Not Being a Trainer This Time-Chapter 567 - 320: Making Friends with Slugma

After passing through a narrow mountain trail, traces of other Pokémon appeared ahead.

They were a group of robust Pokémon, resembling rocks in appearance, with a pair of muscular arms.

"So many Geodudes!"

Naoki looked around, seeing Geodudes floating along this mountain path, wobbling back and forth leisurely.

Some Geodudes had half of their bodies buried underground, blending seamlessly with the surroundings, only revealing a pair of eyes and the top of their heads to observe him and Koraidon.

The number of Geodudes on this mountain path was quite large; as many as he could see, there were at least fifty or sixty.

Koraidon and Pawmot also saw those Geodudes floating in mid-air.

Pawmot was astonished by these Pokémon that looked like rocks yet could float above the ground, and quickly pointed to a floating Geodude, asking Naoki how it was done.

Naoki followed the direction and roughly guessed what Pawmot meant.

But this question was outside the realm of his knowledge.

Theoretically, Geodude doesn’t have the Levitate ability, yet it could float off the ground like Gastly, which was truly amazing.

After a brief thought, Naoki speculated, "Probably has something to do with gravity?"

"Pawmo..." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Pawmot didn’t understand what gravity was and looked puzzled.

At this moment, Naoki suddenly noticed Koraidon was about to step on a Geodude hiding underground, quickly grabbing it and carefully making a detour.

"Agh?" Koraidon was initially puzzled, but upon looking down, it immediately understood.

Naoki: "You can’t step on them."

The Pokédex records that the temperament of Geodudes is nasty, stubborn, and aggressive; if stepped on, they would be furious.

Although Koraidon is powerful, there were so many Geodudes here that if they rioted, it would be troublesome.

With the mindset that less trouble is better, Naoki led the two Pokémon around the Geodudes.

About thirty minutes later, they finally climbed to the halfway point of the mountain.

At this time, Naoki also detected a faint sulfur smell in the air.

The temperature around them had unknowingly risen considerably.

Everything indicated: Infernal Pass, reached!

"Here it is!"

Naoki instantly perked up, and Pawmot was also very excited.

As they delved deeper, the surrounding temperature grew higher, and occasionally milky white steam spewed from the mountain path.

In this scorching environment, Naoki and Pawmot were drenched in sweat, while Koraidon fared much better by comparison.

It’s so hot... No wonder Trainers use this place as a training ground.

This environment is indeed perfect for honing willpower and temperament.

Many Fire Type Pokémon resided nearby.

Not far away, a few Houndour cautiously observed the situation, some of them letting out a series of frightening howls to communicate information to their nearby companions.

Naoki took one glance and immediately understood.

This place seemed to be the territory of those Houndour!

Just then, the sound of a battle suddenly came from ahead.

The alert Houndour swiftly turned and raced towards the source of the sound.

It was the path to the deeper part of Infernal Pass, and Naoki continued forward.

After passing through a rugged, rocky road, the scene ahead unfolded before them.

A young boy was commanding an Infernape in a battle against a wild Houndoom.

The Infernape was incredibly strong, easily defeating the Houndoom in just a few rounds.

Watching the Houndoom fall, the Trainer took out a Poke Ball and captured the Houndoom.

The gathered Houndour dispersed and vanished quickly.

The boy seemed indifferent, storing away the Houndoom’s Poke Ball as he intended to leave.

But just at that moment, their eyes met.

The boy instantly noticed the mysterious Pokémon not far away, a crimson, robust creature.

Alongside it was a Pokémon covered in pink fur, with a red cape tied around its back, holding a small silver hammer.

The boy’s eyes gleamed with interest, and his Infernape sensed the Trainer’s excitement, its flames burning even more intensely.

Naoki waved his hand and greeted, "Hi, hello?"

The boy was full of fighting spirit: "You’re a Trainer here for training, right? Since we’ve met, why not have a Pokémon battle here!"

Naoki: "..." He knew it!

The moment Trainers’ eyes meet, a battle must start!

But it was too hot here, and he didn’t want to stay longer; he just wanted to find a Slugma and head back to town to eat apples.

"No need, I’m not here for training." Naoki declined, "I’m just here looking for a Pokémon."

With that, he turned to leave, but the boy ran after him.

"Looking for a Pokémon? What kind of Pokémon? Maybe I know it!"

Naoki glanced at him.

The boy explained, "I’ve been training here for a month and am familiar with the Pokémon inhabiting the area! I can help you find it if you’ll have a Pokémon battle with me!"