powerful Mega form.

For a quick battle, Ashborn immediately used Mega Evolution.

"Metaaa----!"

A pseudo-Elite aura swept through the area, and the leaders of Muk and Weezing finally became alarmed. Their subordinates sensed a strong threat.

At the leaders' command, the younger Muk and Weezing began attacking Mega Metagross.

Sludge Bombs, Venom Sprays, Poison Gas, and other poisonous attacks overwhelmed Metagross, blocking all escape routes.

Ashborn had already hidden himself, unsure if his Mega Pallet Town body could withstand the onslaught.

"Mega Metagross, Hyper Beam!"

The powerful Hyper Beam blasted out from Metagross's body, clearing away the poisonous attacks. It then swept back and forth through the swamp below.

Dozens of Muk and Weezing were defeated by the Hyper Beam and passed out.

When the Hyper Beam ended, only ten Muk and Weezing remained standing, including their leaders.

Steel-type attacks were highly effective against Poison-type Pokémon.

Metagross, in its Mega form, was like a grandfather beating a grandson.

If not for the fear of damaging the Toxic Orb, the remaining Muk and Weezing would have also fallen.

These Pokémon were simply too close to the Toxic Orb.

The Muk and Weezing leaders were confused. Their subordinates, so many of them, had suddenly fallen.

"Bullet Punch!"

While the two Pokémon were stunned, Ashborn continued to give orders.

Mega Metagross knocked down the remaining Pokémon. The Muk leader, seeing the dire situation, gave the Toxic Orb to Swallow and then hid in the swamp.

This action was swift, and even the Weezing leader didn't react in time.

"You bastard escaped with the treasure!" the Weezing leader muttered.

However, now wasn't the time to settle accounts with the Muk leader. Escape was more important.

"Wait for me, silver guy. When I succeed in poisoning you, I'll defeat you," Weezing threatened as it prepared to fly away.

But Mega Metagross's Meteor Mash intercepted it, sending it flying towards the horizon.

"Mega Metagross, Zen Headbutt! Blow that guy who stole my Toxic Orb out of there!"

Perhaps influenced by Terry, Ashborn had become a bit shameless. He considered the Toxic Orb his own without thinking of himself as a robber.

Muk tried to escape by blending into the swamp, but its body was too similar to the swamp's color. It would have been difficult for normal individuals to find it.

Unfortunately, it encountered Ashborn, who wasn't a normal individual.

Mega Metagross had locked on to Muk. Despite the opponent's attempt to hide in the swamp, its movement speed wasn't fast enough.

Zen Headbutt plunged into the swamp, followed by an explosion. Ashborn saw Muk fly out of the swamp, spitting out the Toxic Orb.

Mega Metagross controlled the Toxic Orb with Confusion and then released its Mega Evolution form.

Ashborn put on gloves to avoid being poisoned and took the Toxic Orb.

He wiped it with a piece of paper, as there was still Muk saliva and a foul stench on it, even through his gas mask.

Metagross didn't seem affected, but Dragonair looked like it was about to vomit.

After wiping the Toxic Orb clean, Ashborn placed it in his system space.

"Let's go," he said, taking out his Dowsing Machine and heading towards the next treasure at 5.5.

He didn't capture the two pseudo-Elite Pokémon, though he didn't need them. Selling them could have netted him at least 70 to 80 million pokes.

However, he didn't lack money or pride.

Not long after he left, the fainted Muk and Weezing gradually woke up and discovered that their treasure was gone and their leader was still in a coma.

A commotion ensued, and the remaining Weezings and Muk looked at the unconscious Muk and Weezing with greedy eyes.

As one Weezing let out a sound, the other Weezings and Muk rushed forward.

The Muk and Weezing leaders were fed to their subordinates in their sleep, becoming nutrients for their subordinates to grow stronger.

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Ara ara ~~ Sayo nara ~~