Chapter 352 - 352: Alec’s Tragic Fate
"The important thing is that you endured," Cain said, clapping his hands, signaling Murkrow and Arbok that they could come over to eat.
The first time using that method is the hardest to bear. Once the initial trial is overcome, the subsequent ones become easier.
Arbok, having shed its skin, was nearly healed from its injuries. As for Ursaring, its condition was more pitiful—one eye swollen larger than the other, and it walked with an obvious limp. Yet, when it came time to eat, Ursaring dove into the feast without hesitation.
Cain slowly served himself a bowl of fish soup, watching his Pokémon squabble over the food without intervening. This was his way of strengthening their bond.
After lunch, they resumed the search for point cards.
Finding Vexor wasn't urgent yet. Murkrow hadn't reached its full potential, so Cain wasn't confident enough to defeat him. Still, before the trial ended, a confrontation between them was inevitable since Cain likely held the highest point total of all.
...
In the afternoon, Cain continued searching for point cards.
As he picked one up, both Slowpoke and Murkrow alerted him in unison—someone was watching him from nearby.
"I don't know who's there. Why don't you come out and introduce yourself?" Cain said with a smile.
Whoever was hiding had two options: stay at a safe distance where the Pokémon couldn't detect them, as Aurelia had done, or risk being discovered by Slowpoke and Murkrow by venturing too close.