Chapter 42: 42. Psychological Warfare
Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
"Bang!"
The two sides collided again, but after the attack decrease, Toucannon's Aerial Ace was no longer enough to threaten Dolliv. While recovering its stamina with another Strength Sap, it once again lowered Toucannon's attack by one stage.
Seeing that Dolliv was still standing, Kahili's face turned ugly.
"It actually tanked it? How did it do that?"
"That's unbelievable! How can Dolliv possibly take on Flying Type moves head-on like that!"
"This Toucannon probably ate too much and has diarrhea, right? It's not even as strong as my Torchic!"
"..."
Having successfully baited out a second move, Marcus smiled slightly, a hint of smugness in his tone: "Are you very confused? It's clearly a low-level Grass Type Pokemon, but it can withstand the damage from Beak Blast?"
He didn't continue giving commands but instead began explaining the principle behind the move, a clear hint of Taunt on his face.
"It's very simple. Sweet Scent doesn't just lower evasion... The fragrant scent always makes one attracted, so with its attention diverted, the power of the Beak Blast being released will inevitably decrease a bit. As long as Dolliv avoids critical areas, there's a chance it can survive.
This is a long-range attack. If it were a close-range Aerial Ace, the power would probably be reduced even more."
Marcus said, shaking his head smugly, as if mocking the opponent for playing a good hand terribly...
"..." Kahili narrowed her eyes, clenching her small fists a little, feeling the urge to hit someone...
"It's just Sweet Scent! Toucannon, use Flame Charge!"
Her reaction was quick. The flames from Flame Charge can isolate smells, so it wouldn't be affected by Sweet Scent.
However, seeing Toucannon covered in flames rushing towards him with a roar, Marcus couldn't help but pull down his hat brim, the corner of his mouth curving upwards: "Then... congratulations, the game is over~ Continue, Strength Sap!"
The non-STAB Flame Charge only has a power of 50, and after its attack was lowered, it became even more ineffective.
It can only be said that under a series of setbacks, Kahili lost her basic judgment, and this choice once again wasted her move slot.
And from this moment on, the battle seemed to lose its suspense.
With its attack continuously lowered, Toucannon's moves could no longer deal effective damage to Dolliv.
Instead, under the triple recovery of Grassy Terrain, Leech Seed, and Strength Sap, Dolliv remained as unmoving as a mountain...
Later, Kahili finally realized this and used her last move slot to choose Swords Dance to power up, attempting to finish the battle with a single Beak Blast.
But unfortunately, during the long war of attrition, the repeated effects of Leech Seed had exhausted Toucannon's stamina, and it finally fell to the center of the Battle Facility, unwilling to give up.
"The winner is decided!! Player Marcus has achieved an incredible victory!!! Successfully advancing to the Bronze level!"
"Holy crap! This is possible?? It just sucked it dry with Leech Seed??"
"Before watching: Where did this idiot come from!... After watching: Holy crap, awesome! Please accept my knees!"
"A ten-year veteran fan reporting in! Our Marcus is a new generation tactical Master! Little haters stay away!!"
"This, this, this... What an unbelievable ending..."
"..."
"Dolliv~!" Dolliv, covered in injuries, pounced into Marcus's arms, its big eyes glancing sideways at the audience, smiling happily.
It seemed to be saying: Hmph, my Trainer would never give useless commands!
"Does it hurt a lot?" Marcus took out a Potion spray and gently treated its injuries.
"Dolliv~ (It's okay~ Master, are you happy?)" Dolliv tilted its head and smiled sweetly.
The smile and the injuries formed a strong contrast...
It didn't seem to care how much pain it was in, only hoping that he could get what he wanted.
Marcus pursed his lips, a warmth rising in his heart: "Happy..."
He said it easily, but the hand applying the medicine was trembling slightly.
What kind of creatures are Pokemon... How can they just, easily touch people's hearts?
"You were lucky this time, I underestimated you." Kahili walked closer with her head slightly raised, a little unconvinced.
Marcus's hand applying the medicine paused: "It would be the same no matter how many times we did it. In that state, anyone would let their guard down."
"So what? Anyway, you didn't win fairly!"
The young man's brows furrowed. He himself might not care, but this hard-won victory was something Dolliv fought with all its might to achieve, and there should be no blemish on it.
Marcus picked up Dolliv and stood up, walking towards the Referee: "Excuse me, could I have a microphone?"
"You..." The Referee hesitated a bit, this request was a bit sudden.
"Don't worry, I'll just explain the principle of the battle just now, it will increase your popularity and attention."
"Agree to him."
Just as the Referee was about to refuse, the voice of the Battle Facility manager came through his earpiece, and then he took off his headset and handed it to Marcus.
"Thank you." Marcus took the headset, turned to look at Kahili, a defiant expression appearing on his face: "Excuse me everyone, I'll take a few more minutes of your time."
"First of all, I want to say that there might have been an element of luck in the battle just now, but it was more the result of the joint efforts of me and my partner. No one is allowed to question this."
Saying that, he looked at Kahili: "At least, the defeated opponent doesn't have that right."
"You!!" Kahili was furious, her delicate brows furrowed.
Marcus ignored her and continued his speech: "A few key points. First, with a huge level disadvantage and a type disadvantage, I preemptively activated Grassy Terrain, informing the opponent that I am a Grass Type Pokemon."
"I ask you, if it were you, how would you choose your moves?"
As soon as Marcus finished speaking, the comments on the internet started rolling out.
"Holy crap, isn't this like using Flash in front of me and missing the ultimate move?? Shouldn't I rush up and beat him right away!?"
"Understood! This move, this move seems to have used Grassy Terrain, but in fact, it used Taunt on the opponent Trainer!"
"Taunt (Super Effective Version) doge~"
"..."
"That's right, almost everyone would choose their signature Flying Type moves, and they would be high-power options, aiming for a one-hit KO to vent their anger."
Marcus smiled: "In this way, Toucannon will most likely choose its signature move, Beak Blast."
"As everyone knows, this move requires charging, and the charging time is longer than normal moves! In this way, using this time, Dolliv can use two more moves that it has mastered!"
In the game, Beak Blast attacks last in the second turn, so there might be a slight difference in the real world, but it must have inherited this effect.
Listening, Kahili broke out in a cold sweat, because the young man in front of her had truly grasped her psychology...
"Holy crap, that's terrifying! Is this the legendary psychological warfare?"
"My goodness... My idol Marcus has the potential of a Master!"
"..."
"Then why didn't you take the opportunity to attack?" Kahili couldn't help but ask.
"Against a high-level Flying Type Pokemon, rushing in to attack would only expose weaknesses."
Marcus shook his head and continued: "So, I chose Leech Seed combined with Grassy Terrain to form a double recovery tactic. As long as I can withstand the frontal attack, I am invincible!"
"As everyone knows, Sweet Scent is a move that Dolliv likes very much and has a high proficiency. It uses the method of diverting attention to reduce frontal damage, while Strength Sap can weaken the opponent and quickly recover stamina..."