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The lake was vast. From the current situation, if everyone wanted to reach the passage on the opposite rock wall, they had no choice but to cross this shimmering, iridescent lake.
However, anyone could tell that beneath this seemingly beautiful lake, there was undoubtedly a deadly danger lurking.
Moreover, the numerous passage entrances on the opposite rock wall were highly misleading. No one could determine which one actually led to where the Altaria was.
At this moment, everyone also noticed that the magnetic field here was extremely strange. The scientific instruments that always worked flawlessly in their hands were now malfunctioning, and several precision detectors had even shorted out and broken.
"Interesting… so these kinds of Pokemon actually live beneath this lake. Looks like the surrounding rocks are all highly magnetic ore. As expected of a powerful Dragon-type Pokemon — it even managed to tame creatures like these."
While the others were completely clueless about what lay ahead, Sato sensed the deadly threat beneath the lake through his psychic detection, and he couldn't help but be shocked by how perilous this underground lake truly was.
Living in this water were extremely territorial and aggressive Pokemon — the only Pokemon species with no type weaknesses: the Tynamo line.
Through his psychic detection, Sato discovered large numbers of Tynamo, Eelektrik, and a small number of Eelektross lurking beneath the lake. These wild Pokemon were deliberately left here by Altaria to guard the passage, and they were now staring at Sato and the others on the shore with ill intent.
Sato had no doubts: if anyone dared to ride a Water-type Pokemon across this underground lake, they would die without even leaving a corpse behind. Even crossing using Flying-type Pokemon carried enormous risks.
"You freeloaders who've been following us this whole time — now it's your turn to contribute. Hurry up and go scout ahead!"
Before long, under orders from the Black Cloud Poaching Group's whip-wielding leader, one of their elite members snarled at Sato and the other lone operators and members of the smaller poaching groups.
As soon as he finished speaking, members of the other three major poaching groups also shifted their attention toward Sato's side.
Some quickly commanded their Pokemon to move in from both sides, attempting to encircle Sato and the other independents and small groups.
It was obvious: the four major poaching groups were unwilling to risk their own elite members as pathfinders. Thus, Sato, the lone operators, and the small-group poachers naturally became their best choice as sacrificial scouts.
However, for Sato and the other independents to make it this far, their strength and mental fortitude were unquestionably top-tier. They instantly saw through the intentions of the four major groups.
But the passage behind them was narrow — at most three people could retreat at once.
In a moment, Sato and the others were surrounded.
There were 42 people at the underground lake. Among them, 28 belonged to the four major poaching groups. Nine came from mid-sized and small poaching groups. The remaining five were lone operators like Sato.
In terms of strength, the four major groups held an overwhelming advantage. Even if Sato, the independents, and the smaller groups united, it would still be difficult to oppose them.
"Damn it! Don't think you can use me as a pathfinder! Rhydon, Stone Edge!"
"Everyone, band together! We may still stand a chance! Come on! Victreebel, Leaf Blade!"
"He's right! I'm not letting others use me as cannon fodder! If you want to live, fight! Camerupt, Flamethrower!"
Of course Sato and the others wouldn't just let themselves be taken. Some seized this chance to rally the others, trying to form a temporary alliance to resist the four major groups. Thus, a chaotic battle erupted.
Naturally, Sato — ever perceptive — had already sensed their intentions through psychic detection. Since he had arrived last, he had quietly retreated back into the passage and was now watching from the sidelines.
Interestingly, two others were also standing aside watching. One was Shadow, the man who had earlier been hunted by the Gale Poaching Group. The other was Hook, the Pokemon hunter who had clashed with Sato not long ago.
Although Sato had never met Hook face-to-face, he immediately recognized him from the wanted posters — another hunter with ambitions toward the Altaria's egg.
Judging from the current situation, this hunter had indeed prepared thoroughly, and his awareness and strength were admirable.
Twenty-eight against eleven — more than double their number. The disadvantaged side had almost no chance of winning, even if they went all-out.
Besides, there was no real trust between the independents and the smaller groups. How were they supposed to fight effectively against the highly disciplined and united major poaching groups?
However, the four major groups were also far from united — each wished the others would die first.
They all secretly hoped the others would clash with the independents and lose strength, making them weaker for the final confrontation.
Because of this mutual distrust, much of their attention during the fight was spent on watching one another, causing their combat effectiveness to plummet.
Soon, the independents and smaller groups — after losing five people — finally gave in. They had no choice but to go ahead and scout the lake.
"The numbers keep dropping… For the sake of treasure, these people just keep scheming against one another. At this rate, I'm afraid everyone will die before they even see Altaria."
Watching from the passage, Sato couldn't help but sigh.
Although the four major groups had defeated the independents and the small-group poachers, their losses were actually greater. Now, only twenty of them remained.
Among them:
— Black Cloud Poaching Group: 5
— Gale Poaching Group: 4
— Crag Poaching Group: 4
— Malevolent Ghost Poaching Poaching Group: 7
As expected, age and experience mattered — the frail-looking old man leading the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group was insidiously cunning. Using the illusion ability of his level 65 Mismagius, he successfully ambushed members of the other three groups.
Under the pressure of the major groups, six poachers reluctantly began testing the underground lake. But after a long ordeal, they still learned nothing.
In the end, they had no choice but to release their Pokemon and attempt to cross. Only one of them chose to ride a Water-type Pokemon; the rest opted for Flying-types.
Exactly as Sato expected, the poacher riding the large Water-type was the first to "receive a lunchbox." He had barely traveled a short distance when the Tynamo, Eelektrik, and Eelektross immediately attacked.
With blinding lightning erupting wildly from the lake, the man didn't even have time to scream before disappearing beneath the surface.
As for the poachers crossing by air, none of them reached the other side. Huge bursts of electricity shot from the lake into the sky, riddling them instantly.
One after another, the five poachers and their Flying-type Pokemon fell, disappearing into the lake as well.