Chapter 28: A Wild Combat Style

"Howl!" Under the relentless pressure of the Dire Hyena Dragon, Machamp's defenses were completely shattered; as the mountain-crushing attack broke through the frozen barrier, the full weight of the Dire Hyena Dragon bore down on Machamp, eliciting a muffled cry of pain.

"Machamp! Use Dynamic Punch!" Bea commanded anxiously.

Trained as it was, Machamp managed to muster its strength and unleash the move, even while pinned down—a moment when the Dire Hyena Dragon could hardly dodge.

Bang!

The explosive punch struck the dragon's flank, prompting a savage roar of pain. Strange energy surged through its body, and the Dire Hyena Dragon became confused.

"Roar!" The Dire Hyena Dragon howled wildly, twisting restlessly in agitation.

"A perfect opportunity! Machamp, break free from the hold!" Bea clenched her fist.

Seizing the moment of confusion, Machamp struggled to its feet, ready to mount another offensive.

"Dire Hyena Dragon! Devour!" Su Yi tried to command.

The Dire Hyena Dragon's blood-red eyes snapped toward Machamp, saliva dripping from its maw.

"Ah...?" A cold sweat trickled down Machamp's brow.

The Dire Hyena Dragon lunged forward, scrambling on all fours toward Machamp.

"Once more! Dynamic Punch!" Bea commanded.

Machamp swung another glowing fist.

But this time, the Dire Hyena Dragon bit down on the fist with a sudden snap. Amid Machamp's startled cry, the dragon raised its forebody, hoisting Machamp into the air, and, to Bea's horror, swallowed it in one gulp.

"Huh!? What kind of move is that!?" Bea turned to Master Mustard, her heart filled with anxiety.

"Ahem, it's a standard move—your Pokémon hasn't really been eaten," Mustard explained helplessly.

Anyone seeing that move for the first time would surely be stunned.

Especially when the Dire Hyena Dragon seemed so wild and feral, it looked for all the world like a Pokémon gone mad, devouring another.

"Mmm..."

From the dragon's swollen belly, a frantic muffled sound could be heard.

"Machamp, try to break free! Use Ice Punch!" Regaining some composure, Bea shouted her command.

"Dire Hyena Dragon! Heavy Slam on the ground!"

"What!?" Bea was stunned again.

The Dire Hyena Dragon lifted its abdomen and slammed it down with its move, the massive impact absorbed entirely by its belly. Its flexible stomach transferred every shock and tremor to Machamp inside.

"Oof!" Inside the belly, Machamp was battered and shaken, unable to organize any coherent attack.

Master Mustard sighed with satisfaction from the sidelines. "So Su Yi already figured out how to deal with the drawback of that move? He's got real talent."

"What should I do?" Bea's face was tense, her brows tightly knit.

Fortunately, such repeated belly slamming was extremely taxing. Before long, the Dire Hyena Dragon stopped, panting heavily and clearly exhausted.

"Spit out Machamp and end the battle!"

Urgh!

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Dire Hyena Dragon opened wide and vomited out Machamp, whose body was covered in corrosive marks. Dizzy from being battered through the dragon's stomach, Machamp staggered, barely able to stand.

"Dragon Claw!" Su Yi ordered.

"Machamp! Use Dynamic Punch!"

But before Machamp could recover, the Dire Hyena Dragon struck with a vicious Dragon Claw, knocking Machamp out of the fight.

"Why?" Bea was puzzled. Machamp's defense shouldn't have been so fragile; it should have withstood at least one blow.

"While inside the Dire Hyena Dragon's belly, Machamp's defenses were steadily weakened by its ability," Su Yi explained.

Moreover, Machamp had spent even longer inside than Inteleon had last time, so its defense had already been reduced to almost nothing.

"What a... chilling way to battle," Bea could only remark.

Relentless, reckless attacks, devouring moves, abilities that digest the opponent's defenses—this was a true predator.

Su Yi shrugged. If he captured those genuinely ferocious beasts later, Bea would know what it truly meant to be terrifying and ruthless.

"Even in a disadvantageous position, I will never slacken for an instant!" Bea slapped her cheeks, steeling herself, then sent out her final Pokémon.

"Quack!" A white duck, armed with a leek lance and shield, stood proudly like a knight.

"It's Sirfetch'd," Su Yi raised his brows; in fact, this was a Pokémon he'd always liked in Sword and Shield.

Sirfetch'd gripped its leek lance and shield, the bold V-shaped brow radiating confidence.

"Well then, your turn!" Su Yi withdrew the exhausted Dire Hyena Dragon, sending out Dodrio.

"Quack!" Dodrio stretched its limbs energetically.

"Sirfetch'd! Swords Dance!" Bea shouted.

Right from the start, Bea chose to boost physical attack.

Sirfetch'd swung its lance, phantom swords swirling around it, enhancing its abilities.

"Strike first! Dodrio, Fury Attack!" Su Yi called immediately.

Dodrio dashed forward on long legs, pecking wildly at Sirfetch'd with its hard beak.

"Block it!"

Sirfetch'd raised its shield, blocking two of the attacks, but Dodrio quickly used its height advantage to peck Sirfetch'd's head twice.

"Quack!" Sirfetch'd cried out in pain, but managed to complete a two-stage boost with Swords Dance. Since Fury Attack was a low-power move, it hadn't caused much damage.

"Begin the assault! Sirfetch'd, Brutal Swing!" Bea shouted fiercely.

"Quack!" Sirfetch'd swung its lance like a club.

"Defend with Rock Smash!"

Dodrio rapidly gathered rock-type energy, holding an energy stone in front.

Clang!

The lance struck solidly against the stone.

"Break it with Brick Break!" Bea formed her hand into a chopping motion.

"Quack!" Sirfetch'd slashed down with its glowing lance.

Crack!

Dodrio's stone was shattered instantly.

"With a two-stage attack boost and a fighting-type move, even Dodrio's strongest defense is just a two-hit matter for Sirfetch'd," Su Yi sighed.

"Dodrio! Peck!"

Dodrio stretched its neck to peck Sirfetch'd, but Sirfetch'd calmly defended with its shield.

Attack with the lance, defend with the shield—Sirfetch'd was balanced in offense and defense, almost deserving a 'Champion's Shield' and a 'Battle Switch.'

"Swords Dance, Brutal Swing, Brick Break—you're surely planning to use that move," Su Yi thought to himself.

Indeed, seeing Dodrio seemingly out of threatening moves, Bea clenched her fist and shouted coldly, "Sirfetch'd! Meteor Assault!"

"Quack!" Sirfetch'd leveled its leek lance at Dodrio, and began accelerating.

In an instant, radiant lights surrounded Sirfetch'd. As it charged with its knight's lance, its momentum surged, merging its aura with the assault, driving straight at Dodrio.

"Dodrio! Don't panic and flee!" Su Yi hurriedly stopped Dodrio, which was itching to dodge. It was locked in place and couldn't evade randomly.

Sirfetch'd's Meteor Assault was like a ballista's bolt, almost upon Dodrio.

"Dodge it!" Su Yi suddenly ordered.

"Quack!" Dodrio, nerves taut, lifted its legs and tried to evade.

But it was still a bit late; the swift Meteor Assault struck Dodrio's body squarely.

"Quack!" Dodrio cried out in pain, knocked to the ground.