The towering steep cliffs flanked both sides, and the canyon was filled with hot air rising from below.
Along the way, they encountered some other Magma Team members busily working in their respective areas.
They were capturing Pokémon indiscriminately and collecting materials.
"This is the place," Nanmu said, consulting the map in his hand.
"Then let's get in quickly, clear this area out as soon as possible. If we're lucky, we might be assigned some more," Ishino said, cracking his knuckles impatiently.
With that, the two threw out their Pokeballs.
Nanmu summoned a Golbat and a Camerupt, while Ishino summoned a Mightyena and a Camerupt.
Golbat's Ultrasound could detect the surroundings on a large scale and monitor the sky, and Mightyena's keen sense of smell could discover some hidden Pokémon based on scent, making it a decent combination.
As for their Camerupts, they were their main Pokémon.
The Magma Team managed a large Camerupt group, continuously producing Numel, so when most people joined the Magma Team, they could choose between Numel, Poochyena, and Zubat.
Obviously, Fire and Ground Types were more popular.
So, for many Magma Team members, one of their main Pokémon was Camerupt, almost becoming a symbol of the Magma Team.
After summoning the Pokémon, the two simultaneously looked at Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko turned his head, looking at the Salandit obediently perched on his shoulder, staying still, and said, "This guy's strength is enough."
Nanmu and Ishino exchanged glances but ultimately didn't refuse.
"Alright."
Then, the three officially stepped into the unexplored small canyon.
Their entry quickly aroused the hostility of some wild Pokémon in the canyon.
Natsuhiko's inaugural battle in the Magma Team unfolded without warning.
They were attacked by a group of Graveler sensing danger.
"Golbat, Ultrasound!"
"Camerupt, Power of Earth!"
Nanmu calmly commanded his two Pokémon in battle.
"Mightyena, Taunt!"
"Camerupt, Rockslide!"
Ishino also commanded his two Pokémon, his strategy a bit more aggressive compared to Nanmu's.
As the two took action, they simultaneously looked at Natsuhiko.
Feeling their gaze, Natsuhiko chuckled.
Sensing what Natsuhiko wanted, Salandit quickly jumped down from his shoulder, crawling swiftly to the front.
"Salandit, Trick, Dragon's Fluctuation."
Upon hearing this, Salandit's sly, narrow eyes glowed with a black aura, greatly enhancing its Special Attack capability.
Then it opened its mouth, concentrating a not-so-dense and solid deep purple Dragon Energy in its mouth, launching it towards the approaching Graveler.
"Dragon's Fluctuation?"
Seeing Salandit's Dragon's Fluctuation shatter the charging Graveler, astonishment appeared in Nanmu and Ishino's eyes.
Although they didn't recognize Salandit, it didn't stop them from knowing some Pokémon basics.
The ability to use the technique Dragon's Fluctuation indicates there must be Dragon-type lineage in its body.
In this age, anything related to Dragon Types generally has a high value.
They also saw Salandit's strength, definitely at the Elite Level.
Though not a Dragon-type Pokémon, a hint of greed simultaneously appeared in their eyes.
Isn't this Salandit more valuable than these Gravelers in front of them?
Moreover, it's an unfamiliar and relatively rare Pokémon. Whether handed to the organization for Contribution Value or kept for personal use, it's a good option.
They also understood why Zhenwu wasn't so concerned about the status of his previous Pokémon.
Once you have a motorcycle, who cares about bicycles, right?
Nonetheless, they restrained themselves, choosing to observe further rather than act immediately.
Therefore, the relatively weak Graveler group fell at the trio's feet.
They pressed on.
"Brother Zhenwu, your Salandit is so strong. Where did you catch it?" Nanmu couldn't contain his curiosity and asked.
Natsuhiko glanced at her from the corner of his eye, greed almost tangible in her expression.
He didn't expect Salandit to become a sought-after treasure for others, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
However, outwardly he remained composed and said, "It was a chance encounter."
This immediately extinguished their thoughts of trying to capture it.
As they delved deeper into the small canyon, the distance between the cliff walls shrunk, and the canyon narrowed. They cleared many wild Pokémon along the way, so Nanmu and Ishino gained a lot. They could earn quite a bit more Contribution Value once they left this Alternate Space.
As they walked.
Nanmu suddenly sniffed and asked, puzzled, "Do you smell something nice?"
Ishino nodded a bit muddily, "Yeah, I do. My Mightyena mentioned it earlier. The scent wasn't strong before, but now it's quite noticeable."
Salandit, perched on Natsuhiko's shoulder, heard their conversation, its narrow eyes gleaming with a sly smile.
"Roar!"
But their attention was quickly drawn by Mightyena's growl.
In the distance, random scattered black stone fragments of various sizes lay on the ground, and there was a small cave on the adjacent cliff wall, with more stone fragments at the entrance, occasionally spilling from inside.