Upon entering, the hall was quite spacious. In the center, an elevated platform had been built, and atop it, there was an imposing chair.
Without hesitation, Cain headed directly for the chair and sat down. Murkrow, who followed him, flew to the top of the backrest, looking down at those present from above.
Cain observed the two rows of people standing before him and couldn't help but feel surprised.
No wonder so many people crave power and occupying a high position from which they can look down on others. The view from that position can indeed be addictive.
Even in his previous life, Cain never had the opportunity to take a place like this, observing his subordinates. This was the first ti he had experienced sothing like that.
Skye was at the front of the group and stepped forward to speak. "Lord Cain, we are now twenty-five people in total. Including you, we are twenty-six. The average of our positions is around the fortieth rank, and so are among the top ten to twenty. Here, we can consider ourselves a considerable force."
Cain nodded without saying anything, signaling for Skye to continue.
"Additionally, with you being in first place, no one dares to confront us. Although it's been a short ti, in these two days, we have gathered a total of 237 points, all of which are on my identification card," Skye continued.
On this trial island, there's an unwritten rule: joining a faction grants you protection, but you must surrender twenty percent of your points as paynt for that protection.
"Keep those points with you. If soone makes a contribution, you can reward them directly."
For Cain, that amount of points was insignificant. He had recently given away 1,000 points without blinking an eye.
This test group that Cain had ford only had so utility on the island. Outside of the island, in Team Rocket, this group would be nothing more than a small team within the organization.
However, those who survived the trials would have more potential than regular mbers of Team Rocket.
Cain ford this group primarily to have so followers he could recruit once he was established in Team Rocket.
After hearing Skye's report, Cain dismissed the eting. He wasn't the type of person who enjoyed walking around with a group of people following him. Both in his previous life and in this one, he had always preferred to be alone.
Being with his Pokémon is the only thing that truly allows him to relax.
He left the group's managent to Skye, as Cain preferred to act as an absentee leader.
However, Cain was surprised by Skye's talent and managent skills.
If Skye remained loyal, he could beco Cain's first true subordinate in Team Rocket.
"I hope you don't disappoint , Skye," Cain murmured as he left the hall with Murkrow.
Due to Viper's changes to the trial rules, the test had been rescheduled for the afternoon.
At the Team Rocket base, many training activities couldn't be done publicly, and Slowpoke also had to remain inside its Pokéball, as it wasn't suitable to appear publicly here.
As for Gastly, Cain preferred to keep it as an ace up his sleeve, so he wouldn't let it appear in public either.
Since the test hadn't started yet, Cain decided to visit the exchange center to submit Umbra's mission.
Unlike his previous visits, this ti the exchange center was crowded. The testers, who had adapted to the environnt and the way of life on the trial island, had finally learned how to earn points and exchange them for various items.
However, not everyone was as lucky as Cain; after completing a mission, most only earned a few points.
The missions with higher rewards were usually too difficult or had already been taken by others.
Once they understood how valuable points were, the testers began using them very cautiously.
When Cain entered the exchange center, he didn't attract much attention. Since the test would begin in the afternoon, everyone was busy exchanging items to enhance their strength at the last minute.
Except for one person, who imdiately noticed Cain's presence when he entered.
Standing in a corner of the counter, that familiar exchange center employee raised his hand to signal Cain to co over.
When Cain reached his side, the exchange center employee smiled and said, "I didn't expect you'd return safely. That important person told that if you returned, you should go directly to see him."
Cain nodded without saying anything, surprised by Umbra's instructions.
He was nothing more than an insignificant tester, yet the sub-commander of Team Umbra, an elite-level expert, had given specific instructions about his return.
In a secluded corner, that exchange center employee once again opened the secret door for Cain.
Cain walked through the dark hallway with a different feeling than the first ti. The first ti, he was filled with nervousness and confusing thoughts, but this ti, he was much calr.
After two encounters with Umbra, Cain understood that as long as he had courage, Umbra wouldn't attack him. Besides, Umbra had even given him a badge as a reserve mber of the shadow unit.
The place was the sa: the familiar room, with the bookshelf and the desk he knew. The difference was that this ti, Umbra wasn't hidden under his mysterious black cloak. He was sitting calmly at the desk, reading a book.
This was the first ti Cain had seen Umbra's true appearance.
He had light brown hair, and probably due to a lack of sun exposure, his skin was quite pale. His facial features were very defined, with a Western touch but also the delicacy of an Eastern person.
One of his hands had only two fingers, while the other was perfectly intact, with long, slender fingers like those of a woman.
Dressed in simple black clothes, Umbra had a vigorous and determined appearance.
Noticing soone had entered, Umbra looked up and, this ti, didn't leave Cain waiting. He smiled and said, "You've returned."
It seed he wasn't surprised Cain had co back successfully.
Cain nodded and slowly walked towards the desk, where he placed the Pokéball containing Gengar, respectfully setting it on the desk.
Upon seeing the Pokéball that Cain had brought, Umbra's expression beca complex.
Umbra picked up the Pokéball from the desk and, through the transparent window of the Pokéball, saw the Gengar inside.
Gengar, who usually seed to be lazily resting inside the Pokéball, imdiately stood up upon seeing Umbra, showing an expression of longing.
"You've been through a lot, Gengar."
Umbra, with a complex expression, murmured these words to the Gengar inside the Pokéball before attaching it to the hook on his belt.
Then he looked up at Cain, who remained respectfully standing to the side, and nodded. "You did well. When you leave, find the person who brought you here to redeem 10,000 points."
For soone at his level, 10,000 points were nothing, sothing insignificant that didn't catch his attention.
"Understood," Cain responded without adding more words.
Cain's discretion always pleased Umbra. He knew when to speak and when to remain silent, avoiding unnecessary problems.
But even though Cain didn't ask, Umbra himself seed interested in talking, and with a smile, he asked, "Aren't you curious why I left Gengar there?"
(End of Chapter)
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