After more than two months.
Baimu went down into the mine once again. However, compared to the old, decrepit, and dark abandoned mine of the past, the rock walls at the top of this mine are much more sturdy, and the surroundings are quite bright, with hardly any dark corners.
The tracks in the center of the road look a bit dim, but upon closer inspection, it's clear that they are still robust enough to withstand one cart of ore after another.
It seems that even the "Slave Masters" of the Evil Dog Team understand the importance of infrastructure safety.
"According to the headcount and monitoring room investigation, there are still five work teams trapped in various locations, totaling one hundred and three people. The goal this time is to guide them safely out of the mine."
Flop's voice came through the headset, "The underground is different from the surface; situations are more variable and more dangerous. So this time, if you encounter remnants of the Evil Dog Team, I authorize you to attack first to subdue them as quickly as possible.
"Prioritize personal safety. If necessary, rescue efforts can be abandoned. I'll be in the monitoring room to guide you, confirming the suspicious locations of the work teams and remnants of the Evil Dog Team."
"Understood!"
The Quicksand Team members ready to set out shouted together, with Baimu's voice among them.
At the moment.
He is partaking in a temporary mission to search for remaining miners and to relentlessly pursue the few remaining defiant members of the Evil Dog Team.
To be honest, leaving the few remaining wouldn't greatly impact the overall situation, as the teams evacuating the surface are short on manpower and the defensive forces urgently need reinforcement.
However, Liu Ge still assigned this task under the pretense of cleaning up thoroughly, delegated to Flop, and handed over to ten people, including Baimu.
They set off in pairs from multiple entrances, striving to complete the mission in the shortest possible time.
From the perspective of the monitoring room, finding the remnants of the Evil Dog Team is relatively easy. These guys kept destroying the mine's surveillance, hoping to play hide and seek and buy time.
Little did they know that Flop had full control of their movements. They could evade the surveillance cameras but couldn't escape the sonic detection of Zubat and Golbat.
Each pair was equipped with one of these Pokémon, greatly enhancing search efficiency.
"Let me clear the way!"
Baimu's eager partner, Otsuka, excitedly released a robust Donphan upon entering the mine, "Roll—"
"Are you crazy?"
Baimu slapped his partner on the back, "Our target is to rescue the trapped personnel, not to deal with them. Follow my lead, don't act rashly!"
"Oh..."
Otsuka winced and covered his back, no longer daring to act recklessly, obediently stepping aside with Donphan.
"Count on you."
Baimu released the Aggron, as imposing as a mountain.
To a Pokémon that uses its steel horns to crash through rock and tunnel through the earth seeking iron, the mine is as ordinary as home. Even if the top rock walls collapse, it has the confidence to bear the terrifying weight, finding a path for its Trainer.
More than half a month had passed since its evolution and mastering its new body thoroughly, it is bursting with confidence.
"Roar..."
"Move."
Baimu signaled Otsuka to depart, following slowly behind the advancing Aggron.
There was no doubt that his strength had grown again in this past half month since the end of the Chef Simulation, undergoing two more ordinary simulations, validating the benefit of luminous cuisine to Pokémon growth.
From levels alone, Aggron had reached Level 48, Mawile up to Level 49, and even the lowest-level Chansey had a base of Level 40.
With the boost from luminous dishes, their actual combat power far exceeded the average Level 40.
For instance, there was that giant during the tournament whose strength matched that of a seasoned squad leader in the Quicksand Team, with Pokémon levels hovering around Level 50, and his ace Hitmontop comparable to a cadre level.
Back then, Baimu had barely and arduously won against him.
But now, facing him again, he wouldn't need to cleverly conceal tactics or rely heavily on brute force to turn the tides.
He could stand his ground firmly in direct confrontation.
So even though only a few levels were gained, the resulting changes were quite remarkable.
"Baimu Squad, fifty meters ahead you will exit the monitoring range. Remember to let Golbat scout with ultrasonic first before proceeding." Flop's voice came through the headset.
"Understood."
Baimu replied softly.
——
Damn! Damn damn!
If I had known, I shouldn't have been lazy and should have left the mine and gone back to town with the big brother!
Amidst several repressed breaths, flickering shadows hid in the corners of the mine, and within one pair of wandering eyes were tangled feelings and regret.
Once, he could have safely left this place, but now he could only huddle in the corner like a stray dog, mounting utterly futile resistance.
"What should we do now?"
"Find a way to buy time. I don't believe the team hasn't noticed anything; the boss and the others will come eventually!"
"Right!"
Hearing the voices of his companions encouraging each other, he clearly understood that none of them had surrendered. First, they dared not place their fate in the hands of the Quicksand Team. Second, the Evil Dog Team recently severely punished traitors, allowing no defection.
So it's not out of loyalty to the Evil Dog Team, but rather because they can't afford the price of betrayal, and they know they have no leverage to negotiate with the Quicksand Team.
Now, they could only pray that the Quicksand Team finds them, a few small fry, too troublesome to deal with.
"Jiangkou, why have you been silent?"
A companion's voice brought Jiangkou back to his senses.
"Shh."
Jiangkou signaled for silence, perked up his ears to listen carefully, and a paleness overcame his face, "It's the sound of Golbat and Zubat, those guys' ultrasonic squeaks—I'll never forget them. They're already coming for us!"
The others were shocked.
"Coming for us?"
"Jiangkou, are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious! We can't just sit and wait here any longer; we need to figure something out!" Jiangkou's hearing had been exceptional since childhood, a rare talent.
He surely wouldn't forget the sounds of Zubat and Golbat.
Knowing the enemy was drawing near, he didn't want to wait for the Quicksand Team to torture him, racking his brains for a way out.
Finally.
Inspiration struck him.
"Didn't we encounter a group of trapped work teams before? Do you remember where they are? Let's blend in with them!"
"Blend in with those wretches?"
"Can it really work?"
"We'll only know if we try. I'm trying!"
Without hesitation, Jiangkou ran towards the direction he recalled seeing them, and the rest exchanged glances before following, having no better options themselves.
Soon after.
Two figures appeared, none other than Flop's subordinates.
"The suspicious targets have left their original location; Zubat detected they are moving."
"Can you confirm they're enemies?"
"Unable to confirm."
"Monitoring data left behind shows a work team passed by six hundred meters ahead. Proceed cautiously."
"Understood."