Chapter Sixty: Weak Skills, Strong Desires?

“Horn—” The iron-armored rhino with the scarred horn and wounded eye once again shoved aside one of its own kind.

Am could now be fairly certain: this iron-armored rhino possessed a high physical attack!

At this moment, Am moved over to spray medicine on the iron-armored rhino that had just been knocked down.

The scarred, wounded-eyed iron-armored rhino remained excited, glancing left and right, pawing the ground with its forehooves, clearly defiant toward all.

Yet Am also noticed that this rhino was not the strongest here. The real “boss” was sprawled atop a nearby massive boulder, sleeping—the very rock that none dared use to sharpen their horns.

If not for the scarred rhino glancing toward the boss’s direction every time it won a challenge, and being visibly larger than all the others—even larger than itself—Am might not have realized this hierarchy.

While tending the wounds, Am naturally tried to communicate with the defeated rhinos as well.

As expected, the scarred, wounded-eyed rhino was a troublemaker—challenging to become the “chief” of the horn-sharpening area, and thus bearing so many scars.

After yet another victory, Am watched as the scarred rhino tossed its opponent directly onto the boss’s horn-sharpening boulder!

“Horn, horn!” The scarred rhino gazed at the boulder with high spirits.

The boss atop was startled, opening its eyes slightly.

Even without “animal perception,” Am could sense: the scarred rhino was issuing a challenge!

…

Elsewhere, Misty followed the “steps”—first creeping up slowly from behind, then leaping onto the iron-armored rhino’s back, only to be bounced so hard her head felt scrambled, finally thrown off when she couldn’t hold on any longer.

But the ranch’s rhinos had one advantage—during all this, the surrounding rhinos were undisturbed, and even the one that had tossed Misty merely glanced back, then resumed grazing, showing no intent to retaliate.

Adjusting her helmet, Misty grumbled, “Catching by riding is way too hard! How’s your side…?”

Having tried it herself, Misty thought Am’s prospects were even worse. Yet the video showed Am gently stroking a rhino’s horn, the creature appearing to enjoy it.

“You’ve already caught an iron-armored rhino?” Misty remembered seeing earlier that Am’s rhinos were even more aggressive than hers!

“Hmm? Not yet.” Am denied, then turned the camera toward the “battle” unfolding before him.

The scarred rhino and the previous “boss” now locked horns, while all the other rhinos watched in silence, observing the outcome.

…

“You’re not thinking… of catching both of these rhinos, are you?” Misty’s teeth ached as she watched the two clash, sparks flying from their horns.

The rhinos kept to their code—using only their horns, never resorting to special moves.

“Ah!” Misty suddenly exclaimed.

The scarred rhino’s already fractured horn snapped entirely under the forceful twist of the larger rhino, and its body was thrown aside.

“Horn!” The big one roared, as if declaring its dominance.

Yet at that moment…

The hornless rhino struggled to stand, emitting a low, mournful sound: “Horn…”

The big one’s roar faltered, then it glared angrily at the hornless challenger.

Seeing this, Am abandoned his caressing of the tamed rhino and stood up tensely—normally, wild Pokémon battles don’t end in fatalities, but if one side insists on fighting recklessly, anything could happen.

“Horn… horn!” The big rhino glared at the struggling hornless one, pawing the earth, seeming ready for a final strike.

“Wait! Don’t fight anymore!” Am realized he couldn’t just stand by.

He suspected this was another “spring fever” incident—though iron-armored rhinos weren’t Nidoking and shouldn’t fight so fiercely for mates, the season could explain their agitation.

But neither rhino paid any heed.

“Am! Stay back!” Misty hurriedly shouted through the call as Am moved forward.

Am went anyway, not stepping directly between them—getting hit would be no joke.

In this world, Sequence Eight didn’t grant much greater strength than a normal person, just a slight boost—not enough to match fighting-type trainers or withstand a rhino’s charge.

But—

Am now stood beside the hornless rhino, facing the big one, extending his right hand, palm outstretched, left hand bracing his right wrist.

Earlier, Am had sought advice from Yumi on special communication abilities—the Junsha clan excelled in this field.

Though Yumi was only a “newbie” among the Junsha, her foundation was solid and her guidance had benefited Am greatly, despite her boisterous demeanor.

Am’s “animal senses” and “Junsha power” were distinct, but he could borrow a few techniques—such as now, extending the range of his senses beyond mere touch.

Am was still clumsy, sweat beading on his brow, yet he could feel his senses slowly reaching outward.

At first, the big rhino ignored Am, fixated on the hornless challenger—but gradually, sensing something, it calmed, eyeing Am with curiosity.

At this distance, Am couldn’t do much, yet at least he could convey his intent.

“Horn!” The hornless rhino beside Am kept calling, shaking its head and nudging Am with its broken horn, as if urging him aside.

Even without “animal perception,” Am could see this creature had outsized ambition!

But it wasn’t entirely weak—among the herd, it ranked near the top, though still lagged behind the big one.

As the big rhino reached its limit, about to attack again, Am quickly released his grip on his wrist and placed his hand on the hornless rhino’s head.

He wanted to know: what grudge or resentment drove this? Was its mate stolen?

Under “animal senses,” the thoughts flowed directly to Am—

[That’s it?]

[I thought it’d be more impressive…]

[Not good enough…]

(Draw attention…)

(Make babies…)

Am: …