"Are you two today's challengers?!"
On a high platform sculpted from solid pewter-colored stone, the spiky-haired, dark-skinned Gym Leader—Brock—looked down at Arelon and Luffy and questioned them with a serious tone.
After clearing wave after wave of Gym Trainers and giving Luffy another 500+ experience points, the two finally reached the Pewter Gym Leader.
Arelon stepped forward without hesitation.
"That's right! Please accept our challenge!"
As long as he obtained the first Badge, there was a chance the device would reward him. He could barely wait.
Beside him, Luffy rolled his shoulders in excitement.
He was sick of punching nothing but Geodudes all along the way.
This Gym Leader… looked way more fun to fight!
Arelon's reply seemed to push a hidden "Challenge Confirmed" button.
Brock's expression instantly sharpened; with his dark skin and stern posture, he radiated a pressure far beyond what his age suggested.
"Hmph… Even knowing you'll lose, you still dare challenge me?"
"You've got courage!"
His tone rose dramatically.
The Gym Trainers beaten earlier all took their seats on the stands at both sides.
A spotlight of unknown origin shone down on Brock.
Epic music burst forth, mixing with the audience's cheers.
The rock floor in the center cracked open and slid apart, revealing a real Pokémon battle arena.
Brock stood proudly:
"I am the Rock-type Gym Leader—my will is as unyielding as stone! Naturally, my Pokémon are the same…"
"Tough as boulders, and unbreakable!"
"Come! Let me witness your strength!"
Arelon couldn't help complaining inwardly:
"So many flashy effects… it really makes the place feel legit."
Still, he quickly pulled the starry-eyed Luffy toward the challenger's position.
The battle was about to begin.
Brock drew a Poké Ball.
"Then my first Pokémon—go, Geodude!"
A Geodude noticeably larger and stronger than the others appeared, its status floating above its head:
[LV:12 HP: 38/38]
"Level 12? That won't be enough to entertain us," Arelon murmured.
"Go, Luffy! Take it down!"
"Alright!!"
A huge battle domain expanded, enveloping Luffy, Arelon, Brock, and the Geodude.
And then—Brock's eyes widened sharply.
"You…!"
He finally noticed something was wrong.
Under the influence of the device's logic, even though Brock's intelligence was boosted, he still assumed Luffy was a Pokémon.
But his instincts as a Gym Leader told him immediately—
Luffy's aura was absurdly powerful.
"H-How…? How can a beginner trainer have such a strong Pokémon?!"
But Arelon had already issued the first command.
"Luffy! Same as always—use Soru!"
One move to rule them all.
Against a slow Geodude, Soru was practically a divine counter.
Swoosh!
Luffy's figure blurred like black lightning.
Brock instantly regained focus.
"Is that… Quick Attack?!"
Given real intellect and proper battle instincts, Brock reacted swiftly.
"Geodude! Use Defense Curl and then Rollout!"
"Luffy! Attack!"
"Geodooo!" "Gomu Gomu no—!"
Luffy's fist snapped back, ready to strike.
But the Geodude curled its body mid-air, slammed onto the ground, and rolled aside at high speed!
BOOM!!!
Luffy's punch hit the ground instead, blasting a crater and spider-web cracks across the rock.
Both Luffy and Arelon paused in surprise.
Brock's direction had been clean, sharp, perfect.
"Using Defense Curl to boost Rollout's speed… so it can dodge?"
Arelon's eyes brightened.
"As expected of a Gym Leader… reacting instantly like that… So being a great Trainer isn't as simple as I thought."
But—
"No matter how brilliant the command, it can't bridge a massive gap in strength."
He pointed sharply.
"Luffy! On your right! Chase it—finish it!"
"Got it!"
Luffy already sensed the rolling Geodude with Observation Haki.
Soru!
He flashed forward again, appearing in the Geodude's path and preparing to strike.
Brock clenched his teeth. At this point, he could only try one last thing.
"Geodude! Rollout into Tackle!"
Even if he knew it was pointless, he couldn't just give up.
"Gomu Gomu no…"
"—Rocket Punch!!"
Luffy's twin-fisted strike met the charging Geodude head-on.
BOOM!!!
"Geoooo—!"
The Geodude was launched like a cannonball straight into a pile of boulders.
"Geodude!!"
Brock immediately recalled it and glared at Arelon, voice heavy.
"To think you possess a Pokémon this strong…"
"But I won't surrender so easily!"
"Next—go! Onix!!"
A gigantic Onix materialized, its rocky body scraping the ceiling.
"WHOOOAA!!! SO COOL!!!"
Luffy instantly turned into sparkling-eye mode, drooling with excitement.
Onix roared fiercely, its gaze locked onto Luffy.
It had seen Geodude's defeat from inside the Poké Ball.
It would avenge it.
…
…
One minute later.
[Congratulations! You have defeated the Pewter Gym! You gained 236 EXP.]
[Command Rating: Average]
[Bonus Reward: +47 EXP]
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