Su Feng could now understand why the Beartic had been so hostile. Having been hurt by humans before, her first instinct was to protect her cubs and drive him away—albeit in the most lethal way possible.
Still, almost getting decapitated wasn't something he could easily forgive.
Apologies are nice, but compensation is better.
"Did you get all the pellets removed?" Su Feng asked, examining her scars.
"Roar. (A Chansey helped me remove them.)"
Su Feng nodded, relieved. While he could whip up some medicine, surgery was way beyond his skill set.
"A Chansey, huh…"
Chansey and its evolution, Blissey, were the Pokémon world's equivalent of doctors and nurses—angelic healers who'd never turn away the injured.
Unless they're in a battle. Then they're demons.
The Beartic was lucky to have encountered a Chansey skilled enough to remove the pellets. Left untreated, they could've caused severe complications.
Su Feng guessed the shotgun pellets had only penetrated her thick fur and muscle, sparing her organs.
With nothing left to do, Su Feng stood, patting the Cubchoo on their heads.
"Time to go."
The two Cubchoo clung to his legs, their big, watery eyes pleading.
[My heart can't take this! They're too cute!]
[Why are the cubs so adorable, but the mom's a nightmare?]
[That's bears for you—cute as cubs, deadly as adults.]
[Feng should leave before Mama Bear changes her mind…]
[She won't. She knows she messed up. Look at her face!]
[Still doesn't change the fact she almost turned Feng into modern art.]
[Thank Arceus for Combusken. You really need a strong Pokémon for protection out here.]
[What if I raise a Cubchoo and wait for it to evolve into a Beartic?]
[Ten of you wouldn't survive one Beartic slap.]
[Fair point. But where do I get a Cubchoo?]
Suddenly, the Beartic had an idea to make amends.
She lumbered to a shadowy corner of the cave, moving a stone slab to reveal a hidden stash.
"Roar! (Take whatever you want!)"
Su Feng raised an eyebrow. A treasure trove in a cave?
Curious, he approached—only to be thoroughly unimpressed.
"This is your treasure?"
The pile consisted of a few scattered berries, some shells, frozen fish (likely food for her and the cubs), and miscellaneous junk. The only item of value was a chunk of ice radiating intense cold.
"Never-Melt Ice?" Su Feng muttered, recognizing the rare item.
The Beartic, mistaking his interest, proudly handed it over.
"Roar~ (I use it to keep food fresh. You can have it. Take more if you want.)"
She's using Never-Melt Ice as a fridge?!
Before Su Feng could respond, a shell tumbled from the pile.
Clink.
Something inside rattled.
"A pearl?"
Su Feng picked it up and pried it open. A burst of rainbow light blinded him momentarily.
When his vision cleared, he gasped.
"Holy—a Key Stone!?"
[Key Stone? What's that?]
[It's so colorful! Like a rainbow gem!]
[Is that a pattern inside? So pretty!]
Ignoring the chat, Su Feng's hands trembled with excitement.
The Never-Melt Ice paled in comparison. Key Stones were legendary—on par with Master Balls in rarity and price.
And here one was, just sitting in a Beartic's junk pile.
"Can I… have this?" Su Feng asked, holding the Key Stone like it was the Holy Grail.
The Beartic waved a paw dismissively. "Roar. (Take it. It's yours.)"
Su Feng's heart soared. Jackpot.