The test's conclusion was quite uneventful. The top ten participants stepped onto the stage and swiped their identification cards through the magnetic strip, each receiving a reward of 200 points.
For others, 200 points might be considered a significant amount of resources, but for Cain, who still had over 7,000 points, it was merely an additional resource. However small it might be, it still had value.
In reality, Team Rocket tightly controls the distribution of points. Cain had only been lucky to stumble upon a green-quality Pokémon egg, and with the system's help, he was able to recognize its value and quickly earn 20,000 points.
This type of success isn't easy to replicate. The main way to earn points within Team Rocket remains through completing missions.
Completing missions is the most stable source of points. Capturing rare Pokémon or finding rare items to exchange for points are things that depend on each person's luck and skill.
Cain's advantage lies in having the system. As long as rare-quality Pokémon appear in front of him, they cannot escape his scan. Therefore, his most stable way to earn points would be capturing various Pokémon. The only thing that could limit him is luck.
However, some things must be done in moderation. If Cain were always capturing rare Pokémon to exchange for points, what would others think? Someone who can identify a Pokémon's quality without instruments—wouldn't they be taken to a lab to be studied?
Therefore, it's important to know when to stand out and when to keep a low profile. That's the best way to act.
With the end of the test, the crowd gradually dispersed. Everyone wore a serious expression. What had just happened was like a ticking time bomb, constantly reminding them of the need to push themselves.
After this, everyone would surely intensify their efforts. If not, they would die.
Viper and the mysterious cloaked figure left the square as soon as the test ended, surrounded by Team Rocket soldiers. Given their positions and status, they wouldn't pay much attention to these minor matters, as they had subordinates to handle everything.
If it weren't for the fact that the quality of each group of participants affects Viper's annual earnings, he wouldn't even bother with a group of novices.
Besides assessing the quality of the participants, the mysterious figure also wanted to learn more about Cain. Although he had given Cain the reserve member badge of the Shadow Unit, he didn't really know Cain well.
He took advantage of the test to observe him a little, and based on the results, Cain met his minimum standards.
As Cain prepared to leave, Xander and his group blocked his path.
"CAW!" Seeing someone approach with bad intentions, the first to react was Murkrow. Flying into the air, it let out a threatening cry at Xander.
"Ekans!" Xander's snake didn't fall behind, coiling its body in a threatening posture, ready to attack at any moment.
Cain gently stroked Murkrow's feathers, signaling it not to worry too much.
Seeing Cain's gesture, Xander raised an eyebrow and calmed his Ekans as well.
With a slight glint in his eyes, Cain used the system to scan Ekans.
Pokémon: Ekans (Light Green)
Gender: Male
Level: 16
Type: Poison
Ability: Intimidate
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Pursuit, Poison Fang, Scary Face
Basic Moves: Wrap, Leer, Poison Sting, Bite, Glare
Learned Moves: Snatch
TM Moves: Double Team
Actually, Xander's Ekans wasn't weak and had been trained very well. The reason its performance was slightly inferior to Murkrow's was that Ekans had a light green quality, slightly lower than Murkrow's, and Ekans' base stats weren't as high.
Although base stats are only a theoretical concept and good training can compensate for this difference, it can't be denied that the distinction exists. That's why there's a difference between pseudo-legendary Pokémon and regular ones.
Is there really no difference between a Dragonite and an Arbok? Of course, there is.
Cain was surprised to see that Ekans had learned Double Team. He remembered that the exchange price for it was 1,000 points. He hadn't expected Xander to gather that many points in a week, probably with the help of his subordinates.
Both fell into an awkward silence, waiting for the other to speak first.
With the two strongest leaders silent, Xander's subordinates didn't dare say a word either. Those who had wanted to teach Cain a lesson the previous day were now quiet, staring at the ground, not daring to provoke him.
"I didn't expect to underestimate you in the end," Xander said seriously, unable to hold back anymore.
Xander had thought that no one in the entire test could compare to him, and his absolute confidence reflected in his performance. Without Cain's interference, Xander would have smoothly risen to the top. Even a high-ranking position within Team Rocket wouldn't have been impossible. In Cain's previous life, Xander had only missed that by one step.
Cain understood Xander's thoughts. Someone who believed they were the protagonist but had now been surpassed would surely feel greater frustration than they showed. However, while Cain understood Xander's thoughts, he wouldn't change his attitude.
Now, Xander barely had the right to be considered his rival.
"So what?" Cain replied indifferently, his expression unchanged.
Xander's face gradually darkened. Cain's carefree attitude made him feel belittled.
As Xander's expression changed, his subordinates lowered their heads, avoiding the situation.
Normally, in such a situation, Xander's cronies would have immediately jumped in to reprimand Cain. But facing someone who had surpassed Xander stopped them. They didn't want to get into trouble.
Xander quickly realized the behavior of his subordinates, which only darkened his expression further.
Cain didn't harbor any particular enmity toward Xander; he simply stood there, waiting for Xander's next move.
After an internal struggle, Xander realized that his greatest backing now was his brother, an Officer of Team Rocket. But as someone who had always wanted to surpass his brother, he didn't want to rely on his name to intimidate others. Though, even mentioning him might not scare Cain.
"Hmph!" In the end, Xander didn't say anything, letting out a grunt as he turned to leave. If he stayed any longer, he feared he wouldn't be able to hold back. He wasn't even sure he could beat Cain now.
As Xander left, his subordinates quickly followed, as if they feared Cain would devour them if they stayed.
After Xander departed, another group of people approached Cain. The leader was Soros, who had placed fifth in the test, the same young man with a bright smile.
Cain frowned when he saw Soros approaching. Compared to hypocrites like him, Cain preferred people like Xander who were openly hostile.
Soros approached with a big smile. "Ha, ha! Cain, you're amazing! You took first place and surprised everyone."
As he spoke, Soros tried to give Cain a pat on the shoulder.
Cain took a step back, avoiding the contact.
Soros was momentarily surprised but quickly recovered his composure, smiling again, though his eyes couldn't hide a flash of coldness.
Cain, with an ironic smile in his mind, asked, "What do you want?"
"Ha, ha!" Soros laughed, masking his discomfort.
"It's nothing important, I just wanted to ask if you'd be interested in joining a mission I just accepted. The reward's good, but I think it'd be hard to complete alone. What do you say? We could split the points."
A mission? Cain's heart skipped a little. Missions are the best source of points for participants. But why seek him out? Cain smiled inwardly, seeing through Soros' low attempts to recruit him into his team.
"I'm not interested." Cain turned away without looking back, leaving Soros talking to himself.
Soros was momentarily frozen, the smile fading from his face, though he quickly regained his composure.
"If Cain's not interested, we'll handle it ourselves. In the end, we have to rely on ourselves," Soros said to his subordinates.
His followers regretted not being able to recruit Cain, but they had even more faith in their leader. After all, Soros was the one doing the work and allowing them to share the points.
(End of Chapter)