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Chapter 344: Capturing the Numel
🕑 Added 2025-11-26 11:30:18 +0000 UTCChapter 344: Capturing the Numel
"Dooom..."
It was unclear how much time had passed, but the Numel finally woke up, feeling a bitter taste in its mouth. It seemed there were still undissolved residues of medicine inside.
"You're awake!"
The first person the Numel saw was naturally Basalt. Beside him were Bronzong and Pupitar.
"Dooom~~"
Numel didn't recognize Basalt, but it certainly recognized Bronzong. It was this large steel bell that had appeared at the crucial moment to stop Magmortar from attacking it.
Looking around, Numel realized it was now on the bank of the magma pool. Its companions were also ashore, though the Camerupt seemed to still be unconscious, their eyes spinning. Basalt had only given the single Numel a recovery pill.
"Dooom," Numel expressed its gratitude, though its eyes were full of fear.
"Little fellow, you have exceptional talent, and if you stay here, you'll eventually be buried. How about joining me? I can make you much stronger!" Basalt stepped forward, employing his persuasive magic, while pulling a Magma Stone from his pocket. He smiled. "If you come with me, this Magma Stone is yours!"
Low Emotional Intelligence: Numel, I'm going to capture you! (Then violently defeat and forcibly capture it.)
High Emotional Intelligence: Numel, I can make you stronger! (Then offer a treasure to tempt it into joining willingly.)
"Dooom," Numel's face showed shock as it looked at the fiery red crystal in Basalt's hand. It could feel the pure energy contained within, an energy that had a fatal attraction for it.
"Dooom~"
Numel was conflicted. Its mind was a battlefield.
I can become stronger? That was fantastic! Basalt's Bronzong had defeated Magmortar, proving his strength was far superior to its own clan leader. Even as wild Pokémon, they knew the fastest and best way to grow stronger was to follow a human trainer. Not to mention the Magma Stone Basalt was offering—that was a real treasure.
However, the Numel felt a sense of dread. What if it left its familiar home to travel with a stranger, and he treated it badly? It would regret it for the rest of its life! And if it left Mount Uruk, it would no longer be able to train in the magma every day. That was a huge loss. Taking magma baths was extremely enjoyable!
But if it refused the human, what if he became angry? He had defeated Magmortar, so dealing with a single Numel would be child's play.
Damn it. I was too high-profile and let this human discover my talent! What should I do?
The Numel was extremely conflicted. It wanted to go but was afraid, and it wanted to refuse but didn't dare. Its expression changed several times, but it remained silent.
"Huh? My persuasion didn't work?" Basalt raised an eyebrow, his appreciation growing. This Numel was indeed not dull; it could actually analyze the pros and cons! It was level-headed!
Basalt could tell the little fellow was tempted, but its delay showed it was still on guard.
"Do you have any concerns? Feel free to speak your mind!" Basalt spoke, trying to make his smile look as sincere as possible.
"Dooom~ doom-doom~ doom~"
After a moment of hesitation, Numel finally spoke its true thoughts. It was afraid Basalt would simply force the capture.
With Bronzong's translation, Basalt learned of Numel's worry and couldn't help but laugh. "Worrying about the magma bath?"
"It's true that after leaving here, you won't be able to absorb Fire-type energy from the magma every day. However, I can use Magma Stones to replace that. The energy purity is definitely much higher than regular magma."
Basalt smiled, taking out three more Magma Stones from his backpack, which astonished the Numel.
"However, Magma Stones have extremely high energy purity. Generally, if a Fire-type Pokémon isn't at the Professional rank, the high-temperature Fire-type energy inside can easily cause burns and backlash," Basalt added at the end.
This wasn't a trick; it was the truth. Generally, the magma's temperature increased the deeper and closer to the center one went. The surface magma in the center of the pool was enough to burn an ordinary Numel, let alone a Magma Stone sourced from deep within the volcano's core. The stone might not feel hot to the touch, but the energy inside was incredibly scorching.
As for treating Numel well, Basalt could guarantee that. Pokémon are like family. Which trainer, especially a Professional-level one, would dare treat their main Pokémon poorly? If you treat your Pokémon badly, they might abandon you in a critical battle, which would mean the trainer's life was forfeit.
"Dooom~"
Listening to Basalt's analysis, promises, and the potential future benefits, the Numel's eyes flickered. After a long silence, it finally nodded.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of you!" Basalt grinned, patting the Numel's small head, and then placed a Great Ball in front of it.
"Dooom~"
Taking a deep breath, the Numel gently tapped the switch with its head.
Whoosh!
The Poké Ball opened, and the Numel was instantly absorbed as a red flash of light. Since it was a willing capture, the Poké Ball didn't shake and the capture was successful immediately.
"Capture successful, nice!" Basalt was ecstatic. If properly trained, this Numel's "fire sand" strategy should soon be realized.
He took out his Pokédex and scanned the Poké Ball.
Beep!
The scan was successful, and Numel's data immediately appeared.
Numel
Type: Fire + Ground
Ability: Own Tempo (Will not become confused because of its own tempo)
Moves: ① Lava Plume, ② Smog, ③ Flamethrower, ④ Flame Charge, ⑤ Sunny Day, ⑥ Stomping Tantrum, ⑦ Magnitude, ⑧ Stockpile, ⑨ Yawn.
"Nine moves, and five are Fire-type? Its Fire-type talent is truly outstanding!" Basalt was pleasantly surprised by Numel's move set.
Smog was its signature move. Lava Plume was a half-area attack that splashed damage onto nearby opponents. Flame Charge, Sunny Day, and Flamethrower were expected given its time in the magma, indicating excellent Fire-type development.
Its Ground-type coverage was a little lacking, but still passable. After all, Numel's learnset for Ground-type moves wasn't as extensive as its Fire-type moves.
He had already witnessed Yawn.
"Huh? It even learned Stockpile?" Basalt was slightly surprised, finding an unexpected bonus. Stockpile was a top-tier stat-boosting move that raised both Defense and Special Defense simultaneously. He hadn't expected this wild Numel to know it.
"A genius camel!" Basalt stroked his chin, feeling very satisfied.
Ding-dong!
Just then, Basalt's Pokédex received a message. He opened it and found it was from Ember.
"What's going on?" Basalt was confused. I'm right here. Why send a message?
But when Basalt saw the contents of Ember's message, he froze. Ember had sent an encrypted file package, the title of which read: "Rong Clan's Will-O-Wisp Secret Scroll."
"Ember, are you serious?" Basalt was baffled. He had heard Ember talk about the effects of her family's "Will-O-Wisp Secret Scroll." It allowed Fire-type Pokémon to inflict the "Burn" status, which was an absolutely explosive effect.
"Congratulations on capturing Numel, Senior! Consider this Secret Scroll a welcome gift for it!" Ember smiled sweetly. "This Numel's Fire-type talent is so strong, and with the magma pool right here, it would be a huge waste if it didn't learn Will-O-Wisp!"
Basalt was speechless for a long time. He understood Ember's kind intentions. She was also being considerate of his feelings by framing it as a gift for the Numel. I'm giving this to the Numel; you, as the trainer, have no right to refuse, unless you tell the Numel to reject me.
The Numel, of course, was in no position to reject such a gift.
"Ember, thank you," Basalt said, clenching his fist, his gratitude sincere.
Ember's face flushed and she lowered her head shyly. Delphox, standing nearby, widened its eyes in disbelief. My trainer's intelligence is dropping again!
"Delphox~" Unable to stand it, Delphox gently pulled Ember away. It felt it needed to have a serious talk with its trainer.
