Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 407 - 406: Persuasion

"What do you mean?" Karen asked cautiously.

She had reached her current level entirely on her own and had never considered joining an organization or following someone else.

"It's simple. You're someone who started from the bottom, a civilian, right? I started the same way. We're both hunters; we capture Pokémon to gain resources and improve our skills. So why not join forces? A partnership between two strong individuals!" Cain explained.

Originally, he hadn't thought about this, but the idea had suddenly occurred to him. If he wanted to form a hunting group, who would manage it when he wasn't around?

Miyamoto? Alec? Skye? Clearly, none of them would be suitable.

These three could survive in the wild and battle others, but Pokémon hunting wasn't just about strength; sometimes, it was more about luck and a keen eye.

What if they encountered a Pokémon but couldn't recognize its value?

Without experienced hunters, they wouldn't be able to identify it immediately.

And most importantly: what if you had a good eye but bad luck and couldn't find the Pokémon you were searching for?

Like the time Cain spent an entire day looking for Onix and didn't find it, wasting that time, while Karen found two right away. What did that mean?

Luck, of course.

And now, she had found an Absol, a very rare Pokémon.

As a civilian and a solo hunter, she had made it this far, something that couldn't be explained by talent and effort alone.

Karen didn't have time to get angry before Cain continued speaking.

"I know you're not used to working with others; I noticed that on our way here this afternoon. I also know it hasn't been easy for you to get to this point, starting as a civilian. But have you thought about what comes next? Do you really think you can keep progressing on your own?"

"What will you do if your luck runs out? Will you just stagnate?"

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Cain fired off a series of questions that left Karen deep in thought.

She couldn't deny that those questions made her reflect deeply.

It was true her progress hadn't been slow, but she knew very well that, lately, even with her luck, her growth had slowed down uncontrollably.

This was because the value and needs of training Pokémon were constantly increasing.

"If you join a faction, as long as you show your talent, you'll receive protection and more resources. But in exchange, you'll have to take on responsibilities and face enemies you might not want to confront."

"But if you form your own faction, I'm not asking for much—just to create a hunting group so others can gather resources, and we can take a fair share. Isn't that more convenient than going out alone to search for Pokémon?"

"Besides, group mission rewards are very generous. Haven't you thought about it? You're already a four-star hunter."

Karen remained silent.

When she became a four-star hunter, she had indeed thought about creating her own hunting group, but she had always worked alone. How could she have friends to help her form a group?

If she started from scratch, with her personality, how long would it take to establish a proper team?

"So, have you already formed your own hunting group?" Karen asked.

Cain felt excited. If she was asking that question, it meant she was interested.

But he couldn't tell her he wasn't yet a four-star hunter. That might infuriate her.

Stay calm!

You've almost convinced her!

"Not yet, but soon. I've already gathered several people; once the group is formed, they'll join immediately. The hunting group will come together overnight. I'm offering you the position of vice-leader. Isn't that better than joining a faction?"

"Aside from me, no one will be able to give you orders, and you'll be able to command others to do what you need," Cain continued.

Hearing this, Karen felt tempted. She had never thought about having her own group of followers.

Would it be like sipping tea and giving orders every day?

"What do I need to do? I mean, if I join your hunting group, what should I contribute, and what will I get in return?"

Karen wasn't naïve. In the outside world, it was all about benefits.

"It's simple. You just need to lead the team when I'm not around. I might be absent for some time, and during that time, you'll be the boss. Do as you see fit! You only need to develop the hunting group."

"And what you'll get is exactly what I've told you: an entire team at your disposal, whose earnings will partly go to you."

"And if you join a faction, you won't be alone anymore. You won't have to avoid conflicts every time you capture a valuable Pokémon or when someone tries to steal from you. You'll be able to fight back because then you'll have a group behind you."

"You'll be stronger!"

Cain kept persuading.

It wasn't necessary for Karen to join his group today.

Even if she didn't join today, Cain wouldn't harm the Absols.

But Cain knew he was right.

Karen was also convinced.

Her sharp instincts, which she always trusted, hadn't given her any signal of danger or warning.

Both fell silent as the Absols watched them quietly.

Ten minutes passed, and finally, Karen nodded, agreeing.

A smile appeared on Cain's face; he had finally convinced someone to be a reliable vice-leader.

Even though he hadn't even formed the group yet.

But he would soon.

"So, you won't harm the Absols, right?" Karen reminded him.

Cain smiled and nodded, without revealing the truth.

He already knew why the mother Absol had brought them here.

Surely this Absol had sensed something, trusting that Cain and Karen wouldn't harm her or her offspring in the end.

They might even heal the weakened shiny Absol.

"Do you understand what I'm saying, Absol?" Cain asked, looking at the mother Absol, who had already calmed down.

Because she no longer felt any hostility from the two of them.

The mother Absol nodded.

"If you want me to heal your child, who has a congenital defect, I need to get closer to figure out how to help." Cain said.

It occurred to him that his forest needed a powerful guardian to protect the area.

What better choice than the mother Absol, who could foresee the future and sense danger?

(End of Chapter)