[Oh right, Boss, here's Hammer's current location~!]
After sending the message, Tina took quite a while to calm her emotions.
This was an extremely promising beginning.
Given time, she would surely master the secrets of Mega Evolution!
Even if she couldn't defeat that pervert in a teenager's skin, rising to success was no longer a pipe dream.
Worst case scenario, she could always find a place to disappear and start fresh.
Tina didn't really doubt what Nathan said—after all, the intel was clear.
What made Nathan different from other trainers was his genuine care for his Pokémon.
That, very likely, was one of the keys to Mega Evolution!
Unfortunately...
If one couldn't truly maintain an equal relationship with their Pokémon from the heart, miracles like Mega Evolution would never spontaneously occur.
Whether it was Mega Evolution or Bond Evolution, neither was cheap or easy.
…
Meanwhile, with Nathan—
"Vol~?"
Looking at the screen on the phone, Volcarona gave a questioning cry.
Its meaning was obvious.
Should we eliminate the threat in its cradle?
"Of course. I'm not the type who waits around to get hit,"
Nathan nodded and replied softly.
From the way he commanded Zeraora, it was easy to tell:
Nathan liked to stay in control of the situation.
Like a swordsman—
No matter what tricks you have, if you don't get the chance to use them, they're useless.
Or like a knife-fighter—
Charging forward with no retreat; it's either you die or I do.
…
Capital City – Downtown District – A bar
While most people were fast asleep, life in this place was just getting started.
There's a saying: the girls who come here rarely walk away without getting pregnant.
Unless you're hideous,
There were no exceptions.
Things like spiked drinks or coded messages to the bartender for stronger liquor were just beginner moves.
If you were pretty and bold enough to come here,
Let's just say—fertility was inevitable.
Still, despite knowing the risks, countless young people came chasing after thrills.
By the time Nathan arrived,
The neon lights and wild crowd were pure chaos—like a carnival of demons.
Of course, he didn't leave Bella alone back in the hotel.
Steelix's Pokéball was placed right beside her pillow.
…
"Hey there, handsome. First time here?"
Seeing Nathan's average outfit but extremely attractive looks—plus the expensive-looking wristband on his arm—
Before he even had a chance to order a drink, a heavily made-up older woman sauntered up without invitation.
She had a thing for fresh young guys.
The colder they acted, the more she wanted them!
Unfortunately, Nathan didn't even glance at her and kept scanning the surroundings.
Where should I strike to avoid collateral damage...?
…
"Don't be so cold, handsome! You can call me Sister Mae. Want a drink?"
"There's a 2,999 Pokécoins Armand de Brignac cocktail that's absolutely delicious!"
This so-called "Sister Mae" was clearly a regular here—very experienced.
Don't be fooled by the price of 3,000 Pokécoins per glass.
Even a part-timer could afford it if they saved a few months.
But think about it differently:
If one drink costs 3,000, a few more would total over 10k. That's enough to buy a decent phone.
From that perspective, doesn't it feel "luxurious"?
To someone as young as Nathan,
Even if he came from a good family, he might not have that much disposable cash.
So as cliché as her approach was, it often worked on everyone—male or female, old or young.
…
"Do you know where Hammer is?"
Without even looking directly at her, Nathan casually tossed a grape into his mouth and asked.
In this summer heat, the fruits here were still chilled.
…
"Hammer? Are you his relative?"
Hearing that name, Mae visibly tensed up, suspicion and fear in her voice.
If this boy really was related to that guy, then she was in big trouble.
She wasn't some powerful woman—just an older lady who liked keeping young boys around.
Even with expensive makeup, she clearly looked over thirty.
…
"No, I'm just here to have a little fun with him."
After scanning the environment, Nathan replied in a calm tone.
Although it was his first time in such a place, his hormones and dopamine might have started acting up,
He had zero interest in any of it.
He was more the self-respecting type—
Or maybe just proud.
Not the kind of pride that looks down on others.
Many people shared that type of pride. The most common example?
Dignity.
…
Mae could tell Nathan wasn't someone to mess with.
She found an excuse and quickly slipped away.
As if being associated with Hammer meant you were a monster too.
…
"Come to think of it, am I being a little too obvious? What if someone calls the cops on me?"
Not caring about Sister Mae's retreat, Nathan ordered a glass of ice water and muttered to himself.
Hammer wasn't a good guy, sure.
But killing him in public... didn't feel quite right.
By the way, the ice water was awful.
And it cost 20 Pokécoins.
No wonder this was a place that dared to sell cocktails for 2,999 Pokécoins.
Sure, it looked classy,
But it wasn't cool—it was just dumb. Pretentious.
…
Just then, after finishing his smoke and dancing, Hammer spotted the lone, crane-like figure that was Nathan standing out in the crowd.
Cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.
Though he considered himself a ruthless man, he wasn't fearless.
More importantly—what was this guy doing here?!
When it came to raw strength,
Hammer didn't believe for a second he could handle this great white shark in front of him!
…
As if sensing Hammer's gaze, Nathan turned his head and gave him a charming smile.
Then, he waved his hand.
To be honest, Nathan hadn't expected it would be this easy to find Hammer.
Hammer, on the other hand, approached with a pitiful expression, his face plastered with a fake smile:
"Oh wow, the national tournament's top seed, coming to my humble establishment! What an honor!"
"Master Nathan, whatever you'd like to play, as long as we have it, it's all yours!"
Hammer's expression was sincere and flattering—but who knows how many people he had already deceived like that.
Unfortunately for him, under the effect of Nathan's Viridian Power,
That overwhelming malice was clear as day.
Nathan looked at him with a half-smile.
Only when sweat began trickling down Hammer's forehead did he speak coldly:
"Call Will here. I might consider sparing your life."
If possible, Nathan preferred not to cause a huge scene.
Dealing with Hammer and Will would be enough.
Whether or not they had someone behind them?
Nathan didn't care.
The Hammond Group wasn't even in the same league as the Mist Group.
…
"Um… Master Nathan…"
Hammer still wanted to talk,
But Nathan's right eye had already turned a glowing crimson.
Beautiful. Refined. Sinister.
Like a legendary blood moon—so mesmerizing it stole your breath, yet radiating ominous doom.
In that moment, all of Hammer's supposed courage evaporated.
His body instinctively shivered.
"Y-Yes! I'll call him right now! Immediately!"
Forcing a bitter smile, Hammer fumbled for his phone.
Just one look from Nathan had reminded him of a time he'd accidentally wandered into the territory of a wild Charizard.
That sense of imminent death could make a man wet himself!
..
"Hello? Will?"
"Hammer? Sounds like you've already handled that brat. Did you get his Pokémon?"
"Of course I got them. But if you want them, you'll have to pay! And there are two Pokémon you can't have."
"No problem. I only want that Volcarona's wings. They'll make a perfect specimen for my collection!"
…
The call lasted less than two minutes before Will hung up, humming happily as he grabbed the keys to his prized luxury car.
Hammer, however, stood frozen stiff.
Because Nathan's gaze was growing even more terrifying by the second.
It felt like being stared at by a venomous snake—his genes were screaming danger on every level!
…
"Will... wants to turn Volcarona's wings into a specimen?"
Heh heh heh…
Sipping his overpriced cold water,
Nathan's laugh sent chills down spines.
(End of Chapter)