Even the system store didn't have any items to change a Pokémon's ability, and if such an item existed, it would likely be ridiculously expensive, something you could only look at without affording.
As Dragonite landed, it immediately caught the attention of the Vigoroth. The Slakoth and Slaking noticed as well but didn't make any moves.
Although there were nearly ten thousand Slakoth, the Vigoroth were much fewer, probably only around three or four hundred.
Both Metagross and Dragonite exuded the aura of pseudo-Elite-level, making the Vigoroth hesitate to approach.
The three rare candies Julian previously obtained could only be used by Pokémon below pseudo-Elite level, so he had Dragonite consume them all. Its level rose from 58 to 61, making it Julian's third pseudo-Elite Pokémon.
Julian then released Aron and Growlithe.
Aron was currently level 28, and Growlithe was at level 29.
Julian then took a bunch of Nanab Berries out from the system storage. From what he knew, these berries weren't available in this advanced secret realm.
"Send two of your Pokémon over to battle mine. Whether they win or lose, they'll receive a bunch of Nanab Berries," Julian said to the group of Vigoroth before him.
The Vigoroth looked agitated, scratching their heads uncomfortably. They wanted to rush over and just grab the berries, but they held back, intimidated by the aura of Metagross and Dragonite.
Slaking, the group leaders, wouldn't move unless there was a real threat.
After some discussion, two Vigoroth stepped forward. Both were level 29, making them perfect opponents for Growlithe and Aron.
"Let's begin," Julian said.
Growlithe and Aron charged at their respective opponents without waiting for any commands from Julian, relying entirely on their own abilities.
After all, the main purpose of coming here was for training and leveling up, so there was no need for commands. It was best to let them perform freely.
Inside Growlithe's body, the Fire Crystal, a precious fire-type resource, was still being absorbed. However, for Growlithe to fully absorb the crystal, it would likely have to reach pseudo-Elite level first.
The Fire Crystal was continuously absorbed, gradually turning Growlithe's fur red. When it ran, sparks flickered from its fur.
As a top-tier fire-type treasure, the Fire Crystal could enhance the essence of fire, making even a basic Flamethrower potentially cause a burn status on the targeted Pokémon.
Combined with resources Julian had purchased from the system, Growlithe's base stats in all six areas were steadily rising.
In terms of potential, the Growlithe with the Fire Crystal was second only to Metagross and Meltan.
Another of Julian's Pokémon, Aron, had the soul of Totem, making it a Totem Pokémon. Normally, an Aron would be only about 0.4 meters tall.
Julian's Aron was already 1.4 meters tall, the same height as the Vigoroth in front of it.
It regularly consumed rough diamond ores, making its armor frighteningly hard.
When a Vigoroth clawed at it, it couldn't leave a single scratch; instead, it ended up breaking its own claw.
Even if Aron stood still, the Vigoroth couldn't harm it.
The imposing steel barrier of an Aggron was already apparent in this Aron.
In less than a minute, the two Vigoroth were defeated.
Julian kept his word and rewarded them with two hands of Nanab Berries.
(T/N: a cluster of banana is called a hand, a single banana is called a finger)
Instead of keeping the berries for themselves, they shared them with their companions nearby.
Tasting the Nanab Berry for the first time, which perfectly suited their taste buds, the Vigoroth who got to eat it were thrilled.
They almost started fighting each other for the next two spots.
"Defeat them, and you'll get two hands," Julian announced.
To fuel the Vigoroth's enthusiasm, Julian deliberately increased the reward.
The battles continued from morning until five in the afternoon, with Julian losing count of how many matches Growlithe and Aron had fought.
Both of their levels increased: Growlithe went from level 29 to level 32, while Aron rose from level 28 to level 31.
Aron was now just one level away from evolving.
Compared to Growlithe, whose stamina was running low, Aron's strong defenses meant it still had plenty of energy.
"Growlithe, come back"
Julian called, seeing that it had just defeated yet another Vigoroth.
If Growlithe kept spouting flames, it might end up straining its vocal cords.
Growlithe's battles were nowhere near as effortless as Aron's. Aron's size and weight made each blow overpowering, with no Vigoroth able to withstand a single hit.
"Here, eat this to restore some stamina."
Julian placed energy cubes and water in front of Growlithe. Since morning, they had been battling continuously without any breaks.
Though tired, the benefits were obvious. Along with its level increase, Growlithe was also absorbing the Fire Crystal in its body at a slightly faster rate.
However, as Growlithe regained some stamina, its absorption rate of the Fire Crystal would gradually return to normal.
"Let's have ten of you go at once."
Sending them one by one didn't seem to help Aron break past its level cap, so Julian decided to up the challenge.
After spending most of the day together, the Vigoroth, who had initially fought just for the berries, were now fighting for their pride.
Vigoroth: Enough is enough! After beating so many of us, don't we deserve some dignity too?
Soon, ten Vigoroth surrounded Aron. Since Julian gave them the option to not fight fair, they saw no reason to hold back either.
Headbutts, Karate Chops, Fury Swipes, Arm Hammers and other attacks kept raining down on Aron, which stood there like an immovable sandbag, taking each hit head-on.
Quantitative change eventually lead to qualitative change. With Aron having fought for a long time already, and now facing ten Vigoroth at once, marks and scratches started to appear on Aron's tough shell.
"Aron!"
Aron felt the pain, but it only fueled its ferocity.
With an Iron Head, it countered a Vigoroth's Karate Chop, sending it flying in the next instant.
Metal Claw sent three more Vigoroth soaring.
Rock Smash took down two additional Vigoroth.
However, one Vigoroth managed to land a Brick Break on Aron's back armor, creating a crack through which flesh and blood could be seen.
Blood trickled from the crack.
The remaining four Vigoroth, their eyes bloodshot, felt humiliated—ten against one, and six of them were already down. No matter what, they were determined to bring Aron to its knees.
"Aron!"
The searing pain in its back stung deeply. Aron had never suffered such a severe injury since it was born.
But Aron didn't look to Julian for help. Its gaze remained fixed on the four remaining Vigoroth, and it felt a new surge of energy building inside, though something was blocking it.
This frustrated Aron. It was going to break through that thing, it was going to fight, it was going to knock down the four Vigoroth standing before it.
*****
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