《Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World》 Chapter 1 - 1 Johto Region, northeast of the Lake of Rage. Near the ruins of the Relic City. On the Pok¨¦mon world map, this area is described as "A land of ancient legends, a blizzard-stricken region blocked by walls of ice and snow." June 6, Early Summer. Event: Rainy weather occurring in some locations. On a secluded hillside, far from any villages, stood an abandoned workshop. The structure was a mix of brick and wood, but the outer wooden walls had long since decayed, covered in creeping moss. The land around the workshop was strewn with scattered rocks and overgrown with thick weeds. Inside the house, an old-fashioned clock had stopped ticking, the brick stove lay cold, and a rough, hand-drawn map hung on the wall, marked with various locations. The annotations were recent. Raindrops pattered against the window. As the sound of rain echoed, Hikaru woke up, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. His memories quickly organized themselves, piecing together the situation. This is the Pok¨¦mon world. Pok¨¦mon¡ªmysterious creatures that possess incredible abilities¡ªexist in every corner of this world. Alongside them, humans have developed various advanced technologies, creating a world filled with wonder. As civilization advanced, the power of Pok¨¦mon attributes gradually became integrated into human life. In fact, this practice had existed since ancient times. The flood of memories gave Hikaru a slight headache. He recalled that his predecessor had worked in the Sinnoh region, but due to family reasons, he had inherited a severe psychological illness from his mother. His mother had passed away from the disease years ago, and his father had been killed by a wild, ferocious Pok¨¦mon. "Are Pok¨¦mon dangerous creatures?" Because of these reasons, his predecessor had decided to stop working and returned to the place his father once called "hometown." The workshop he found was based on his father''s notes, though by the time he arrived, it had been abandoned for years. His predecessor was an Item Craftsman. In the Pok¨¦mon world, Item Craftsmen have appeared in various game generations. For instance, the elderly man in the Shoal Cave of the Hoenn region was a Shell Craftsman, the Iron Master of Johto specialized in making Pok¨¦ Balls, and the old man in North Shinobi crafted masks. Typically, "items" refer to battle-related tools. However, if the definition is broadened, even everyday household objects and work tools fall under the category. An Item Craftsman is someone who gathers materials and creates new tools. This includes Pok¨¦ Ball artisans, artifact smiths, wood sculptors, stone carvers, glass artisans, and more. It also extends to item merchants and material suppliers. Whether searching for natural items or gathering raw materials to craft man-made ones, such work required frequent outdoor exploration. However, the risks involved often outweighed the rewards. In modern times, the role of Item Craftsmen had nearly faded into history. Perhaps transitioning into a materials supplier was the only viable future. With the rise of large corporations like Devon Corporation, Silph Co., and Aether Foundation, mass-produced items would soon make craftsmen obsolete. After fully waking up, Hikaru felt a hunger pang. "I''m a bit hungry¡­ Well, for now, I should eat a Sitrus Berry." Sitrus Berry¡ªa bright yellow, pear-shaped fruit from the Pok¨¦mon world. Its effects differ when held versus when directly consumed. If eaten, it restores half of a Pok¨¦mon''s max HP. Moreover, Sitrus Berries are a key ingredient in crafting Full Restore. Gazing at the still-open computer, Hikaru browsed through the digital legacy left behind by his predecessor. The online shop listed mostly antique-style crafts and sculptures. Sculpting was a family trade passed down through generations. Because of this, his predecessor excelled at creating carved and polished items¡ªmost of which were decorative, such as stone statues found at Gym entrances. As Hikaru explored the store page, he suddenly received a new email. A client? "The power of science is amazing!" That''s what people usually say in moments like this, right? Even in such a remote location, he could still access the Pok¨¦mon world''s network¡ªan advancement made possible by the era''s technology. It was likely that the research teams occasionally visiting the ruins had set up a communication station here. After all, the Pok¨¦mon world''s technology bordered on the realm of science fiction. Pok¨¦mon Rangers, for example, could communicate with headquarters even from the most isolated mountain ranges¡ªsometimes across entire regions. Hikaru clicked on the email. It was a consultation request. "The client is looking for an item that enhances a Pok¨¦mon''s durability. Recommended by the Iron Master¡­ Wait, my father knew the Iron Master?" Hikaru''s memories surged. The Iron Master of Johto was a renowned Pok¨¦ Ball craftsman, a true master of the craft. It wasn''t surprising that his parents had known him. The Iron Master had acquaintances all over the world¡ªthat''s just how respected masters are. Introducing clients to him was likely a favor, a way of supporting an old friend''s child. As an Item Craftsman, Hikaru''s job was to create custom items for clients, appraise item quality, and repair damaged tools. The internet had greatly simplified these traditionally in-person transactions. With business being slow, online consultations were a crucial part of the job. "For durability, are we talking about an evolved Pok¨¦mon or an unevolved one?" "If it''s an unevolved Pok¨¦mon, I recommend using the Eviolite." Hikaru quickly sent his reply, but the client''s response was¡­ unexpected. "?" "What is an Eviolite?" Hikaru blinked in surprise. They didn''t know about Eviolite? He typed back: "It''s a light-purple stone that significantly boosts the defensive stats of unevolved Pok¨¦mon." "?" "There''s such a thing? I''ve never heard of it." The client''s ignorance puzzled Hikaru. He decided to ask about their background¡ªwhether they were a professional Trainer registered with the League. The answer shocked him. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ah, I didn''t mention it outright in the email, but¡­ I''m actually a Bug-type Gym Leader." "Because Bug-types have many weaknesses, I wanted to find ways to make them stronger, so I started researching items." A Bug-type Gym Leader?! Across Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, only one Bug-type Gym Leader existed¡­ Bugsy, the youngest Gym Leader of Azalea Town! "Wait, a Gym Leader doesn''t know about Eviolite? What timeline is this¡­?" Hikaru was stunned. Then, he recalled something¡ªhis predecessor had an Eviolite! However, the original owner had mistaken it for a jade stone¡­ Diving into old memories, Hikaru described the Eviolite''s effects to Bugsy, then asked them to wait. He walked to the deepest part of the workshop, where a sturdy oak door led to a storage basement. Since returning, the predecessor hadn''t fully organized the space. Countless materials, stone slabs, and wood planks were stacked chaotically, along with discarded antiques and relics gathered from across the world. Hikaru rummaged through the artifacts, finally spotting the target¡ªa dull, pale-purple stone embedded in an ancient sword. A faded label read: "Ancient Sword with Inlaid Jade." The gemstone''s surface was rough. As for the sword itself, time and dirt had fused with it. It had likely been buried underground for countless years. The blade was stuck in its sheath, possibly rusted shut, and its engravings had long since worn away. Hikaru''s memories surfaced¡ªthis sword was found in an ancient ruin near the northwestern area of Mt. Moon, close to the Indigo Plateau. That region once housed numerous small kingdoms, now reduced to ruins and dust¡ªsave for one surviving nation. Reaching out, he grasped the sword, inspecting the gemstone closely. At that moment, his mind exploded with foreign thoughts. A chaotic flood of knowledge reshaped itself into something comprehensible¡ª [Rare Material Discovered: "Raw Natural Eviolite"!] [New Knowledge Acquired: Treasure Hunting¡ªDetecting rare minerals, fossils, and relics.] [New Craft Acquired: Unique Polishing Technique (C-)] [By refining materials, their quality and effectiveness will improve.] [Through craftsmanship, the Eviolite can be properly processed.] "Wait¡­ Is this¡­?" Hikaru froze. This¡­ is my cheat ability?! Was his golden finger only unlocked after working?! (End of Chapter) Chapter 2 - 2 Knowledge refers to learning ability and understanding, allowing one to make accurate judgments and decisions based on accumulated experience. Meanwhile, craftsmanship and technology are the essential skills of any artisan. "This feels just like a game I played before..." "A simulation game where you gather materials, craft items, unlock knowledge, and obtain mysterious blueprints. You build various workstations and equipment to create different products, hire assistants to help with production, and upgrade workbenches to improve efficiency and quality..." As Hikaru processed these thoughts, more knowledge surged into his mind: [By completing new tasks for the first time, random material sources and knowledge entries will be unlocked. Repeating these tasks may yield additional knowledge.] [Acquiring different levels of materials will provide useful knowledge and craftsmanship skills.] [Obtaining materials of ''valuable'' or higher rarity may unlock unique crafting paths, possibly revealing recipes for exclusive, legendary, or mysterious artifacts.] [Some crafted items may trigger hidden events, rewarding unique outcomes.] [Pok¨¦mon that assist with crafting will gain extraordinary growth.] "There are six crafting paths: Carving, Forging, Cultivation, Painting, Sewing, and Mechanics." "Materials... There are common and uncommon ones, rare and valuable ones... and what else?" Hikaru muttered, feeling like past memories were flooding back to attack him. This ability seemed like something designed for a researcher, not an artisan. By working continuously, vague and abstract knowledge could be transformed into practical, specialized skills. This realization sparked excitement in Hikaru. Even though he wasn''t a Trainer or a Researcher, the growth of his knowledge would undoubtedly improve his living conditions. Staring at the Eviolite, a strange sensation stirred within him. Suddenly, information about its state appeared¡ªthanks to the "Ancient Treasure Hunter" ability he had gained earlier. [Rare Material: "Rough Natural Eviolite"] [Description: A rare stone found in nature, seemingly linked to the power of evolution. Even in its unrefined state, it slightly enhances a Pok¨¦mon''s Defense and Special Defense. However, its full potential remains locked until properly processed.] [Requirements: Must be held by an unevolved Pok¨¦mon. The stone resonates with the Pok¨¦mon''s evolutionary potential, drawing out hidden strength.] [Acquisition Hint: Can be found in areas where large groups of Pok¨¦mon have lived for extended periods¡ªforests, rocky mountains, caves, etc. In ancient kingdoms, this stone was often mistaken for jade and embedded in artifacts. It may still be found in ruins.] "So I can see basic information about the items I touch." Hikaru moved through the storage room, testing his ability on other artifacts, tools, and stones. While he could see their details, no new knowledge entries were unlocked. Did he need to actively gather and process materials outdoors to gain more knowledge? Or maybe certain Pok¨¦mon types influenced knowledge growth? Or should he just start refining every single rock in storage? Plenty of experiments to try later. For now, Hikaru examined the ancient sword more closely. [Artifact: "Ancient Sword"] [Description: An ancient sword retrieved from an unnamed ruin. Covered in dirt and rock, its rusted sheath obscures its original form. The faint patterns on its surface seem foreign in origin. It might be better off donated to a museum.] [Effect 1: Hidden Clue ¨C Something mysterious may happen.] [Effect 2: Holding this item gradually drains stamina (minor) ¨C It is said that ancient swords absorb the wielder''s life force.] "Wait, stamina drain?! What kind of cursed relic is this?" Hikaru instantly felt exhausted just by holding it, as if an invisible pressure was weighing him down. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Still, the hidden clue piqued his interest. If this were a game, this sword would definitely be a key item. Without wasting time, Hikaru grabbed his crafting tools¡ªhammer, chisel, apron, gloves, and mask¡ªand began carefully prying the Eviolite from the sword. Though the stone looked like low-grade jade, a proper polish would reveal its true brilliance, transforming it into a rare and powerful battle item. Eviolite was first introduced in Gen V (Unova region). In the past, people mistook it for ordinary jade, but recent research confirmed its true potential. When held by an unevolved Pok¨¦mon, it increases Defense and Special Defense by 50%. Among stone-based battle items, Eviolite was one of the rarest and most valuable. Even a weak Pok¨¦mon could gain extraordinary durability with this item. Hikaru hesitated for a moment. This was a priceless artifact, but he was low on funds. "No use hoarding it. It belongs in the hands of a Trainer who will actually use it." As he removed the Eviolite, a sudden wave of exhaustion hit him. Only after letting go of the sword did he start to feel normal again. Shaking his head, he decided to leave the sword in the basement for further study later. ¡ª Deep in the basement, something stirred. From the darkest part of the wall, an eye emerged. A black, circular eye, shaped like a peculiar letter "E", blinked into existence before quickly vanishing back into the stone. The chilling aura in the basement originated from the ancient sword. "Crackle!" The sword began to tremble, emitting a faint noise. As dust crumbled away, the once faded engravings on the sheath began to glow ominously. Soon, all the dirt covering the sword disintegrated into silver-white energy, vanishing into nothingness. The ancient sword slowly levitated off the shelf. The sheath, now clearly visible, was brown with intricate carvings. The lower half featured three sharp, nested ovals, while the upper half resembled a ghostly face, with three round, staring eyes. A long, blue ribbon extended from the hilt, ending in finger-like frayed tips. And at the center of the crossguard, embedded in the now-revealed circular cutout, a blue eye suddenly opened. "Yo~!" A strange, ethereal voice echoed through the basement. Who had awakened it? Who had infused it with life energy? ...Where was its wielder? ...And why was its gemstone missing?! "Yo~?" Honedge floated into the air. Though it didn''t have Levitate as an ability, many Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon naturally hovered in the Pok¨¦mon world¡ªso this wasn''t surprising. The sword swayed slightly, inspecting its surroundings. The basement was dimly lit. Honedge blinked its eye, unsure of where it was. "This place¡­ is it a storage room?" Curious, Honedge drifted toward the door. The blade tapped against it, spinning in the air before realizing¡ªthis was the exit. Despite being a Ghost-type, it still had a physical sword body, meaning it couldn''t pass through walls. Using its blue cloth-like limb, it twisted the doorknob. Locked. "Yo~." Honedge stared at the door, thinking deeply. This human had stolen its gemstone and woken it up. Honedge contemplated its next move. It spun in place, formulating a plan. Then, it noticed the handcrafted items and materials around the basement. And an idea struck. "Yo!" It could knock on the door or make noise to attract attention. Then, it would hide among the artifacts, waiting to strike. Even though it wasn''t a knight, it could still fight. A weak human scavenger dared to treat it as a mere collectible? This storage reminded it of a royal treasury. Back in the palace, it had seen similar collectors hoarding treasured blades, giant cauldrons, and mystical jades¡­ (End of Chapter) Chapter 3 - 3 Sitting in front of his computer, Hikaru used the built-in camera to scan the rough Eviolite before sending an image to his client. "Huh? So this is the stone?" Bugsy, after reading Hikaru''s description and examining the image, was shocked. He had researched numerous battle items but had never encountered information on this stone. In the anime''s world, Eviolite had never even been mentioned. Hikaru recalled that, based on the timeline of the games, this stone was first discovered by researchers in the Unova region. However, when explaining the Eviolite''s effect, Hikaru avoided using rigid game-like terms, such as saying it "increases Defense and Special Defense by 50%". After all, in the realistic world of Pok¨¦mon, no professor had ever officially quantified a Pok¨¦mon''s stats in numerical values. Instead, he phrased it more naturally: "As I said, Eviolite can only be used by Pok¨¦mon that have the potential to evolve but haven''t yet. It is a miraculous stone for weaker Pok¨¦mon and a powerful enhancement for already strong ones. With this stone, some unevolved Pok¨¦mon can even surpass their evolved forms!" "If you''re interested, place a deposit, and I''ll refine it for you. Once processed with my craftsmanship, its effects will be even greater." After sending the message, Hikaru didn''t receive an immediate reply. Bugsy was likely considering the offer. It was a completely unknown item¡ªmost people would hesitate, wondering if they were being scammed. But soon, a response came. "Alright, I agree." Bugsy didn''t deliberate for long before sending another message: "You were introduced by the Iron Master, and I came here specifically seeking special items. If I refuse just because I doubt its effects, that would be missing the point entirely. I''m a researcher, and I''ll confirm the stone''s effectiveness myself." Success! Hikaru exhaled in relief. His first transaction in this new region had gone smoothly. A great start! They agreed on a delivery time of one week, and surprisingly, Hikaru was able to request Flying Mail Service to Blackthorn City¡ªlikely delivered by a Dragonite or Delibird. As for the deposit¡­ "10,000 Pok¨¦dollars." The deposit was 20% of the total price. Historically, Eviolite was never a purchasable item in the games¡ªit was only found or gifted. It wasn''t until Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet) that it became available for purchase at a price of 50,000 Pok¨¦dollars. Following the game''s official pricing, Hikaru sold it at a fair rate. No need to be a greedy merchant and scare off customers. ¡ª Knock. Knock. Knock. A strange knocking sound echoed through the air. Hikaru looked up, confused, glancing toward the door. "Someone''s knocking?" From deep within the house, a chill slowly spread. Crossing the counter, he opened the front door¡ª No one was there. The rain continued to drizzle, dark clouds covering the mountains. The forests, valleys, and snowy peaks in the distance were shrouded in mist, obscuring visibility. Knock. Knock. Knock. The sound came again. Hikaru checked around the door but saw no passing Wild Pok¨¦mon seeking shelter from the rain. The nearby village showed only faint trails of chimney smoke¡ªno movement. Nothing but wild grass, swaying in the cold rain. He listened carefully. The sound wasn''t coming from outside. It was coming from inside. Following the noise, he arrived at the basement door. A sense of confusion and caution filled his eyes. "I was just in the basement¡­ and there was nothing there." Could it be¡­ A ghost? S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Well, that wasn''t exactly uncommon in the Pok¨¦mon world. Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon causing disturbances was a normal occurrence. "Stormy weather, a haunted house... the atmosphere is perfectly set." In the Pok¨¦mon world''s lore, the spirit world existed, and every region had ghostly myths. Considering that he had taken over this body, was it possible that the original owner''s soul still lingered here? "If you''re a spirit¡­ just rest in peace." "I''ve never performed an exorcism before, but Ghost Pok¨¦mon have an actual elemental typing." "And if it has a type¡­ I can deal with it." As a craftsman, Hikaru didn''t rely on brute strength. He relied on tools. "The difference between fighting unarmed and using proper tools is massive." Rather than rushing into the basement, Hikaru swiftly returned to his room to prepare for battle. ¡ª Preparation Phase: ? First Item: A small box of dried Kasib Berries. ? When consumed, this berry halves the damage from one super-effective Ghost-type attack. ? Second Item: A Cleanse Tag incense burner. ? This reduces the chances of encountering Wild Pok¨¦mon, as many Pok¨¦mon dislike the scent. ? Third Item: A Sharp Fang Necklace from a Houndour. ? This contained lingering Dark- and Fire-type energy. ? Fourth Item: Rage-Filled Dumplings from Johto. ? These dumplings remove most status conditions. ? Fifth Item: Sticky Mud Balls. ? Used to disrupt enemy movements. ? Sixth Item: A recorded sound of Snarl on a voice recorder. ? This wouldn''t actually inflict damage but could create an extremely annoying noise to disrupt the opponent''s focus. ? Final Item: Several Pok¨¦ Balls. ? Just in case. ¡ª Now fully prepared, Hikaru unlocked the basement. As the lights flickered on, illuminating the shelves, Hikaru ensured the door was secured before stepping inside. A cold chill swept over him. His body shuddered slightly¡ªa natural reaction. "This wasn''t here when I left the basement earlier." Step by step, he moved forward. The Cleanse Tag incense burned gently, its faint smoke drifting into every corner of the basement. "Carvings, Star Sand, antique replicas, Fire Stones, Power Bands, Shell Bells, Geodude''s rock fragments¡­" Creak. The door groaned. Hikaru immediately turned toward it¡ª At that exact moment, a dark shadow rose behind him! In the pitch-black basement, a blue eye flashed open. "Yo¡ª¡ª!" Honedge was thrilled! The human had fallen for the bait! Time for a "Shadow Sneak" surprise attack! This was a knight''s way of greeting! A swift black shadow struck Hikaru''s back! ... But. The effect¡­ wasn''t great? Honedge''s eye blinked in confusion. Hikaru merely staggered slightly, but immediately regained his footing. Turning around, he saw the floating, slightly bewildered sword¡ª And smirked. "Looks like it wasn''t very effective!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 4 - 4 Now that Hikaru had a clearer view, he finally saw the enemy hiding among his artifacts. A sword? No, a Pok¨¦mon! This Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon had emerged from his basement¡ªbut its form was unmistakable. "That ancient sword... It''s changed!" The engravings were now clearly visible, the dirt had been stripped away, and even its shape had altered significantly. At a single glance, Hikaru recognized its true identity. If his memory was correct, then this was¡ª "Honedge. A Steel/Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, classified as the Sword Pok¨¦mon." "It''s said to be the reincarnated soul of a deceased person, possessing an ancient sword. It attaches itself to humans and drains their life force..." Just as that thought formed in Hikaru''s mind, new system information appeared. [Artifact Event: "Ancient Visitor."] [Event Description: The seemingly broken ancient sword turned out to be a Pok¨¦mon. Feeling resentful that you took its gemstone and treated it as an artifact, it is now attempting to reclaim its treasure¡ªand defeat you.] [Event Reward: Unique Knowledge and Crafting Techniques.] ¡ª However, while Hikaru remained cautious, Honedge was panicking even more! Wait. I was the one who initiated the attack, right?! Why did my Ghost-type move feel like a gentle scratch?! "Yo! (¤Ø¨p)!" Frustration turned into anger, which then turned into discomfort. The Cleanse Tag incense began taking effect. Honedge felt an overwhelming urge to flee¡ªas if something was repelling it. Meanwhile, Hikaru seized the moment. Reaching for the voice recorder hanging on his chest, he pressed play. Crackle! A harsh, ear-piercing screech filled the basement¡ªa Pok¨¦mon''s cry, mimicking a crow''s insulting shriek. This was a recording of a Murkrow''s foul-mouthed taunts. While it couldn''t inflict real damage, the irritating noise disoriented Honedge¡ªcombined with the incense, it made the Ghost-type feel completely miserable! Hikaru took advantage of the moment. From his pouch, he pulled out a Pok¨¦ Ball¡ª And with a swift throw, it struck Honedge directly! A flash of red light engulfed the sword, pulling it inside the Pok¨¦ Ball! At the same time, Hikaru grabbed another item¡ª A green-leaf-wrapped mud ball. Sticky Mud Ball. This was an ancient item, nearly forgotten in modern times. While the technique to make them wasn''t complicated, the main materials were difficult to acquire. Additionally, due to the rise of Pok¨¦ Balls, Sticky Mud Balls had faded into history. But that didn''t mean they weren''t useful. And Hikaru happened to know how to make them. A direct hit would slow down a Pok¨¦mon''s movements and create an opening. ¡ª The Pok¨¦ Ball wobbled twice¡ª Then burst open! Honedge escaped! The Pok¨¦ Ball was flung aside, and Honedge emerged, furious. But before it could react¡ª The Sticky Mud Ball struck it! ¡ª Direct hit! Honedge was stunned again! The move it had been preparing instantly failed, and its vision spun as its blade got covered in sticky mud. ¡ª Hikaru capitalized on the moment. He wasn''t aiming for a simple capture. He was using a technique straight from "Pok¨¦mon Legends: Arceus"! Suppress your opponent before they recover. Close the gap. Maintain pressure. In the Hisui Region, Trainers didn''t just battle with their Pok¨¦mon¡ªthey fought alongside them, dodging attacks and throwing Pok¨¦ Balls at the perfect moment. ¡ª Hikaru hurled another Pok¨¦ Ball. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This time, it struck Honedge directly in its eye. ¡ª SMACK! ¡ª Honedge''s vision blacked out. (£¾¿Ú¡ù)¡î! A sharp metallic clink echoed as the Pok¨¦ Ball sealed shut. ¡ª The ball landed in Hikaru''s hand. It didn''t even shake once. Critical Capture! ¡ª Honedge''s last thought before fainting: "At least don''t aim for the eye...!" ¡ª Hikaru stood frozen. The battle had ended so quickly that he hadn''t fully processed it. After a moment, his tension finally released, and he collapsed onto the floor, exhausted. "I just won a Pok¨¦mon battle... without even using a Pok¨¦mon!" "My luck is incredible!" ¡ª Victory had come from careful preparation. Yet, the threat of Pok¨¦mon became even more apparent. One had appeared in his basement. And it had attacked him. More information flooded his mind. ¡ª [Artifact Event Complete] [You encountered an ancient relic, uncovering its true nature as a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon. However, this particular Pok¨¦mon was somewhat careless¡ªallowing you to defeat and capture it. Through this experience, you''ve gained a deeper understanding of Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon''s existence and behavior.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Spirit Basics (1).] [Spiritual Insight: You can understand some Ghost Pok¨¦mon language and transcribe their messages. Your soul has become more resilient, granting limited spiritual energy resistance. You are now less susceptible to Ghost-type influences.] [New Crafting Ability Acquired (1).] [Unique Talisman Crafting (D+): Talismans you create will have different effects depending on the materials used. Each talisman is single-use.] [You can now craft: "Cleanse Talisman" and "Curse Talisman."] ¡ª Hikaru exhaled deeply, feeling satisfied. With Spirit Knowledge, he was now less vulnerable to Ghost Pok¨¦mon harassment. Even though his new crafting skill was only D+ rank, the description seemed extremely promising. ¡ª However, this was still dangerous. As Hikaru left the basement and locked the door behind him, something watched from the shadows. The strange "E-shaped" eye flickered to life on the wall. A human... won against a wild Pok¨¦mon... with his bare hands? The Cleanse Tag''s scent still lingered, making the eye twitch in discomfort. This human... needs further observation. Slowly, the E-shaped eye detached from the wall, drifting toward the door. A psychic vortex formed in front of it. Then, it phased through the door and vanished into the vortex. ¡ª Meanwhile, Hikaru stepped into the living room. Holding the Pok¨¦ Ball, he pressed the release button. "Come out, Honedge." A red beam of light flashed¡ªand the sword materialized. Hikaru grinned. "Man, I''ve always wanted to say that at least once!" ¡ª This was his first time capturing a Pok¨¦mon. Historically, trainers captured Pok¨¦mon through battle. Some Pok¨¦mon would make a promise before battle¡ª "If I lose, I''ll become your Pok¨¦mon!" And the Trainer would passionately respond¡ª "I won''t lose!" But what about people with no starter Pok¨¦mon? In ancient Hisui, people had a different method¡ª Throw a ton of Sticky Mud Balls, then knock the Pok¨¦mon out with a Heavy Ball. Though... that wasn''t exactly normal behavior for most people. ¡ª Honedge stayed floating in place, seemingly dazed. It was still thinking about its eye. "Good thing I''m a Ghost/Steel Pok¨¦mon¡­ if I were a normal Pok¨¦mon, that would''ve been bad..." Finally, Honedge turned to look at Hikaru. Its blue eye locked onto him. It began to say something¡ª Until Hikaru held up another Sticky Mud Ball. "Oh? You want to fight again?" Honedge flinched. Then, with a sharp floating motion, it backed away. "Yo!" ("No, no! I''ve seen enough! We''re good!") ¡ª (End of Chapter) Chapter 5 - 5 Honedge protested loudly, though its mind was now in overdrive, trying to process what had just happened. Well, as a sword, it technically didn''t even have a brain. But this human¡ª This human was insane. Not only did he defeat Honedge in battle, but he did it without using a Pok¨¦mon¡ªand still fought more fiercely than any knight Honedge had ever encountered! Actually, was that even a fair fight? Yes! Yes, it was! This human fought with his own hands, using his own weapons and tools. No Pok¨¦mon¡ªjust his own strength, tactics, and skill. And worst of all¡­ Honedge had no way to deny its defeat. There was no excuse. It had lost. Fine. The gemstone? You know what? Just keep it. "Yo-yo! Yo-yo!" Honedge floated up and down, though it suddenly sensed something different about this human. He felt¡­ different. Not in appearance. Not in strength. Something about his presence had changed¡ªbut Honedge couldn''t put it into words. Meanwhile, Hikaru was just as surprised. The strange "yo-yo" sounds Honedge made¡ªhe could understand them. It wasn''t speech, yet it translated itself in his mind. It was like receiving information through a system of eerie, mystical symbols¡ªsymbols that he instinctively knew he could transcribe. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is this¡­ Spirit Knowledge?" "You''re saying¡­ you lost, so you''re giving me the ''gemstone'' as a prize?" "Yo?" Honedge''s blue eye widened in shock. Wait¡­ He could understand Pok¨¦mon speech?! ¡ª "Now that I think about it, Pok¨¦mon understand human language really well, but humans can only guess at what Pok¨¦mon are saying. It''s kind of a strange imbalance." Hikaru muttered to himself, before turning back to Honedge. "But you''re not a native Pok¨¦mon of this area. Even if I found you in some ruins, why were you there in the first place?" Honedge hesitated for a moment. But after a brief inner debate, it decided¡ª This human was strong. This human had defeated it. A knight could not lie to his superior. So Honedge told him the truth. It had once belonged to a traveling sorcerer, who had gifted it to a king in a faraway land. It had not been alone¡ªmany Honedge had been bestowed upon the royal knights. And each one had been given a gemstone. ¡ª "A royal sword from an ancient kingdom, brought as a tribute by a traveling merchant¡­" Hikaru nodded, processing the information. "That makes sense. In ancient times, merchants often traded rare Pok¨¦mon and artifacts across distant lands, introducing new cultures and species to foreign regions." "That even explains how some Pok¨¦mon developed regional forms¡­" Then, Hikaru narrowed his eyes. "Wait. You don''t even remember the name of your own kingdom?" Honedge spun angrily in circles, protesting. "Yo! Yo!" That''s not carelessness! Pok¨¦mon don''t waste time remembering useless history! Why bother thinking about it? Hikaru chuckled. "Fair enough." "Besides, that kingdom is probably long gone." "In fact," Hikaru continued, "if you head east from the Ruins of Alph and enter Mt. Moon''s northern range, you''ll find ancient kingdom ruins. Some remnants of those old civilizations still exist." In the Pok¨¦mon world, small independent kingdoms still existed, each with their own strange laws and customs. But in the past¡ª These kingdoms had once ruled entire regions. ¡ª Honedge then added one more detail. That sorcerer had possessed many treasures¡ªHonedge was simply one of many foreign Pok¨¦mon offered as tribute. Hikaru nodded. "That matches historical patterns. Merchants constantly transported rare goods across distant lands, introducing them into new cultures." "Sometimes, this even caused environmental changes in the regions they traveled to." But for Honedge¡ª Its memories were fresh. It could still recall the towering castles, the heavily armored knights¡­ But in one single moment, it had awakened to find it all gone. The kingdom had vanished. The king was long dead. Even the records of that civilization had faded into nothingness. All of it¡ªerased by time. ¡ª Yet Honedge didn''t seem too affected. It was just a sword, after all. ¡ª Still, there was one thing Honedge knew for certain. A sword must serve a master. Without a wielder, it had no purpose. And since it had already been captured by Hikaru¡ª It had already chosen a new one. ¡ª But then, Honedge suddenly remembered a secret¡ª A story once told by its predecessor. ¡ª The first king¡­ was not chosen by bloodline. The first king¡­ was chosen by a mighty beast. That king used the beast''s power to build a nation¡ªruling over countless lives. And if that ancient king was dead¡­ Then why not choose a new one? ¡ª Honedge bounced up and down excitedly. It had an idea. A bold idea. ¡ª "Yo!" "Yo~yo?" "Oh, mighty human!" "Would you like to become a king?" Power! No¡ªSticky Mud Balls! That is the reason for kingship!" ¡ª Hikaru froze. Then, after a long pause, he sighed. "A king? What''s so great about being a king?" "Ruling over humans and Pok¨¦mon¡­ Hold on, isn''t this a villain''s origin story?!" Why the hell was a Pok¨¦mon actively encouraging him to become a tyrant?! Hikaru waved his hands frantically. "That''s way too crazy! How do you even choose a king that easily?!" "What kind of sword just casually hands out kingship?!" "Besides, ruling in the modern world is meaningless!" "You''re talking about controlling humans and Pok¨¦mon? This is literally a villain''s plan!" ¡ª Hikaru suddenly paused, remembering something. "Now that I think about it, Honedge''s final evolution¡ªAegislash¡ªdoes have lore about selecting kings." "It can perceive a person''s potential as a ruler, and whoever it chooses will become a king." "But¡­ there are plenty of Aegislash in the world, and none of their Trainers became kings." ¡ª Honedge puffed up proudly. "Yo!" Exactly! That''s my evolution! ¡ª Hikaru immediately shut it down. "Yeah, but that''s Aegislash''s job. You''re still just a Honedge." "You don''t even have the authority to choose a king." "And by the way, every kingdom that followed Aegislash''s rule eventually collapsed." "Just like yours." ¡ª Honedge stared at Hikaru in silence. The two locked eyes for a long moment. Then¡ª Honedge''s eye blinked. Slowly, it rubbed its hilt with its blue ribbon. "Yo!" "Ah, so that''s why our kingdom fell." "Turns out¡­ it was my evolution''s fault." "Well, never mind then!" ¡ª (End of Chapter) Chapter 6 - 6 However, Honedge didn''t seem to give up. It had the attitude of "I have plenty of great ideas that will surely help you ascend to the throne," and its humming sword cries grew sharper. It was urgent¡ªstrangely excited even¡ªand its cries began to shift in tone! As its cries changed, Hikaru suddenly realized he could no longer grasp the general meaning behind them. This wasn''t its usual cry. It was mimicking something. The Pok¨¦mon speech contained too much information for Hikaru to fully comprehend¡ªhis current knowledge simply wasn''t enough to decipher it all. He was still a rookie, after all. Seeing that Hikaru didn''t understand, Honedge blinked its singular eye, seemingly deep in thought. Under Hikaru''s curious gaze, Honedge acted on its own¡ªit opened the door. It rushed outside into the rain and began writing on the muddy ground. Hikaru was stunned! A Pok¨¦mon¡­ writing words?! On second thought, it wasn''t too surprising. In this world, the written language might have evolved from the symbols of Unown, and it wasn''t unheard of for highly intelligent Pok¨¦mon to learn human script. But these were ancient characters. When it came to ancient texts, relic enthusiasts like him were useless. Only true archaeological masters like Cynthia could decipher them. That said, Hikaru had previously studied the written languages of the Pok¨¦mon world. He focused his attention on the characters Honedge had etched into the earth. His system didn''t respond, nor did it retrieve any new knowledge. Was it because he didn''t recognize the ancient text? But he wasn''t an expert in deciphering old scripts¡ªthis was a job for Cynthia, the Champion of Sinnoh. If that ancient kingdom had been built by both the Celestica people and the citizens of the Ancient Castle, then could these symbols be from Hisui, the ancient Sinnoh? They did resemble Unown text somewhat¡­ and weren''t Unown symbols essentially just Romanized Japanese? But there were differences¡ªthey weren''t an exact match. It seemed that he had to decipher at least the first character before unlocking any knowledge. That would have to wait until he had time. After staring at the symbols for a while, Hikaru sighed in defeat and shook his head. "I don''t know what you wrote, but I''ll assume it''s something good." "Oh, I get it now! The sounds I couldn''t understand earlier were you mimicking how ancient people spoke. No wonder it sounded so awkward¡ªI had no clue what you were saying." "But let me tell you¡ªsovereignty is never eternal." Honedge''s single eye fixated on Hikaru, as if deep in thought. Then, controlling its body, it swung itself like a sword, circled Hikaru a few times, and let out an excited cry! It seemed to have reached a conclusion¡ª While most kings inherited their thrones through bloodlines, what did lineage matter when a kingdom was already destroyed? The first king had supposedly been an ordinary person chosen by his predecessor. If the previous monarch was gone, then Honedge could simply choose a new one! S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In that case, it would become the sword and blade of the next ruler. Besides, the destruction of the kingdom was Aegislash''s doing¡ªnot Honedge''s problem! Come to think of it, the former king had been rather foolish¡ªit had noticed long ago! Why not establish a new monarch? Hmph! This guy might be illiterate, unable to read the words it had carefully transcribed from a coronation ritual, but that was fine! Those words had been part of a sacred text stored behind the king''s throne. "Humans obtain the lives of beasts, and in return, they entrust their lives to them." Back when the kingdom still stood, even as a Pok¨¦mon capable of writing, Honedge had never lacked eager human knights wanting to form a pact with it. But none of them had ever caught its interest! This guy, though, was different. He had bested Honedge in battle without a weapon. That alone proved he was worthy of wielding it. He would become stronger¡ªbecause there was a vast chasm between fighting barehanded and fighting with a blade! "Yoh~~" Honedge suddenly abandoned thoughts of the past and grew excited about its newfound goal, twirling in place enthusiastically. Hikaru, watching this energetic display, was speechless. Theoretically, despite being a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, the Honedge line wasn''t particularly emotional, given that they were bound to an ancient sword. Why was the one he encountered so animated? Was its nature¡­ Clumsy? A Pok¨¦mon with a Clumsy nature had increased Special Attack but decreased Special Defense. They preferred bitter flavors and disliked sour ones. "Yoh~ Yoh~" Honedge hovered above the damp soil as Hikaru snapped back to reality. He had been staring at the symbols too long¡ªhe almost felt like they were pulling his mind in. Speaking of which, he had more pressing matters to attend to! Hikaru called Honedge inside, dried it off with a towel, and inspected its blade and scabbard. "Yoh? Yoh!" Honedge peered up, unsure what he was doing. "Hmm¡­ You''ve been dormant for so long. With how exposed to the elements you were, you must''ve rusted a little, right?" After a close examination, Hikaru confirmed his suspicions. Honedge lacked the shine of modern crafted weapons, and there were deep red stains and brownish residue on its blade. "It''s definitely rusted." Blades deteriorate without maintenance. A natural outdoor environment is a terrible place for preservation. While Honedge was a Pok¨¦mon, many Pok¨¦mon possessed the properties of the materials they were bound to. For example, Duraludon had a metal body but corroded easily and disliked the rain. As a craftsman, Hikaru had experience restoring tools, artifacts, and ancient relics. He had just acquired a technique for polishing materials, and he still hadn''t finished refining the Evolution Stones. Might as well do it all at once. "Remove the rust, clean the surface, repolish, and wipe off any impurities¡ª" Honedge let out an excited "Yoh Yoh!" Oh, polishing its blade? It had often been maintained by craftsmen in the past! Then, Hikaru noticed something new. [Rare Material: Tattered Cloth] [Description: A worn piece of fabric from Honedge. It gradually absorbs the life essence of living beings. When an ancient sword becomes a Pok¨¦mon, this cloth becomes part of its being.] [If Honedge participates in craftsmanship, it might gain something¡­?] [Clue Obtained: Soaking tattered cloth in a spiritually charged environment for several days can transform it into a Tattered Cloth. Certain haunted locations may serve as optimal refinement sites. Utilizing the power of Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon can expedite the process.] [Known Haunting Site¡ªAbandoned Workshop (Home).] [Abandoned Workshop: A forsaken workshop, long deserted. The decayed building harbors residual grievances. A recent death has been reported here.] [Spiritual Activity Level¡ªLow: Unsettling, but no supernatural occurrences.] Hikaru: "...?" His house was haunted? Oh, right. Someone did die here¡ªhe did! And this workshop was an old, abandoned building left behind by his father. It had been deserted for years, situated near a forest and far from the village. When the original owner returned, no one had set foot here for ages. Combine that with an actual Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon¡­ Yeah, it was a haunted site. He glanced at Honedge''s blue ribbon. Tattered Cloth A material like this should be unnerving, but realizing his home was already a haunted place, all sense of unease evaporated. No problem, then! Wait¡ªwas this why he had unlocked talisman crafting? Because of this fabric? Many Pok¨¦mon wore ornaments that were once ordinary items but, through their elemental energy, became part of them. These items could be replaced. Hikaru returned inside, with Honedge floating in behind him. He turned back for one last look. As a craftsman, having his first Pok¨¦mon be an ancient sword¡­ Yeah, that made sense. With that thought, he pulled out a brand-new notebook. Originally, it was meant for work records. But as he glanced at Honedge, he felt an odd sense of sentimentality. So, lifting his pen, he recorded today''s events in the blank notebook. Recording in progress, please do not power off. A fresh page turned: "Honedge, an ancient Pok¨¦mon." "Has a somewhat Clumsy nature." "Met at my abandoned workshop¡ªhome." "Dislikes bitter flavors." "Gets carried away easily." Record complete. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 7 - 7 Polishing required a long time, but with skilled craftsmanship, the process was significantly accelerated. Hikaru donned work gloves and a mask, tied on an apron stained with dust and grime, and prepared the necessary tools for sharpening. Rust removal, surface treatment, polishing. The sun was absent outside. Though the rain had gradually stopped, the world was growing darker, marking the passage of time. The rust on Honedge''s body slowly disappeared. After a long session of grinding, its surface became as smooth as a mirror, gleaming as if it had just been freshly forged. The effect of "Grinding Craftsmanship" was remarkable, significantly enhancing both efficiency and speed. This made Hikaru reconsider the depth of the knowledge he had acquired. Some effects didn''t seem to appear in his conscious thoughts. Honedge looked delighted! sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It twirled in midair with excitement, slashing at the air with its newly polished blade. Hikaru noticed another layer of information: [Craftsmanship Enhancement: After meticulous grinding with your expert skills, Honedge has undergone some changes. Its blade has become sharper and more durable, slightly enhancing its offensive capabilities.] [Slightly increases the damage of cutting-type moves.] Hikaru nodded in satisfaction. A newly sharpened weapon should, of course, be tougher and sharper. "Dou!" Honedge spun joyfully in midair, feeling a newfound ease when swinging its body. "Can you use a cutting move? Try it now." Hikaru asked, glancing outside. The sky had grown quite dim, signaling the late hour. However, at the edges of the mountains, faint beams of light filtered through the clouds. Honedge blinked its lone eye before a faint, silvery-green energy surged along its blade. Upon closer inspection, this energy seemed almost nonexistent, as though it was merely the reflection of light off the exceptionally sharp sword edge. Hikaru pushed open the door, stepping outside with Honedge . The earthy scent mixed with the damp air as Honedge focused its attention. Honedge used Fury Cutter! A sharp cutting sound sliced through the air, leaving behind a crisp sword hum. Hikaru''s eyes immediately brightened, and even Honedge itself seemed excited. It continued slashing through the air, with the power of Fury Cutter growing stronger with each successive strike. By the final slash, a miniature whirlwind seemed to stir up at the sword''s edge. The visible air pressure from the strike sent grass and water droplets scattering into the air! Then, for its final attack, Honedge targeted a distant rock. The moment its tip touched the stone, a clean, straight crack formed¡ªsplitting the rock in two! "Even though this wasn''t used in an actual battle, just watching it feels powerful." "Fury Cutter is a Bug-type move, but many Pok¨¦mon can learn it. The one who originally discovered this move was Bugsy, the Gym Leader of Azalea Town. So, you already knew this move back in your time?" "Yo?" Honedge blinked and shook its blade left and right, indicating it had no idea. It had always known this move. If other Pok¨¦mon couldn''t use it, perhaps it was simply because they weren''t swords. For a sword, using Fury Cutter was just a natural way to attack! "That makes sense." Hikaru mused. Discovering moves required careful observation, and if no Pok¨¦mon in the wild had ever used a certain move, then the idea of ''discovery'' wouldn''t even exist. ... After helping Honedge remove its rust, the next task was polishing the Eviolite. However, the polishing method for stones and minerals differed from that of weapons. For softer stones, sandpaper was necessary to prevent breaking. Fortunately, Eviolite Stones were exceptionally durable. As items that enhanced a Pok¨¦mon''s defenses, their resilience was naturally high. Recalling various clues he had seen earlier, Hikaru pondered. None of the games had ever explicitly stated the origin of Eviolite Stones. Perhaps these stones were formed when the energy from numerous Pok¨¦mon evolutions influenced surrounding minerals over time. Thus, when an unevolved Pok¨¦mon used one, it could significantly boost its Defense and Special Defense. Of course, this was all just speculation¡ªHikaru wasn''t a Pok¨¦mon Professor, after all. By the time he finished polishing the Eviolite Stone, the sky had turned completely dark. Another day had passed. Hikaru paused his work, carefully examining the softly glowing, pale-purple Eviolite Stone. His mind began to process the information: [Task Completed: Obtained "Unique Eviolite Stone"!] [Evaluation: A highly polished Eviolite Stone with its energy fully released. It can also affect a Pok¨¦mon''s condition to a certain extent!] [Item Effect: When held by an unevolved Pok¨¦mon, its Defense and Special Defense increase by 50%.] [Unique Enhancement: The stone draws out a Pok¨¦mon''s inner potential. If held for an extended period, the Pok¨¦mon''s Defense and Special Defense will experience significant growth!] [Gained Knowledge: +1] [Improved Grinding Technique: You have acquired deeper knowledge about polishing and refining materials.] Hikaru absorbed this knowledge as it settled into his mind. The Unique Enhancement of the Eviolite Stone intrigued him. In games, total damage taken depended on factors like Defense, Special Defense, HP, base stats, effort values, and typing interactions. However, in the real world, Pok¨¦mon training had no upper limits. Even weak Pok¨¦mon could grow immensely strong through years of training. Some could even become special individuals capable of negating their natural weaknesses entirely. "A Pok¨¦mon holding this stone will have its potential fully unleashed. If wearing it long-term increases Defense and Special Defense, then this is somewhat similar to an EV-training item. The question is whether it enhances effort values or individual values." Satisfied, Hikaru gazed at the Eviolite Stone in his hand. Although he had only worked on polishing it, this final product was undoubtedly superior to any natural Eviolite Stone! Thinking about it, he realized something¡ªwhether in games or anime, very few trainers actually used held items in battle. Even Gym Leaders and the Elite Four rarely did. "How should Bug-types rise to prominence? Eviolite Stones are the perfect accessory for Scyther!" At the same time, Hikaru recalled a unique rule about Knowledge & Craftsmanship¡ª After completing a new crafting project, he would always receive clues about new materials. As thoughts formed in his mind, new information emerged: [Material Clue: Relic Stone] [Ancient stones once carved or processed by humans. With the passage of time, they have gained mysterious properties that differentiate them from ordinary rocks. These stones cannot be used for sculptures or buildings, but with the proper carving skills, they can be crafted into special "Symbolic Tablets."] [Locations: Various ruins, including Sinnoh Ruins, Mt. Coronet Ruins, Ice Ruins, and Black Gold Ruins.] [Associated Craft: Relic Engraving Technique.] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 8 - 8 "Ruins carving craftsmanship¡­?" Hikaru furrowed his brows in thought. If it was about carving, then his family''s craft was precisely that¡ªsculpting. But when it came to ruins stones, weren''t those just the bricks inside ruins or the rocks outside? And what exactly was a "symbolic stone slab"? He wasn''t sure about its function, but that was to be expected. After all, he hadn''t truly obtained such materials yet. There was no rush. The Ruins of Shinto were located on the nearby mountains. Though the journey was long, summer was the best season to explore the ruins. This land only had four months without snowfall¡ªfrom early summer to late autumn. As for sculpting in the Pok¨¦mon world, the first person that came to Hikaru''s mind was Kosa, the sculptor from the Paldea region. Each region had its own mysterious sculptures, but few knew who created them. It was one of the world''s hidden secrets¡ªstone sculptors never sought fame. Of course, there were also the frequent Rhyperior sculptures found in ruins, though the sculptors who made them had long since passed away. As for the Gym statues, Hikaru had already seen through the memories of his predecessor that his family often sculpted statues for Gyms. His father would even travel to Rock-type Gyms to repair and restore relief carvings and stone decorations. There were still many questions in his mind, but anything involving Pok¨¦mon always seemed fascinating, leading him to think deeper. During this time, Honedge had been quietly waiting by his side, remaining still for a while until Hikaru picked up the glossy-looking stone. That was when he suddenly noticed Honedge staring blankly at him. "{}?" "Hmm? What''s wrong?" Speaking of which, this Pok¨¦mon''s "eyes" were more like the two marks on its scabbard: [¨A¨@]. At this moment, however, Honedge was thinking¡ª This gemstone looks different from when I wore it before! Now, this actually looks like a gem! Had I known, I wouldn''t have given it to you! "Oh, are you attracted to it? Here, try wearing it again." Hikaru handed the Eviolite Stone to Honedge. The Pok¨¦mon hesitated for a moment before using its blue ribbon to wrap around the stone, then placed it on its hilt. To Hikari''s surprise, a fitting slot appeared automatically on the hilt, and the gem clicked perfectly into place. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru immediately started analyzing. As expected, even though Honedge didn''t have a mouth for eating and belonged to the Mineral Egg Group, it was a Ghost/Steel-type Pok¨¦mon. These two attributes already defined its nature¡ªit was both a spirit and an ancient sword. Manipulating its blade to undergo small transformations was effortless. Now that he thought about it, in the past anime, there was that Aegislash performing "folded slashes." He had always assumed that was just an exaggerated battle animation meant to create dramatic tension. But now, it seemed surprisingly¡­ realistic. Even though it belonged to the Mineral Egg Group, Pok¨¦mon in this world were still considered living beings. But come on¡ªwhat kind of living creature folds into three sections?! "Yo!" The moment Honedge equipped the Eviolite Stone, it immediately felt a significant increase in the durability of its blade. The sensation was subtle¡ªwhat was once just an ordinary gemstone now seemed¡­ alive! Not only did it come to life, but it also resonated with Honedge, slowly activating a certain power within itself, forming a continuous cycle. Although weak, the feeling was incredible! Honedge blinked its single eye and let out a sound toward Hikaru. "Yo!" I''ve equipped it! Feels amazing! "Hardness, toughness¡­ you seem to be in great shape," Hikaru chuckled. "You can keep wearing it for now. Hmm¡­ looks like you can use it for a few more days. My client hasn''t replied yet, and in the meantime, this stone should gradually enhance your defensive capabilities." "But I promise I''ll find you another Eviolite Stone to replace it." "As my craftsmanship improves, the stones I refine will only get better! But once you evolve into your final form, you won''t need an Eviolite Stone anymore." Honedge''s eye lit up instantly, and it happily twirled its blade. "Yo!" Brimming with confidence for the future¡ªthis was the attitude its chosen new king should have! As for the gemstone? It could leave that up to fate! Hikaru stretched his body and glanced at the time on his computer. 21:00. Exhaling deeply, he realized that although he felt a little exhausted, today had been quite fulfilling. Honedge''s sudden appearance had completely disrupted his thoughts and, in doing so, had forced him to immerse himself in this world. That was a good thing. From the moment he had regained consciousness, he had been working until nightfall without noticing the passage of time. He had only eaten some dried fruits to stave off hunger. Now, he could finally take a break. "That''s enough work for today. Time for dinner." To celebrate his first encounter with Honedge, he wanted to prepare a proper meal. However, the variety and quantity of ingredients at home were already running low. He could manage some stews, but anything fancier was out of the question. He would have to buy more from the villagers. Hopefully, his first major client would bring in enough savings soon. For now, foraging for wild vegetables and Berries in the forests and mountains would have to do. "Speaking of which, what do you eat? Do you eat Pok¨¦mon food?" Hikaru glanced at Honedge, suddenly curious. Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon were known to sustain themselves by absorbing life energy, but they also seemed capable of eating standard Pok¨¦mon food and even human meals. Of course, some special Pok¨¦mon truly didn''t eat normal food at all. How did Ghost-types even consume food? Honedge was a sword with a ghostly essence. Did it actually need to eat conventional meals? According to its lore, it fed on life force. However, from what Hikaru knew, no Honedge or Aegislash had ever absorbed their trainer''s life energy. In contrast, the Litwick evolutionary line, with similar descriptions, had a much darker reputation. Moreover, Honedge couldn''t even learn any "Absorption"-type moves. Judging by its Egg Group, if he remembered correctly, it was classified under the Mineral Group. But that didn''t necessarily mean it only ate rocks, soil, or ice. For example, Sudowoodo was also part of the Mineral Group but could eat regular Pok¨¦mon food. So¡­ what did this ghostly sword prefer? "Yo~" Honedge responded matter-of-factly. Of course, life energy. But it doesn''t have to be human. Human energy was just convenient because humans could recover it quickly through eating. And as a weapon, it naturally coexisted with its wielder¡­ though Hikaru didn''t seem to need a weapon for protection. Honedge: Stare¡ª It gestured with its blue ribbon while making sounds. "Yo? Yo!" Isn''t this a common thing? You know, the kind of legendary hero''s sword stuck in a forest? If you place the hero''s sword in the right spot, it''ll remain untarnished for centuries! "Oh, you mean a hero''s sword? That kind of setting actually exists? You''re saying that nature''s essence is also a form of life energy? That makes sense, I suppose. Wild Honedge exist, after all¡­ they can''t just go around draining wild humans." Hikaru thought for a moment. A hero''s sword left in a forest¡­ that sounded like something akin to the "Rusted Sword." What if Zacian wielded an Aegislash¡ªhow high would its base stats be?! Then another thought struck him. "So, would the energy from Berries count too?" "Yo!" Honedge blinked and confirmed enthusiastically. Of course! How else do you think Berries restore HP?! "Then¡­ what about a Revive? Even if you''re at full health, it''d probably say, ''It won''t have any effect.''" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 9 - 9 Revival Herb? What''s that? "Yo?" ¦²(¡Ñ)? Honedge tilted its eye in confusion while Hikaru signaled for it to wait. Soon, he retrieved a small box containing pale golden, diamond-shaped "gems" from the living room cabinet. "Revival Fragments. Though they all share the same shape, some are natural minerals while others are artificially crafted. However, their effects are identical." "By using two plants¡ªRevital Herb and Heal Grass¡ªand processing them through a series of refinement steps, you can create Revival Fragments." Hikaru handed one of the fragments to Honedge. "Yo?" Honedge grasped the pale golden "gem" with its blue spectral hand, and its eye immediately widened! A surge of powerful vitality radiated from the fragment! A faint, ghostly purple energy spread from Honedge''s body. Soon, the Revival Fragment gripped in its blue ribboned-hand vanished into nothingness. "Absorbed? It can be used even without HP depletion? As expected, this isn''t like the game world. The Revival Fragment, capable of restoring HP, indeed possesses a strange life energy." "So, it really does eat using that blue ribbon-like hand." According to its lore, Honedge drains the life force of those who grab its hilt, wrapping its blue cloth around their arm until they collapse. It seems that it only does this out of hunger. That makes sense. In the Abyssal Ruins of the Unova region, there''s an ancient inscription that says¡ªTo eat is to obtain all life. Those with mouths eat with their mouths. Those without¡­ adapt in their own ways. However, Revival Fragments are about three times the price of regular berries, averaging around 1,500 Pok¨¦ Dollars per piece. Compared to regular food and vegetables, that''s quite expensive¡ªalmost as much as some large-sized ingredients. If Honedge were to eat these daily, it would be quite a financial burden. If possible, to cut down on expenses, Hikaru figured he should cultivate a small farm near his cottage and grow some vegetables and berries himself. After all, he was going to be working here for quite some time. "Well, you''re full, but I haven''t eaten yet." It was already late. Hikaru moved toward the kitchen, looking at the stone chimney and the neatly stacked firewood¡ªcut by the previous owner during their outings. Thankfully, the former owner had at least done some basic preparations. Otherwise, Hikaru would''ve found himself in a rather dire, woodless situation. He rummaged through the storage chest and pulled out some ingredients: Canned chicken. Pickled vegetables. A good amount of onions. Dried carrots. Butter, a small bag of flour, and Moomoo Milk. A few berries and some mushrooms he had recently foraged. When traveling long distances, securing fresh ingredients can be difficult. Apart from berries, most normal vegetables have a limited shelf life. Among them, onions last the longest at room temperature¡ªup to a month. Berries, on the other hand, are truly mysterious natural foods. They can be stored for long periods without rotting, and different varieties contain unique nutrients. Hikaru decided to make a hearty stew with these ingredients. It''s a common cooking method, where cheap and easily accessible ingredients are thrown into a pot and simmered. To enhance the texture and flavor, some ingredients would first be pan-fried or saut¨¦ed. In the Pok¨¦mon world, apart from regular ingredients, berries are often used in stews. In the distant Galar region, their famous Curry is made using berries as a base ingredient. Just as Hikaru started preparing the ingredients, a certain sword Pok¨¦mon darted into the kitchen in a blur! The New King was cooking personally! As a knight, how could he not assist? When it comes to slicing ingredients, wouldn''t using its own blade be much faster? After all, it was razor-sharp! "Yo!" Honedge hovered over the cutting board, unsheathing itself with a crisp metallic sound! Its blue ribbon-hand caught the falling scabbard while its blade gleamed with a faint green light! Honedge used Fury Cutter! Super effective on cabbage! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! A whole onion disintegrated into fine shreds at blazing speed! The blade moved so fast that afterimages trailed behind it! Using a Bug-type move to chop vegetables¡ªit was as smooth as silk. No wonder, since vegetables belonged to the Grass-type. "Oh! So Fury Cutter can be used like this? I never considered using an ancient sword for chopping food since¡­ well, you''re not a kitchen knife." Hikaru was stunned. Meanwhile, Honedge was brimming with pride, its single eye gleaming confidently as it slightly tilted its blade upward¡ªas if boasting. It completely ignored the fact that its blade was now covered in onion bits and juice, forcing Hikaru to quickly step back. "Yo~ Yo!" A knight''s duty is to assist his lord. Chopping mere ingredients? A trivial task! If needed, it could slice everything in this kitchen with ease! Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Really? You seem quite experienced. Alright then, I''ll leave chopping the berries to you as well." He never expected Honedge to have such hidden talents. Hikaru originally thought that, after being bestowed upon a knight by an ancient king, all it did was cut down enemies. But apparently, it had also been used for food preparation. Well, at least this made things easier! "Yo!" Hearing Hikaru''s praise, Honedge''s eye burned with passion! (?????§¥????)?! New King, witness my skill! It''s not that I''m weak¡ªit''s just that your power surpasses mine! But when it comes to cutting ingredients, I''m absolutely superior! Cheap kitchen knives? Evolve once before stepping into my domain! ... The Next Day ¨C June 7th Weather: Clear. The early summer rain had stopped, and as the sun rose, the ancient land awakened once more. Hikaru had a deep, restful sleep. The exhaustion from yesterday had completely vanished. After tidying his bedding, he glanced at the time. 07:35 AM. A beautiful morning. Honedge had not been stored inside a Pok¨¦ Ball. Instead, it stood against the corner of the wall, its blade tip resting on the ground, and its hilt pressed against the wall''s crevice. It resembled how ancient soldiers would lean their weapons against walls for easy access. It seemed Honedge still retained this old habit. Hikaru gazed at the sleeping ancient sword, lost in thought. Should he make a weapon rack for it? In the Pok¨¦mon world, there''s a field dedicated to studying Pok¨¦mon ecology. Professors like Birch and Rowan are prominent researchers in this area. Different Pok¨¦mon have different preferences for their living environments. Although Honedge had mentioned the legend of the sword in the stone, surely no weapon would enjoy being embedded in ruins for a thousand years, enduring wind and rain. Even Zacian''s Rusted Sword, the true blade of a hero, decayed after 3,000 years. If that legendary sword could succumb to time, what about other ancient swords? S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Today was another busy day. The house, storage, and work areas all needed tidying up. The land outside was no exception. Hikaru first headed to the storage area, retrieving a wooden board and a solar-powered generator. In the wilderness, one of the essential survival tools was a portable solar power supply. He set it up outside to soak in sunlight and store energy. His cottage was a short distance from the village, but not too far. Beyond his front yard lay vast land, overgrown with weeds, scattered rocks, and fallen branches carried by the wind. Yesterday''s rain obscured his vision. But with today''s clear skies, Hikaru could survey the distant scenery, recalling the map on his wall. Towering ancient peaks, ruins, and temples, a distant village, and natural paths leading out of the valley. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 10 - 10 According to his memories, Hikaru recalled that after returning, the previous owner had spent the next few days conducting limited field exploration and making a first visit to the village. Through conversations with the villagers, he had roughly mapped out the surrounding terrain and drawn a simple map. Hikaru re-entered the house, took down the map, and once again surveyed the area to compare it with the drawn layout. First, the main structure of the Shinto Ruins. It was actually the remains of an ancient temple, isolated from the village and hidden deep within the sacred peak. Access to the peak was only possible during summer. Once autumn and winter arrived, the area was engulfed by relentless blizzards. This was why the location was merely marked as "?" in the upper right corner of the crude map. Occasionally, ruin investigators and explorers from other regions would conduct research, but most found nothing of value. That was expected. After all, the Pok¨¦mon world was filled with countless ruins and remnants of ancient civilizations. Without understanding its true history, people would simply assume that the Shinto Ruins were just another old temple ruin located north of Johto and the Indigo Plateau. During winter, this place would be completely buried under heavy snow, cutting it off from access. Anyone wanting to reach the ruins would have to pass through a wall of ice and snow. Being situated at the edge of the Indigo Plateau, the climate was frigid¡ªsnow in the mountain valleys rarely melted year-round. The village nestled in the mountain fold relied on the ancient peak for survival, maintaining a small patch of farmland for sustenance. Their planting season had just begun in June. To the northwest lay an enormous forest, known as the Shinto Woods. Towering ancient trees filled the area, with some sections so dense that sunlight never reached the ground. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To the east was a continuous mountain range, mainly consisting of rocky peaks. These towering mountains formed deep, rugged valleys, with scattered wetlands in between. The Shinto Ruins'' sacred peak was the tallest in the eastern mountains. Many rivers and streams originated from it, flowing through the village and forest. To the south, the path led to Johto, mostly covered by the vast and towering Indigo Plateau. Even Mt. Moon and the Y¨±ei Mountain Range were part of this plateau. Beyond the plateau lay Smokemore City in Johto. To the west, another massive plateau and mountain range stretched endlessly. From Ecruteak City and the Battle Frontier''s northern region, it extended all the way north, beyond the map''s boundaries. Even the small visible portion on Johto''s map already rivaled the Indigo Plateau in scale. Hikaru shifted his gaze back from the distance and focused on the wasteland around the workshop. Because of his work, as a jack-of-all-trades toolmaker, he often traveled through different regions, constantly relocating his workshop. Now that he had gained a special ability for acquiring knowledge and craftsmanship, he would need to travel even more. But his work in Shinto had just begun. It was time to restore the abandoned workshop. At the very least, he would be staying here for quite a while. And one type of item required him to stay rooted in one place. That was¡ªmedicine. From ancient herbal remedies to modern Full Restores and Full Heals, the essence of medicine remained unchanged. Herbs in the Pok¨¦mon world possessed mystical healing properties. If applied correctly, even minor injuries healed instantly. When processed into potions, their effects became even more powerful¡ªa result of combining different medicinal properties. However, the brewing methods varied from region to region and for different medicines. Mint, herbs, Revival Herb¡ªthese were common medicinal plants that had to be cultivated manually. Finding them in the wild was incredibly difficult, and some species only grew in specific regions. This was why always carrying herb seeds and planting them wherever possible was essential. Hikaru already had a small supply of seeds. Whenever he set up a new worksite, he planted some, leaving a portion behind for future use. If needed, he could purchase more from local herbalists¡ªalong with vegetable and plant seeds for emergencies. Unlike fresh vegetables, seeds had an incredibly long shelf life when stored properly. Although Hikaru wasn''t an herbalist, he could still craft basic healing potions¡ªa traditional skill among Sinnoh locals. The main ingredient? Heal Grass. "I should visit the village to restock soon." From the previous owner''s memories, Hikaru knew that the village had both herbalists and craftsmen. The herbalist owned a medicinal garden, where he could buy seeds or transplant some herbs. It was also a good opportunity to look for rare plants. For regular crop seeds, he could simply buy some from the villagers. Truthfully, Hikaru figured he''d stay in this place for at least a few months¡ªwhich meant securing a reliable food source was crucial. Luckily, it was summer in Shinto. The plants were thriving, soaking in the warm air and growing rapidly. Besides gathering seeds, Hikaru also needed to collect scrap cloth. "Yo?" Hikaru turned to see Honedge floating toward him. Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon were still Pok¨¦mon. They weren''t actual ghosts¡ªthey needed rest just like any other. "Good morning, Honedge! Time to get to work!" "Yo!" Honedge seemed excited, though it had no idea what the task was. Was it time to slice vegetables again? "No, today we''re cleaning up the house. In the afternoon, we''ll visit the village." The abandoned workshop had been unused for years. After the previous owner returned, he had only occupied the living room, workshop, and basement. Four other rooms remained untouched, filled with dust-covered antique chairs, some even toppled over. Just opening the door sent a cloud of dust into the air, making him cough. Honedge drifted inside, immediately enveloped by a chilling sensation¡ªand it loved it! "Why do you look so happy? Man, this place feels unsettling¡­ The info wasn''t wrong¡ªthis old house has definitely accumulated lingering spirits. It''s practically a haunted site." That was to be expected. Houses left empty for too long always developed an eerie atmosphere. Hikaru inspected the first room. A rectangular table stood in the center, with dusty glass bottles scattered on top. A cabinet with three shelves and two large drawers sat beside it. Some metallic tools and potion-making equipment were arranged on the shelves. Next to the cabinet was a small, narrow bookshelf, filled with ancient books, their spines crumbling. "This looks like an alchemy lab." Hikaru cautiously touched one of the books, but it nearly crumbled to dust. "These books are ancient¡­ Reading them properly might be impossible. Maybe if I learn book restoration techniques, I could fix them someday." Once medicinal herbs were cultivated and harvested, this room could serve as a potion-making lab. It already had ready-to-use equipment. Then, in the second room, Hikaru found an old forge. "It''s like a blacksmith''s shop in a game." As he explored further, he discovered something peculiar. It was a clump of pale green clay, faintly glowing. [Rare Material: Light Clay] Effect: Pok¨¦mon holding this item will extend the duration of Light Screen and Reflect. Crafting Method (1): Unique Pottery Crafting (C-): Clay-based pottery retains the properties of its materials. Ground- and Rock-type Pok¨¦mon love these ceramics and receive slight attribute boosts. In Sinnoh''s Underground, Light Clay was exceptionally rare, only obtained through persistent digging. "If I turn this into pottery, would it glow?" Clay was a common pottery material. But if used to make ceramics¡­ "Would my plates automatically cast Light Screen?" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 11 - 11 After cleaning up the workshop, Hikaru took Honedge along and set off toward the distant village. When they arrived, the villagers were working in the fields. A river flowed from the ancient mountains, passing through the village. Streams formed from melting snow merged with this river, nourishing the surrounding land. Due to the cold climate of the Shinto Ruins, planting was only possible during summer. However, in the Pok¨¦mon world, crops grew at an unnaturally fast rate. On fertile land, most crops could be harvested within a month, completely defying common sense. Even more extreme were berries, which¡ªif following game mechanics¡ªcould fully mature in just 48 hours. As Hikaru observed the fields, he noticed a large number of Diglett. Diglett, the Mole Pok¨¦mon. Its appearance was that of a brown, oval-shaped head with a red nose, with the rest of its body hidden underground. Wherever it dug tunnels, the soil was naturally tilled and aerated. Its waste enriched the soil, creating ideal farmland. Their strange cries echoed through the fields as they worked, leaving behind small mounds of dirt. The villagers followed their paths, planting seeds in the freshly tilled soil. Soon, Hikaru arrived at the village''s herbal shop, run by an elderly bald man named Guru. He perfectly fit the image of a classic medicine shop elder. As soon as Hikaru stepped inside, the old man squinted and carefully examined him. "Never thought someone would actually move here. I heard someone had taken up residence in that abandoned workshop¡­ Turns out, that was you." "The last time you visited the village, I didn''t get to meet you. I heard you''re from Sinnoh¡ªare you here to investigate the ruins?" Then, Guru''s gaze shifted to Honedge. "And that sword¡­" Honedge waved its ribbon-like arm in greeting. "Yo!" "What a peculiar Pok¨¦mon¡­ It truly looks like a weapon given life." The old man studied Honedge for a while, clearly intrigued. It wasn''t until Hikaru explained his reason for coming that Guru finally smiled warmly. "Hohoho¡­ So you''re here to purchase herb seeds and vegetable seeds? No problem¡ªtake a look." "Also, while it''s quite far from here, if you''re looking for strange merchandise, you should visit the Shinto Ruins." "There''s a traveling merchant who stays in a small house near the temple. Blond hair, blue jacket, always carrying a massive backpack. He''s still young, been staying there since last year. Apparently, he''s serving as a guide for an elderly mountain dweller, but he might also be an explorer himself." A traveling merchant? A field supply vendor! Hikaru''s eyes lit up. Finding a merchant in a remote area was rare, and one stationed in the wild meant they likely carried rare materials. Having gained useful intel, Hikaru quickly warmed up to Guru. The Shinto region wasn''t just home to descendants of the Shinto people¡ªthere were also descendants of ancient Johto settlers. This was one of history''s unanswered mysteries¡ªwhy did Sinnoh''s people migrate south across the sea? Why did Johto''s people venture deep into the mountains? Even Guru couldn''t say, as the legends had long since fragmented. Guru carefully packed various herbs and their seeds for Hikaru. Some were common medicinal plants, while others he had never seen before. "This is Heal Grass¡ªlooks like a giant green onion, but it''s a great base for medicine. Originally brought here from Sinnoh, but since the environment is so similar, it''s now growing wild." "This is Vital Bloom, also known as Morning Dew Bud. It''s an essential ingredient in traditional medicine." "This is Bugweed¡ªjust a bitter wild herb used in herbal medicine. Once dried and ground into powder, it''s taken as a remedy." "And this¡­" Guru pulled open a medicine drawer, retrieving a curled-up, vibrant green plant. "This is Revival Herb. It''s extremely bitter and spicy, but as a medicine, it''s remarkably potent. Even a near-death Pok¨¦mon will recover rapidly after consuming it." "If you cultivate it, the roots will grow large¡ªthat''s Energy Root." "Revival Herb is an invaluable medicinal plant. Use it wisely." Hikaru examined the various herbs. Some were familiar from the games, while others resembled real-world medicinal plants¡ªoffering not just healing, but also calming effects, detoxification, and vitality restoration. Guru smiled. "Medicinal plants grow quickly. Just water them regularly, and they''ll sprout within days. In about a month, you''ll have a full harvest." Hikaru once again marveled at the absurd plant growth rates in the Pok¨¦mon world. But the benefits were undeniable. "I saw Diglett in the village. Are they the villagers'' Pok¨¦mon?" Guru shook his head. "No, no. The Diglett and we simply coexist. They till the land for us, and in return, we plant crops they enjoy as a reward." Diglett naturally ate plant roots and chewed through vegetables. To prevent this, farmers grew special crops as an exchange¡ªallowing Diglett to help with farming instead of becoming a problem. Hikaru nodded thoughtfully. It was interesting¡ªwhile Diglett could till land, they couldn''t learn the move ''Rototiller''. Only their evolved form, Dugtrio, could. But that was just game mechanics. In practice, any Ground-type Pok¨¦mon could plow land. Even Tauros could be used for traditional ox-plowing. This method was even documented in Jubilife Village''s farm records during the Hisui era. After all, Rototiller was a niche move, while Ground-type Pok¨¦mon were everywhere¡ªeven Groudon could do the job. "Thank you for the herbs. I''ll cultivate them properly." As Hikaru''s thoughts began to stir, information surfaced again. [Rare Herb: Revival Herb.] Description: A very bitter medicinal herb. Fully restores the HP of a fainted Pok¨¦mon. Crafting Knowledge Unlocked (1): [Unique Herbal Crafting (C): The medicine you craft doubles its healing effect but becomes even more bitter. However, Pok¨¦mon that enjoy bitter flavors will gain friendship instead of losing it. New Craftable Items Unlocked: "Herbal Medicine" and "Superior Herbal Medicine."] "And these are crop seeds. Take some as well." Since Diglett helped with farming, Guru didn''t just grow medicinal plants but also regular crops. "Fresh vegetables aren''t easy to come by when traveling, right? Don''t worry about time¡ªthis soil is highly fertile, and with summer here, everything will grow rapidly after planting. The abandoned land near your workshop should be put to good use." Guru continued: "You probably know that food and medicine share origins. Some vegetables can double as remedies. When you''re hungry, they''re food; when you''re sick, they''re medicine." "I''ll even lend you some Diglett. Just give me a few days¡ªonce our farm work is done, come back, and they''ll help till your land." Hikaru was surprised. "You can lend me Diglett? But I thought they weren''t owned by the village?" Guru chuckled, stroking his beard. "They''re easy to befriend¡ªjust feed them their favorite foods like vegetables and tree roots." "Once they trust you, they''ll help till your land. If you prepare the food, they''ll clear your entire plot in a single day." "If you feel guilty about taking their help, bring me some rare herbs if you find any in the wild." "Oh, and if you ever find Mago Berries, bring them to me. They take a long time to grow and are highly sought-after for medicine." Hikaru was thrilled. With Diglett''s help, his soil would become more fertile, his herbs would grow faster and healthier, and most importantly¡ªhe''d save a ton of time and effort. Plus, he had bought everything in one trip. And as he received one last pack of seeds, new information surfaced again. [Uncommon Crop Seed: Rolling Bean.] Description: A large, firm bean. A favorite of Flying- and Water-type Pok¨¦mon. Can be used to lure them. New Crafting Knowledge Unlocked (1). "Rolling Beans from Hisui? They still exist?" This trip to the village was well worth it. "Oh, and one more thing¡ªI''m also looking to buy scrap cloth." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 12 - 12 Hikaru quickly gathered a large amount of old fabric, but in the process, he made an unexpected discovery. When he picked up an old, tattered martial arts gi and examined it closely, his mind suddenly filled with new insights: [Rare Material: Aged Orange Martial Arts Gi] Description: A well-worn garment once worn by a powerful martial artist, tempered through countless battles across mountains and rivers. Though damaged, the wear and tear of time has made the fabric even more resilient. Crafting Knowledge Unlocked (1): [Unique Strong-Weave Textile Crafting (C+)] A technique for processing extremely durable or specialized fabrics. Using this method, one can craft powerful fabric-based items by incorporating materials from Fighting-type Pok¨¦mon. By sewing Fighting-type materials into tough fabric, it is possible to create battle gear that enhances endurance.Fabric infused with Fighting-type energy will gradually develop martial properties, transforming into Combat Cloth. New Craftable Items: -Focus Sash -Focus Band [If Honedge participates in crafting, something special may happen¡­] Focus Sash?! "This is¡­?" Hikaru turned to Guru, the herbalist, who sighed. "Ah¡­ that was my old martial arts gi. I kept it as a memento, unwilling to throw it away. But¡­ I don''t need it anymore." Guru admitted that he had once been a powerful martial artist, traveling across the Pok¨¦mon world against his family''s wishes. He had even won Fighting-type tournaments. However, an illness and years of wear and tear eventually forced him to retire. By the time he returned home, his parents had already passed away. So, he gave up his martial path and opened a herbal shop in the village. Now, history seemed to repeat itself¡ªhis son had left on a journey, refusing to inherit the shop, traveling to distant lands, with no sign of returning anytime soon. Hikaru couldn''t help but feel a sense of melancholy. After finishing his collection of old cloth, Guru gifted him a batch of durable, thick fabric. "I don''t know what you''re planning to do with all this worn-out cloth, but as a craftsman, I trust you''ll put it to good use. Take these as well." Silk, linen, cotton¡ªthese were common textile materials. But in the Pok¨¦mon world, some special plants could also be used to make fabric. For example, the petals of the Harvest King''s Lightbloom could be woven into glowing fabric that shimmered under sunlight. Similarly, items included Spell Tag, a cloth imbued with eerie ghostly energy. Hikaru had previously purchased Power Cloth, which could be used to craft Power Headbands¡ªone of which was still stored in his warehouse. Thinking back, Focus Sash had never appeared in the Pok¨¦mon anime. Many battle items from the games didn''t exist in the animated world. The same seemed to apply here¡ªtrainers didn''t typically use battle items, and there wasn''t a large market for them. Hard Stones, Silver Powder, Mystic Water¡ªin the games, these were common held items. But here, they were prized tournament rewards, emphasizing their rarity. As Hikaru prepared to leave, Guru gave one final warning. "You''re new to this region, so there''s something you need to know." "If you ever venture into Shinto Forest, be very careful." "That place is divided into territories by powerful Pok¨¦mon. If you trespass unknowingly, you will be attacked. The trees there are towering and dense¡ªsunlight barely reaches the ground. Everything is covered in moss and thick vegetation. You never know when something might ambush you." "Recently, a Scyther ran out of the forest and caused chaos in the outskirts before disappearing again." Hikaru nodded. It was no surprise¡ªpowerful creatures always claim their own territories. Even wild Pok¨¦mon followed this rule. Returning to the Workshop Once back at the workshop, Hikaru wasted no time and began processing the fabric. [Material: Durable Cloth] S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Description: A thick, sturdy fabric perfect for crafting high-quality battle garments. The main hall of the workshop served as his workspace¡ªsince the place had been abandoned for years, there was no need for an organized setup. "First, let''s let these old rags absorb the residual ghostly energy in the workshop." Hikaru piled the old cloth into the fourth room, which was dark and empty¡ªan ideal place to infuse Ghost-type energy. According to basic spirit knowledge, dark places that never receive sunlight were the most likely to gather spectral energy. However, this ghostly aura wouldn''t last forever. Hikaru had learned that abandoned buildings lose their eerie presence over time once renovated and occupied. If no spirits remained, the ghostly atmosphere would eventually fade. Since the workshop was now his home, the spiritual aura would dissipate sooner or later. Next, Hikaru began cutting and stitching the martial arts gi, retrieving Fighting-type Pok¨¦mon materials from storage. Mankey fur Primeape fur Infernape fur And of course, Honedge. The crafting notes hinted that if Honedge participated, something special might happen. Experience points? A new move? A power-up? Hikaru pondered. "If I can use Pok¨¦mon to revive this workshop, maybe I can eventually become a world-renowned artisan¡­" "Ah¡­ I''m thinking too far ahead. For now, I just need to sell my first products. If I craft high-quality items that satisfy customers, orders will start flowing in." "Unique crafting skills must be mastered." "Let''s set a small goal¡ªmake a name for myself in Johto!" "Every trainer in Johto will want my gear!" "Yo!" (?????§¥????)?! Honedge''s eye flashed with determination. A sword that never cuts was meaningless. It would help build the new king''s legend! "Yo~ Yo~" Honedge suddenly shook its hilt, waving its blue ribbon at Hikaru. It made a dramatic declaration: "Since this is a sacred moment, you must do it! That thing! Raise me like a great king declaring his oath!" "...That''s way too dramatic." Hikaru rolled his eyes. But Honedge''s gaze was expectant. (?_?)~ "...Fine, fine! I''ll do it!" Hikaru gripped the hilt, raising Honedge high into the air¡ªthough, realistically, only toward the ceiling. "Yo!" (??????)??! Super cool! Honedge was satisfied. "If only an artist could draw that moment!" Finally, it focused on cutting fabric, while Hikaru worked on stitching. "¡­Alright, that was actually kinda cool." Hikaru muttered. After hours of work¡­ ¡ºCrafting Complete! Focus Sash obtained!¡» Effect: If the holder is at full HP, they survive a fatal hit with 1 HP! Unique Effect: Bonded Endurance¡ªIf a Pok¨¦mon shares a strong bond with its trainer, they may endure further hits beyond 1 HP! Crafting Knowledge Unlocked (1): Fabric Processing (+5% efficiency). This combined the effects of Focus Band and Focus Sash?! A hybrid survival item? Would Serene Grace trainers keep proccing survival, making battles endless?! Meanwhile, Honedge''s data updated: ¡ºHonedge assisted in crafting and gained experience!¡» Honedge leveled up! Learned the move: Endure! Gained Crafting Knowledge (1): Precision Cutting (Increases fabric-cutting speed and accuracy). "Yo~!?" Honedge shuddered as an aura enveloped its blade. This was Endure! Just then, a new material surfaced in Hikaru''s mind: [Rare Material: Mago Berry] Used to craft Rare Candy.Location: Celebi''s Shrine, Shinto Forest. Rare Candy?! "A level-up item?!" Hikaru was utterly astonished! This was a rare item that could boost a Pok¨¦mon''s level. While levels weren''t something visibly displayed in the real world, nor was there a strict concept of them, it was undeniable that Pok¨¦mon became stronger after evolving! "Muku Berry¡­ the Shrine of Celebi¡­? Is there really a shrine dedicated to Celebi in the Shinto Forest? Right, Muku Berry was originally called the Miracle Fruit, only found on Celebi and Mew." "The Berries I have on hand are Wiki Berry, Leppa Berry, Pecha Berry, Bluk Berry, Sitrus Berry, Chople Berry, Lum Berry, and Custap Berry." "The old man at the apothecary also mentioned bringing him a Muku Berry if I ever found one. But now that I think about it, it seems rather difficult to obtain." Beep¡ª Beep¡ª The computer sounded at just the right moment, pulling Hikaru''s thoughts back from his fantasies. Setting aside the Focus Sash in his hand, Hikaru walked over to check the screen. It was a new customer email, and the sender''s ID was [Dragon''s Emissary]. "How can I prevent my Pok¨¦mon from being exploited for their weaknesses? I''m looking for an item that can help with this. Do you happen to have anything suitable?" "That''s what the message says." A wild customer appeared! Hikaru quickly typed out a reply, inquiring: "What type of Pok¨¦mon are you referring to? Judging by your ID, I assume¡­" [Dragon''s Emissary]: "Dragons! Sacred creatures! However, even the mighty Dragon type struggles against Ice-type attacks. Besides that, Dragon Pok¨¦mon like Gyarados are also weak to Electric moves." Hikaru: "Wait¡­ isn''t Gyarados not a Dragon type?" [Dragon''s Emissary]: "You say Gyarados isn''t a Dragon? Haha! Being a Dragon Pok¨¦mon isn''t just about having the Dragon type!" ¡­Wait a minute! Hikaru suddenly realized who this wild customer was! So that''s it¡ªit''s Lance, huh?! "I see! In that case, I do have an item that can help¡ªFocus Sash. Have you heard of it?" Hikaru sent the reply, and sure enough, the response he received was filled with question marks. [Dragon''s Emissary]: "Focus Sash? What does it do¡­?" Hikaru: "Even if a Pok¨¦mon is hit by a move that would knock it out in one shot, it will endure with 1 HP! Moreover, the Focus Sash I crafted personally¡ªif the Pok¨¦mon and Trainer share a strong bond¡ªwill prevent the Pok¨¦mon from fainting no matter how much damage it takes!" [Dragon''s Emissary]: "???" "What did you just say?!" "There''s no way such an item exists! Focus Sash? Are you sure this isn''t just some ordinary sash with a fancy name?" Hikaru: "I can''t prove it to you, but once you buy it, you''ll see for yourself." With that, Hikaru sent Lance a picture of the crafted Focus Sash. "The price is 50,000 Pok¨¦dollars!" That was the official price at the Paldea item shop¡ªhe hadn''t dared to raise it a single cent! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 13 - 13 ¡ªKaching!¡ª 50,000 Pok¨¦dollars earned! Although Lance didn''t seem to fully believe in me, for someone of his status, 50,000 Pok¨¦dollars was probably not even enough to buy one of his capes. Rumor has it that he often goes to the department store to purchase identical capes, filling up an entire wardrobe with them! As for shipping, of course, it would be handled through Blackthorn City, just like the Eviolite Stones. But considering that Lance''s hometown is supposedly Blackthorn City, there''s a good chance he''s actually in the city right now. So, would Lance end up delivering his own package? "Another item sold! Perfect timing¡ªFocus Sash! You arrived just in time!" "Keep it up! There are still plenty of items to be made! The goal is to revitalize the workshop and dominate all the item shops in Johto!" "In the future, whenever trainers from Johto battle trainers from other regions, they must use our items!" Aside from the Focus Sash, there were also the Focus Band, Expert Belt, and Black Belt. However, traditional martial arts uniforms and the materials from Fighting-type Pok¨¦mon didn''t include black-colored components. If the belt I made isn''t black, can I still call it a Black Belt? With that thought in mind, Hikaru crafted a few more Focus Sashes before moving on to the remaining three items. Naturally, the first one to be completed was the Focus Band. ¡ºWork completed: Obtained "Focus Band"!¡» ¡ºEffect: A powerful band crafted from Pok¨¦mon materials and special techniques. When held, it sometimes allows a Pok¨¦mon to endure an attack that would otherwise knock it out, leaving it with 1 HP.¡» ¡ºUnique Effect: Survival Nullification¡ªThere is a 5% chance to survive self-inflicted knockout moves (such as Explosion) with 1 HP!¡» ¡ºKnowledge gained: +1¡» ¡ºFocus Crafting: Efficiency of crafting Focus-type items +5%.¡» "This is incredible!" Hikaru was momentarily stunned. The unique crafting effect of the Focus Band seemed almost unbelievable, though a 5% chance wasn''t particularly high. Even with the Serene Grace ability, it would only increase to 10%. Hmm, it looks amazing, but in practical use, it''s rather niche. However, if someone builds a gimmick team around Explosion, this could be a game-changer¡ªwinning one battle could bring satisfaction for the entire day. This time, though, crafting the Focus Band didn''t trigger the "Random Material Clue" event. Was it because its effect was similar to the Focus Sash, and the original effect was already covered by the Focus Sash? Next up was the Black Belt. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ºWork completed: Obtained "Black Belt (Red)"!¡» ¡ºEffect: Despite being called a Black Belt, it is actually red. When held, it boosts the power of Fighting-type moves.¡» ¡ºUnique Effect: Contact Boost¡ªIncreases the power of contact-based moves by 1.1x.¡» ¡ºKnowledge gained: +1¡» ¡ºFighting Crafting: Efficiency of crafting Fighting-type items +5%.¡» "Oh, a power boost for contact moves¡ªa budget version of Iron Fist! Plus, this effect overlaps with the Muscle Band." An item serving the purpose of two others, though not many people use the Muscle Band anyway. After all, in the games, Choice Band is the superior option¡ªwhy settle for less? Speaking of Choice items, it was unfortunate that he still couldn''t craft the Choice series yet. Meanwhile, Honedge had been assisting with the work. However, since it was performing the same type of task repeatedly, Hikaru''s system displayed: ¡ºHonedge assisted you in crafting an item, gaining experience and growth!¡» ¡ºHonedge leveled up! Its Attack EV increased.¡» No new moves or knowledge were gained. It seemed that repeating the same task only granted experience points and effort values. ... The Next Day After earning a small fortune, Hikaru took out some farming and clearing tools from the workshop, preparing to tidy up the overgrown, debris-filled land. And when it came to this kind of work, Honedge was very eager! "Yo!" To Honedge, weeds, rocks, and branches were the perfect targets for testing its blade! "You want to help? Oh, that''s great." Hikaru was delighted to see Honedge so enthusiastic. Pointing at the overgrown weeds, he said, "Let''s start by clearing these out." He then bent down to pick up some branches. "Yo!" Honedge wasted no time. Spinning once in the air, its blade smoothly unsheathed itself. The sheath was gripped by its blue ribbon-like arms as its eye grew focused. Floating to a patch of tall grass, its blade vibrated with energy! With a swift, white-glowing slash, the grass was instantly cut clean! "Wait¡­ is that Cut?" Hikaru felt a sense of nostalgia watching the move. In earlier generations, Cut was used to clear patches of tall grass on the map. "Cut can clear grass and branches. And Fury Cutter, being a Bug-type move, is super effective against Grass-types." As Hikaru watched, Honedge slashed through the weeds effortlessly. Eventually, it transitioned from Cut to Fury Cutter. Since Fury Cutter increases in power with consecutive hits, the white glow on Honedge''s blade grew stronger with each slash. Eventually, a single sweeping motion could clear a huge patch of grass! "Yo!" Honedge seemed exhilarated! Cutting grass was way more satisfying than cutting wooden stakes¡ªthis was true mowing! By the time the land was cleared, Honedge had learned a new move: False Swipe! It had been a fulfilling day, and Hikaru recorded everything in his notebook as part of Honedge''s observation log. ¡ºLearned moves: Cut, Screech, Metal Sound, Slash, Tackle, Autotomize, Shadow Sneak, Substitute, Aerial Ace, False Swipe, Rest.¡» It had been a productive day¡ªtime for some well-earned rest. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 14 - 14 For the next two days, Hikaru and Honedge continued working on clearing the land, not venturing anywhere else. On the morning of the third day, a group of Diglett suddenly appeared near the cleared land and began calling out to Hikaru. Today was June 11th, and the weather was clear. "Dig, dig!" The Diglett were here already? Did the farming work in the village conclude? This caught Hikaru by surprise, but an even more unexpected event followed¡ªsuddenly, the ground swelled, and three round, brown heads emerged from the soil. "Daguu!" It was Dugtrio! Dugtrio, the trio of Diglett siblings, were specialists in teamwork. Compared to their unevolved form, they simply had two additional heads identical to Diglett. However, their heights differed slightly, and as always, their bodies remained unseen beneath the earth. The six eyes of Dugtrio fixated on Hikaru as they called out, "Daguu, daguu!" Though Hikaru couldn''t understand their speech, thankfully, Honedge was by his side. Despite different cries, Pok¨¦mon seemed to share a universal understanding of each other''s language. This phenomenon was so mysterious that even Pok¨¦mon linguistics remained an unsolved field. Hikaru himself could only understand Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon through his knowledge but was helpless with other types. "Yo~ yo~!" Honedge nodded its hilt and began explaining to Hikaru. Apparently, the elderly apothecary had told the Diglett about him and even provided them with food. The Diglett decided that now was the right time to come and help. Farming had to follow specific timeframes and couldn''t be delayed too long¡ªespecially in this land, which had not been cultivated for years. Weeds had overgrown, and there were no signs of past tilling, so they came immediately to assist! As Hikaru processed this, knowledge about soil cultivation surfaced in his mind: The first tilling primarily cuts and mixes surface weeds and crop residues into the soil, preparing it for further tilling. For softer soil, fewer tilling sessions are needed, whereas harder or compacted soil requires additional passes to ensure even mixing and refinement. At the same time, Dugtrio''s plowing could turn the land into Soft Soil, ideal for growing Berries. However, if not regularly tilled or fertilized, it would soon revert to normal soil. This was knowledge from the Planter''s field of study! "Diglett are natural agricultural experts. There are very few Pok¨¦mon that can match their understanding of soil." Hikaru murmured, expressing his gratitude to Dugtrio. "You''re a huge help! I didn''t realize you were natural-born farming masters¡ªamazing!" "Daguu! Daguu too!" Dugtrio puffed up with pride at Hikaru''s compliment. Their calls seemed to say, "No big deal! We do this every year¡ªdon''t be so impressed!" The Diglett were in high spirits as they quickly got to work, plowing the soil with enthusiasm. Dugtrio had brought along over a dozen Diglett, and together, they sang their Diglett song while tirelessly burrowing and tilling the land. Meanwhile, Hikaru prepared food for them. There were some general supplies, as well as Berries and specialized Pok¨¦mon food. The previous owner of this place had carried Pok¨¦mon food when exploring the wild¡ªeither to bribe wild Pok¨¦mon or to distract them long enough to escape. In an emergency, humans could eat it too. Honedge hovered midair, watching the Diglett work with rapt attention. The sight of them laboring away faintly reminded it of the scenes it had witnessed in the past¡ªduring the kingdom''s era. However, back then, humans used tools to forcibly make "magical beasts" perform work. The Diglett were astonishingly fast. Even though the land had been untouched for years, their efforts quickly loosened the hard soil. As they worked, the compacted layers transformed into fine, aerated soil, improving its water retention and nutrient capacity while making it easier for plant roots to grow and spread. "Daguu!" Dugtrio emerged from the soil triumphantly. Their call signaled that the entire area Hikaru had cleared was now fully tilled! At that moment, knowledge flooded into Hikaru''s mind. ¡ºDugtrio and the Diglett helped you complete a task!¡» ¡ºObtained: "Soft Soil"!¡» ¡ºDugtrio and Diglett gained experience and growth! Speed EV increased!¡» ¡ºDugtrio gained knowledge: Power Tilling¡ªTilling speed +10%.¡» ¡ºDugtrio learned the move: Earth Power!¡» "Daguu?" Dugtrio seemed startled by its sudden changes. All three heads looked around in confusion. How did we learn a new move just from plowing? And why do we feel stronger? This is weird! Hikaru, too, was surprised. "I see¡­ This really is like Pok¨¦ Helpers! As long as Pok¨¦mon assist in tasks, they gain experience and grow over time. The ''growth'' here likely refers to level-ups and EV increases." After finishing their meal, the Diglett happily burrowed away, leaving as cheerfully as they had arrived. In just a short time, the barren land had transformed into a fresh field of rich, tilled soil. Hikaru and Honedge continued clearing leftover rocks and branches, even using some of the branches to create simple partitions for different crops. "The herb section¡ªRevival Herb, Energy Root, Heal Powder, and Pesticide Weed." "The Berry section¡ªFertilizer will be ordered online." Seeds were categorized and planted accordingly, including Beach Carrots, Rolling Beans, Royal Leaves, and Heal Powder. Some transplanting was also completed¡ªRevival Herbs were reburied, as these potent medicinal plants primarily reproduce through their sturdy rhizomes (also known as Energy Root). By utilizing its regenerative properties, the Revival Herb could be propagated through rhizome division¡ªcutting horizontal root sections into smaller segments, each containing 3¨C5 buds for separate cultivation. Through continued planting, Hikaru''s Planter''s Knowledge passively accelerated growth, making the crops healthier and more vigorous than their counterparts. As Honedge idly scraped at the soil with its ribbon while gathering branches, it suddenly widened its eye in realization. "Yo?!" Wait a second¡ªdidn''t my trainer say something before? Revival Herbs and Energy Root can be combined into Revival Powder?! "Yo!" Honedge''s eye gleamed with excitement as it gazed at the sections planted with Revival Herb and Energy Root. These sections are way too small! They should be expanded! If we grow more, we can have an unlimited supply of Revival Powder! "Oh? Want an endless supply of Revival Powder?" Hikaru chuckled. "Herbs do grow quickly, but they don''t grow infinitely. Medicinal plants, in particular, deplete soil nutrients rapidly. Without quality fertilizer to replenish the land, over-cultivation will cause soil degradation." He waved dismissively, rejecting Honedge''s ambitious proposal. Honedge''s eye widened in shock. Soil¡­ degradation? That was something it had never heard of before! Honedge started pondering deeply. Soon, it swayed its ribbon and had another idea! Wait¡ªwasn''t it true that some Grass- and Ground-type Pok¨¦mon could enrich the soil? That meant they just needed to capture Pok¨¦mon with the right abilities! "You''re getting ahead of yourself," Hikaru laughed. "We haven''t even finished the first planting phase. Besides, catching Grass-types isn''t that simple. Some Grass Pok¨¦mon don''t enrich soil¡ªthey actually deplete it." Looking at you, Wo-Chien. But that thing was a Legendary Pok¨¦mon, sealed far away, so there was no worry of it suddenly appearing here. Even among common Grass-types, Gloom and its evolutionary line could affect crop yields because they competed for nutrients. This realization made Honedge shudder and reflect. So not all Grass-types help plants grow? Some even harm the soil? Meanwhile, Hikaru mused about Honedge''s proposal. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "If only Celebi could lend a hand¡­ But who am I kidding?" With nightfall, Hikaru resumed work. The fabrics stored in the dark corners had developed an eerie aura. Picking up a piece, Hikaru examined its details. ¡ºUncommon Material: Eerie Cloth¡» ¡ºDescription: A tattered cloth imbued with ghostly energy. If further refined by Ghost Pok¨¦mon, it can become "Old Talisman Cloth."¡» ¡ºCrafting charms, garments, or accessories with this material may result in unique effects.¡» ¡ºKnowledge gained: +1¡» ¡ºGhost Cloth Artisan: Eerie Cloth processing speed +10%.¡» "Honedge, time to get to work!" Honedge had been eagerly waiting for this moment. It skillfully wrapped some of the fabric with its blue ribbon, infusing it with Ghost energy. Slowly, the cloth''s color deepened, merging with Honedge''s spectral essence. In Hikaru''s eyes, the material''s information was already changing¡­ (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 15 - 15 ¡ºRare Material: Aged Cloth (Processed)¡» ¡ºDescription: An old cloth imbued with an ominous aura. Prolonged contact may cause loss of life energy.¡» ¡ºCrafting Proficiency +1¡» ¡ºBasic Spirit Sewing (C): Utilizing Ghost-type materials, you can create garments for Ghost/Undead entities. These spirit-infused textiles help soothe restless souls and slightly enhance Ghost-type moves.¡» This was the compiled information on the newly obtained material. Hikaru stroked his chin. Just reading the description of anything spirit-related gave off an eerie feeling. However, Ghost-type textiles would likely sell well among mediums and spirit communicators! After all, there were quite a few people with supernatural abilities in the Pok¨¦mon world! "Honedge, use Fury Cutter!" Hikaru commanded, and Honedge swiftly slashed the aged fabric into precise talisman-sized pieces. The sword glowed as it cut through, and in moments, the old cloth had been cleanly sliced into numerous rectangular charms. "Next¡­" Basic knowledge of talisman crafting surfaced in Hikaru''s mind. He began preparing the necessary materials: Aged Spirit Cloth Ground minerals (preferably cinnabar) Brush and ink Salt A Ghost- or Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon Once everything was ready, Hikaru carefully inscribed the talismanic symbols while using salt to neutralize excess spiritual energy. The mineral dust was mixed into the ink, and each cloth piece was placed on Honedge''s blue ribbon for imbuing. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ordinarily, talismans were made using talisman paper. So was this why it was considered "unique"? ¡ºCrafting complete: Obtained "Unique Purification Talisman"!¡» ¡ºEffect: While held, it reduces the chance of encountering wild Pok¨¦mon.¡» ¡ºUnique Effect: Instantly removes any form of "Curse" status upon use, after which the talisman becomes ineffective.¡» ¡ºCrafting complete: Obtained "Unique Cursed Talisman"!¡» ¡ºEffect: While held, boosts the power of Ghost-type moves.¡» ¡ºUnique Effect: Upon use, inflicts "Curse" on the target, after which the talisman becomes ineffective.¡» ¡ºKnowledge gained: +1¡» ¡ºArtisan: Drawing efficiency +10%.¡» As Hikaru reviewed the item descriptions, he was momentarily taken aback. "The effects are quite impressive! These should be popular among ruin enthusiasts and explorers." Then, Honedge''s status updated again: ¡ºHonedge assisted in a crafting project and gained experience and growth!¡» ¡ºHonedge learned the move: Psycho Cut!¡» ¡ºHonedge gained knowledge: +1.¡» ¡ºSoul Blade: Can perceive the movement of souls, improving observational ability and accuracy. Critical hit rate +10%.¡» "Yo!" As Hikaru processed this information, Honedge also sensed the changes within itself. Now, when observing objects, it had an odd certainty¡ªa feeling of knowing exactly where to strike. And more than that, it had just learned a new move. Just from cutting a few pieces of spirit-infused cloth, it had mastered Psycho Cut? Was it really this easy? Moreover, it felt as if it had unlocked an entirely new sword technique¡ªlike a sudden flash of enlightenment! Honedge turned its gaze toward Hikaru. It could see the subtle micro-movements before Hikaru even raised his hand¡ªthe soul''s intent moving before the body followed. This realization left Honedge utterly astonished! Then, without hesitation, it fell into blind excitement! It had continuously learned multiple new moves and had grown stronger! As a knight''s sword, wasn''t it actually a buried genius?! Watching Honedge revel in its own excitement, Hikaru shook his head. Ever heard the saying that genius is 99% hard work and 1% inspiration? Ignoring Honedge''s antics, Hikaru turned his attention to the newly unlocked material clue: ¡ºRare Material: Leaf Stone¡» ¡ºA mysterious stone found in forests or ancient ruins. It enables certain Pok¨¦mon to evolve.¡» ¡ºPossible Locations: Ruins of Shinto, Deep Forests, Cave Excavations, Traveling Merchants.¡» ¡ºRelated Craft: Moss Cultivation Techniques.¡» A Leaf Stone? A clue for an Evolutionary Stone? Was this also considered a crafting material? Seeing "Ruins of Shinto" listed as a location, Hikaru figured he''d check it out when he got there anyway. Next, he turned on his computer and browsed his artisan shop page¡ªwhich was still quite basic. The shop primarily featured: Woodcarving and stonecraft Antique restoration and historical reproductions These were the skills Hikaru''s father had excelled in, earning a solid reputation among craftsmen. Of course, none of these were related to Pok¨¦mon battles. However, Hikaru himself was capable of crafting Shell Bells, Muscle Bands, and other common held items. For non-battle items, he could make: Soothe Bell (to increase friendship) Power Items (Bracer, Belt, Anklet, etc.) for Pok¨¦mon training Looking at the simple shop interface, Hikaru uploaded the Purification Talismans and Cursed Talismans, carefully labeling their unique effects. As for inventory¡­ He glanced at the pile of old cloth in the corner and the neatly cut talisman strips Honedge had prepared. "Let''s start with 20 units. That should be manageable for Honedge without overworking it." ... June 12th The weather remained sunny, and the temperature was gradually warming up. Early in the morning, Hikaru was greeted by the beeping of his computer. Opening his inbox, he found a new message: ¡ºAbout the talismans in your shop¡­ Do they really work as described?¡» The sender''s ID was "Ancient Explorer". "Huh, so a ruin enthusiast saw my listing?" Hikaru was surprised. Lance had reached out almost immediately last time, and now, within a day, another customer had appeared. Maybe this was a passive perk of his abilities? Just making high-quality crafts and waiting for customers to come? Hikaru replied: "I am a spiritual practitioner." That wasn''t a lie¡ªhe did possess basic knowledge of spirit communication. Ancient Explorer: "To my knowledge, only exceptionally powerful mystics and exorcists can remove curses. Your talisman claims it can dispel any curse. Could you demonstrate it for me?" Hikaru frowned. Demonstrate? How? Ancient Explorer: "It''s simple. I will send you a cursed email. If you can remove the curse from the email, I''ll know whether your product works." Wait¡­ This guy talks like a tomb raider. "Alright, no problem," Hikaru agreed. Ancient Explorer: "I used my Gengar to attach the curse. Be careful¡ªGengar''s curses are mischievous and frightening in nature." A moment later, an email filled with complete gibberish arrived. The instant Hikaru looked at it, his vision was swallowed by darkness. A grotesque, oversized Gengar face seemed to stretch out from the screen, lunging toward him! Its wide, toothy grin expanded unnaturally, laughing in eerie echoes. "Gengaa!" Gengar had used Night Shade! A chilling, ghostly presence filled the air. It was said that Gengar steals body heat from its prey. When one''s shadow stretches unnaturally under a streetlamp, it''s because a Gengar has merged with it. If you suddenly feel an eerie chill¡­ a Gengar might be cursing you. "Yo!" Honedge saw the phenomenon and instinctively drew itself, charging forward! A swift Shadow Sneak slashed into the Night Shade! Ghost vs. Ghost¡ªSuper Effective! "Wait, don''t attack! Honedge, stop! This is a customer!" Hikaru hurriedly stopped it. Honedge froze midair, utterly confused. "Yo? Yo?!" This thing just attacked you, and you''re calling it a customer?! "It''s just their way of verifying the product," Hikaru explained, completely unfazed by the Night Shade. On the other side of the screen, Gengar wore an odd expression. Its wide grin twisted in confusion. Hikaru retrieved a Purification Talisman while Gengar activated Curse! ¡ªWhoosh!¡ª The talisman''s glow enveloped Gengar''s shadow, wiping away the Curse. "Yiih! Gengaa!" As the talisman disintegrated, the Night Shade dissipated, and the email returned to normal. A moment later, Hikaru received another message: "Amazing. My Gengar just told me what happened. Your talisman is truly effective¡ªI''ve never seen Gengar react like that." "Curse completely removed." Ancient Explorer: "How many Purification Talismans do you have in stock? I''ll buy them all." "¡­All of them?" Ancient Explorer: "Yes. I explore ancient ruins frequently and encounter dangerous curses. Oh, and¡­ does shipping include free delivery?" Hikaru: "¡­Seriously?" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 16 - 16 "Normally, cross-regional logistics don''t include free shipping. But to attract new customers, I have to take this loss¡ªno, I mean, I have to cover this expense myself!" "Fine, free shipping it is! She bought twenty at once anyway. The shipping fee is nothing compared to the total price¡ªI sell each talisman for 8,000 after all!" The talismans were sold out in an instant, bringing in a revenue of 160,000. However, this money would only be credited to my account through the League''s platform once the goods were delivered to Unova. Looks like I''ll have to work overtime to make more talismans for the next batch. But who on earth buys twenty talismans at once? Is she planning to go to war with vengeful spirits? Or is she using them as throwing darts? An archaeologist? Hah, she might as well be a tomb raider. With a silent complaint in my heart, I put on my clothes, grabbed my large storage backpack, and packed it with a folding shovel, a lighter, carving tools, instant food, and a few berries. My Honedge floated beside me, and I pushed open the door. Today''s task was to visit the Ruins of the Sacred Capital to collect ruin stones. But before heading out, I decided to check on the field. The seeds had already sprouted. Generally, seeds take 3 to 10 days to germinate, with warmer climates speeding up the process. Various techniques like soaking, scarification, or using germination enhancers could also accelerate growth. However, the climate here in the Sacred Capital was still a bit cold¡ªnot as warm and humid as Hoenn¡ªso germination was slower. That said, my knowledge as a "Cultivator" and the loosened soil allowed for rapid sprouting. The tiny sprouts greedily absorbed the air, awaiting the day they would grow tall¡ªand that day would come soon. "Huh?" In the patch where I planted Revival Herbs, I noticed something unusual. A large plant had already grown¡ªnot just a sprout, but almost fully developed leaves! What''s going on? The others are still in the sprouting stage, and this one skipped straight to full growth? And it was right beside the Revival Herb I had replanted. "Did a weed grow next to the Revival Herb?" I was stunned. I hadn''t considered this possibility. As a Cultivator, I could accelerate the growth of crops, medicinal herbs, and fruit trees¡ªbut what if weed seeds got mixed in during planting? Would they also count as cultivated plants? Weeds already grow fast, and with my knowledge enhancing their growth... S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Revival Herbs are valuable medicinal plants. I can''t let weeds steal their nutrients." Shaking my head, I squatted down and started pulling the weed out. But the moment I grabbed those three leaves¡ª A strange cry came from beneath the soil! A weed that makes noise? Am I dreaming? No, I''m fully awake! "Oddish?!" A bad feeling crept in. I had let go in surprise when I heard the sound, but now I was sure¡ªthis wasn''t just a weed. That wouldn''t do! Oddish is a small, plant-like Pok¨¦mon with a round, dark blue body and two tiny feet. It hides underground during the day to avoid sunlight, burying its root-like feet into the soil and remaining motionless. At night, Oddish absorbs nutrients from the soil while wandering around spreading its seeds. If it finds fertile land, it buries itself completely! So if someone mistakes it for an ordinary weed and tries to pull it out, they''ll hear its cry! "Oddish would interfere with the growth of medicinal herbs, stealing nutrients from the soil." "Sorry, but you''ll have to find another place to sleep." I grabbed my shovel and, aiming carefully, dug out the entire section of soil. "Baai!" A small, green, bulb-like Pok¨¦mon wobbled as I lifted it from the soil. Wait a minute... This isn''t an Oddish?! The expected herb thief was nowhere to be seen. Instead, before my eyes was a Pok¨¦mon with a round, onion-like head, a white face with no visible nose or mouth, and two thin, brown oval-shaped eyes. Its body resembled a tiny dress, and atop its head were three oval-shaped leaves¡ªthough these leaves seemed smaller than usual. "Petilil!" Petilil wasn''t native to Johto, but it was found in the neighboring Sinnoh region. In ancient times, during the Hisui era, they were widespread across Sinnoh''s lands. This Pok¨¦mon species had a migratory nature, preferring habitats with ample moisture and nutrient-rich soil. Wherever Petilil lived, crops flourished. However, if the environment deteriorated and the soil lost its fertility, they would migrate elsewhere. More importantly, Petilil is a communal Pok¨¦mon¡ªit was unusual for one to be alone. "Baai~ (¦à)" The little Petilil hopped out of my hands and bounced on the ground twice, turning to stare at me. Its small eyes didn''t reveal whether it was angry or afraid, but the fact that it wasn''t running away suggested... it wasn''t scared of me? I then noticed scars on its round, onion-like head and body. And those small leaves on its head looked like they had just started regrowing. A Petilil''s three leaves symbolize its vitality. When healthy, even if one falls off, it quickly grows back. These leaves are also special medicinal herbs¡ªextremely bitter but capable of instantly restoring energy. When dried and brewed into tea, they provide an immediate vitality boost. "A walking medicinal herb, huh?" That might sound a little rude, but it was the truth. Now I understood why this Petilil was here¡ªit had been injured, and its instincts led it to seek out fertile land, especially one growing medicinal herbs! By coexisting with the Revival Herb, it had been recovering. The missing leaves on its head had likely been plucked¡ªeither by a wild Pok¨¦mon or by itself. And with the bonus effect of my "Cultivator" skill, it was able to heal even faster. However, something was odd about this Petilil''s personality. They were usually timid and fled at the first sign of danger. If a Petilil wasn''t afraid of others, it likely had the ability "Own Tempo." Pok¨¦mon with this ability couldn''t be confused. "Hmm, since it''s not an Oddish, there''s nothing to worry about. Unlike Oddish, Petilil actually improves soil fertility." I muttered to myself while Petilil watched my movements, occasionally glancing at the Revival Herb. "You want this? Not yet¡ªthis is an important medicinal herb. If I use it now, I won''t be able to grow more." "I need the Revival Herb to mature, with stronger and more abundant roots." I explained. Pok¨¦mon could understand human speech. Petilil made no sound, merely staring at the herb with a look of longing. "¡­" Seeing this, I sighed and went inside, returning with a medicinal herb from my stock. "This is a Heal Herb. I cut the stem into small portions. It''s not as effective as a Revival Herb, but it works well for external injuries." "And this¡ªyou''re hurt, aren''t you?" I took out some medicine¡ªan ointment, similar to a spray-type potion. Petilil didn''t move, seemingly realizing I had no ill intentions. Perhaps it had noticed when I didn''t mistake it for an Oddish? As I reached to apply the ointment, it unexpectedly scooped some onto its hand and began rubbing it over its wounds. "Oh, right. You''d know best where you''re hurt. Apply more to the serious injuries." I simply held my hand out as Petilil used up the ointment. Then, after one last glance at the Revival Herb, it bounced lightly and let out a grateful cry. "Baai~()" Then, it stopped hopping. One of the leaves on its head suddenly grew larger before detaching. Petilil placed the fallen leaf in my hand, took the Heal Herb, and wobbled off toward the forest without looking back. "A Petilil''s leaf¡­ a rare medicinal ingredient." "A lone, injured Petilil¡­ lost its habitat to a battle? It lost, yet it''s going back to fight again?" "A stubborn Petilil?" I gazed into the deep, shadowy forest, lost in thought. Maybe¡­ it would come back. Thoughts surged in my mind: [Rare Material: Petilil''s Leaf] [The leaves on Petilil''s head are extremely bitter, but they have the effect of restoring a fatigued body. The spread of these leaves changes depending on its mood¡ªwhen happy, they open up; when sad, they close.] [Knowledge Gained: +1] [Herbal Adaptation: When Grass-type Pok¨¦mon use medicinal herbs, the recovery effect is slightly enhanced.] "Let''s go, Honedge. It''s time to head to the Ruins of the Sacred Capital!" "Yo~!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 17 - 17 The ruins of Shinto lay a considerable distance from the village, deep within the mountains. Along the way, the solitary Honedge continuously swung its blade through the air. Yesterday, it had acquired some peculiar swordsmanship knowledge. Out of curiosity and its self-proclaimed swordsmanship genius, it was diligently practicing. Before departing, it made a point to visit the village''s apothecary elder, greeting him. Upon hearing that Hikaru was heading to the ruins of Shinto, the old man, Juru, was momentarily stunned before he chuckled. "There''s no need to worry. Though the ruins are quite far from the village, we have a delivery Doduo. You can ride it there." "So, since you''re heading to the ruins, could you also deliver some goods along the way?" Doduo? Oh, right. There was indeed a delivery Doduo in the village. Doduo is a common riding Pok¨¦mon, resembling a two-headed kiwi bird. Due to its short feathers, it isn''t adept at flying. Instead, it has highly developed legs, allowing it to run at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Deliver goods?" Hikaru was puzzled. Juru nodded. "I should have mentioned this before¡ªthe ruins of Shinto have a small cabin up in the mountains, where an elderly man resides. Everyone calls him ''Mountain Grandpa.''" "He lives with an Abra, and sometimes, outside researchers and explorers also stay in his cabin. The place is located in the Snow Valley, where snow never melts, forming thick snow walls. Only for two and a half months each year does it stop snowing, making it an extremely cold environment." "He is the guardian of the ruins. Every summer, we send supplies to him. Now is the right time to deliver them before autumn and winter set in. Otherwise, we''d have to leave the supplies outside the valley, and Abra would teleport them in." Hikaru understood. Juru''s explanation aligned closely with what he had seen in the game. The mountain cabin indeed housed an elderly man, an Abra capable of long-distance teleportation, and even an internet-connected computer. Surprisingly, despite the ruins being in such a remote location, they still had internet access¡ªnot just in the village but even in the mountain cabin. Yet, there were no visible signal towers nearby. The power of science is truly incredible! At the same time, Hikaru recalled that the mountain cabin should also house a rather eccentric guide who frequently said "Oya, oya." However, since his default character model was that of a Hiker, his true identity remained a mystery. Juru had mentioned this guide before¡ªdescribing him as a blond-haired merchant carrying a massive backpack. His appearance wasn''t too different from the traditional Hiker archetype. Blond hair¡­ Could he be one of those Alolan Hikers who wears a green hat? "This is great! With Doduo, the travel time will be significantly reduced!" Hikaru accepted Juru''s request to deliver the supplies. Together, they left the apothecary and called over a villager who was preparing to make a delivery. This Doduo was noticeably large and slightly plumper than an average one. "Haha, this one is quite sturdy, isn''t it? It wandered into the village after struggling to find food. Since it has a big appetite and our village has ample food supplies, it decided to stay." "Thanks to its strength, it can carry more goods than most Pok¨¦mon." The elder patted Doduo''s body, and the two heads let out cheerful cries. "Dodo!" Having free food and shelter, without needing to worry about wild predators¡ªonly needing to make deliveries in exchange for a stable life¡ªwhat a great deal! Honedge floated in front of Doduo to greet it. "Yo!" Although it wasn''t as impressive as the king''s mount it had seen before, its size was still acceptable. As a helper, it would definitely be reliable! Honedge evaluated it on its own terms, while Doduo tilted both heads in confusion. Its round black eyes were filled with puzzlement. Then, out of curiosity, it pecked at Honedge. "Yo-yo-yo-yo~!!!" Honedge shrieked in an ancient dialect, thoroughly startled and slightly furious! How rude! Does it have to peck everything it sees? Has it never seen a flying sword before? Doduo: "Dodo?" How did those sounds even combine into words? Hikaru sighed upon hearing Honedge''s outburst. While the surrounding villagers couldn''t understand what it was saying, Hikaru could. "Alright, alright, let''s go." He grabbed Honedge''s hilt and mounted Doduo. The supplies were strapped onto the Pok¨¦mon''s fluffy sides and back, secured with a specially designed "bird saddle," while reins were tied to both of its beaks by the villagers. Hikaru found this setup strangely familiar. After a moment, he realized why. Isn''t this the same design as Yellow''s Doduo? In terms of individual size, Yellow''s Doduo was also on the larger side. In contrast, in the anime, Gary''s Doduo was quite small¡ªalmost stunted. Hikaru mounted Doduo, while Honedge slid into his backpack. From a distance, he looked like a swordsman riding a two-headed, chubby bird¡ªa rather peculiar sight. Doduo''s speed was astonishing. The scenery around Hikaru rapidly blurred as the Pok¨¦mon picked up pace. The wind pressure forced Hikaru to lean forward. Soon, the village was far behind. The landscape transformed into vast stretches of brown and white, while the temperature steadily dropped. As they entered the mountain region, the rocks and trees were blanketed in snow. The melting snow pooled into streams and puddles, but as they approached the ancient peaks, the snow cover only became denser. Although the sun still hung high in the sky, the mountain snow remained untouched. The snow-covered regions were colder, but when the snow began to melt, it absorbed heat from the air, further lowering the temperature. This phenomenon explained why melting snow made it feel colder than fresh snowfall. Oddly enough, despite Doduo being a Normal/Flying-type Pok¨¦mon¡ªmeaning it was weak to Ice moves¡ªit didn''t seem to mind the cold at all. Perhaps its fluffy feathers provided insulation, or maybe¡­ it was just too fat to feel cold? Around noon, a mountain path flanked by towering snow walls finally appeared in Hikaru''s view. The Ice Wall, the Great Snow Valley, and the Blizzard Zone. Legends spoke of the ancient people of Sinnoh, who traveled across the sea, meeting the migrating people from Johto. They built a sacred temple to honor the "Great Deity of Sinnoh." "That must be the ruins of Shinto." Hikaru spotted a wooden cabin in the distance. Unlike the game, where there was only one, here, multiple cabins were scattered across the area. However, most seemed unoccupied. There were even some fields, devoid of snow, which appeared to have been recently tilled. Hmm, even a blizzard-ridden area has farmland. This reminded Hikaru of another village¡ªthe Freezington settlement in the Crown Tundra of Galar. It, too, was located in a snowy region yet managed to cultivate crops, likely thanks to the blessings of the King of Bountiful Harvests. However, after the King''s disappearance, the land gradually lost its vitality. Hikaru focused on the temple in the distance. Unlike in the game, the cabins weren''t as close to the ruins. He would need to walk a bit further. From an elevated spot past the snow walls, he could see the flat-topped temple, which closely resembled the Ruins of Alph in Johto. Four massive, broken pillars stood outside, resembling shattered spears. A polished stone plaque marked the site, similar to those found at historical landmarks. "Ah! Hello there! It''s so cold¡ªfeels like I''m freezing to death!" "Oya oya, are you here to explore the ruins? Summer is the best time to visit! You picked a good season!" A lighthearted yet deep voice called from behind. A wooden door creaked open, revealing a figure that looked like a Hiker, yet more like a backpacker. No¡ªalthough he resembled a Hiker, his attire¡­ Hikaru''s eyes widened before quickly masking his expression. This man, resembling Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, was none other than Volo! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 18 - 18 "An Arceus fanatic, known as ''Alpaca Bro,'' the ancient version of Cynthia... And he''s still alive, unchanged? He must be over a hundred years old by now!" "But then again, the Pok¨¦mon world does have some individuals who achieve longevity through various means. Did Volo find a way to live forever too? Or was he always immortal?" This was one of the long-standing questions among players, as Volo, after being defeated by the protagonist during the Hisui era, had once proclaimed in a fit of desperation: ''One day... One day! I will unravel every single mystery of the Pok¨¦mon legends in Hisui! And I will meet Arceus! No, I will make it submit to me! No matter if it takes years¡­ decades¡­ or even centuries, I will not stop!'' This statement led many to believe that Volo had already lived for an exceptionally long time. He also had a rather familiar relationship with Cogita, a character speculated to be a human avatar of Arceus, although Volo himself never seemed to realize her possible divine connection. Moreover, Volo, Cogita, and Cynthia all bore striking resemblances to one another. Volo was likely Cynthia''s ancestor, while Cogita''s true identity remained shrouded in mystery. If Volo was the ancient Cynthia, then Cogita was Cynthia in her primal form. Perhaps the ancient people of Sinnoh were never meant to have normal lifespans in the first place. "I''m a craftsman from a nearby village, sent by the villagers to deliver supplies. Of course, I do have some interest in the ruins of Shinto." Hikaru pushed aside his wandering thoughts and focused on the conversation. He brought Doduo to the front of the cabin, tying its reins to a pillar. The bird curled up into a resting position, closing its eyes as if preparing for a nap. "Your clothes don''t match those of a village craftsman. Did you move here from another region? I never thought someone would actually settle in this forgotten land of Shinto." Volo chuckled. Naturally, an outsider''s clothing was completely different from that of the villagers. His gaze then landed on the Honedge peeking from Hikaru''s back. "Oh? That''s a Pok¨¦mon I haven''t seen before." "Yo~" Honedge glanced at Volo with mild curiosity. A traveling merchant, huh? This guy definitely has some rare treasures. Volo led Hikaru into the largest wooden cabin, where an elderly man and an Abra resided. In the game, once the protagonist arrived in the ruins of Shinto, they could use this elder''s Abra to teleport home. "Grandpa, the village has sent you supplies." Hikaru couldn''t help but smirk when he heard Volo refer to the mountain elder as ''grandpa.'' Considering Volo was likely far older than him, it was amusing to see him pretend to be young. Though, on second thought¡­ Volo might actually be younger than the elder. If this old man was also a descendant of the ancient Sinnoh people, then his presence here made sense. A normal person wouldn''t choose to live in such an isolated ruin. Since he was its guardian, he must have a deep connection to this place. "Oh, thank you! But I don''t think we''ve met before. Are you a new ruins investigator?" "Ah, actually, a well-known team of researchers from Johto was here about two months ago. They were investigating connections between the Ruins of Alph and this place. But in the end, they didn''t find anything useful." The elder shook his head, and Volo took the opportunity to introduce himself. "My name is Volo. I''m just an insignificant merchant passionate about history and mythology. My love for ancient knowledge led me here, and for now, I serve as a guide for mountaineers and explorers of these ruins." "There aren''t many ruin researchers who visit this place. It''s not easy to reach alone. From late spring through all of summer, the blizzards stop, making it the only viable time to travel here. But once summer ends, while the distant villages may still see autumn, here, the snowfall begins immediately." "Of course, the reason I stay here is because of my love for history and mythology. I have knowledge I seek, so I wait for researchers to uncover something valuable, hoping to gain access to precious knowledge." "After all, a good merchant must personally verify valuable people, things, and information." "A successful merchant understands the importance of information. If one fails to keep up with the world''s trends, they will be eliminated by the harsh reality of competition. That''s why I stay here¡ªto collect fresh intelligence." At this point, Volo suddenly spread his hands and sighed in frustration. "But things haven''t gone as planned! I thought the researchers would discover something, but in the end, they found nothing. In my opinion, it''s because the ruins did not choose them. Ah, but that''s just my personal take on it." "Do you know about the ancient verses?" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Volo smiled as he explained his reason for coming here. His voice held a nostalgic tone. "They were ancient poems discovered in Hisui long ago. Every region has such texts¡ªold, cryptic messages found in ancient relics. But there was one particular verse that caught my interest, even though I read it too late." ''Pure and solemn, imbued with an indescribable power.'' ''The land of Hisui and Shinto¡ªboth bear striking similarities.'' "The verse specifically mentioned the land of Shinto, which made me believe this place contained ruins related to my research. But at the time, I was still in Sinnoh¡ªoh, Hisui is the old name for Sinnoh. You might not have heard that term before~" "In the myths of Shinto, ancient people received life from Pok¨¦mon and entrusted their lives to them in return. As a result, humans and Pok¨¦mon shared even deeper bonds than they do now. Every action people took was intertwined with Pok¨¦mon''s power." "The ancient ruins here preserve the myths of both Johto''s Ruins of Alph and Sinnoh''s Spear Pillar. This suggests that, in ancient times, the people of Johto and Sinnoh had interacted." "Long ago, a group of Sinnoh people migrated to this land. They missed their homeland, so they built a shrine here¡ªwhat we now call the ruins of Shinto." "And this temple was dedicated to a Pok¨¦mon revered as a god¡ªArceus. Have you heard of that name?" "However, there are no images depicting Arceus left behind, which is truly unfortunate." Hikaru listened attentively. Some of these lines were almost identical to the ones from the game¡ªit felt as if he were playing through the story in real-time. "You''re knowledgeable about ancient history? Let''s exchange information!" Volo beamed at Hikaru, eyes filled with anticipation. Hikaru hesitated. Should I just tell him Arceus''s base stats? I bet he wouldn''t know that! "I only know a little about ancient history. If you''re looking for valuable intelligence from me, I''m afraid you''ll be disappointed. Though, I did read some ancient mythology books in Sinnoh''s Canalave Library¡ªbut they were just stories." "I did come across ancient texts stating that Arceus was born from an egg in a void and created the universe with a thousand arms, using itself as a light to illuminate Sinnoh." "The people who migrated here brought unique traditions to Johto, such as performing ritual dances to honor legendary Pok¨¦mon. Through music and dance, they celebrated the power of mythical Pok¨¦mon." Hikaru simply recited the Pok¨¦dex lore, making sure not to reveal any deeper secrets about the ruins. But since Volo mentioned the ancient verses¡­ Had he already collected all of them? In the game, ancient verses weren''t required for completing the main story. They were collectibles that fleshed out the world''s lore. And even after a hundred years, Volo still hadn''t met Arceus. He must have already figured out the conditions needed, but Arceus simply refused to acknowledge him. Even if he gathered everything, he still couldn''t enter the Hall of Origin. After hearing Hikaru''s response, Volo visibly deflated. "I see¡­" Most of the information was already known to him. However, the mention of ritual dances piqued his interest. Perhaps it was worth investigating Johto further. And also the Michina Ruins in Sinnoh. Volo pondered for a moment before his usual grin returned. "Well, history and myths are always fragmented. There are still countless ruins worldwide. Not everyone holds unique knowledge." "But thank you for your insights! Even without proof, hearing a different legend is still worthwhile!" "By the way¡­ have we met before?" Volo suddenly looked contemplative as he studied Hikaru. "For some reason, talking to you gives me a strangely nostalgic feeling." Hikaru shook his head. "No, I don''t think we''ve met. I only arrived here recently. If we did cross paths, it must have been somewhere in Sinnoh, just briefly." Volo nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, perhaps. Maybe we simply had a fleeting encounter somewhere before." "Speaking of which, since you''re a craftsman, would you like to buy some rare materials? I''ve traveled across all of Sinnoh, and I have some truly valuable goods!" Here we go! Hikaru had been humoring Volo partly to see if he had any rare materials. "Oh, and speaking of materials, I happen to have something truly mysterious!" Volo''s eyes gleamed as he reached into his bag and pulled out a stone tablet. "I found this near the ruins of Shinto." The slab was deep red, small enough to fit in one hand. One side was smooth and blank, while the other bore faint, ancient inscriptions. "This is an ancient plate of unknown origin. Similar ones have been discovered in my homeland. If given to a Pok¨¦mon, it seems to enhance certain elemental moves." "If you offer 20,000, it''s yours! A special price, just for you!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 19 - 19 In the game where he first appeared, Volo was a member of the Ginkgo Guild, selling supplies at various locations to the protagonist. However, as revealed through his own slip-ups, he frequently slacked off from his merchant duties, sneaking off to investigate ancient ruins instead. Volo''s tendency to shirk work and his constant complaints made him quite a headache for the guild''s leader. Despite that, he played a crucial role in guiding the protagonist toward acquiring the Plates, all in pursuit of his own ambitions¡ªthough in the end, he was thoroughly defeated on the spot. Hikaru immediately recognized the Plate''s type. The deep crimson color¡ªit was the Draco Plate! "Oh? You recognize this Plate?" Volo narrowed his eyes, carefully studying Hikaru''s expression. That nagging feeling that he had seen Hikaru somewhere before was growing stronger, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t recall when or where. In the past, only the chosen ones could obtain the Plates. But in this era, they seemed to be scattered into the hands of various people, passing from one owner to another. Their numbers also seemed different from before. It was said that similar Plates had been appearing in various regions, and in Sinnoh''s Grand Underground, explorers had occasionally unearthed them. While Volo was lost in thought, Hikaru was contemplating something else. In the game, the Draco Plate was found in Eterna City, specifically right behind the massive statues of Dialga and Palkia¡ªessentially just lying there for anyone to pick up! The original protagonist had never gone looking beneath the statue, so they had never found it. Hikaru also had no idea if this world''s Eterna City had a Draco Plate. But unexpectedly, he had stumbled upon one here instead. Wait a second¡­ Rather than calling this Sinnoh''s Plate, shouldn''t this be Johto''s Plate? In Johto, no Plates were scattered around freely. Instead, one had to obtain them from Captain Silver of the S.S. Aqua. In the game, when he handed over a Plate, he mentioned it was a strange object from Sinnoh. But what if the Plate originated from Shinto, not Sinnoh? And considering how difficult Plates were to collect, they would definitely be extremely valuable to a craftsman. [Mythical Artifact: Draco Plate (Not Yet Obtained)] Description: A Plate imbued with Dragon energy. When held, it enhances the power of Dragon-type moves. Can unlock unique crafting methods and hints for crafting mysterious artifacts. These thoughts solidified Hikaru''s resolve. "Hmm¡­ 20,000 Pok¨¦dollars. Could you give me a discount?" Hikaru suddenly spoke, snapping Volo out of his own thoughts. Hearing the request for a discount, Volo scratched his cheek, looking slightly embarrassed. "Hah? This is a special item, you know? No matter how you look at it, an item that enhances a Pok¨¦mon''s move power should be worth at least this much." Hikaru shrugged. "If you lower the price, I can provide you with some high-quality items next time. I guarantee you''d be able to sell them for even higher prices." "I am a craftsman, after all. Giving me a small discount shouldn''t be a problem, right?" Volo stroked his chin, weighing his options. But he didn''t deliberate for too long¡ªsoon, he nodded. "You make a good point. Merchants and craftsmen have a close relationship. Fine, having a craftsman contact could help expand my material supply. But if you find anything good, make sure you sell to me first." "I''ll give you a 20% discount!" Hikaru successfully acquired the Draco Plate, and Volo began pulling more goods from his bag. Among them were: Razor Claw Bugwort Herb Micle Berries Smoke Bombs Various Pok¨¦mon materials Evolution Stones¡ªincluding Ice Stone and Leaf Stone Hikaru''s eyes sharpened as he realized something. So this was why the Leaf Stone was linked to the ruins of Shinto. And then¡­ there was a peculiar blue-and-white radish. "Hmm? That radish is quite special," the mountain elder suddenly commented. He pointed at the blue-white radish, saying, "It was originally a beach-growing root vegetable, but after some modifications, it can now be cultivated in frozen soil. It has a sweet and spicy taste¡ªreally quite unique." "He tried selling it to me, so I bought some and started planting them myself." Beach Radish. Though its appearance resembled Icy Radish, it was actually an entirely different crop. "Oya oya, this is an important survival crop for northern Sinnoh! It''s a regional specialty, you know. Shinto doesn''t have these, because they were only developed about a hundred years ago." "But since not many people live in frigid environments, and most regions are fairly warm, it''s tough to find buyers. I''m glad I finally sold some in Shinto!" Volo raised a finger, looking quite pleased. When it came to business, his joy was genuine. Hikaru also felt that this radish was an incredibly useful food item. He recalled that it could be used to make Double Pickles, which boosted Pok¨¦mon''s damage output by 1.5x for five turns¡ªessentially increasing both Attack and Special Attack by one stage. Volo quickly noticed Hikaru''s interest in the radish and immediately launched into a sales pitch. "You seem very interested in this radish! Let me tell you a secret¡ªmost modern Sinnoh people don''t even know about its special use!" "If you combine it with Tough Salt, Crunchy Beans, and a King''s Leaf, you can ferment it into Double Pickles! Feeding this to a Pok¨¦mon will make them incredibly powerful!" "I''ve got some of the ingredients right here! As for the radish, it''s 1,000 Pok¨¦dollars per piece, but if you buy the seeds too, I''ll give you a 10% discount!" "Also, keep in mind¡ªyou need two sets of Double Pickles to make a full batch." 1,000 Pok¨¦dollars¡­ Hikaru recalled that in the Ginkgo Guild''s shop, Beach Radishes were only 800 Pok¨¦dollars each. Everything here was more expensive! So even inflation hit the Pok¨¦mon world, huh? Hikaru also purchased Smoke Bombs and healing items for fieldwork. However, Volo''s pricing for Razor Claws and Evolution Stones was absurdly high: Ice Stone: 12,000 Pok¨¦dollars Leaf Stone: 10,000 Pok¨¦dollars Razor Claw: 20,000 Pok¨¦dollars After some careful consideration, Hikaru decided to purchase just two Evolution Stones. "Much appreciated!" Volo grinned widely, clearly pleased with his profits. Hikaru packed his newly acquired materials into his bag. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he did, new information flashed in his mind¡ªso much at once that it gave him a slight headache. [Rare Material: Tough Salt] A translucent mineral resembling rock salt. Loved by Grass- and Rock-type Pok¨¦mon, it attracts them when thrown. [Gained Knowledge: 1] [Mineral Search: Increased ability to find obtained minerals.] [Rare Material: King''s Leaf] A radiant herb known as the "King of Herbs." When added to medicine, it enhances its healing effects. [Gained Knowledge: 1] [Potion Boost: Healing items restore an additional 5%.] In addition, Hikaru had purchased various Pok¨¦mon-related materials: Bidoof Fur Starly Feathers Shinx''s Mane Snover Berries Drifloon Wisps Gible Scales Honedge floated nearby, using its blue ribbon to pack the items into Hikaru''s large backpack. [Mythical Artifact: Draco Plate] Description: A Plate imbued with Dragon energy. When held, it enhances the power of Dragon-type moves. [Gained Occupation Knowledge: 1] [Dragon Tamer: Increases friendliness with Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon.] [Unlocked Unique Crafting: 1] [Gained Mysterious Crafting Recipe: 1] Hikaru was momentarily stunned. Occupation Knowledge? Dragon Tamers were a real profession in the Pok¨¦mon world, present across multiple regions, each with their own traditions. And the crafting clue¡­ was related to legendary artifacts? [Ancient Carving Craft (B)] Description: "We shall engrave Pok¨¦mon into stone for the world to see." Craftable Items: Ancient Statue, Ancient Urn, Ancient Crown, Ancient Bracelet. [Mysterious Crafting Clue: "Transparent Bell"] Useful Locations: Ecruteak City / Mt. Coronet. [Required materials: Rainbow Feather, Suicune''s Crystal/Rainbow Rock/Ancient Crystal.] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 20 - 20 A B-rank crafting technique! Hikaru was pleasantly surprised. So far, all the crafting techniques he had obtained were either C or D rank, but this was his first B-rank skill. He was eager to find out what incredible artifacts he could create with it. And sculpting, huh? One of his family''s traditional skills happened to be carving, so this technique would surely improve his craftsmanship. As for the mysterious artifact recipe, it did not disappoint. The Clear Bell was a legendary item in the games, used to summon Suicune or Ho-Oh, and it was considered a precious ancient relic. However, the materials needed to craft it made Hikaru fall into silence. How do you create the Clear Bell? ¡ú Find Suicune and Ho-Oh. How do you find Suicune and Ho-Oh? ¡ú Create the Clear Bell. ¡­Was this some kind of infinite loop? As for the crafting technique itself, it would probably unlock automatically once he gathered the necessary materials or obtained related knowledge. In the game, Ecruteak City did not have a known bell craftsman, but if anyone knew something about it, it would probably be the five Kimono Girls at the Ecruteak Dance Theater. Alternatively, the mysterious young man Eusine, who relentlessly pursued Suicune, or the elder in Pewter City, who held the Silver Wing, might also know something. As the flood of new information settled, Hikaru''s vision returned to normal. He stood up. "I''m heading to the ruins to take a look." "Oh! You''ve bought quite a lot of supplies, but you haven''t seen the ruins yet, huh? Well then, allow me to accompany you!" Volo grinned. "As I said before, I''m currently staying here as a merchant and guide." Volo never missed an opportunity to gather intelligence and enthusiastically volunteered to join Hikaru. He then suggested, "In fact, why don''t we have a Pok¨¦mon battle in front of the ruins? Who knows? Perhaps Arceus itself is watching us." Yeah, sure¡­ He probably says that to everyone who visits the ruins. However, Volo suddenly grew nostalgic. "A long time ago, I had one chance¡ªinside a shrine in my homeland. I battled someone there, and something extraordinary happened." "Hmm¡­ I want to recreate that moment. Maybe you''re a Trainer chosen by the gods." Hikaru glanced at the mountain elder, wondering how he would react. The old man simply chuckled. "In the legends of Shinto, there are indeed tales of heroes challenging the gods and receiving their blessings. According to our myths, people received their lives from Pok¨¦mon and entrusted their lives to them in return. Perhaps this refers to Pok¨¦mon battles." Hikaru had never battled before, nor was he a registered Trainer in the League. He truthfully responded, "I''m a craftsman, not a Trainer. I came here to search for materials, not to battle." Then, he turned to the mountain elder and made a request. "I''d like to take some stones from the ruins¡ªcollapsed bricks or fragments from the site." The old man opened his eyes slightly and replied with a calm voice, "The ancients established a quarry in this valley, including the area where this cabin stands. This place was originally meant for stone extraction. When the ruins collapsed, large amounts of debris scattered throughout the area. Over time, they blended into the land, becoming indistinguishable from regular rocks." "Whenever researchers visit, they take a few stones for study. If you''re looking for materials, you should check the fallen pillars at the ruins." The ruins'' collapse could have been caused by many things¡ªnatural disasters, human interference, or even a Pok¨¦mon''s wrath. "Thank you," Hikaru said sincerely. ... Arrival at the Ruins of Shinto Hikaru and Honedge set out toward the ruins, with Volo eagerly tagging along. Along the way, Volo enthusiastically shared information about the ruins, Sinnoh''s myths, and ancient verses he had discovered. This confirmed Hikaru''s suspicion¡ªVolo had indeed found several ancient verses, but he admitted he had only read five so far. Before long, the two of them¡ªand a floating sword¡ªarrived at the Ruins of Shinto. The massive pillars stood broken, eerily similar to Spear Pillar on Mt. Coronet. Meanwhile, the flat-topped temple strongly resembled the Ruins of Alph in Johto. The legendary stage for summoning gods was said to be inside, but Hikaru did not enter right away. Instead, he searched the surrounding area and found several square-shaped ruin stones. Immediately, new system information appeared in his mind. [Rare Material: Ruin Stone (From the Ruins of Shinto)] Description: Debris from an ancient ruin, possibly useful for crafting. [Crafting Technique Unlocked: 1] [Ruins Carving Technique (B-)] Allows the creation of relief carvings, stone etchings, architectural features, statues, and talismans with an ancient ruin aesthetic. Studying ruins in person allows for quicker mastery of their carving styles. Different ruin styles grant different buffs. [New Craftable Item: Symbolic Plate] Another B-rank crafting technique! Hikaru hadn''t expected Ruin Carving to be a B-rank skill, but now he was even more intrigued by the Symbolic Plate it could create. What kind of artifact could it be? He collected five ruin stones and stuffed them into his backpack, feeling their weight. For an ordinary human, this would be excessively heavy, but as someone born in the Pok¨¦mon world, this level of burden was manageable. Still, he felt he should train more to improve his endurance. As they entered the ruins, Hikaru couldn''t help but marvel at his own strength. Seriously, carrying all this weight and only feeling "a little heavy"? And then there was Volo, a man from ancient Sinnoh, who wandered everywhere carrying an enormous backpack¡ªhe was either a weightlifting master or had pocket-dimension powers. "That is the legendary Stage of Light," Volo said as they stepped inside. The triangular platform bore dim, ancient markings, and each of its three corners was inscribed with a massive symbol. "These symbols correspond to mythical Pok¨¦mon¡ªDialga, Palkia, and¡­ Giratina." Unlike Cynthia, who had needed extensive research before recognizing these patterns, Volo identified them instantly. "I''ve studied this place for some time now. The researchers from Johto also suggested that bringing the Pok¨¦mon matching these emblems to the stage might trigger something¡ªbut that''s just wishful thinking. Ah, I must be getting sentimental." Volo returned to his usual cheerful demeanor, while Hikaru secretly criticized the misleading stage design. It made people think they needed to bring those three Pok¨¦mon, but in reality, none of them were required. The ruins carried a distinctive architectural style, unique to ancient Shinto. As Hikaru walked around the stage, nothing happened¡ªjust as expected. However, by observing the engravings and reliefs, he unlocked the Shinto Ruins Art Style. [Crafting Style Unlocked: Shinto Ruins Aesthetic] Effect: Slightly enhances the mental power of humans and Pok¨¦mon, while also reducing accumulated fatigue. "You''ve been staring at everything thoughtfully. Did you discover something?" Volo asked eagerly. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru shook his head. "I was just studying the sculpting techniques." "Ancient ruins¡­ ancient artistry¡­ Wouldn''t it be fascinating to recreate this in modern times?" "Oh? Sounds like you''re planning to rebuild a shrine or museum!" Volo''s curiosity was piqued. But Hikaru had already stepped off the stage, while Volo began to ponder deeply. So¡­ he wasn''t chosen by the gods either. But a battle would make things clearer. Regardless, befriending a skilled craftsman had no downsides. Volo''s thoughts concluded. He returned to his usual grin as they stepped outside. "Since you''ve never battled before, isn''t this the perfect opportunity? Don''t worry, I won''t use anything too strong." "After all, as a craftsman, you''ll run into wild Pok¨¦mon during fieldwork. Learning how to battle will help you survive." "As a bonus, after our match, I''ll offer a discount on rare materials next time¡ª20% off!" Hikaru sighed. He had to admit, Volo had a point. "Alright. Since you''re so insistent, I accept." Volo smirked and pulled out a Pok¨¦ Ball. "Show your power before Arceus! My Pok¨¦mon is¡­ come forth, Gible!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 21 - 21 "Pok¨¦mon Trainer Volo has come to challenge you!" After more than a hundred years, the Pok¨¦ Ball in Volo''s hand was no longer the Hisuian Pok¨¦ Ball but had been replaced with a modern one. It was easy to guess¡ªthis had to be a newly captured Pok¨¦mon. "Take this." Seeing the Gible, Hikaru already had some ideas in mind. He reached into his bag and took out a small berry with a striped red exterior, somewhat hard, and resembling magma. "Yo~" Honedge was eager for battle. After a thousand years away from combat, it was determined to secure its first victory! However, when the red berry was handed over, Honedge hesitated. What kind of berry is this? I''ve never seen it before. Also, how am I supposed to carry it? "Hmm, just tuck it into your scabbard. You have to unsheathe yourself when fighting anyway. This berry will automatically provide energy in critical moments. That''s the general idea. Just follow my command." Volo grinned. "Oh, quite the spirit. Now, go, Gible!" Gible resembled a young shark, with a massive fin atop its head and two protrusions on the sides. Its body was deep blue, while its lower jaw and belly were red. It had a large mouth with sharp teeth, short and thick limbs with three toes each. Volo''s Gible was male, and its dorsal fin had a notch. Hikaru noticed that the Gible seemed to be wearing some kind of spiral-shaped claw on its hand. "Is that...?" Hikaru became alert. "A Razor Claw? No, it looks different from what I''ve seen before!" "Yo~" Honedge radiated ghostly energy. It was a sword, and the opponent was a dragon. If it won, wouldn''t that make it the legendary dragon-slaying sword? "Gible, use Twister!" Volo issued the command first, and Gible, already faster than Honedge, had a battle-hungry glint in its eyes. The small shark spun rapidly, spewing dragon-type energy from its mouth, instantly forming a deep-blue whirlwind! Twister wasn''t a particularly strong move and was a special attack, meaning it wasn''t much of a threat when used by Gible. However, it had a 20% chance to cause the opponent to flinch! And dodging wasn''t an option¡ªHonedge''s ability was No Guard! All attacks from both sides were guaranteed to hit! "Shadow Sneak!" Hikaru commanded. Honedge had been waiting for this moment! "Yo!" A shadow blade shot out from beneath Honedge , moving faster than Twister, forming a red-eyed spectral sword that slipped through the wind''s shadows, striking Gible from behind! A move that strikes first¡ªthis was the advantage of priority moves! "Gible, dodge!" Volo smirked confidently. His Gible was fast! "Fuka!" Gible responded confidently to its Trainer''s expectations. However, in the next moment, the shadow attack curved unexpectedly, homing in on its target and hitting Gible directly! "Oh?!" Volo''s expression turned to surprise. He then noticed that although Honedge made slight evasive movements, it seemed more like it was delaying the impact of Twister while maneuvering strategically. "I see, keeping distance to avoid flinching is a good idea." Volo''s smile didn''t fade, but now, he was intrigued by Honedge. "That was Shadow Sneak, right? I know it''s a priority move, but why did it still hit despite my Gible''s speed?" In real battles, outside of moves like Lock-On, most attacks could be dodged if one''s speed was fast enough. Even in games, messages like ''X dodged the attack in response to your shout'' were common. "It''s because of the ability No Guard." Hikaru didn''t look at Volo but focused on the battlefield. Twister hit¡ªbut no flinching! "Pok¨¦mon with No Guard ensure that both their own and the opponent''s attacks always hit." Hikaru narrowed his eyes, while Volo let out a subarashii in admiration. But right then, Honedge shuddered, trembling slightly! "A rare ability! You''ve piqued my curiosity! But my Gible''s ability is Rough Skin. If you hit me, you''ll take damage too!" Volo grinned. Hikaru internally noted that Rough Skin, being a Hidden Ability, couldn''t appear on wild Pok¨¦mon in the games. Only Pok¨¦mon from the Dream World had it. To obtain a Hidden Ability, one needed an Ability Patch. However, in reality, Hidden Abilities were probably just rarer among the same species, as they could still be passed down through breeding. A bit troublesome... Hikaru thought. Volo chuckled. "Let''s continue! Now that I know your ability ensures hits, I can rest easy!" "Use Stomp!" Gible leaped up and stomped down hard! "Fuka!" The ground erupted with rock fragments, sending shockwaves in all directions! "Yo!" Only now did Honedge understand why Hikaru had asked if it could use Protect earlier! Damn it! Should''ve learned a defensive move! "Don''t panic! Use Substitute!" Hikaru commanded, and Honedge quickly calmed itself! It sacrificed some HP to create a decoy, which took the full brunt of Stomp! Since Ground-type moves were super effective against Steel-types, the attack instantly shattered the substitute! "Screech!" Honedge scraped its blade against itself, emitting a piercing noise! Gible clutched its ears in pain as its Defense sharply fell! "Gible, use Sand Tomb!" Volo''s expression remained relaxed as he commanded a move not seen in the games. Gible opened its mouth, spewing out a storm of sand! The swirling sands formed a vortex, enveloping Honedge, limiting its vision, and trapping it! "Since all moves are guaranteed to hit due to No Guard, blocking vision and trapping you means that even a guaranteed hit becomes meaningless!" Volo grinned. "Sand Tomb continuously drains your HP while keeping you trapped. And with Rough Skin, you won''t dare to attack either!" "Furthermore..." With Volo''s laughter, Hikaru saw Honedge''s eye flicker in pain! Being trapped in Sand Tomb and facing a Ground-type attack was rough for a Steel-type! Meanwhile, Gible raised the hooked claw on its hand, and the sandstorm grew stronger! "Binding Claw!" Volo raised a finger. "This item extends the duration of binding and trapping moves!" "Your Pok¨¦mon is Steel-type, right? This isn''t looking good! You''re not the only one who came prepared!" However, Hikaru remained calm and quickly strategized. "That''s not necessarily true! Honedge, Screech!" Honedge gathered its will and vibrated violently within the sandstorm! Even outside the sandstorm, Gible clutched its ears in pain again! Its Defense had now dropped by four stages! "Lowering Defense doesn''t matter if you can''t land a hit. Next turn will decide everything." Volo smirked, commanding: "Gible, use Dragon Breath!" This move could cause paralysis! Clearly, Volo''s strategy was to use Twister to flinch, Stomp to lower Speed, and Sand Tomb to trap the opponent while finishing them off with Dragon Breath! A truly tormenting battle style¡ªfitting for Volo''s cunning personality, Hikaru thought. But¡ª "As I said, that''s not necessarily true!" As Gible gathered purple energy and fired Dragon Breath into the sandstorm, Hikaru commanded: "Honedge, use Substitute! Then charge forward!" "What?!" Volo was momentarily stunned, then saw the impossible unfold! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Honedge created another Substitute, reducing its HP further! The Substitute took the full hit from Dragon Breath, disappearing, while Honedge itself broke free from Sand Tomb! It was now moving toward Gible at high speed! "Now, activate Sitrus Berry!" "Then, use Psycho Cut!" Volo quickly countered: "Use Dragon Breath!" Hikaru knew that after using Substitute again, Honedge''s HP had dropped below 1/4. This was a critical moment! A glow emerged from Honedge''s scabbard¡ªenergy surged through it! That was Sitrus Berry! With its effect, Honedge''s next move would gain Priority 0.5! The blade glowed with a pink psychic aura¡ªPsycho Cut! A critical hit! Gible was sent flying, unable to unleash Dragon Breath! Since Psycho Cut was a non-contact move, Rough Skin didn''t activate! "Yo! ¡Æ(¡Ñ)!!!" Honedge kept its gaze locked on Gible until the dragon collapsed. Then, it let out an excited sword cry! It was now a dragon-slaying sword! "Congratulations! Honedge has learned a new move!" "New Move: Night Slash!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 22 - 22 Hikaru was momentarily stunned as thoughts flooded his mind. Gaining experience and Effort Values through battle¡ªwas this information also visible? Regardless, this was a good thing! "Phew, I thought it was going to get back up and continue fighting." Hikaru sighed in relief. That Gible was unbelievably tenacious. Even with its Defense lowered by four stages and taking a critical hit from Psycho Cut, it still managed to stand up, albeit unsteadily. Luckily, it finally collapsed again¡ªotherwise, it would have been ridiculous. However, in an informal battle, there were no move restrictions. If necessary, Honedge could still use Rest to recover HP, though sleeping meant it would be vulnerable to attacks. Of course, mastering more moves meant having more choices during battles. Even in official battles with a four-move limit, there was no such thing as "move preparation." In other words, if a Pok¨¦mon had learned dozens of moves, the Trainer still had options before revealing all four selected moves. They could adjust their strategy based on the situation¡ªunlike in the games, where moves had to be pre-set before entering battle. At this moment, Volo was dumbfounded. He hadn''t expected his Gible to lose in such a manner. After recalling Gible into its Pok¨¦ Ball, he stared at it for a long time before asking Hikaru: "What happened? How did Sand Tomb fail to trap your Pok¨¦mon? And why did its attack speed suddenly increase afterward? My Gible should have been faster than your Pok¨¦mon!" "Even Rough Skin didn''t take effect? This is... unbelievable!" Honedge floated up in celebration, marking the victory for itself and Hikaru. Hikaru reached out and high-fived its blue ribbon-like cloth¡ªthough it felt light as a feather¡ªbefore approaching Volo: "Looks like I won. My luck wasn''t bad. So, according to our agreement, next time I shop at your place, everything''s 20% off." "Wait!" Volo had now taken a strong interest in Hikaru . "What exactly happened just now? I never expected that outcome!" Hikaru gave a concise explanation: "Well, Shadow Sneak is a contact move, but Psycho Cut isn''t. And while it looks like a special move, Psycho Cut is actually a physical attack." "Also, Substitute can free a Pok¨¦mon from Sand Tomb. As for the increased attack speed, that was because of an item." "The Lansat Berry¡ªit activates when a Pok¨¦mon is in a crisis, allowing it to move first if the priority of the move is the same." Hikaru pointed at himself. "I''m a craftsman. Even though I haven''t battled much myself, many people come to me for battle items." "Each Pok¨¦mon has its own personality, stats, and strengths. Some items enhance their advantages, while others compensate for their weaknesses. In some cases, they can even turn a battle around." "The key is to save your finishing move for the right moment. You have to create the conditions for victory¡ªrevealing your trump card too early just gives the opponent an opening." In the Pok¨¦mon world, many Trainers and even Professors couldn''t always distinguish between special and physical moves. This sometimes led to bizarre move sets. Understanding this distinction was just the first step in move research. However, experienced Trainers naturally learned which moves worked best and what effects they had. It became a battle instinct. Volo fell into deep thought. Meanwhile, something occurred to Hikaru . Wait¡ªthis guy just battled me using Gible, yet he sold me a Draco Plate, which boosts Dragon-type moves, beforehand? Did he originally plan to use Togepi instead? Or did he simply not care about winning this battle? Maybe he doesn''t value items that boost move power that much? "Haha! That was an amazing battle!" At that moment, Grandpa Yamaji appeared nearby, clapping enthusiastically. His Abra also looked delighted, as if it had enjoyed the fight. "Even though you say you''ve never battled before, I could tell that you had already predicted certain developments while preparing. Truly impressive." Grandpa Yamaji nodded approvingly. "Without that item, the battle''s outcome would have been uncertain! That last-second priority attack was incredible¡ªyou seized the opening in your opponent''s defenses and landed a decisive strike. Your offensive awareness is excellent." "Thank you for letting me witness such an exciting battle. Here, take this as a token of gratitude for delivering supplies to the mountain and giving me the chance to watch this match." Grandpa Yamaji took out a dark jade bracelet with strange carvings. Hikaru instinctively wanted to refuse¡ªit looked valuable¡ªbut the old man explained: "Although it''s made of jade, it''s not some expensive gemstone. What matters is the stone component. So don''t worry, just take it." "This bracelet is an Ancient TM. Long ago, people used artifacts like this to teach Pok¨¦mon moves." Hikaru thanked him before accepting the bracelet, and immediately, an identification message appeared in his vision: [Artifact: "Ancient Bracelet"¡ªMove Armlet] Description: An ancient tool once used for teaching Pok¨¦mon moves. The bracelet absorbs and stores a move, with the engraved runes detailing its effects and applications. A Pok¨¦mon that can learn the move will resonate with it and gain the ability to use it. Artifact Effect 1: Teaches the move Reflect. Artifact Effect 2: Can seal Reflect into the bracelet and be used to teach another Pok¨¦mon. "Yo!" At that moment, Honedge suddenly let out a noise, staring at the jade bracelet in surprise, shifting its blade side to side. It had seen this before¡ªthere was one in the royal palace! Hikaru , too, recalled similar items. Ancient Bracelets were known valuable artifacts¡ªthey first appeared in the Abyssal Ruins of Pok¨¦mon Black & White, where they could be sold for 100,000 Pok¨¦dollars each. In the Pok¨¦mon Special manga, there were Ancient Bracelets used to teach ultimate moves, similar in function to this one. That arc even mentioned how, before TMs existed, Pok¨¦mon learned new moves using these artifacts. During the age of kingdoms, it wouldn''t be surprising if skilled craftsmen could forge such tools! Hikaru also remembered the Ancient Carving Techniques he had recently obtained. It explicitly stated that mastering the craft could allow him to create Ancient Bracelets. Which meant¡­ in the future, he could manufacture ancient versions of TMs! Though compared to Silph Co.''s TMs, the Ancient TMs seemed bulkier, and their learning efficiency was uncertain. Still, they might have a market. After all, some people preferred handcrafted, vintage artifacts. "Aiya~ I didn''t expect to lose this badly." Volo seemed to have finished contemplating. No one knew what he had been thinking about earlier, but now, he was back to his usual cheerful demeanor. "So, as promised, next time you buy from me, everything will be 20% off. I''ll have brand-new stock ready for you¡ªmaybe I''ll even come to you first." "Rare people, rare events, rare items¡­ A merchant must see them with their own eyes and experience them firsthand!" "The day''s already late¡ªrest at this hut for tonight. You can leave tomorrow." Hikaru knew he had piqued Volo''s interest, but it didn''t matter. Compared to villains who relied on high-tech methods to capture Legendary Pok¨¦mon, Volo''s method was downright primitive¡ªfind them and challenge them to battle. That was relatively harmless. "If you visit my place next time, bring me some rare materials, will you?" Hikaru held the Move Armlet, asking Grandpa Yamaji how to use it, while Volo stood in the open area. Even after Hikaru entered the nearby hut, Volo turned to glance at the ruins. "I finally met someone interesting. Selling him the Plate was the right choice. But¡­ I know I''ve seen him before. Why can''t I remember?" "For some reason, I have a feeling¡­ Was this encounter Arceus'' guidance?" ... Inside the mountain hut. Doduo had been brought in, letting out a contented noise as it fluffed its feathers and curled up to rest. "Dodo~" Hikaru stroked Doduo''s soft, warm feathers, feeling himself relax. Doduo''s plumage was so soft and warm! "Man, that was exhausting!" Real-world Pok¨¦mon battles were nothing like in the games. Moves had similarities, but in real-time battles, the opponent wouldn''t just stand there waiting for you to act. Without the turn-based system, certain annoying strategies lost their effectiveness. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Of course, losing some tactics meant gaining new ones¡ªunexpected move combinations emerged, keeping Trainers on high alert. "Come to think of it, I didn''t have to win. Volo only asked for a battle¡ªlosing wouldn''t have mattered, right?" Hikaru muttered while stroking Doduo''s feathers. However, Honedge immediately objected. "Yo!" What nonsense! A battle must be won! We are a Knight and a King¡ªthe strongest team! "Well, still¡­ I''m not a registered League Trainer." Hikaru scratched his head. Like Mr. Iron, many craftsmen didn''t own Pok¨¦mon¡ªthey relied solely on their craftsmanship to make a living. The original owner of his body was the same. Without a Pok¨¦mon, one wasn''t considered a Trainer. Not registering with the League wasn''t a big deal¡ªat most, it just meant no free meals at Pok¨¦mon Centers. Of course, battles were the heart of this world. Every region had Pok¨¦mon Trainer Schools to train future Trainers¡ªthe academy-trained Trainers. But the ones who shone the most in tournaments were still the "wild-trained Trainers"¡ªlike Ash Ketchum. Textbooks had their limits. Some things could only be learned through real battles. A Trainer could master game battles, but in real-time combat, they might get overwhelmed and lose to someone who had more hands-on experience. "Yo~" Honedge squinted its single eye, letting out eerie noises: Stop lying to yourself. That battle just now proved it¡ªyou have the desire to win deep in your blood! Hikaru: "..." "Fine, next time, let''s practice Sacred Sword Canceling." ? (End of Chapter) ==== [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 23 - 23 Faced with Hikaru''s ambiguous skill, Honedge didn''t quite understand, but it felt like it must be an impressive technique. Hmm? slashes, canceling? It fell into deep thought, seemingly constructing a swordsmanship model in its mind. At this moment, Hikaru also raised his right hand, the ancient symbols on the Ancient Bracelet remaining silent. By merely making contact with the Ancient Bracelet, a Pok¨¦mon could naturally comprehend its power. This mechanism differed slightly from the Z-Ring and was more akin to the "Scroll of Darkness" and "Scroll of Waters," which the Pok¨¦mon Kubfu could evolve after sufficient training by simply observing these scrolls and mastering the corresponding signature move. Of course, learning moves didn''t always require a TM. Observing and mimicking the techniques of other Pok¨¦mon was also a valid way to acquire new moves. For example, Ash''s Pikachu frequently used Iron Tail, which was actually taught to him by a Furret belonging to a passing Trainer. While contemplating this, Hikaru removed the Ancient Bracelet from his wrist and handed it to Honedge. Seeing the bracelet being offered, Honedge floated forward, using its blue ribbon-like limb to take it. Back on the mountain, it had already heard that this bracelet contained move data. But¡­ what exactly was "Reflect"? Hikaru suddenly teased it, "Reflect is a Psychic-type defensive move that creates a mysterious wall. While the wall is up, the damage from physical moves is halved!" "This is a defensive move, yet you said before that you dislike defensive techniques. What now?" "How did it feel using Substitute?" However, Honedge showed no sign of embarrassment. It narrowed its single eye slightly and emitted a sound that essentially meant, "That was then, this is now!" "Yo~" What did the me from a few days ago have to do with the me from tonight? Substitute? Substitute was incredibly useful! And Sitrus Berry as well! "Imagine constructing a transparent wall in your mind¡ªnot just in your mind, but within your soul. Call upon your mental power. This shouldn''t be difficult for you." "Just like when you use Psycho Cut." Psychic-type energy, huh? Honedge continuously played with the Ancient Bracelet while simultaneously sensing the elemental energy stored within it. Gradually, in its vision, a radiant transparent wall shimmered into existence. It was a recorded visualization from the Ancient Bracelet! "Yo!" Honedge floated into the air, faint psychic energy slowly emanating from its blade. Before long, an irregularly shaped transparent wall began to take form in front of it. At that moment, Hikaru also noticed the symbols on the Ancient Bracelet beginning to glow faintly. The move was being observed, mimicked, and learned! "Recording moves, allowing Pok¨¦mon to observe, guiding them, and finally leading to mastery¡ªmodern TMs have likely streamlined these steps." The learning process was going even more smoothly than Hikaru had anticipated. Perhaps it was because Honedge had already learned Psycho Cut, a move that also harnessed Psychic energy, before attempting to learn Reflect? "In battle simulations, Reflect and Light Screen simply reduce the damage from special and physical attacks. But in real battles, the walls are physically present. If someone uses a contact-based move recklessly, they''ll hit the wall and face severe hindrance." Hikaru recalled what he had seen before. In the anime, when Ash''s Treecko battled at the Lavaridge Gym, it had crashed head-on into a Reflect wall and was sent flying. Moreover, these barriers could move with the Pok¨¦mon that cast them. In Pok¨¦mon Adventures, Light Screen was even used to create an invisible cage to trap an opponent. "Yo!" Honedge let out a cry as the barrier in front of it took on a perfectly rectangular form, shimmering brightly. It had successfully learned Reflect! "It worked!" Hikaru was becoming more intrigued by the bracelet. "Try using Reflect again?" Honedge''s eye focused on the bracelet, understanding Hikaru''s intention. It then activated Reflect directly in front of the bracelet. A faintly glowing transparent wall materialized, and instantly, the inscriptions on the bracelet shone brightly. As the psychic energy forming the barrier began to distort and fade like mist, its energy was reabsorbed into the bracelet. "So that''s how it works! I completely understand now!" Hikaru grasped the mechanism of the bracelet¡ªit fundamentally functioned by absorbing corresponding elemental energy. When the stored move was executed, it resonated with the inscriptions on the bracelet, allowing moves to be repeatedly recorded and stored. It was similar to HM techniques! In many regions, there existed a category of moves known as Hidden Moves (HMs). These moves, once learned by a Pok¨¦mon, were difficult to forget. However, starting from the Alola region, HMs gradually fell out of use. Originally, they had been developed to help humans utilize Pok¨¦mon''s abilities more effectively. The six most common HM moves were: Cut Rock Smash Strength Surf Waterfall Fly "Now, as long as I find the right craftsmanship, I should be able to create an Ancient Move Bracelet¡ªessentially an ''Ancient Bracelet''!" But where could he find the necessary techniques? What materials would be required? Unlike the ancient statues that were directly carved, these Ancient Bracelets seemed to incorporate a mysterious psychic energy. This reminded Hikaru of a precious Kalos-region artifact, the ''Punishment Urn.'' Some objects required Pok¨¦mon''s elemental energy to be imbued during their creation. Hikaru opened his computer, which, surprisingly, was connected to the internet. "Let''s look up some renowned artisans." Unlike Pok¨¦mon Trainers, who often documented their training techniques and shared them with others, artisans guarded their skills closely. Finding their trade secrets online was impossible. Hikaru instead searched for famous craftsmen from various regions. Johto Region: "No need to say much¡ªKurt is the most well-known Pok¨¦ Ball craftsman." Mahogany Town: "Wilbur is a master ice sculptor." Cianwood City: "The Ancient Pharmacy holds secret recipes and techniques for medicinal herbs, while the charcoal from Ilex Forest is one of Johto''s specialties." Hoenn Region: "The glass workshop at the base of Mt. Chimney is famous, crafting unique glass whistles from volcanic ash. By the sea, an old man specializes in making Shell Bells." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sinnoh Region: "The elder of Celestic Town¡ªCynthia''s grandmother¡ªhas the skill to craft ancient charms. In addition, some crafting techniques from the Hisui era have been preserved." Unova Region: "Twist Mountain has artisans who fire ceramics using ''Volcanic Clay'' and possess ancient metalworking techniques." Paldea Region: "Cascarrafa is known for its ceramic craftsmanship. Paldea also has artisans skilled in forging mystical armor." Galar Region: "Galar''s silk and textile industry is renowned, with Wooloo''s wool being a top-tier material." Almia Region: "A highly skilled woodcarver resides there." Paldea Region (again): "Master sculptor Kosha is renowned." "Perhaps studying the techniques of these artisans could improve my craftsmanship." Hikaru pondered carefully. Once autumn arrived in Sinnoh, he could leave. By then, the ruins would be buried under heavy snow, and he could embark on a journey to study different crafts. Seeing these artisans work firsthand might provide new insights¡ªor even lead to rare material discoveries. Observe. Imitate. Recreate. Surpass. ... The Next Day At dawn, Hikaru bid farewell to Yamaji and Volo, who mentioned that he too would be traveling in search of rare materials. "If I find something good, I''ll give you a discount!" With that, he left. Hikaru returned to the village by afternoon, returned the Doduo to the villagers, then took Honedge back to his workshop. He glanced at the fields surrounding the workshop but didn''t see Petilil. However, near the medicinal garden, there was a small pit in the soil. Had she been here and left? I hope she''s taking care of herself. Setting down his backpack, he didn''t immediately remove his work attire. Instead, he swapped out his boots for regular shoes and began sorting through his materials and tools. "Finally back. This trip was well worth it!" Among the materials he retrieved were: Beach Radish, Hard Stone, Royal Leaf, Silencer Spray, Ancient Bracelet, Leaf Stone, and Dragon Plate. As he placed everything away, a sudden, loud whooshing sound echoed from the sky. "Huh? What''s that sound?" Stepping outside, he saw a massive black silhouette soaring through the sunlit sky! "Roar!" Hikaru''s eyes widened¡ªit was a Charizard! Charizard was a bipedal Pok¨¦mon with the classic features of a dragon, though it lacked the Dragon typing. Its body was primarily orange, with a cream-colored belly extending to the tip of its tail. It had short but sturdy hind legs, relatively smaller forelimbs, and massive wings that allowed it to fly. With a long neck, blue eyes, and two horn-like structures protruding from the back of its head, Charizard''s most distinctive feature was the flame at the tip of its thick tail¡ªburning intensely, a symbol of its vitality. With the roar of the wind, the massive Charizard descended, landing with a powerful gust. It was noticeably larger than most Charizards, and hanging from its chest was a delivery crate. The moment it touched the ground, Charizard locked eyes with Hikaru, seemingly comparing him to a reference image. At the same time, Hikaru noticed a small, watch-like device strapped to its wrist¡ªlikely a specialized tracking tool for locating the recipient. "Wait¡­ is this a delivery service?" This Charizard had come from Blackthorn City. Realizing this, Hikaru hurried back inside to pack the shipment. The goods he was sending included Eviolite Stones and Focus Sashes. Additionally, he had to ship a Cleanse Tag, which required rerouting. From Blackthorn City, the shipment would be transferred to Olivine City, then transported overseas by ship to Unova. Johto had a notable population of Charizard, especially in Charicific Valley, where many wild Charizard resided. In other regions, Charizard was frequently used as a ride Pok¨¦mon or for long-distance deliveries. With proper training, a Charizard''s endurance for extended flights was impressive. Once Charizard confirmed Hikaru''s identity as the sender, it became visibly curious, looking around at its surroundings. It seemed unfamiliar with this area, finding everything fascinating. However, it did not forget its mission. With a clawed hand, it gestured at the empty crate, signaling Hikaru to place the package inside. "Much appreciated!" With that, the shipment was successfully prepared. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 24 - 24 [Let''s Reach 15 Reviews For An Extra Chapter!!] sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru placed the prepared package into the delivery box while Charizard held a few cards, seemingly cross-checking the shipment details. Hikaru offered Charizard a berry, but the latter waved its claws and let out a deep growl. "Roar," Charizard gestured with its claws, acting as if it didn''t recognize Hikaru¡ªbut that wasn''t actually its intent. "Yo~" Honedge floated over just in time to translate. Charizard explained that it couldn''t eat food given by others during work hours. If it got sick, it could delay deliveries, or worse, lead to lost packages. Moreover, it had already eaten its work meal before setting out and carried emergency Pok¨¦mon food in its storage box. While letting out a low growl, Charizard reached into its box and pulled out something that looked like a steamed bun. It was an Anger Bun, a specialty from Cianwood Town and a well-known snack throughout Johto! Even Charizard, flying in from Blackthorn City, carried some in case it encountered unexpected situations or status conditions along the way. "Hmm, makes sense. It''s true that one shouldn''t eat food from just anyone," Hikaru murmured, momentarily dazed as he realized that Pok¨¦mon with actual jobs were quite different from wild Pok¨¦mon. Their awareness of food safety was truly impressive. I was just a customer. I overstepped. "Roar~" With that, Charizard flapped its wings, not lingering for further conversation. Dedicated to its job, it soared into the sky with the package, gradually becoming a speck in the distance. As the wind stirred the grass, something seemed to fall from the sky, landing on Hikaru''s head. It was a strikingly white leaf. "Huh?" Hikaru reached up and plucked the leaf from his hair. [Rare Material: White Herb] [Description: A white herb leaf that retains a pleasant fragrance. This herb can occasionally be found in grassy fields, forests, or carried by Flying-type Pok¨¦mon from faraway places.] [Effect: When held by a Pok¨¦mon, it restores lowered stats once.] [Knowledge Acquired: +1] [Leaf Wanderer: Occasionally finds herb leaves from wind-swept foliage with a 5% chance.] White Herbs could indeed be found in nature, but their specific growing locations were unpredictable. Finding a full herb plant was pure luck. However, flower shops in different regions often cultivated them, much like Gracidea flowers. Pok¨¦mon commonly associated with herbs were Tangrowth, as people often discovered herbs entangled in its vines. The vines themselves also had properties similar to certain herbs¡ªthough the connection seemed purely coincidental! Beep beep¡ª The computer chimed. Another wild customer request had appeared. The drop rate really was high. With that thought, Hikaru returned to his house. Opening his inbox, he found a message with an intriguing subject line. "I have foreseen that you possess Light Clay." "To be honest, I''ve heard that this clay can enhance Psychic-type moves, but it is rare and mostly found underground in Sinnoh. It cannot be obtained in Kanto or Johto. If you have any, I would like to buy it." Foreseen? A Psychic? "The sender''s ID is Xatu?" This ID was completely unfamiliar. There was nothing to glean from it, but since they were a potential customer¡ªespecially one who had foreseen his possession of Light Clay¡ªit was an opportunity to sell. Initially, Hikaru had planned to fire the Light Clay into ceramics, but he hadn''t had the time. Now, someone was offering to buy it directly. Beep beep¡ª A second email arrived. "I have foreseen that you were planning to fire the Light Clay into a unique ceramic. I am also very interested in this ceramic. Please make it, and I will pay double." "Huh?" Hikaru was taken aback. This person was impressive. Weren''t Psychics usually limited to reading minds or foreseeing events only when close by? To prevent another unexpected email, Hikaru quickly added the sender as a contact and initiated a conversation. "You should already know what Light Clay does, right? When a Pok¨¦mon holding it uses Light Screen or Reflect, the effects last longer." "The price for Light Clay is 50,000 Pok¨¦dollars. If you want me to fire it into ceramics, the price will naturally go up¡ªprobably around 100,000. With your offer to pay double, that would be 200,000. Are you sure you still want it?" Hikaru initially considered charging only 20,000 but realized that Light Clay was rare in this region. That price would be too low. Xatu: "No problem. Money is of no importance to us Psychics. Besides, I am also a world-traveling magician and quite well-known in the magic community. You need not worry about my funds." "And to answer your earlier question¡ªwhy can a Psychic read minds from such a distance? Heh, I didn''t read your mind. I merely foresaw the future and knew exactly what you would say at this moment." "I also rely on my Pok¨¦mon''s power. My partner is Xatu." "My Xatu uses Future Sight to locate rare and mysterious items. Everything it finds possesses extraordinary abilities!" A Future Sight user? In Pok¨¦mon battles, Future Sight was a delayed-damage move. But outside of battle, the ability truly allowed glimpses into the future. By predicting the near future with precision, one could act accordingly¡ªthat was the essence of Future Sight. Xatu, in particular, could peer into both a person''s future and past. Xatu: "You seem quite interested in Psychic abilities." The message was accompanied by a curious emoji, followed by another intriguing note: "If you want to know whether you have latent Psychic abilities, or if you''re interested in training them to pursue greater power, I can offer some advice." "Here''s a simple training method: Nighttime is the best period to enhance Psychic abilities. Focus all your attention on a single tree in front of you, concentrating fully on it. This will strengthen your focus, improving your battle awareness. Even if you don''t awaken Psychic powers, your mental fortitude will grow!" "Of course, I have other training methods¡ªbut those are secrets. If people knew my training techniques, they would understand my strengths!" At first, conversing with a Psychic felt fascinating. Now, it was a bit unsettling. No matter what Hikaru did or said, his future would be foreseen. "Could you stop predicting my future?" Hikaru sighed. "As a craftsman, I don''t want my work process to be laid bare to others." Xatu: "Apologies, I forgot about that. Please proceed with the ceramic firing. Once you''re done, just message me¡ªI''ll always be available." After that, the Psychic remained silent. Hikaru immediately retrieved the stored Light Clay. Indeed, it was rare in Johto, with most of it originating in Sinnoh. The forge''s doors swung open, the cleared furnace reignited, and the external ventilation was adjusted. There was no anvil¡ªHikaru would need to get one. More forging and pottery tools would also be necessary. Maybe he could place an online order and have Blackthorn City''s delivery service handle it? The village might also have some spare anvil and tools. A traditional ceramic firing method called Nanban-yaki used charcoal furnaces, similar in size to small coal stoves. In primitive settings where high-quality kilns weren''t available, pottery was fired using simple fuel piles directly on the ground. However, this method often resulted in lower-quality finishes. Fortunately, Hikaru had a proper forge. He quickly completed the raw material processing, clay shaping, and glazing stages, employing unique ceramic crafting techniques. The glazing step, in particular, was troublesome. Once everything was set, it was time to fire the clay. The process took hours. Honedge peeked in at one point but quickly retreated after feeling the heat¡ªSteel-types were weak to Fire! "You definitely can''t do this job, or it''d turn into a sword-forging contest," Hikaru chuckled. Soon, the firing was complete. [Crafted Item: Light Ceramic (Vessel)] [Description: A ceramic vessel fired from rare Light Clay, using a unique technique.] [Effects: Pok¨¦mon holding it extend the duration of Light Screen and Reflect. Rock and Ground-type Pok¨¦mon especially love this ceramic, as Light Clay slightly enhances their energy.] [Unique Effect: Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon that stay near the Light Ceramic for long periods will see their Psychic moves strengthened.] Xatu: "I''m currently training in Cianwood. Since I can foresee you, it means my Psychic power can also reach you through the internet." "I''ll have Xatu use Teleport to pick up the item. Your craftsmanship will be put to great use!" What does "put to great use" mean? "It means I will challenge strong Pok¨¦mon Trainers. Apologies¡ªthis is my final Future Sight. Allow me to properly introduce myself." "I am Itsuki, a former traveling magician and a member of Johto''s Elite Four. It''s a pleasure to meet you!" (For the ones that don''t know, Itsuki is Will) With a transaction notification, Hikaru saw 200,000 Pok¨¦dollars credited to his account. Whoosh¡ª A strange psychic ripple spread, and Hikaru turned in time to see the ceramic vessel "shatter" before vanishing in an instant. Teleporting to pick up goods from this far away? This Psychic power is¡­ Hikaru was stunned. Wait, doesn''t this mean the truly impressive one is Xatu?! "Psychic-types really are convenient¡­ Maybe I should make an ocarina next?" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 25 - 25 [4/15 Reviews For The Extra Chapter!] June 14th. Weather: Overcast, Light Rain. After several days of sunny and cloudy weather, the rain finally arrived today. The rainfall was just right¡ªno need to water the crops today. Recently, many goods had been sold, making funds plentiful! Yesterday afternoon, Hikaru went into the village and brought back an anvil for the forge. At the same time, he ordered a batch of Combee Honey online. This was an essential ingredient for crafting Rare Candies, though the most important component, Micle Berries, was still unavailable. The honey was merely an early preparation. Hikaru was in a good mood as he stepped outside, umbrella in hand, and headed toward the herb and crop fields. Near the edge of the field, close to the herbs, familiar leaves appeared once again. However, this time, the leaves were damaged, with two of them even broken. Petilil had buried herself in the soil but had not entered the fields. She only stayed near the edge, seemingly believing that by doing so, she wouldn''t be driven away. Beside her, there was a white berry. "It''s obvious¡ªyou lost again." This time, she had been beaten even worse than before. Hikaru walked over and gently pulled at her, causing Petilil to let out a soft "Lili" of displeasure. But upon realizing that it was the house''s owner, she struggled to lift her head from the soil. As expected, the wounds he had previously treated had not only reopened but worsened. Such severe injuries were rare in the Pok¨¦mon world. Some of her wounds seemed different from the rest¡ªlikely inflicted by Bug-type Pok¨¦mon while she was weakened. "Lili~" Petilil glanced at Hikaru, then at the nearby Revival Herb, before pushing the white berry toward him. "It''s not ready yet. It''s only been two or three days," Hikaru replied helplessly. Petilil nodded slightly and stopped moving. She didn''t even have the strength to hop around anymore. Hikaru picked up the white berry. [Rare Material: White Apricorn] [Description: A white apricorn with no fragrance. These only appear in fertile soil.] [Knowledge Acquired: +1] [Flourishing Land: Crops, herbs, and trees you plant will increase vitality in the surrounding area, allowing the soil to recover faster.] "Did you lose your habitat?" Hikaru asked. "I''ve heard that forest battles are intense. But you didn''t come from deep within Ilex Forest, did you?" Petilil slightly lifted her head. "Lili~ Lili." At that moment, Honedge floated out. As Hikaru''s loyal translator, it conveyed Petilil''s words. She lived on the outskirts of the forest, not deep within. She was merely using the soil here to recover and would leave soon, ensuring no harm came to the herb field. "Lili, Lili." If necessary, she was willing to exchange her leaves for potions and herbs. But¡­ how did Hikaru know she had lost her home? "I know a bit about your kind," Hikaru said. "You''re a communal Pok¨¦mon species, often led by a Tsareena." Hearing the translation, Hikaru felt slightly awkward, as if he were some villain exposing a secret. Petilil''s personality was certainly unique¡ªshe didn''t want to trouble others and insisted on trading her leaves for medicine. Stubborn nature¡­ truly fascinating. "Lili~" Petilil weakly responded. Honedge translated: "She abandoned her leader." Hikaru frowned in confusion. "You weren''t abandoned by your Tsareena¡ªyou abandoned her?" Petilil soon confirmed his question. During the conversation, Hikaru took out some medicine, berries, and a Revive. After eating and applying the medicine, Petilil''s condition improved. She explained that neither her leader nor her companions were willing to fight for their home. So, she left them and tried to reclaim it on her own. In the wild, weaker Pok¨¦mon would always lose their homes to stronger ones. But if she became strong enough, she could take it back herself. Many Grass-type Pok¨¦mon avoided conflict, but some had distinct personalities and traits. Among them were the rebels of their kind. For some reason, Hikaru thought of Ash''s Sceptile. Back when it was still a Treecko, it had been a rebellious member of its group. For Pok¨¦mon, the path to strength was simple¡ªbattle, gain experience, evolve, or learn new moves. However, Petilil''s evolution wasn''t tied to battle experience alone. She needed a Sun Stone to evolve. "Battle, lose, get injured, heal, and fight again." "Has the likelihood of victory increased? How many battles have you fought since losing your home?" Petilil wasn''t sure anymore¡ªat least a dozen. This meant that even before Hikaru moved here, she had been battling other Pok¨¦mon. She had likely been fighting since winter and the harsh spring season. "Losing a home in winter or spring¡­ because warm, nutrient-rich soil is ideal for living. The Pok¨¦mon that took your home¡ªwere they Grass-types too? But they must have had another secondary type." "Do you need help?" Petilil stared at Hikaru for a long time. She didn''t shake her head or nod. Instead, she let out a loud cry: "Lili! Lili!" Her voice was no longer soft but filled with frustration and anger. If she reclaimed her home with someone else''s help, her former companions wouldn''t reflect on their cowardice. They would just say that she had relied on outside aid. And once that aid disappeared, their home would be taken again¡ªreturning to square one. So, she had to do it herself. She had to evolve! She didn''t need temporary help¡ªshe needed true strength. She was willing to pay any price for it. Though she only had the leaves on her head to trade, she offered them all. Hikaru was touched. Most weak Pok¨¦mon either sought a Trainer or coexisted with stronger Pok¨¦mon for security. Trainers helped them grow, and stronger Pok¨¦mon offered mutual benefits. But this Petilil rejected external support, believing even a Trainer was an unreliable factor. Hikaru''s thoughts were complicated, but Honedge was deeply moved. It floated over and tried to comfort Petilil with its blue ribbon. "Yo!" "Long ago, I saw knights with your spirit!" "Sharpening your strength and overcoming powerful foes is the path to self-improvement!" "I support you!" Honedge enthusiastically declared that it wanted to train Petilil. "Yo~!" "I was once a knight''s sword! And I even have dragon-slaying achievements!" "Back in ancient times, I would have been recorded in history and sung about!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru bluntly shattered its delusions. "That was just a Gible¡ªnot a Garchomp. Even if you claim to be a dragon slayer, defeating a baby dragon doesn''t prove much, does it?" Honedge retorted, "A baby dragon is still a dragon! And I was just a baby sword!" It patted its sheath and made a bold promise to Petilil: "Yo!" (¡Ñ)/~! "I am strong. This person is strong. With our training and tools, you''ll be unstoppable!" Hikaru smiled. "If you want to become stronger, come work with me. Training while working will help you grow." "Don''t worry¡ªweak Pok¨¦mon can become strong. All it takes is clever move combinations and an unbreakable will." "Then it''s settled." Hikaru took out a Pok¨¦ Ball. "A Trainer in Johto once said¡ª''Strong Pok¨¦mon. Weak Pok¨¦mon. Those are just the selfish perceptions of people.''" "You will become strong." Petilil stared at the Pok¨¦ Ball. Without hesitation, she tapped it. The red light engulfed her. The Pok¨¦ Ball barely shook before clicking shut. "I caught a Petilil!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 26 - 26 A new companion had joined the workshop. However, when Hikaru released Petilil again and assigned her a task, she seemed confused. She tilted her head and made a questioning sound. "Lili?" Work? Does that mean constant battling? Petilil didn''t understand what "work" meant, but Hikaru explained that he wanted her to help the herbs grow. In return, he would provide her with useful medicinal plants. "It''s just like how you trade your leaves for medicine¡ªputting in effort to receive something in return. The main thing you spend is time. Your work is to help me manage the herbs and crops, assisting them in growing." "Helping me with work is different from helping others. I am an artisan who specializes in crafting items with special powers and collecting rare materials. Through this process, both of us will gradually grow stronger and improve." "Lili?" Petilil still had many doubts, but the mention of herbs caught her interest. When she shifted her gaze toward them, Hikaru nodded. "Yes, Revival Herbs can be part of your reward." "So, you need to help them grow quickly." "I was worried about Oddish coming here because they tend to scatter seeds everywhere. They don''t mean any harm, but their presence negatively affects the growth of herbs. Every Pok¨¦mon species has different attributes, and even Pok¨¦mon of the same type have unique ecological traits, natural behaviors, and varying effects on their surroundings." Hikaru explained that he hadn''t driven her away from the herb garden out of dislike. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Honedge chimed in, mentioning that Hikaru had once spoken about a powerful Grass-type Pok¨¦mon from a distant land. Unlike other Grass-types, its presence caused forests to wither and lands to decay. "Yo!" Of course, such a Pok¨¦mon wouldn''t appear here. But since each Grass-type had different habits and abilities, their effects on farmland varied. Petilil was immediately fascinated. "Lili~!" A Grass-type Pok¨¦mon that destroys forests and soil? "If you think about it, Pok¨¦mon are truly mysterious¡ªeven you don''t fully understand your own kind. For us humans, the key is learning how to coexist with Pok¨¦mon while maintaining balance." Hikaru smiled as Petilil pondered this before finally agreeing to his request. This wasn''t a capture¡ªit was merely cooperation, just like when Hikaru asked Dugtrio and Diglett to help till the fields. Guided by Hikaru and Honedge, Petilil strolled through the herb and crop fields. Hikaru introduced the different planting areas, estimated growth speeds, and various farming techniques, including methods for cultivating berries. Petilil listened with widening eyes, overwhelmed by all the information. She was a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon, yet she didn''t understand any of this! Human knowledge¡­ is amazing! "Pok¨¦mon rely on their attributes and instincts to survive¡ªGrass-types live in forests, Ground-types in deserts, Rock-types in caves, Water-types near lakes. But humans are different. We must acquire knowledge and use resources wisely to thrive in all environments." After the tour, Hikaru wanted to assess her moveset and learn about the Pok¨¦mon she had been fighting. "Knowing your enemy''s type, ability, and moves lets you strategize and increase your chances of winning." Petilil, initially stubborn, now seemed less confident. Hikaru''s knowledge was overwhelming, leaving her unsure of herself. However, Honedge''s encouragement reassured her. "Lili~ Lili~ Waa!" "Yo yo." Petilil described her "enemies," and Honedge translated: They were round Pok¨¦mon that looked like wooden balls¡ªsix in total. One was noticeably larger with a fierce gaze. The smaller ones had brown lower halves and red upper halves, with somewhat goofy expressions. The largest one had the colors reversed¡ªred on the bottom and brown on the top. These Pok¨¦mon arrived at Petilil''s home at the end of spring. Though few in number, they scattered electrically charged seeds everywhere¡ªand even exploded! "¡­Hisuian Voltorb and Hisuian Electrode?" Hikaru''s expression changed. The color scheme wasn''t that of normal Voltorb and Electrode¡ªit was the Hisuian form! According to records, Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode had bodies composed of apricorn-like material. Their typing was Electric/Grass, and they had the abilities Soundproof, Static, and Aftermath. However, Hisuian Voltorb were supposed to be cheerful and friendly, often gathering in groups to laugh together¡ªquite the opposite of their perpetually angry Kantonian counterparts. A battle for territory¡­ with Pok¨¦mon whose bodies resemble apricorns¡­ and a form that had supposedly disappeared for over a hundred years? "Wait¡ªdoes this mean Petilil''s original habitat was full of apricorn trees?" Apricorns thrived in fertile soil. If Petilil''s territory overlapped with an apricorn grove, then this struggle made sense. However, since Hisuian Voltorb were thought to be extinct and Petilil were extremely rare in Sinnoh, this conflict was incredibly unlikely¡ªa territorial battle between Grass-types for soil and apricorn land. Hikaru was intrigued. If that area really has apricorn trees¡­ Apricorns were crucial for crafting Pok¨¦ Balls and Sticky Globs. "I see¡­ Sinnoh''s climate has changed, leading to the decline of Hisuian Pok¨¦mon. However, this forgotten ancient land in Johto retains a similar environment, allowing Hisuian Pok¨¦mon to persist." "Perhaps some Pok¨¦mon were brought here by ancient Sinnohan settlers and have since taken root." "One of the Hisuian Voltorb must have evolved into a Hisuian Electrode and decided to claim Petilil''s territory to expand its species." No wonder Petilil always returned battered¡ªshe had been fighting walking explosives the entire time! "In any case, by working with me, you''ll become stronger. But first, show me what moves you''ve learned." Honedge volunteered for a sparring session, giving Petilil a chance to demonstrate her abilities. During the fight, Hikaru took out a notebook and began recording her techniques. First were the powder-based moves¡ªStun Spore and Sleep Powder, followed by Leech Seed. However, due to the rain, the powder became sticky and ineffective against Honedge. Hikaru then saw her use Protect¡ªa faint green barrier blocked one of Honedge''s casual attacks. However, by the second round, she struggled to defend properly. She attempted Magical Leaf and Giga Drain, but when Honedge finally overpowered her, she used a rather peculiar move. There was nothing in front of her, yet it seemed as though an air punch had been thrown¡ªfaint energy rippled forward, directly striking Honedge. However, it had no effect. Ghost-types are immune! "Vacuum Wave? No¡­ Petilil can''t learn that move." "A Normal-type attack with no special effects¡­ could it be Endure?" That seemed plausible. Petilil could indeed learn Endure. Considering how she had repeatedly "endured" her way back to her home, it made sense for her to have this move. Normal-type moves couldn''t affect Ghost-types, but physical force still existed¡ªHonedge had a tangible body, after all. Still, the impact was weak, barely stronger than Tackle. Honedge only paused momentarily before resuming its assault. Did she learn this move in her battles for her home? Would her next move be¡­ "Yo!" Honedge used Psycho Cut, but Petilil didn''t fall. Instead, a focus-building effect activated before the attack landed. "As I thought¡ªEndure." She had Protect, Endure, and Flail. Petilil was way too determined. Protect blocked one explosion. Endure withstood another. That still left two more self-destructing bombs. Finally, she used Synthesis¡ªbut since it was raining, she barely recovered any HP. Soon, Honedge defeated her. [Moveset: Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, Magical Leaf, Giga Drain, Flail, Protect, Endure.] [Ability: Own Tempo.] Hikaru noted down his findings. [Petilil¡ªA Pok¨¦mon from Ilex Forest.] [Slightly stubborn personality.] [Met in the herb garden outside the workshop.] [Dislikes bitter flavors.] [Unyielding spirit.] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 27 - 27 The Pok¨¦mon Hikaru had encountered so far all had difficult personalities and less-than-ideal abilities. Honedge''s Lax nature wasn''t great. It had only one ability, so there was no choice there. Petilil was the same. Her Stubborn nature would be excellent if she could evolve into Hisuian Lilligant, but that wasn''t possible yet. Her ability, Own Tempo, was far inferior to Chlorophyll. Hikaru had not cultivated Mints that could alter a Pok¨¦mon''s nature. Mints were rare plants, unavailable in Kanto and Johto. Even department stores in major cities might not stock them. Battle Frontier had them as exchange rewards, but the cost-efficiency was too low for him. Besides, he wasn''t strong enough to challenge the Frontier just yet. He vaguely recalled that Petilil could learn Sunny Day and Encore, as well as Helping Hand and Pollen Puff. In Generation V''s Unova, she could even learn Toxic. Toxic and Pollen Puff were useful against Grass-type opponents. "If she could evolve into Hisuian Lilligant, things would be easier¡ªVictory Dance, Triple Axel, Swords Dance, Close Combat¡­ and Weather Ball under Sunny Day could even become a Fire-type move." "She needs a Sun Stone¡ªand evolution must take place in a Hisuian environment." "Ancient texts mention that Hisui''s lands share similarities with Johto''s. That may explain why Hisuian Pok¨¦mon have appeared in this untouched forest." After finishing his observations of Petilil¡ªwho had fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion¡ªHikaru prepared Pok¨¦mon food for her and shifted his focus to carving the ancient ruin tablets. With Petilil assisting in plant growth, he no longer had to worry much about farming. A Ruin Stone was placed on the workbench, and Hikaru''s mind was gradually filled with knowledge of the ancient engraving techniques used to carve such relics. The ruins'' stones bore the marks of time, holding the essence of ancient history and an air of mystery. Following the guidance of his craftsmanship skills and the engraving style of Johto''s ruins, Hikaru began cutting and processing three stone slabs. Honedge floated over curiously, and Petilil hopped onto the workbench, fascinated by the weathered stones. "You want to help too? Perfect. Show Petilil what you''re capable of." Hikaru grinned, grabbing a regular stone and sketching a tic-tac-toe grid on it with chalk. "Go ahead¡ªtry cutting it however you like. But first, practice on this ordinary stone." Honedge touched its hilt with its blue ribbon, focusing intently. "Yo." I have to show our new companion just how impressive we are! Invisible psychic threads emerged under Honedge''s concentrated gaze, aligning perfectly with the chalk lines. For a brief moment, Honedge felt the same sensation as when using Psycho Cut! The psychic threads overlapped with the markings, and Honedge drew its blade. Psycho Cut! A blade formed from pure mental energy, capable of slicing through any opponent! This time, however, Honedge didn''t release the energy outward. Instead, it maintained its Psycho Cut in a controlled state, carefully carving the stone. The sword''s tip glided precisely along the chalk lines, performing clean cuts that left Hikaru genuinely impressed. "Amazing precision!" The cuts were nearly flawless, following the chalk guidelines without deviation. The stones scattered neatly, forming a pile of perfectly cubed fragments. The energy of Psycho Cut had even penetrated the stone''s core, cleanly separating the rock and leaving smooth surfaces. In a way¡­ isn''t this just like Rock Smash? No¡ªthis was much better. This technique eliminated the need for cutting machines to process large stones! "Well done, Honedge!" "Yo!" Honedge relaxed, though it had no mouth to show it. Concentrating so hard on cutting the stone had left it feeling a little anxious, but Hikaru''s encouragement quickly put it at ease. "This is how it always is at first. With more practice, you''ll get used to it. Mastery comes with experience." Hikaru reassured Honedge, who soon let go of its anxiety and set its sights on the four remaining ruin stones. Meanwhile, Petilil watched in excitement, her three leaves trembling with anticipation. "Waa!" Her voice made it clear how amazed she was. Honedge''s demonstration had shown Petilil a glimpse of true strength! "Lili~ Waa!" Petilil eagerly asked Honedge how it achieved such precise cutting. Honedge, eyes shut smugly, exuded an "Aren''t I incredible?" aura. "Yo! Yo yo pu~" "Because I worked with Hikaru and mastered a new move¡ªPsycho Cut! That''s how I can cut so precisely. If you work hard too, you''ll definitely learn stronger moves!" "Lili!" Petilil twirled her leaf-like skirt in motivation. Yes! I will get stronger soon! While the two Pok¨¦mon exchanged thoughts, Hikaru was already fully engrossed in his work. Among the five ruin stones, he selected three and began engraving unique patterns onto them. Gradually, his craftsmanship knowledge guided him toward the Symbolic Tablets. Hikaru paused for a moment, his expression shifting slightly. The carvings were related to Unown. But that was expected. "I should have known¡ªUnown are classified as the Symbol Pok¨¦mon, and the ancient tablets found in ruins were often inscribed with Unown-like symbols. "The so-called Symbolic Tablets are small engraved stones that form ancient words when pieced together." The carving process took a long time. To Hikaru''s surprise, because he was using the Johto Ruins Engraving Style, the technique slightly boosted both human and Pok¨¦mon mental stamina, reducing accumulated fatigue. Though he had been intensely focused, he felt increasingly refreshed instead of tired. His mental and physical fatigue gradually faded. Hikaru lost track of time. The three ruin stones weren''t particularly large, but engraving Unown symbols and their intricate surrounding patterns took significant effort. "They resemble the Ruins of Alph tablets¡­ is this an influence from Johto''s ancient civilizations?" Before he knew it, five hours had passed. He ate some instant food before resuming work. Honedge and Petilil watched intently, their focus sharpening as well. "Done. Symbolic Tablets¡ªbegin cutting." Zzzzz! Upon Hikaru''s command, Honedge stopped conversing and activated Psycho Cut once more. Its precision was at its peak. In craftsmanship, elegance was unnecessary¡ªthe work itself was the true expression of mastery. The three stone slabs were sliced not only on the surface but also into thin segments. Since the symbols formed words, there had to be multiple pieces. By fully sectioning the three stones, Hikaru created at least five sets of characters, allowing for the formation of complete sentences. Clatter! As the cut stone pieces fell into place, they aligned perfectly, revealing evenly spaced intervals. Hikaru watched intently, unwilling to miss a single moment. A memory surfaced. This style¡­ It resembled the Ruins of Alph stone slabs. Could this be due to the influence of Johto''s ancient peoples? Or perhaps¡­ Was it similar to the tablets carried by Professor Shur¨© in the movie "Pok¨¦mon: The Spell of the Unown?" Those were wooden tablets, not stone, but they bore similarities to Johto''s ancient relics. Across different regions, ancient civilizations had blended their knowledge, producing distinct yet interconnected Unown inscriptions. All such stone tablets could be classified as Symbolic Tablets! Hikaru picked up a carved tablet. It was small¡ªsmall enough to fit between his thumb and forefinger, much like a puzzle piece. His mind filled with new insights: [Work Completed: Symbolic Tablet] [Description: Ancient text engraved in Unown-like symbols, creating a mysterious tablet. Said to contain the essence of creation itself.] [Effect: Enhances the creator''s mental strength. Forming words with the symbols establishes a special connection to Pok¨¦mon associated with those words, possibly invoking their power. The tablet can also foresee unique Pok¨¦mon-related events.] [Knowledge Acquired: +1] [Ancient Inscriptions: Your understanding of all ruin-related knowledge increases by 25%.] Honedge, having assisted in the craft, gained experience and leveled up! [New Move Learned: Brick Break!] [Skill: Precision Cutting¡ªAllows highly accurate stone/wood cutting with minimal error.] "Yo~?" Honedge felt a surge of new strength and gleefully swung its blade¡ª "Hey! Don''t wreck the floor!" "Yo ¡Æ£¨¡Ñ£©!" I got too excited¡ªI got too excited! "Lili!" Petilil''s eyes widened in amazement. She had just witnessed Honedge grow stronger through precise craftsmanship, learning a new move in the process. That meant she could do it too! She needed to tend to the herbs and crops right now! Once she made up her mind, Petilil twirled her leaf-like skirt and gestured at Hikaru, signaling that she wanted to head outside to the fields immediately. "Right now? It''s still raining, you know," Hikaru pointed out. Then he smacked his forehead, realizing something¡ªPetilil was a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon. Rain was actually good for her. Petilil explained that, as a Pok¨¦mon deeply connected to soil, she felt far more comfortable in the earth than inside a building. And with that, she hopped down from the workbench, bounced to the door, and happily leapt outside! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 28 - 28 As Petilil left the workshop, Hikaru turned his attention to the effect of the crafted artifact. Another artifact tied to an event. But why wasn''t it marked as a hidden event? The effect seemed difficult to understand at first glance, but after careful thought, its meaning became clear. For instance, the word he was about to piece together. "Wait, could this slab attract Unown and pull me into a space-time rift?" Hikaru cautiously glanced around, ensuring there were no black, floating eyes appearing before he felt reassured enough to proceed with the inscription. Suicune. The name itself is derived from the Japanese phonetics of Suikun, and Unown''s inscriptions are essentially written in Romanized Japanese. Thanks to obtaining the Clear Bell artifact, the first Pok¨¦mon that came to Hikaru''s mind when considering a name was Suicune. After all, he had been thinking about it not too long ago. As the leader of Ho-Oh''s legendary trio and deeply connected to the Clear Bell, Suicune held a special significance. However, Hikaru wasn''t planning to capture it¡ªmainly because his current strength was nowhere near the level required to do so. Still, if the Symbolic Slab could establish a connection¡­ "Let me take a look at that crystal on your head. What is it made of?" Hikaru wasn''t sure how to use Suicune''s crystal in crafting, but perhaps it wasn''t about the crystal itself but rather the energy it emitted. Suicune''s abilities seemed to originate from that gem atop its head. As for Ho-Oh, it was also rumored to be linked to Unown and the ancient ruins of the Johto region. If a connection could be established, Hikaru would try to obtain a Rainbow Feather from it. Of course, the true purpose of crafting the Clear Bell wasn''t to capture these legendary Pok¨¦mon¡ªit was simply an effort to explore and develop superior and more mystical crafting techniques. "If I can''t find Suicune, maybe I can use a substitute¡­ Ancient Crystal? Or¡­" "Walking Wake?" An image of an ancient dragon emerged in Hikaru''s mind¡ªa creature bearing an uncanny resemblance to Suicune, but with the appearance of a more raptor-like being. It existed as a Paradox counterpart of Suicune, known from the game as an event-exclusive Pok¨¦mon. Whoosh! Suddenly, the inscribed Symbolic Slab began to glow. The Unown-shaped carvings etched into the surface radiated an intense light. At the same time, Hikaru noticed the water bucket inside the workshop. The water inside, once impure and filled with minor debris, was now perfectly pristine¡ªtransformed under the influence of the glow. "Oh? So this is the so-called connection?" Suicune possessed the ability to purify water, turning even the filthiest pools into crystal-clear sources. Known as the embodiment of the North Wind, it had its moments of clumsiness, but this purification ability was uniquely its own¡ªit wasn''t tied to any specific move but rather a natural skill. By midnight, Hikaru had finished reorganizing his materials and tools, and drowsiness crept over him. The lights in the workshop dimmed. Honedge leaned against a corner, resting after a busy and fulfilling day. Outside, in the medicinal herb field, Petilil nestled into the soil for a peaceful slumber. ... In the dead of night, near the workbench, the air distorted slightly. From the unmoving clock, a small, palm-sized eye emerged. Unown¡ªLetter E. "Un..." Hikaru had been living here for quite some time. Unown E had been forced out of the basement and into the workshop. It hid behind cabinets and within the broken old clock, minimizing its movements to avoid detection. As a result, neither Hikaru nor Honedge had noticed its presence. But Unown E had been observing them for a long time. Its eye flickered toward the word Suicune inscribed on the slab, then turned its gaze toward the sleeping Hikaru, whose unconscious body emitted an unintentional pulse of psychic energy. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was this human¡­ a descendant of ancient Johto? Of ancient Sinnoh? Or perhaps the remnants of an even older civilization? "Un¡­" So he wanted to see Suicune? But, interestingly enough, he wasn''t looking to capture it or challenge it¡ªhe simply wanted to examine the crystal on its forehead? What a simple wish. Then let me help you. Unown were drawn to strong emotions, occasionally manifesting certain desires into reality. While they didn''t truly create things, they had the ability to project dreams into tangible experiences¡ªblurring the lines between imagination and the real world. A glow of Hidden Power enveloped the small workshop, swallowing both Hikaru and Honedge in its mysterious radiance. At that moment, the Symbolic Slab''s inscription of Suicune began to scramble, rearranging itself into a different word. ... Hikaru found himself standing before the Burned Tower in Ecruteak City. "Oh? A connection has formed?" Dreamers rarely realize they are dreaming. Hikaru, too, was unaware that he was inside a dream. His subconscious rationalized his presence in Ecruteak as natural, while his thoughts of unfinished workshop tasks faded into the background. The Burned Tower¡ªthis made sense. In the games, Suicune was first encountered here. According to legend, three nameless Pok¨¦mon perished in the Burned Tower 150 years ago, only to be resurrected and transformed by Ho-Oh. Out of gratitude, they became its guardians¡ªSuicune, Raikou, and Entei. The trio was said to dwell in the tower''s basement, just as depicted in the animated adaptations. However, as per tradition, one couldn''t see them from the second floor. One had to descend the staircase to the bottom level. Unown E drifted into Hikaru''s dream, blending into the scene. He just wants to see Suicune, right? If he truly wished to meet the real Suicune, there might be a chance in the future¡­ Thus, it followed Hikaru through the dream, ensuring his journey continued smoothly. As they reached the basement, a deep, resonant growl echoed from the darkness. "Right, the Legendary Beasts should be here¡­ But what era is this? Why are they still in the Burned Tower? Or¡­ have they never left?" Hikaru''s reasoning kicked in again. Unown E hurriedly intervened, subtly adjusting the dream''s narrative to ensure consistency. Only Suicune is here. It simply came back to visit. Perfectly reasonable. "Oh, it came back to check on the place. Makes sense." Hikaru nodded in understanding. Unown E: Whew, that was close. Searching for reality within a dream was utterly ridiculous. Still, just as expected, the scene conformed to the adjusted dream logic. As the figure emerged from the darkness, it revealed its form¡ªa sleek, azure body adorned with white markings. A magnificent blue crystal sat atop its head, while its flowing purple mane resembled a thick, cloud-like shroud. Its white, ribbon-like tails drifted elegantly behind it. Unown E: There it is. That''s Suicune. Hikaru''s eyes widened. "Wait a second¡ªwhat kind of Suicune is this?! This isn''t Suicune!" "Roar!" The creature stepped fully into view, letting out a fierce snarl. Indeed, its appearance strongly resembled Suicune, but rather than a quadrupedal mammal, its form was distinctly raptor-like! "This is¡­ Walking Wake!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 29 - 29 Walking Wake used "War Cry"! Honedge''s Attack and Special Attack decreased! "Why is Walking Wake in the Burned Tower?! This doesn''t make sense¡ªwho''s setting me up?!" Were the people of Ecruteak City always this intense? Or did Ho-Oh send a message to gather the Legendary Beasts, but it got the wrong recipient, and Walking Wake showed up instead? If Suicune represented the calm and gentle side of flowing water, then Walking Wake was the embodiment of water''s raging ferocity! Since Hikaru had no idea he was dreaming, he was incredibly tense, while Honedge¡ªwho had never seen a Pok¨¦mon like this before¡ªwas left stunned by the effects of War Cry, feeling slightly dizzy. It turned to Hikaru in confusion. "Yo~?" Oh, so this was Suicune? Why did it look so aggressive? It didn''t seem winnable¡ªmaybe just surrender? Honedge was about to give up, sensing the overwhelming difference in power, but Walking Wake wasted no time in launching its next attack! "Get ready, Honedge!" Hikaru''s voice snapped Honedge out of its attempt to surrender. The blade turned sharply, staring at Hikaru with an expression of disbelief. "Yo? Yo~?!" Wait, you want me to fight Walking Wake? Seriously?! At that moment, strange shimmering crystals began appearing at the Burned Tower''s basement. They looked just like gemstones¡ªcreating an environment similar to a Crystalline Cavern! "Shadow Sneak!" Hikaru gave the command, and Honedge''s shadow quickly shot out, transforming into a sword-shaped strike that slashed at Walking Wake from behind! However, the attack barely fazed it¡ªit didn''t even flinch, merely slowing its movement for a split second before opening its jaws. A massive pulse of blue energy erupted forward¡ªWater Pulse! The powerful surge of water blasted Honedge away. Thankfully, since Water-type moves only had a normal effect against Steel-types, Honedge was lucky¡ªit hadn''t been confused by the attack! That means we can keep fighting! Water Pulse had a 20% chance to confuse its target, and if luck wasn''t on Hikaru''s side, Honedge might''ve ended up attacking itself instead of Walking Wake. Meanwhile, Unown E had been floating nearby, completely dumbfounded. Its giant eye was filled with confusion. W-what is this?! Isn''t this Suicune? It looks so similar¡ªis it Suicune''s brother or something? No, that couldn''t be right. It had been trying to grant this human''s wish, and the word Hikaru inscribed with the Symbolic Slab was clearly Suicune. So why did its form change? Look, it has a crystal on its forehead¡ªjust like Suicune. It knows Water Pulse¡ªso it''s definitely a Water-type. How could it not be Suicune?! ...Oh. This must be a nightmare. Unown E believed it had found the answer. Certain wild Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon¡ªlike Haunter, Misdreavus, and Mismagius¡ªwere known to interfere with people''s dreams, twisting their perception and altering reality to scare unsuspecting dreamers. This was likely due to the move Nightmare, which wasn''t exclusive to Darkrai but could be used by many Ghost-types. A Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon must have invaded the dream! With this conclusion, Unown E prepared to search for the nonexistent culprit while Hikaru''s battle against dream-formed Walking Wake reached a dangerous turning point. From base stats, move pool, and typing¡ªHonedge had no chance of winning. Walking Wake was a Water/Dragon-type, meaning it only had two weaknesses¡ªDragon and Fairy. To make matters worse, Honedge had the ability No Guard, which meant that even if it tried to dodge, every attack from Walking Wake was guaranteed to hit! "Reflect!" With no other choice, Hikaru decided to put up a defense¡ªeven if it wouldn''t do much. Honedge conjured Reflect, a technique it had learned from the Ancient Bracelet. The barrier would halve the damage of incoming physical attacks. But Walking Wake merely smirked, its mouth beginning to glow with intense fire. It was using Flamethrower! Honedge''s eye nearly popped out of its hilt in shock. It spun around desperately, pleading to Hikaru for help. "Yo yo yo!!!!" "Help! Isn''t this thing supposed to be a Water-type?! Why is it using Flamethrower?! I''m a Steel-type¡ªone hit from that and I''ll be smelted into a katana!" Hikaru''s hands frantically searched through his bag. He was sweating as he realized Reflect was useless against special attacks like Flamethrower. Then, his fingers brushed against an item. "My Focus Sash!" A red sash with yellow accents was pulled from his bag. When held, this item ensures that if the user is at full HP, they will survive a fatal attack with exactly 1 HP. Unfortunately, Honedge wasn''t at full health. But Hikaru had another idea¡ªhe pulled out a Max Potion! A brief logical thought crossed his mind¡ªWait, when did I buy this? But the thought was quickly ignored. It didn''t matter. Use it first, think later! With a swift throw, Hikaru tossed the Focus Sash to Honedge while using the Max Potion. At that moment, Flamethrower erupted through the basement, engulfing everything in flames. Honedge caught the sash, and thanks to the Max Potion, it survived¡ªthough its blade was now scorched black. "Yo!" Honedge glared at the ancient dragon in front of it, feeling like an absolute legend. Meanwhile, Hikaru''s own body was charred from the fire, but in his subconscious, he believed that humans in the Pok¨¦mon world were ridiculously tough¡ªso he figured he''d be fine. Walking Wake growled in shock. It was baffled. How did they not fall?! But Hikaru was even more shocked. As he dug through his bag, he realized something terrifying¡ªhe could pull out any item he wanted. Did he¡­ just unlock Doraemon''s four-dimensional pocket?! Wait. Could this be a dream?! Before he had time to process this thought, the battle continued! "Lighten your body! Take this, then use Fury Cutter!" Honedge threw away its scabbard, increasing its speed drastically. At the same time, Hikaru tossed it another item¡ªa Metronome! Metronome boosts the power of a repeated move, increasing its damage by 20% per consecutive use, up to 200%! Honedge soared into the air and began slashing Walking Wake continuously. The ancient dragon retaliated, wildly whipping its crystalline head and tail, trying to knock Honedge down. Fury Cutter''s power kept stacking higher and higher! The crystal on Walking Wake''s head was soon covered in sword marks, with shards scattering from the strikes. Furious, it suddenly reared its head¡ª A phantom sun appeared in the sky! "Sunny Day!" At the same time, its body surged with power¡ªits ability Protosynthesis was activated! When the weather is Sunny, its highest stat increases by 30%¡ªor by 50% if that stat is Speed! Walking Wake let out a roar, readying its final attack! "Breaking Swipe!" A wide, sweeping attack¡ªhitting all opponents on the field! With immense force, Walking Wake''s tail swung in a devastating arc, striking Honedge in midair and sending it crashing to the ground! (¡Ñ(#)¡î¡î! Honedge was thrown violently across the battlefield, barely managing to stabilize itself. But Walking Wake wasn''t done¡ªit opened its jaws once more, this time gathering intense heat and pressure. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A surge of boiling water, bubbling with intense steam¡ª Its signature move¡ªSteam Surge! This attack unleashed scalding-hot water onto its opponent. And thanks to Sunny Day, instead of being weakened, its power increased by 1.5x! "Substitute!" Hikaru reacted immediately, commanding Honedge to create a decoy. The sword trembled for a moment before generating a shadowy double of itself. The scorching steam surged forward, colliding with the substitute. When Walking Wake realized it had been tricked, its eyes narrowed. The real Honedge was swaying slightly, its energy almost depleted. "HP is running low!" "Catch this¡ªMax Potion!" Without hesitation, Hikaru pulled another healing item from his bag and threw it toward Honedge. He had no idea why his bag seemed to have an infinite supply of useful items, but at this moment, it felt like an echo of a past life¡ªhis instincts as a Potion-Spamming Champion from countless Pok¨¦mon battles had been awakened! "And take these¡ªEviolite and Occa Berry!" A faint purple stone was tossed toward Honedge, which caught it and locked it into a slot on its hilt. At the same time, Hikaru also handed it a red cocoa bean-like berry¡ªthe Occa Berry! Eviolite¡ªboosts the Defense and Special Defense of an unevolved Pok¨¦mon. Occa Berry¡ªreduces the damage taken from super-effective Fire-type attacks! With these, there was no longer any fear of Flamethrower! Meanwhile... Walking Wake, being a Paradox version of Suicune, was suspected to have originated from an alternate timeline. But none of the Pok¨¦mon from its era had ever encountered these kinds of items or strategies before. It was growing increasingly frustrated. Why wouldn''t they go down?! A battle in Burned Tower, encountering a seemingly unkillable floating sword and a trainer who endlessly pulled out healing items¡ªdespite its overwhelming power, Walking Wake was being pushed to its limit! "Even though the level gap is huge, it''s about to lose! Use Metal Sound!" Hikaru continued pulling items from his seemingly bottomless bag, directing Honedge to strike back. But now, Walking Wake had had enough. At first, it had ignored Hikaru, focusing only on its opponent. But now¡ª It realized it didn''t have to follow any of the so-called "rules" of Pok¨¦mon battles. Why fight the Pok¨¦mon¡­ when it could just attack the Trainer directly? (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 30 - 30 Walking Wake unleashed another Steam Surge. Confident in its defense, Honedge braced itself for impact¡ªonly to realize a second later that the attack was a feint! "Substitute!" Hikaru quickly issued the command, and Honedge conjured another decoy. However, Walking Wake completely ignored the Substitute and lunged straight at Hikaru! It had only used Steam Surge to create an opening! Crunch! The massive dragon jaws snapped toward Hikaru! Right¡­ Wild Pok¨¦mon don''t play by battle rules. At that moment, Hikaru dug desperately into his bag¡ª Item acquired: Rusted Shield! The Rusted Shield¡ªthe legendary artifact of Zamazenta, one of Galar''s heroic Pok¨¦mon! A medium-sized shield, tarnished with age but still bearing its mythical strength! "Perfect timing!" Hikaru immediately raised the Rusted Shield to block the attack. CRUNCH! Walking Wake clamped down on the shield, its sharp teeth gnawing against the ancient metal. But this was the very shield once wielded by the Shield King, Zamazenta¡ªpractically an extension of its own body! It wasn''t going to break so easily! However, Walking Wake wasn''t deterred. Instead, it simply wrenched the Rusted Shield away from Hikaru and tossed it aside with brute force. Humans couldn''t match a dragon''s raw strength! But that was enough time to counterattack. With his free hand now available, Hikaru quickly gave another command: "Metal Sound!" A piercing screech filled the air, sending shudders of pain through Walking Wake''s body! "Psycho Cut!" A blade of psychic energy materialized and slashed into Walking Wake. With its defenses weakened, the impact staggered it! Now was the time! Hikaru reached into his bag and performed another god-tier grab! A green, sticky orb was pulled out! "Sticky Glob¡ªready for battle!" Without hesitation, Hikaru hurled the Sticky Glob at Walking Wake and immediately dashed away. He continued flinging multiple globs, pelting the Pok¨¦mon relentlessly. Even for Walking Wake, the repeated hits took their toll! Sticky Globs were designed to slow Pok¨¦mon down, sometimes even causing them to stumble and freeze for five seconds! The ancient dragon wobbled as dizziness overtook it. Not understanding the nature of this strange item, it refused to dodge, allowing itself to be struck over and over again! Next step¡ªHeavy Ball! A black, heavy Pok¨¦ Ball emerged from Hikaru''s bag! "Heavy Ball!" Sticky Glob + Heavy Ball¡ªan unstoppable combo! Hikaru threw the Heavy Ball with full force, smashing it directly against Walking Wake''s body! The Heavy Ball, black with intricate gray markings, was an advanced form of the standard Heavy Ball. Though difficult to throw over long distances, if it landed on an unaware Pok¨¦mon, it greatly boosted capture chances! However¡­ A one-shot catch wasn''t that easy. Despite the powerful item, Walking Wake burst out of the Heavy Ball, cracking the ball''s surface in the process! Freed and furious, Walking Wake let out a rage-filled roar¡ªonly to be pelted by another wave of Sticky Globs! Followed by yet another Heavy Ball! BAM! This was the battle style of Hisui trainers! By continuously stunning the target with Sticky Globs and striking from behind, one could execute the secret technique¡ª "Back Strike!" (¡­which was really just hitting the Pok¨¦mon when it wasn''t looking.) Hikaru''s endless bag of supplies ensured that Sticky Globs and Heavy Balls kept coming without pause! Even Honedge, which had rushed forward to assist, ended up doing nothing. Seeing the Sticky Globs reminded it of a certain traumatic incident from a week ago. Unpleasant memories increased. "Honedge, keep using Metal Sound and Psycho Cut!" "If it ever turns toward me, use Shadow Sneak to distract it!" Honedge twirled its hilt in agreement. Meanwhile, Hikaru secretly signaled it in hand gestures. Time for an advanced field tactic¡ªForced Position Swap! As planned, Honedge created another Substitute exactly where Hikaru had been standing. Everything was going according to strategy. Checkmate. "ROAR!!" Walking Wake broke free from another Heavy Ball and immediately lunged at Hikaru¡ªor so it thought. It whipped its tail toward the trainer¡ª Only to strike Honedge''s Substitute instead! "Huh?!" THWACK! At that exact moment, another Sticky Glob struck its face, stunning it once more. Followed by a third Heavy Ball! "ROOOAAARRR!!!" Its furious cry echoed through the Burned Tower, its voice unfiltered by the Pok¨¦ Ball''s seal. Hikaru realized something¡ª Pok¨¦ Balls in Hisui didn''t have soundproof technology like modern-day ones. That meant Pok¨¦mon could hear everything happening outside while inside the ball. So, Walking Wake was fully aware of Hikaru''s antics. Walking Wake broke free over and over again, but each time, it was struck by a new Sticky Glob and another Heavy Ball. With repeated Metal Sound and Psycho Cut weakening it further¡­ Finally, on the eighth attempt, the ancient dragon collapsed from exhaustion. One final Heavy Ball landed cleanly¡ª And this time, it stayed shut. The Heavy Ball wobbled intensely for several seconds¡ª Then, at last¡ª It stopped moving. Victory! "Hah¡­!" Hikaru exhaled, his body drenched in sweat. "Did I win this battle without using a Pok¨¦mon?" No, technically he did use a Pok¨¦mon. This was what it meant to be a Pok¨¦mon Trainer! A Pok¨¦mon battle was more than just having Pok¨¦mon fight each other. The trainer''s own actions played a huge role! This had been one of the toughest wild encounters Hikaru had ever experienced. With the battlefield''s tight space, the flammable wooden structure, and the overwhelming power difference, everything had been stacked against him. But in the end¡ª The result was all that mattered. "Walking Wake has been caught!" "...Though it''s only in a dream." Hikaru sighed, just as new knowledge flooded into his mind. The Dragon Slate''s Wisdom So this was why¡­ The Dragon Slate had granted him this insight. Hikaru held the Heavy Ball and focused. The knowledge told him that only in close proximity to Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon could this power take effect. He reached out, sending a calming pulse toward the Pok¨¦ Ball. Then, cautiously¡ªhe opened it. Walking Wake reappeared, its eyes filled with wariness. "Grrr¡­" It still didn''t understand what had happened. At first, it had completely dismissed Hikaru. But now? Its attitude shifted. It was curious. It was cautious. And¡­ It was afraid. This human should have died¡ªbut no matter what it threw at him, he never fell. "...What¡­ are you?" Walking Wake growled in confusion. And yet¡ªits territorial aggression had completely vanished. Hikaru listened. Through Dragon Tamer intuition, he heard Walking Wake''s thoughts¡ª Unfamiliar surroundings. Intruders in its domain. Anxious instincts warning it that something was wrong. "...I think this is all just a dream." "This isn''t your real territory." Walking Wake''s eyes widened. Hikaru continued: "But it''s okay. This place will disappear soon. You''ll go back to where you belong." Then, he reached into his bag¡ª And pulled out a Pecha Berry. Hikaru looked up and spoke directly to Walking Wake. The ancient dragon let out a startled growl. Wait¡­ this human can hear my thoughts?! "Yeah. Ever since we made contact," Hikaru replied calmly. Walking Wake''s confusion deepened. In all its existence, it had never encountered a human with such an unnatural ability. But then, its eyes flickered toward something else¡ª The pink fruit Hikaru was holding. A Pecha Berry. Even in its own prehistoric world, similar sweet fruits had existed. And this particular kind¡­ Was one of its absolute favorites. "Pok¨¦mon with an impatient nature tend to love sweet flavors and dislike sour ones," Hikaru mused. "Among all Berries, Pecha Berries are the sweetest. Many Pok¨¦mon love them." With a casual motion, Hikaru tossed the Pecha Berry toward Walking Wake''s feet. "I''ve got plenty. Eat as much as you want." Walking Wake hesitated¡­ then lowered its head. After a moment of cautious sniffing, it finally took a small bite¡ª And immediately, the sweetness flooded its mouth. For the first time since this battle started, Walking Wake let out a low, satisfied hum. "Yo~!" Honedge floated closer, its expression relieved. That was when Hikaru noticed¡ª His body was turning transparent. Not just him¡ªHonedge, Walking Wake, even the surroundings of Burned Tower were starting to fade. The dream was ending. Too bad¡­ I never got to see Suicune. But before everything vanished, Hikaru had one last request. "Sorry, but could you show me your forehead crest?" Walking Wake blinked. Even now, after everything, he was still asking about that? At first, it seemed reluctant. Then, after a moment of thought, the ancient dragon slowly stepped forward¡ªand lowered its head. Tiny fragments of its crest crumbled to the ground¡ªremnants from Honedge''s earlier attacks. Hikaru carefully picked up a piece, running his fingers over its smooth, gemstone-like texture. It was remarkable. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A material unlike anything found in the modern world, yet¡­ It felt so familiar. "Just as I thought¡­ you really are Suicune''s Paradox form." Walking Wake studied Hikaru closely. Just a short while ago, it had viewed him as nothing more than prey. But now¡­ it felt something entirely different. A strange, almost instinctual recognition. The Instinct of a Dragon For ancient Pok¨¦mon, the law of battle was simple¡ª The defeated submits to the victor. And if this human was actually one of its own kind¡ª Then submission was only natural. At first, Walking Wake had thought Hikaru was just a weak, ordinary human. But after their battle¡­ It saw something else. Not a human. A humanoid dragon. "Hmph. Guess that''s fine, then." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 31 - 31 [Hi, everyone! Hope you''re enjoying the fanfic, if you do, please leave a review! If we reach 15 I''ll upload a new chapter! Thanks!] Hikaru reached out to touch the massive gemstone, closely observing its composition. The Ancient Treasure Hunter''s Knowledge activated. [Rare Material: Crown Crystal of Walking Wake] [Description: Similar in nature to the Water Stone, but with a more crystalline appearance. Compared to Suicune''s crystal crown, the Crown of Walking Wake is much larger, with slightly different composition. The colors at the edges are lighter and more translucent, seemingly infused with Tera energy.] [Clue (Brilliant Crystal): A high concentration of crystallized Tera energy that emerges from the underground, appearing as massive, radiant crystals. Found in the Paldea region/North Province.] [Clue (Walking Wake''s Crystal): Obtained from the Crown of Walking Wake. As part of a Pok¨¦mon''s body, the crown naturally wears down and gets replaced over time. This crystal is a fragment of its body.] [Clue (Ancient Crystal): A mysterious crystal from ancient times, containing inexplicable power that allows Pok¨¦mon to communicate their will to humans. Found in Iceberg Ruins, Rock Mountain Ruins, and Black Gold Ruins.] Three valuable clues about crystals at once! However, none of them were physically obtained. Since materials couldn''t be directly retrieved from the Dream World, Hikaru would have to wait until Unova''s Dream Research made further progress before attempting to collect them. "I wonder if they''ve succeeded in that research yet. I''ll check online when I get back," Hikaru mused. His body started to dim as he gently placed down the Heavy Ball and waved. "Thank you. See you next time¡ªno, maybe we''ll never meet again." After all, Walking Wake was a Pok¨¦mon from a distant world. "Rrroa?" Walking Wake narrowed its eyes slightly, puzzled. It glanced at the Heavy Ball Hikaru had left on the ground, then picked it up in its jaws, memorizing Hikaru''s scent. It still wanted more Pecha Berries. Just then, ripples of spacetime energy surged around Walking Wake, as if some distant force was calling it. Soon, both the Pok¨¦mon and the Heavy Ball vanished. At the last moment before disappearing, the appearance of the Heavy Ball seemed to change¡ªit turned into a pink Dream Ball. Meanwhile, Unown-E, which had been searching for a non-existent Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, didn''t reappear in the real world. Instead, it was forcibly ejected back into the rift of spacetime where it originally resided. Within the spacetime rift, many other Unown floated around¡ªit was one of their dwelling places. Something was reaching through the rift, calling. The Unown observed as several Pok¨¦mon were being summoned across time and space to a distant land. Unown-E felt a familiar energy. Among the Pok¨¦mon traveling through time, one was identical to the "fake Suicune" from the dream. However, something was off. Unlike the others, this one''s destination seemed different, as if it had taken a detour. The dream shattered. Hikaru gradually woke up in bed, while Honedge jolted awake in the corner. "It feels like something was here¡­ A Ghost Pok¨¦mon?" Hikaru sensed an unusual atmosphere in the room but couldn''t pinpoint the source. Only the deep impression of the material knowledge from the dream reminded him that it wasn''t an ordinary dream. Feeling puzzled, Hikaru reached around his bed and suddenly felt something solid. It was a blue crystal, its color nearly identical to Walking Wake''s crown! His mind reeled. ¡ºCaptured "Walking Wake (Dream)"!¡» ¡ºDue to the knowledge of the Dragon Tamer profession, your bond with Walking Wake has begun to sprout!¡» ¡ºDue to the connection with the Symbolic Tablet, you and Walking Wake have formed a strong link¡ªperhaps you will meet again someday!¡» [Obtained Rare Material: Fragment of Walking Wake''s Crown!] [Gained Knowledge: +1] [Dream Treasure Hunter: Occasionally, you will passively enter a Pok¨¦mon''s dream. Each time you do, there is a chance to bring something back from its dream world.] [Acquired Crafting Skill: +1] [Crystal Processing (C+): A rare crafting technique that allows processing of any crystal. Properly refined, crystals can be turned into specific special items. All crystal crafts created by you will have a mild purifying effect on the mind.] [Possible Item: Clear Bell] [Required Crafting Skills: 3] Meeting again someday¡­ Goodness! Hikaru''s thoughts scattered in all directions. If Walking Wake''s crystal could be used to craft a Clear Bell, then¡­ To Ho-Oh, using Walking Wake''s crystal to create a bell was definitely not an official endorsement. But if it actually summoned Ho-Oh, wouldn''t it feel something was off? "This bell sounds¡­ weird. Why does it have a dragon''s roar?" "And the Dream World¡­ Pok¨¦mon''s Dream World?" "So, the dream I just had in Burned Tower¡ªwasn''t my dream? It was Walking Wake''s? But why?" Why would an ancient paradox version of Suicune dream about a modern-day Ho-Oh? It did. Oh. Right. Burned Tower actually belonged to Lugia. "If this were the Entralink Forest in Unova, Pok¨¦mon from dreams could be brought into reality. The Dream World Pok¨¦mon would materialize at the cost of berries, appearing as if ''summoned'' from elsewhere." "Did I just capture Walking Wake? I should visit Entralink Forest. Maybe I can summon it there." "But in Unova, Entralink Forest is a secret location¡ªhardly anyone knows about it. I wonder if they''ve developed the C-Gear for entering dreams yet." There were many hidden locations in this world, and the Divine Capital, where Hikaru lived, was one of them. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Technically, Walking Wake should only appear in Paldea¡ªit would need a time machine to reach this world. Hikaru shook his head, pushing away these chaotic thoughts, and focused on the three crafting techniques he had discovered. Flame Forging, Crystal Processing, and Pok¨¦ Ball Net Weaving. He had already acquired one. The next logical step was Flame Forging, which seemed easiest to obtain. "The workshop definitely has a forge." "Eh?" Hikaru muttered to himself as Honedge groggily woke up, joining in a discussion about their shared dream. This surprised Hikaru. "Was the Honedge in my dream the same as in reality?" "Yo?" The two stared at each other in amazement. Hikaru approached his worktable and noticed something unusual. The letters formed by the Symbolic Tablet were supposed to spell Suicune, but¡­ The Dragon Tablet, originally pressed under his computer, had somehow shifted and come into contact with the Symbolic Tablet. The two seemed to attract each other. As a result, the letters rearranged into Walking Wake, forming a long string of romanized characters. "What an incredible discovery!" "If I arrange Entei and Raikou''s names, could I meet Gouging Fire and Raging Bolt in the Dream World too?" "Let''s try it when I''m stronger!" "Hmm? Honedge?" Hikaru turned around and saw a startling sight. A faint white glow enveloped Honedge. It shuddered in confusion as its body began to change. One blade split into two! Under Hikaru''s stunned gaze, Honedge evolved! "Defeating Walking Wake in a dream also gives experience? Well, I guess the Dream World is an important part of the Pok¨¦mon world¡­" Hikaru clapped his hands together. "If dream berries, materials, and even Pok¨¦mon can be brought out, then of course experience points can too!" "Yoouuu~" With an odd, heavy tone, two crossed swords appeared before Hikaru. Its eyes and ribbon turned magenta, and a shield now rested on its back. The two sword hilts and the shield seemed fused together. ¡ºCongratulations! Honedge has evolved into Doublade!¡» ¡ºNew Moves Learned: Revenge, Iron Defense.¡» "£¨¡ÑX¡Ñ£©?" Doublade seemed completely baffled at what had just happened. But soon, it realized¡­ "Yoouuu yoop!!" Hikaru! Someone is copying my face! (x2) Johto Region, Celebi''s Forest Suicune, who had been resting, suddenly jolted awake, looking around warily. It had just experienced a dream¡ªa vision where Unown appeared, along with a human, a sword-shaped Pok¨¦mon it had never seen before, and a dragon-type Pok¨¦mon that bore an uncanny resemblance to itself, yet was entirely different. In the dream, Suicune felt as if it had become a mere observer, watching helplessly as the group battled fiercely at the bottom of the Burned Tower¡ªslashing, spewing fire, and even unleashing high-temperature water jets! Hey! This is the Burned Tower, the legendary Pok¨¦mon''s tower! How could they be so reckless?! Wait¡­ something''s wrong! Why the Burned Tower?! "Su?" Suicune abruptly stood up, realizing that this dream might not be a simple illusion¡ªit could be an omen. Could it mean that the Burned Tower had been destroyed? Even though that tower did not belong to Ho-Oh but rather Lugia, if the Burned Tower were to be demolished, wouldn''t the Bell Tower also be in danger? And the Unown¡­ they seemed to have become active again. The Unown residing in the Ruins of Alph¡ªcould they be the source of this dream? Perhaps it should seek out the Unown and ask. With a sense of urgency, Suicune wasted no time. Ignoring the hour of the night, it leaped over lakes and forests, riding the North Wind straight toward Ecruteak City. ... Galar Region, Glimwood Tangle By the lake near the Hero''s Ruin, thick fog rolled in, and within the mist, the silhouette of a Pok¨¦mon emerged. However, it was not an actual Pok¨¦mon, but rather a projection¡ªa spectral illusion. It took the form of a large, red-and-blue canine Pok¨¦mon. The red coloration dominated most of its body, while the blue was concentrated on its legs, tail, and head. One of its ears appeared to be missing a piece, with a tuft of fur sticking up, and scars covered its body like battle-worn markings. Its face resembled a small shield. The King of Shields¡ªZamazenta. The illusion of Zamazenta stood before the ruins, staring at the decayed shield placed inside the monument, filled with confusion. At first, it had thought that someone had stolen the shield¡­ but the shield was still here. Then why had it dreamed of someone wielding it? It seemed as if something had sent the shield flying, but the details remained unclear. How strange. It appeared that the Hero of Shields would not be appearing anytime soon. The shield had remained here for far too long¡ªit had completely rotted away. Zamazenta paced around the ancient, forgotten forest for a short while but found no signs of intruders. With that, its illusion dissipated, leaving the ruins as if it had never been there. ... Unova Region, Entralink At the heart of Unova lay Entralink Forest, an enigmatic place that, when viewed on a map, closely resembled a Pok¨¦ Ball. This forest was an inexplicable location, deeply intertwined with other worlds. And yet, very few in Unova were even aware of its existence. It remained one of the Pok¨¦mon world''s greatest secrets. A Walking Wake shook its head, surveying the deep, eerie forest. There wasn''t a single soul here¡ªonly an unnerving silence. Moments ago, it had been pulled through space and time by some mysterious force¡­ but for some reason, it had ended up in this forest. Where was that humanoid dragon? And where was its Trainer?! It placed a pink Pok¨¦ Ball beside itself and began inspecting the area. Wait a second¡­ why are there no Pecha Berries in this forest?! Walking Wake let out a huff of frustration. As it continued searching, it unknowingly wandered to the edge of another Pok¨¦mon''s dream. Pink mist swirled around¡ªwithin it, gigantic dragon Pok¨¦mon similar to itself emerged. "The true world lies here." "The ideal world lies here." Two equally mighty voices echoed through the mist. Walking Wake scratched its chest in irritation. "Roooaaar!" What are these mist-dwellers babbling about?! The real question is¡ªare there Pecha Berries here or not?! The two clouds of mist: "¡­?" (End of Chapter) [Hi, everyone! Hope you''re enjoying the fanfic, if you do, please leave a review! If we reach 15 I''ll upload a new chapter! Thanks!] [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 32 - 32 [Hi, everyone! Hope you''re enjoying the fanfic, if you do, please leave a review! If we reach 15 I''ll upload a new chapter! Thanks!] As time passed, a package from a distant land successfully arrived at the Pok¨¦mon Center in Azalea Town. "An Evolutionary Stone..." (TL:Eviolite or Evolution Stone, both are correct) Recalling the conversation he had with the craftsman, Bugsy carefully took out a smooth, pale-purple stone from the package. Without hesitation, he immediately called out his Scyther. "Cha!" Bugsy''s Scyther was a Pok¨¦mon he had worked incredibly hard to capture, and it was his favorite Pok¨¦mon. This time, he had specifically purchased a durability-enhancing item to further strengthen it. For Bug-type Pok¨¦mon, the most commonly used enhancement item was Silver Powder, making it the preferred choice for most Bug-type trainers. Silver Powder was composed of the scales from Butterfree and Dustox, and when held, it could boost the power of Bug-type moves. Since Bug-types generally had lower offensive power, increasing their attack potential was crucial. However, as a Bug-type researcher, Bugsy understood that raw power alone was not always the answer. If an attack couldn''t hit the opponent, or if his Pok¨¦mon couldn''t withstand super-effective moves, then raw strength would be meaningless. "Cha?" Scyther stared at the pale-purple stone. To humans, an Evolutionary Stone was just a stone¡ªthey couldn''t perceive the strange energy within it. But to Pok¨¦mon, they could sense its unique energy and resonate with it. Curious, Scyther reached out and tapped the Evolutionary Stone with the tip of its scythe. The moment it made contact, a peculiar warmth surged through its body. Its eyes instantly sharpened! What was this surging feeling? Scyther could tell that the stone was truly beneficial to its strength. At the same time, it began to understand what this strange sensation was! Although it had never experienced this state before, Pok¨¦mon were born with an instinctive understanding of evolution. Most Pok¨¦mon simply didn''t know what they would evolve into, or whether they could evolve at all. There was no doubt¡ªthis feeling was evolution! "Cha!" Excited, Scyther raised both of its scythe-like arms, but after a long while, it glanced down at its body in confusion. Nothing had changed! "Cha?" Scyther turned to its trainer, staring at him with a puzzled expression. Was this stone a fake? Did you get scammed?! Bugsy, who had been observing the entire process closely, chuckled. "An Evolutionary Stone doesn''t actually cause evolution¡ªit resonates with the latent evolutionary energy within Pok¨¦mon that can evolve," Bugsy explained, confirming that what Hikaru had told him was true. Seeing Scyther''s perplexed expression, he patted its shoulder. "This isn''t an evolution item, but it seems like it enhances your defenses and helps you grow stronger in battle. I don''t know the exact effects yet, so let''s test it out." "Cha!" Scyther responded with determination. Bugsy secured a sturdy leather strap around Scyther''s waist and placed the Evolutionary Stone inside it, effectively equipping it. Almost immediately, Scyther could feel a subtle energy circulating within its body. Although the sensation was faint, it could tell that its scythes and body had grown tougher and stronger. Was it just an illusion? Scyther wasn''t sure, but it felt great. At that moment, a challenger arrived at the Gym. Bugsy glanced at Scyther, who was currently slashing at the air. It''s in peak condition¡ªperfect timing to test out this new item! Although Bugsy only intended to conduct a simple trial, the outcome completely exceeded his expectations! The challenger was a Bird Keeper, who had already earned two Gym Badges. Since different trainers had different starting points, the order in which they challenged Gyms also varied. As a Bird Keeper specialized in Flying-type Pok¨¦mon. He seemed extremely confident in his abilities and wasted no time sending out his Pok¨¦mon. "Go, Fearow!" "Flying-types are the best choice against Bug-types!" A large bird Pok¨¦mon took to the battlefield, its feathers a striking orange, crowned with red plumage on its head. It had a sharp, pink beak and broad wings that stretched wide. Bugsy , of course, sent out Scyther! "Cha!" Scyther felt like it was in its best form. Locking eyes with the airborne Fearow, it let out a threatening cry, flashing its twin scythes in anticipation. Like most trainers, Bird Keeper firmly believed in the principle of "Whoever strikes first, wins!" "Use Peck!" Fearow''s long, pointed beak was its greatest weapon, perfect for attacking small Bug-types! Bugsy acted swiftly. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Double Team!" Whoosh! In an instant, multiple illusions of Scyther materialized, causing Fearow''s attack to miss. Bird Keeper clicked his tongue in annoyance and immediately commanded, "Use Wing Attack to clear those illusions!" Fearow flapped its powerful wings, sweeping through the afterimages. But in that split second, Bugsy gave the next command¡ª "Fury Cutter!" You''re absolutely right! Apen should be Bugsy, as he is the Azalea Town Gym Leader, and the opponent''s name is unclear. I''ll make the corrections and ensure all names are accurate in future translations. Here is the corrected version: Scyther''s illusions were swiftly shattered as its massive scythe struck Fearow, unleashing a barrage of consecutive slashes! However, Bug-type moves had naturally low base power. Even though Fury Cutter increased in strength with each consecutive hit, it was still not enough to significantly threaten a Flying-type Pok¨¦mon! "Fearow, use Fury Attack!" Fearow''s sharp beak clashed against Scyther''s rapidly swinging scythes, sparks flying as they collided in midair. At that moment, the Bird Keeper issued a new command¡ª"Wing Attack!" Caught off guard, Scyther was struck directly and sent flying! However, the anticipated instant victory did not occur. Scyther merely shook itself off and quickly regained its stance, letting out a confused "Cha?" It had been hit by Wing Attack, yet it barely felt any damage? Bugsy, having studied Bug-type Pok¨¦mon for years, could easily gauge the extent of damage his Pok¨¦mon sustained. Scyther had been caught off guard, and Fearow''s large wings made it difficult to dodge in close combat. Yet, the lack of significant damage could only mean one thing¡ªthe Evolutionary Stone was working! The craftsman had claimed that it could "significantly enhance both of a Pok¨¦mon''s defenses"¡­ and that appeared to be true! "What''s going on?!" The Bird Keeper, now visibly unsettled, couldn''t understand what was happening. A Flying-type Pok¨¦mon should have had a clear advantage over a Bug-type, and unless there was a massive strength gap, there was no reason for it to be ineffective! "Use Steel Wing!" Fearow''s wings gleamed with a metallic sheen as powerful gusts of wind stirred up the battlefield. Meanwhile, Bugsy gave a calm command: "Swords Dance!" Scyther endured the impact of Steel Wing head-on¡ªyet once again, the attack barely fazed it! Since Steel Wing was not a Flying-type move, it lacked the super-effective advantage, making it far less effective against Scyther''s newly reinforced defenses! After tanking the hit, Scyther remained poised, a smirk forming on its face as it provocatively twirled its scythes. Up in the air, Fearow was beginning to grow nervous. It was supposed to dominate this battle effortlessly¡­ yet this bug was different! "Again, Fearow! Use Wing Attack!" The Bird Keeper refused to back down. Fearow responded to its trainer''s command, diving in for another attack. But Bugsy was ready. "Scyther, use Brick Break!" Just as Fearow swooped down for another strike, Scyther lunged forward, a feral grin on its face. Raising its scythe high, it slashed downward¡ªstriking Fearow and sending it crashing into the ground! As the dust settled, Fearow''s eyes had turned into spirals¡ªit had fainted! The battle continued with two more rounds, but the outcome remained the same. The Gym battle was a 3-on-3 match, yet Bugsy''s Scyther alone defeated all three Flying-type Pok¨¦mon, sweeping the challenger''s entire team! It was evident that Fearow was the Bird Keeper''s strongest Pok¨¦mon. The next two Pok¨¦mon¡ªHoothoot and Pidgeotto¡ªstood no chance at all. "Cha!" Scyther raised its scythes high, absolutely exhilarated! It had never experienced such a satisfying battle before¡ªa one-against-three sweep, completely obliterating an opponent''s entire team! And more importantly, the opponent used Flying-type Pok¨¦mon! For a Bug-type Pok¨¦mon, nothing was more thrilling than defeating its natural predator in a head-on fight! If this had been a battle in the wild, Scyther was convinced that it would have become the leader of all Bug-type Pok¨¦mon. The mere sound of its scythes alone would send the local bird Pok¨¦mon scattering in fear! "Ugh¡­ I lost!" The Bird Keeper, disheartened, left the Gym in disappointment, vowing to train harder and return for a rematch. Meanwhile, Bugsy approached Scyther, placing a hand on its shoulder. His expression was one of complete astonishment. "The Evolutionary Stone¡­ that stone actually made a Bug-type Pok¨¦mon completely unfazed by Flying-types?!" The sheer power of this revelation left Bugsy stunned. He carefully removed the Evolutionary Stone from Scyther''s belt and returned to the Gym''s rest area. Without wasting time, he powered on his computer and sent a detailed message to a special contact¡ªsomeone who might have more knowledge about the stone. The recipient? Professor Elm. ... New Bark Town, Johto Region "A stone? That''s not really my field of study." In Professor Elm''s lab in New Bark Town, the renowned researcher scratched his head as he read Bugsy''s message. As a professor specializing in Pok¨¦mon breeding and egg groups, Evolutionary Stones weren''t exactly within his area of expertise. Professor Elm had the classic appearance of a scientist¡ªtall, wearing oval glasses, a white research coat, and a greenish-blue shirt paired with grass-green pants. His coat pockets were always stuffed with notebooks and pens, filled with endless research notes. The only thing that stood out about his otherwise tidy appearance was a nest-like tuft of messy hair on his forehead. However, after reading Bugsy''s message¡ªparticularly the claim that "holding an Evolutionary Stone greatly increased the defenses of unevolved Pok¨¦mon"¡ªhis expression turned serious. This could have major implications for Pok¨¦mon egg groups and juvenile-stage Pok¨¦mon. Although Scyther wasn''t considered a weak Pok¨¦mon, it was still classified as "unevolved." Professor Elm''s primary research focused on Pok¨¦mon breeding and eggs. For example, Togepi''s egg had only recently been discovered, previously labeled a "mystery egg." Many pre-evolutions of Pok¨¦mon had been identified through his research, and from the way the Evolutionary Stone was described, it seemed that unevolved Pok¨¦mon¡ªparticularly juvenile forms¡ªwere its ideal users. However, the fact that Scyther could also use it made perfect sense¡ªit did have an evolution. Professor Elm sighed, shaking his head. The concept of Pok¨¦mon evolution was truly profound. Weak Pok¨¦mon struggled to evolve, only to realize that even stronger Pok¨¦mon could continue evolving beyond them. Unfortunately, evolution itself was not his area of expertise. His research was only adjacent to it, serving as a foundation for breeding studies. If anyone could answer this question properly, it would be someone from Sinnoh Region¡ªProfessor Rowan. Thus, after some thought and a bit of research, Professor Elm forwarded the inquiry to another expert. None other than Professor Oak¡ªthe foremost authority in the Pok¨¦mon world. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 33 - 33 "Stone?" Professor Elm quickly received a response from Professor Oak, who suggested that this question regarding the newly discovered Evolution Stone should actually be directed to Professor Solans in the Hoenn region. However, since Professor Elm wasn''t particularly familiar with Professor Solans, and given that Professor Oak was his mentor, he naturally sought out Oak first. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After listening to Professor Elm''s account, Professor Oak found himself deeply intrigued by this so-called "Evolution Stone." "A stone like this exists? It provides defensive benefits to Pok¨¦mon that do not evolve, carries the name ''evolution,'' yet does not function like an Evolutionary Stone¡­ Hmm, this is an entirely new type of rock never seen before!" "Perhaps it''s a meteorite from space. Indeed, we should inform the experts in Hoenn. In fact, I''ll also reach out to my old friend Professor Yamanashi in Sinnoh. Since his main research field is Pok¨¦mon evolution, he would definitely be very interested in this stone." "Oh, by the way, does Bugsy have any more Evolution Stones?" Professor Elm quickly responded, "No, I don''t think so. You want to study it, right? But according to him, he only bought one, and as for the craftsman who sold it to him¡­ Well, that''s unknown." "The craftsman is said to be from a rather remote location." Professor Oak nodded. "I see. A previously unexplored area or a distant wilderness? It makes sense that such places could still hold many secrets. Discovering unknown mystical objects is not unusual. If we could contact that craftsman¡­ No, let''s wait until I discuss this with the others first." "Different regions, natural terrains, material compositions, Pok¨¦mon species, and even ecosystems¡ªthere are still countless mysteries waiting to be uncovered. It''s truly exciting!" Hoenn Region, Fallarbor Town Fallarbor Town was a small agricultural settlement in the northwest of Hoenn, situated close to Mt. Chimney. Due to its proximity to the volcano, ash frequently drifted into the area, but this volcanic ash enriched the soil, making the local vegetation flourish. One of the more well-known professors in the Pok¨¦mon research community, Professor Solans, resided here. He was renowned for his studies on meteorites and rocks, as Fallarbor Town''s location provided easy access to both Mt. Chimney and Meteor Falls, making it a prime spot for excavation. Occasionally, Professor Solans would also travel to Mossdeep City, located in the eastern sea, to conduct further meteorite research at the Mossdeep Space Center. Of course, as someone passionate about meteorites and rock excavation, it was only natural that he had a friend who shared a similar obsession with stones. Professor Solans had the appearance of a rugged field geologist. He wore an explorer''s outfit, glasses, and had a tall, lean frame with sharp, observant eyes. "An Evolution Stone? I''ve never heard of such a thing! Where was it discovered?" Professor Solans was shocked by the message from Professor Oak. Oak was one of the most authoritative figures in Pok¨¦mon research, yet even he had never encountered or heard of this stone! A burning passion for studying new rocks ignited within Professor Solans. Indeed, this completely unheard-of stone could very well be a new type of meteorite! However, upon learning that the stone''s origins were unclear¡ªthat it had been sold to a Gym Leader in Johto by a craftsman from a distant land¡ªhis excitement was immediately dampened. A craftsman from a faraway place¡­ That phrase alone suggested that reaching that location would be difficult. Perhaps it was from a distant region like Kalos or Galar. But then, how did its logistics reach Johto? It must have been transported via cargo planes from Unova! After listening to Professor Oak''s brief explanation, Professor Solans couldn''t shake his curiosity. Even though evolution, egg groups, and weaker Pok¨¦mon were not within his usual research scope, the properties of valuable stones and the reason why this particular one possessed such a unique effect were at the very core of his expertise! Just like the various Evolutionary Stones that enabled Pok¨¦mon evolution! New Evolutionary Stones were still being discovered one after another! However, since Professor Solans himself couldn''t travel to distant regions at the moment due to his ongoing meteorite research, he thought of someone else¡ªsomeone he could absolutely entrust this task to! And that person happened to be right here! Beep... Beep... Professor Solans dialed a number. After a brief wait, a deep, magnetic voice of a young man answered from the other end. "Hello? Professor Solans? It''s Steven. What''s the matter?" "It''s like this¡­" Professor Solans proceeded to pass on the information once again. Though this "I don''t know"¡ª"Ask someone familiar"¡ª"Pass it along to another expert" chain of inquiries seemed somewhat amusing, if this stone''s properties were confirmed, it would mark a groundbreaking milestone in the research community! After all, if a stone that increases defense has now been found, could there be others that boost attack, speed, or even vitality? How was it formed? What were its geological conditions? What kind of environment did it originate from? And if it was indeed extraterrestrial, it would involve his primary fields of astronomy and meteorite science. All of these were questions worth investigating! "You''re saying¡­ what?" On the other end of the call, Steven sounded equally stunned. A peculiar and precious gemstone¡ªthis was something he was hearing about for the first time! And as Hoenn''s most renowned and wealthiest gemstone collector, Steven''s enthusiasm skyrocketed. "Professor Solans, this is too complicated to discuss over the phone. I''m riding Metagross straight to Fallarbor Town right now! Don''t go anywhere¡ªwait for me!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Steven Stone, full name Steven Stone of the Devon Corporation. He was not only the Champion of the Hoenn region but also the heir of the prestigious Devon Corporation¡ªa renowned business tycoon. At the same time, he was an acclaimed collector of rare gemstones. Although his family''s company was headquartered in Rustboro City on Hoenn''s western side, Steven himself resided in Mossdeep City, an island city in the eastern sea. After Professor Solans got in touch with Steven, he resumed discussions with Professor Oak, and Professor Elm also joined the conversation. They conducted their discussion via a video phone. Although called a "video phone," in reality, it was more like a specialized machine with multiple functions, with video calling being just one of its standard features. In research labs, these video phones even had the capability to transfer Pok¨¦mon remotely over long distances. On the screen, Professor Oak appeared, wearing his signature red shirt and white lab coat, his gray hair neatly combed. "About that stone¡­" Professor Elm spoke first. "I already inquired with Gym Leader Abi and learned the name of the craftsman''s shop where the stone was sold." "It seems that this craftsman has some connection to Mr. Iron. He recently returned from Sinnoh to Johto¡­ No, actually, he''s not exactly in Johto. The craftsman is currently somewhere in the northern mountains of Johto. As you said, it''s a rather remote location. However, it seems there''s still internet access there." "Iron?" Professor Oak was surprised but quickly expressed his doubts. "That doesn''t make sense! Iron specializes in crafting Pok¨¦ Balls, not in processing stones." As the foremost authority in Pok¨¦mon research, Professor Oak was acquainted with many renowned figures and counted several as close friends. Mr. Iron was one of them. Professor Elm adjusted his glasses. "That''s correct. They seem to be just casual acquaintances. Bugsy was introduced to the craftsman through Mr. Iron, but he didn''t mention much about the craftsman himself. It seems he wasn''t particularly concerned¡­ or maybe he simply trusted¡ª" "Trusted that he''d provide something of value, right?" Professor Oak mused over the video call. "It sounds like Iron has a lot of confidence in him." "Hmm, so, what is the name of this shop?" Professor Elm immediately responded, "Traveler''s Workshop." "Traveler''s Workshop¡­ The name isn''t very flashy. I would have expected something a bit more ostentatious," Professor Solans muttered as he opened a browser and conducted a search. "I found it. This is the one¡­ But there''s no mention of the Evolution Stone." Professor Solans flipped through a few pages, then scratched his head. "Wait, look at the descriptions of the items being sold in this shop!" Focus Sash, Focus Band, Black Belt, Cleanse Tag, Spell Tag. "Oh, there are some rather rare items here!" On the video call, Professor Oak stroked his chin while browsing the shop''s inventory. These special items immediately caught his attention. Aside from those, the shop also stocked Power Band, Shell Bell, Fire Stone, and other uncommon items. "Focus Sash? I''ve never seen one before. It looks like a simple armband or shoulder strap that a martial artist might wear!" "But Black Belt, Cleanse Tag, and Spell Tag are all rare and valuable items!" The Cleanse Tag and Spell Tag were highly sought-after mystical items created by mediums, shrine maidens, spirit channelers, and gravekeepers. In areas abundant with Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon or other eerie phenomena, as well as in locations densely populated with weak Pok¨¦mon, carrying a Cleanse Tag made it easier to avoid unwanted encounters. A similar item in the Sinnoh region was the Pure Incense, made from special herbs. It had a comparable effect to the Cleanse Tag and was also associated with the Pok¨¦mon Chimecho. In Hoenn, Chimecho was considered its final evolutionary form. However, in the distant Sinnoh region, researchers discovered its pre-evolution, Chingling. The key reason for this evolutionary discrepancy was that Chimecho needed to hold a Pure Incense when breeding, which would result in its offspring hatching as Chingling instead of another Chimecho. As for the Black Belt, it was typically just a standard martial artist''s belt. However, the store''s description stated that it could enhance Fighting-type moves. "But why is it red if it''s called a Black Belt?" "It looks like leftover material from making Focus Sashes!" "The description states that this talisman can dispel any curse affecting the user once, but it will be consumed upon use." "A Spell Tag that can actually inflict curses isn''t surprising." "Focus Sash prevents a Pok¨¦mon from being knocked out in one hit. Even against a disadvantageous matchup, it allows them to keep fighting." "These effects seem slightly different from the ones I''ve seen before." "Could this craftsman be a powerful medium?" Professor Solans scrolled further and discovered another item at the bottom of the shop''s listings¡ªan item called "Tattered Cloth." Although the accompanying photo just showed an ordinary-looking scrap of fabric, even he could sense something eerie about it. "Could this be the Reaper Cloth used for evolution?" The three professors continued exchanging their observations, analyzing the unique properties of these items. Finally, Professor Elm proposed, "I''ll buy a few of these, then have them analyzed by experts in the relevant fields!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 34 - 34 "In our Johto region, the Ecruteak City Gym Leader, Morty, is a well-known psychic.'' He possesses a unique ability called ''Clairvoyance,'' allowing him to see things others cannot. Moreover, he is responsible for guarding the Bell Tower and the Burned Tower, places where legendary Pok¨¦mon are said to reside." "If we ask him to conduct an experiment, he would certainly be able to provide an accurate conclusion. Unfortunately, I''m not an expert in psychic abilities, so I can''t participate in this matter." Professor Elm scratched his head, showing an apologetic expression, while Professor Oak waved his hand dismissively. "No, no, artisan-crafted items are not within our field of research. Whether it''s you, me, or Professor Solans, our focus is different. These are areas of study for craftsmen and technology companies." Each region''s professor specializes in different fields. Professor Oak''s research focuses on "the relationship between Pok¨¦mon and humans," encompassing Pok¨¦mon behavior, ecology, ethics, and elemental attributes. Other professors have their own areas of expertise and generally lack interest in supernatural matters. Professor Elm specializes in Pok¨¦mon breeding, while Professor Solans, although interested in rocks, primarily studies meteorites, astronomy, and energy. However, Professor Oak suddenly changed the topic: "But just like Evolution Stones, rare materials we have never seen before may exist in distant regions. These aren''t limited to stones but could also involve materials related to Pok¨¦mon." "For example, we recently discovered Evolution Stones. Although they are naturally occurring minerals, they have a strong connection to Pok¨¦mon evolution. Perhaps such special stones exist in our region as well, but no one has discovered them yet." "Why don''t we pay closer attention to that peculiar shop? There''s a chance it might offer rare materials that could aid our research." Professor Oak''s suggestion was well received, and even Professor Solans mentioned that a certain member of the Hoenn Elite Four might be interested in these charms. After the video call ended, Professor Oak glanced at the "Unique Charm" in the shop and slowly recalled a familiar person. Kanto also has experts in Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, though his relationship with one of them isn''t great. Should he invite her to the research lab? No, better not. If he asks for help with research, he will surely be scolded. By the time Steven arrived in Autumnleaf Town, Professor Solans'' "Cross-Regional Discussion Meeting" had already ended. "Oh! Steven, you''re here! I''m really sorry for making you travel so far." "Not at all! Especially since we''re talking about a rare stone!" Steven didn''t waste time on pleasantries and immediately asked, "So, Professor, where is the stone?" "How would the stone be here? It''s still in Johto." Professor Solans laughed helplessly before explaining the discussion they had earlier. Upon learning that the stone came from an uncommon region, Steven couldn''t hide his excitement. He hadn''t even finished uncovering all the secrets buried deep underground in familiar regions, and now, an unknown place was presenting him with even more surprises! Their in-person discussion was far more detailed than the video call. Steven learned that the stone was currently in the hands of a Johto Gym Leader, and he had heard of Bugsy before. "He''s the youngest Gym Leader in Johto, right? I''ve heard he has remarkable expertise in Bug-type Pok¨¦mon and even discovered the move ''Fury Cutter,'' distinguishing it from ordinary slashing moves." "I see... But since the stone was sold to him..." Steven fell into thought. If it were simply a matter of purchasing it, he certainly had the financial means. By offering a reasonable price, he was confident Bugsy would be willing to part with it. However, doing so might give people the impression that he just throws money around whenever he sees a rare treasure. The proper approach would be to locate the craftsman who made it. Besides, if Bugsy found it useful and didn''t want to part with it, it would be an awkward situation. "If this stone has a connection to Pok¨¦mon, then it isn''t just a common geological rock but a special mineral formed under unique conditions." Steven explained fluently, "We already know about special minerals related to Pok¨¦mon, like Hard Stone, Mystic Water, and the King''s Rock. All of these have strong ties to Pok¨¦mon, and their formation in nature is often linked to Rock-, Water-, or Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon." As a professional gemstone collector, Steven''s home in Mossdeep City displayed rocks from various regions, such as amphibolite from Kanto''s Rock Tunnel, flint from Hoenn''s Mt. Pyre, and diabase tuff from Sinnoh''s Mt. Coronet. Thus, he had a keen eye for identifying which stones were unusual and which required specific environmental conditions to form. "I was planning to visit Pewter City in Kanto soon. I heard the science museum there has discovered rare fossils. But now, it looks like I''ll need to make a quick stop in Johto first." Steven spread his hands. "Time is really tight, so I plan to visit Johto for a quick look before heading to Pewter City. Once my research there is finished, I''ll track down that craftsman." "In that case, why not keep an eye on his shop?" Professor Solans pulled up the store''s website on his computer. "It''s one of the popular online shops, and it has some rather unique items." "There are some charm-related items that Phoebe from the Elite Four might be interested in." Steven browsed through the shop''s listings. When he saw items that could boost move power and had ties to life energy¡ªlike special charms and spectral cloth¡ªhe began contemplating. "This craftsman seems to sell all sorts of things. Are his descriptions trustworthy?" "I''ll send him an email to confirm. That would make it more official." After some thought, Steven drafted a message at Professor Solans'' research lab and sent it to the shop owner, Glowmoss. He quickly received a response: [Sorry, I am currently unavailable. Please contact me later. ¡ªAuto-reply] "...It''s an automated response. Well, that makes sense. The craftsman is probably out gathering rare materials." Steven imagined the scene in his mind. Since he couldn''t get an immediate answer, he decided to keep an eye on Glowmoss'' shop for updates. At the same time, he and Professor Solans discussed whether Evolution Stones might be a new type of meteorite. Meanwhile, he also sent Phoebe a message: "I''ve found something interesting." ... June 19th After the dream event ended, Hikaru busied himself with planting and watering, refraining from further interaction with the Symbolic Slate. Meanwhile, the term "Walking Wake" had also been split apart. During this period, Hikaru utilized the ability of the "Leaf Gatherer Traveler" and picked up two herbs. Both were white White Herbs. When held by a Pok¨¦mon, it can restore any lowered stats once. Hikaru also drafted a travel plan¡ªto close his shop for a while between August and September and leave the Johto region. His first destination would be Unova. "The Entralink¡­ I''m gradually getting a feeling that it must be there." "I need to visit Unova, but not right now." Since the information hinted at an encounter, then surely, they would meet again! Meanwhile, the evolved Honedge had not been idle either. Aside from continuing to help clear branches and gather wood, it also trained extensively in Substitute and Reflect, occasionally mixing in Fury Cutter. Previously, it had boasted that a weapon had no need for defense. Now, it had completely changed its stance¡ªtalking about a knight''s virtue and such. But to Hikaru, this thing was simply brimming with an insatiable desire for victory. A knight? Hardly! Hopefully, it wouldn''t end up canceling Fury Cutter altogether! This really seemed like some kind of awakened memory from a past life. However, ever since it evolved into Doublade, both swords insisted that they were the original and that the other was the counterfeit. They constantly accused each other of imitation and demanded that the other stop copying their sword techniques! Honestly, Hikaru had always wondered¡ªwould Pok¨¦mon like Doublade ever develop dissociative identity disorder? Now, it seemed that there were already some signs of it! "If I can find a Dusk Stone, I can evolve Doublade into Aegislash right away, and this whole issue with split consciousness should resolve itself." That was Hikaru''s thought process, but as for finding a Dusk Stone¡­ There were no leads. Should he just rely on random field exploration? Additionally, a small incident took place. Petilil: Honedge turned into two¡­ which one is the original? (.©n.)?* Left Sword: I am the real one! I was Honedge! ©g£¨¡Ñ£©¨s¨p! Right Sword: I am the real one! He''s just the split-off! ©g£¨¡Ñ£©¨s¨p! Due to Petilil''s innocent curiosity, the two swords immediately began fighting each other. Hikaru had to step in quickly to prevent Doublade from literally battling itself! Petilil, though still curious, realized that asking further would only make things worse. It quickly darted off into the herb field, dug a small hole, and buried itself in it. "Taking care of Pok¨¦mon is a real skill. Pok¨¦mon breeding is such an important aspect of their world¡­ I wonder if psychological issues could arise?" With this in mind, Hikaru paid extra attention to Doublade. Later that day, just before working on processing stones, Hikaru noticed an unread email in his inbox. A wild new customer! However, the inquiry was about purchasing an Evolutionary Stone. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Could this be from someone Bugsy referred? Looks like he''s already used that stone." While contemplating, Hikaru responded to the email. First and foremost, he informed the customer that Evolutionary Stones were rare and not something easily obtained. At the moment, he did not have a second one available. Even if he did, he wouldn''t sell it right away. He planned to have Honedge¡ªno, Doublade¡ªhold onto it for a while. After giving it some thought, Hikaru added: "Evolutionary Stones can potentially be found in various regions. You may try searching in local caves or mountainous areas. If there is a significant gathering of Pok¨¦mon, there''s a chance you might find such stones." In Hoenn, there was indeed an Evolutionary Stone. However, in the games, that particular stone was not located in any terrain but rather in the possession of a fisherman near the water, who had given it to a Magikarp to hold. In the games, there was only one way to obtain a wild Evolutionary Stone. Not by purchasing from a store. Not through mechanical synthesis. Instead, in Pok¨¦mon X/Y, one could find it inside a trash can in the Pok¨¦mon Village, where wild Pok¨¦mon gathered. Similarly, in Shalour City of the Kalos region, another could be obtained after discovering a certain number of Pok¨¦mon. After sending his reply, Hikaru checked his shop and noticed a slight increase in followers. Additionally, a few orders had been placed for a Cleanse Tag and some Spell Tags. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 35 - 35 "People are actually buying Spell Tags? I only listed them to fill out my inventory. Their spiritual power is pretty ordinary, and they shouldn''t be of much use to true psychics." Initially, Hikaru believed that these tags would sell well, but after reconsidering, he realized that true psychics likely had access to much higher-quality materials. His own Spell Tags were rather average¡ªperhaps not even worth their attention. Yet, to his surprise, some had sold. The shipping would once again be handled through Blackthorn City, and the Charizard would likely be the one picking up the orders. The destinations included Ripple Town in Unova, Ecruteak City in Johto, Pallet Town in Kanto, and¡­ Mt. Pyre in Hoenn? "Huh, another order from Hoenn? Another customer from a far-off region." "But wait¡ªMt. Pyre? That place isn''t exactly a mailing address¡­ It''s a sacred site where the spirits of deceased Pok¨¦mon are laid to rest. Do they even have a postal service there?" Without a Pok¨¦mon Center, receiving deliveries would be impossible. Hikaru hesitated. Normally, cross-regional shipping wasn''t supposed to be free, but since he had no existing customers in Hoenn, this wild client¡ªwhoever they were¡ªwas a great opportunity. He couldn''t pass it up. Fine, free shipping it is! Consider it an investment in expanding his market. Just like when he offered free shipping for that Unova customer last time! Mt. Pyre was run by an elderly couple, whom Hikaru recalled were the grandparents of Phoebe, one of Hoenn''s Elite Four. "Could it be that Phoebe bought these charms?" Or perhaps it was another psychic. Many psychics and mediums trained atop Mt. Pyre, after all. Hikaru quickly processed the orders and waited for Charizard to pick them up. However, for the Hoenn order, he opted for express delivery¡ªhe wanted to leave a good impression on this new customer. Since it was express shipping, Charizard likely wouldn''t be the one handling it. Instead, it might be a Dragonite that would transport the package to Olivine City, where it would then be shipped overseas to Hoenn. Compared to Unova, Hoenn was much closer to Johto. In the northwest region of Johto, there were ruins left behind by ancient Hoenn settlers. They had built the Burial Tower, a site dedicated to the worship of Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza. The actual shipping destination couldn''t be Mt. Pyre itself, of course. Instead, it would be sent to the nearest cities: either Slateport City or Lilycove City. Hikaru made a note of this and sent an email to inform the client. Then, he stepped away from the computer and started his work for the day. The entire day was spent crafting. The stones gathered while clearing land had finally found a use¡ªthrough ancient sculpting techniques, he could create artifacts to sell. These newly crafted "faux antique artifacts" looked and even felt entirely authentic. If Hikaru didn''t label them as replicas, most people wouldn''t be able to tell the difference. Of course, for them to be considered "antiques," they needed to be embedded with Relic Fragments. Fortunately, he had saved half a piece. He had Doublade cut it in half¡ªone portion for future use and the other split into even smaller fragments. In truth, ancient sculptures could also be made using "Old Stone", but Hikaru still had no idea where to source that material. Meanwhile, Doublade took this opportunity to train its stone-cutting technique. Now that it had learned Brick Break, it could finally smash these damned stones properly! Forget Rock Smash! Who needs Rock Smash! And unexpectedly, since Doublade had two swords now, its efficiency had increased¡ªnot just because there were two blades, but also because both minds were competing with each other. Each one wanted to prove it was the real Doublade through superior stone-carving skills. "£¨¡Ñ¨tX¨s¡Ñ£©!!!!!" "Yoooh! Yupppp!!" At this point, Hikaru could only sigh as he watched the two swords fight each other again. In the soft soil, Berries had also been planted. Just like the flower shop girl in Hoenn had once said in the games, Berry cultivation is incredibly simple¡ªjust bury a seed, or even the whole fruit, and the plant will grow on its own. They sprout quickly, too. Not to mention that Petilil was there to take care of them. However, some materials were starting to run out. One such material was Curly Fern, a type of throwable item used in crafting. Its curled, spiral-shaped leaves could be unrolled to form natural packaging paper. But neither the village nor the Wanderer had any. Curly Fern was one of the ingredients needed to make Sticky Glob. If that were the only missing ingredient, other ferns could serve as substitutes. But Sticky Glob also required Mud Balls and Hollow Acorns. Mud Balls were simply hardened clumps of dirt¡ªeasy to obtain. However, Hollow Acorns were naturally hollowed-out acorns with their insides eaten away, making them distinct from normal Berries. Acorns were used to craft Pok¨¦ Balls, and while they were scattered throughout Johto, they were still relatively rare. In this ancient land, they were even harder to find. In Johto, there was a Pok¨¦ Ball craftsman, Kurt, whose backyard was home to a whole forest of Acorn trees. "The only Acorn I have is the one Petilil brought me¡ªa White Acorn." This basically confirmed that Petilil''s habitat contained Acorn trees. But venturing into the Shinto Forest would require thorough preparation, and he wouldn''t be able to explore too deeply. At the same time, Hikaru pondered the mystery of the three crystallized fragments. The Walking Wake Crystal had somehow been carried out of the dream world, but the other two had more mysterious origins. The Brilliant Crystal was described as a manifestation of Tera Energy, which Hikaru recognized¡ªit was the Tera Raid dens from Pok¨¦mon Scarlet & Violet, clusters of massive, pillar-like crystals. Those could only be found in Paldea and at the mountaintop lakes of Kitakami. As for the Ancient Crystal¡­ It was tied to the Regi trio¡ªRegirock, Regice, and Registeel. Hikaru knew of it¡ªit existed in the Pok¨¦mon Trading Card Game. It was depicted as a square, semi-transparent, ancient-looking crystal engraved with mysterious patterns, and its effects were closely linked to the three Regis. Perhaps this crystal was the very source of the Regi trio''s "Clear Body" ability. If that were the case, then could this ancient crystal be used to craft a "Purity Pendant"? "A Clear Bell, a Purity Pendant¡ªthere are quite a few items that could be crafted from these crystals." Hikaru spent the entire day carving, producing a number of artifacts. As the crafting process concluded, information about the artifacts appeared for identification. ¡ºYou have completed an artisan craft!¡» ¡ºArtifact: Small [Ancient Statue]¡ªShinto Ruins Style.¡» ¡ºDescription: A statue carved in an ancient style, modeled after a Snorlax. It boasts incredibly realistic craftsmanship and a deceptive antique finish, with its sculpting style said to originate from the ancient Shinto Ruins. Due to the embedded Relic Fragment, it has become an inexplicable artifact¡ªcollectors may pay a high price for it.¡» ¡ºArtifact Effect: Calmness¡ªSlightly soothes external forces and calms the mind.¡» ¡ºKnowledge Gained: +1.¡» ¡ºAncient Sculptor: Your crafted items exude an ancient aura, enhancing your carving skill by +25%!¡» ¡ºDifferent "Ancient Artifacts" possess unique effects, varying based on craftsmanship and artistic style.¡» Shortly after, new clues about a rare material surfaced: Material Clue: [Rare Material: Sturdy Ore] [Location: Near the Ancient Spirit Peak foothills, unnamed plateau in the northwest, southwestern Quartz Plateau caves, mountain paths, Shinto Forest, Rocky Ruins, outer unnamed forests, southern forests, eastern hillside woodlands.] [Associated Craft: Lure Food Crafting.] "Sturdy Ore, huh?" While not classified as rare, it was certainly useful. If he couldn''t find a source, he''d have to buy it from the Wanderer. This ore was beneficial to the body¡ªessentially rock salt. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now that Hikaru had pinpointed its gathering locations, he nodded in satisfaction. As for the statue''s design, Hikaru chose Snorlax over the more traditional Rhydon. Why? Because everyone used Rhydon statues¡ªancient people used them, modern people placed them at Gym entrances, and they were everywhere. If his sculptures weren''t unique, why would anyone be interested? Also¡­ Snorlax was much easier to carve than Rhydon! Maybe, once his sculpting skills improved, he could try making figures of human characters, turning them into collectible stone figurines. Those would surely sell far better than ordinary stone carvings! "For example, if I got official approval, I could make figurines of Champions from different regions¡­ Those would be a guaranteed hit¡ª" "No, wait, there''s no way I''d get that kind of approval." Hikaru shook his head. To get that kind of official licensing, he''d need connections with Champions¡ªsomething far beyond his reach for now. But¡­ what if he sculpted Arceus instead? Volo would definitely become a big customer! "Right, I promised to craft some artifacts for him last time¡­ Might as well make a few Arceus statues." ... Time passed, and night fell. Hikaru finished his first Arceus statue, infused with a profound ancient aura. For some reason, he felt that this Arceus sculpture radiated an even stronger antique presence than the Snorlax one. "Is it because Arceus'' image is inherently tied to ancient mythology?" ¡ºArtifact: Small [Classical Ancient Statue] (Premium) ¡ª Shinto Ruins Style.¡» ¡ºDescription: A "premium" sculpture carved in an ancient style, modeled after Arceus¡ªthe legendary creator deity of Sinnoh. As it represents myth itself, this statue''s antique essence has been elevated, making it highly coveted by collectors willing to pay a fortune.¡» ¡ºArtifact Effect 1: Powerful Insight (Once per Pok¨¦mon) ¡ª A faint echo of Shinto''s ancient music can be heard from the sculpture. When a Pok¨¦mon listens to it, they may randomly learn a powerful move that is normally only accessible after evolution. The stronger the Pok¨¦mon before evolving, the stronger the move learned.¡» ¡ºArtifact Effect 2: Radiant Birth ¡ª Under the influence of this sculpture, Pok¨¦mon hatched from eggs will be born with enhanced potential, and there is a chance for them to hatch/shiny encounter a Pok¨¦mon of a different color.¡» ¡ºMysterious Inscription: "The life born from an egg will one day perish, only to be reborn anew."¡» "This quote¡­ It''s from the ancient Johto legends about eggs." "And¡­ different colors?" Hikaru muttered before suddenly realizing something. This was a shiny farming tool!? (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 36 - 36 Hikaru turned his gaze to the Arceus sculpture he had carved. The Arceus sculpture could allow a Pok¨¦mon to learn a powerful move that it could only acquire after evolution. From a competitive standpoint, this was illegal. But in reality, it didn''t matter at all! However, Hikaru did not immediately take out the Arceus figurine. Instead, after some thought, he selected a high-quality piece of stone and began carving a new sculpture¡ªthis time, of Petilil. Not only did he plan to create a stone sculpture, but he also wanted to make a wooden one. Hikaru wanted to see if there were any differences between the stone and wooden sculptures. "Wood carving, huh..." Although he wanted Petilil to participate in the carving process, in reality, it didn''t have any moves that could be used for carving. Even its body lacked the necessary features¡ªit had neither sharp claws nor sturdy blades. Similarly, in battles, Petilil was not a common choice for combat. Pure Grass-type Pok¨¦mon had poor offensive coverage, numerous weaknesses, and a very limited movepool. No matter how one looked at it, Petilil wasn''t considered a strong battling Pok¨¦mon. So, instead, she could focus on taking care of medicinal herbs and farmland, gaining improvements through cultivation and planting, breaking free from the "frail" label. And if she could obtain a Sun Stone and was lucky enough to evolve into Hisuian Lilligant, then everything would turn around! Time passed second by second as Hikaru continued carving. His movements became more refined, and his carving speed also increased. Hikaru was already highly skilled in sculpture, and with bonuses from both ancient sculpture and relic carving techniques, crafting these small stone statues was an effortless task. Of course, Petilil''s design was relatively simple compared to Honedge and Doublade. There were fewer intricate patterns and hollowed-out sections to deal with. Before long, the carving was complete. [Artifact: Small "Ancient Stone Statue"¡ªShinto Ruins Style] Description: A stone statue carved in an ancient style, depicting Petilil. Some collectors may be willing to pay a high price for it. Effect: Vitality¡ªThe sculpture promotes the growth of nearby grass and plants, allowing withered and decayed trees to sprout anew. This was the effect of the stone sculpture. Hikaru nodded in approval. A revitalizing effect¡ªbringing dead wood back to life. It was certainly useful for trainers who favored Grass-type Pok¨¦mon, as it could help cultivate gardens, grasslands, and forests. Of course, it was beneficial for himself as well. However, for Petilil, this effect didn''t provide much direct benefit. Next, Hikaru began carving the wooden sculpture. Wood carving differed from stone carving in terms of technique, but it was also a family craft passed down to Hikaru. Compared to stone carving, he found wood carving easier and more convenient. However, he hadn''t done any logging recently, and most of the wood stored at home consisted of tree branches he had previously gathered. So, after searching the storage area for a while, he retrieved some old wooden materials that had been preserved. "Maybe old wood will even provide an extra bonus for carving!" Hikaru thought. Then, he began carving. After a long period of focused work, he finally completed a lifelike wooden sculpture. [Artifact: Small "Ancient Wooden Carving"¡ªShinto Ruins Style] Description: A wooden sculpture carved in the ancient style, depicting Petilil. Embedded with fragments of ruins, making it a valuable collector''s item. Effect: Prayer¡ªWhen a Pok¨¦mon prays to the wooden sculpture, it will respond and bestow a power upon that Pok¨¦mon. "Oh? It''s different!" Unlike the stone carving, the wooden one was labeled Ancient rather than Ancient-style. Bestowal of power through prayer? The effect seemed vague, but if it only responded to a specific Pok¨¦mon... "Let''s test it out!" That day, training outside continued as usual. It had been raining for two days¡ªstarting as a drizzle, turning into a downpour, and then subsiding back into a light rain. Doublade had high expectations for Petilil''s potential, and she had been persistently training. As the rain gradually weakened and the clouds in the sky began to break apart, revealing patches of blue, their battle finally came to an end. "Lilli~" Petilil felt something strange. Training in this area seemed to improve her stamina and energy more quickly. That was why she had been drawn to this land in her weakened state. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Doublade twirled proudly in the air, its two swords dancing as if celebrating. It acknowledged that Hikaru was a remarkable person¡ªsomeone capable of crafting objects with mystical abilities and possessing knowledge others did not. However, the fertility of this land was also thanks to Dugtrio and Diglett! Only at moments like these would the two blades of Doublade stop fighting each other, for they both agreed on Hikaru''s brilliance! "Duoohh (Agreed)!" This land thrived thanks to everyone''s joint efforts! Creak. The door to the cabin opened, and Hikaru stepped out, carefully carrying the wooden carving. He walked to the slightly muddy medicinal field and placed the sculpture on the ground. "Lilli~?" Petilil tilted her head. The wooden sculpture was an exact replica of herself. But why was Hikaru placing it here? "Do you desire power?" Hikaru didn''t know how to phrase it properly, so he simply asked, "This is a sculpture I just made. Its effect¡­ well, if you have a wish, you can pray to it and see what happens." "Lilli?" It was a strange request, but out of curiosity, Petilil decided to try. Her wish was simple¡ªto defeat the Hisuian Qwilfish and reclaim her home, growing stronger in the process. As she prayed, the wooden carving began to emit a faint glow. Under the sunlight, the light appeared even more dazzling. "Wow! O(¨R¿Ú¨Q)O!" Petilil was stunned by the sight, taking two steps back in shock. The next moment, as if responding to her prayer, the carving radiated light that enveloped her. "Duoohh! Duoohh!" Doublade was also surprised. The eyes on both blades widened as they tried to comprehend what was happening. A massive amount of sunlight gathered, forming a glowing veil reminiscent of the sun itself, which then enveloped the wooden sculpture! The intense light was so strong that Petilil could barely keep her eyes open! Hikaru narrowed his eyes slightly. The sunlight was intense but not blinding, mainly because the wooden sculpture wasn''t facing directly toward him. However, even he hadn''t expected this outcome. At that moment, information about the carving suddenly appeared in his mind. [The Ancient Wooden Carving has responded to the Pok¨¦mon''s wish and bestowed it with power.] [Bestowed Power: Petilil''s Attack IVs have been maximized!] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 37 - 37 With the first display of power, the subsequent information gradually emerged, completing the unclear details of the craftsmanship effect. "Ancient wooden carvings will respond to the corresponding Pok¨¦mon image, and each type of wooden carving can only be wished upon once." "If the craftsmanship of the wooden carving improves and unique wood is used, the number of wishes or the content of the wish may also change." "The purpose of the ancient wooden carvings is... to enhance individual values!" Hikaru was somewhat surprised, but when he recalled that these carvings also required the embedding of Ruins Stones or Ancient Rocks, his excitement quickly faded. As everyone knows, Pok¨¦mon have three sets of data: Base Stats, Individual Values (IVs), and Effort Values (EVs). Even in the real Pok¨¦mon world, Effort Values can be considered limitless¡ªafter all, if a Pok¨¦mon trains harder, no one can dispute it. However, Base Stats and Individual Values cannot be changed. The former represents a Pok¨¦mon species'' fixed stat potential, while the latter reflects an individual Pok¨¦mon''s inherent strengths and weaknesses, which are unchangeable. Among players, the number 31 is commonly referred to as V, which signifies the highest possible Individual Value. In the entire Pok¨¦mon world, the only way to increase a Pok¨¦mon''s Individual Values is through Hyper Training, which requires Silver or Gold Bottle Caps as resources. "Wait a minute, did it only boost Attack IV?" Hikaru''s initial excitement quickly dissipated. He then realized that after Petilil made a wish, the only IV that improved was Attack. This made Hikaru feel both amused and frustrated. Pok¨¦mon have a very simple understanding of power¡ªit all comes down to attack. Most Pok¨¦mon cannot distinguish between physical attack and special attack. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Jessie and James'' Wobbuffet, which adjusts its defenses based on the attack type it faces. "Looks like I need to find some unique wood and carve more wooden sculptures." "Old wood allows only one wish per Pok¨¦mon species. Even if I carve a new sculpture, I can''t make another wish for the same Pok¨¦mon unless I use a different type of wood." "And since the first wish boosted Attack IV, wouldn''t it be better to aim for the Hisuian form instead?" While Petilil''s Attack IV reached its maximum, its base Attack stat was still quite low. Only after evolving into Lilligant (Hisuian Form)¡ªthe Hisuian Queen of the Highlands¡ªwould it gain significant offensive power. Moreover, in terms of moves, abilities, and versatility, Hisuian Lilligant is undeniably stronger than its original Unovan counterpart. "That''s right... If I want to reclaim its habitat, evolving into a powerful form is the way to go." "As for abilities, I can use Ability Capsules to fix that. I may not have one right now, but there''s no rush." "Petilil~" Seeing Hikaru''s changing expression¡ªgoing from joy to a furrowed brow¡ªPetilil didn''t understand what was happening. However, she felt as if her strength had increased significantly! It was an amazing feeling! But when she tried touching the carving again, or even making another wish, the sculpture no longer responded. Petilil turned toward Hikaru. "Petil?" (Did I make the wrong wish?) She was confused. Now that the wish was over, the ancient energy inside the carving had been depleted. It was now nothing more than an ornament to sell for money. "...Maybe if I use special wood, the carvings could display even stronger effects, like wood from Oak Groves, Evergrowth Forest, or Link Forest." Hikaru glanced at Petilil. She and Doublade were poking at the sculpture curiously. Right, Doublade should also get a wish. But... Doublade ''s patterns are too intricate, and Hikaru didn''t want to deal with that hassle. Before making a wish for Doublade, he needed to figure out which stats were the most important and should be boosted first, and which ones were less critical. "If I find a stronger type of special wood, could I increase two or three IVs at once? Maybe even max out all stats in one go?" "Hyper Training is a mechanic that only exists in the games¡ªthere''s a good chance that Hyper Training simply doesn''t exist in the real-world Alola region." "In that case, my wooden carvings function like Hyper Training and Silver Bottle Caps?" If that were true, these carvings could sell for a lot of money. Although most trainers probably don''t understand IVs, since even the Pok¨¦dex doesn''t display them explicitly, there are some hidden clues in the world. For example, Ash''s Infernape. When it was still a Chimchar, its Blaze ability exhibited an extreme level of power, which is why Paul saw its potential and caught it. It was highly likely that Ash''s Chimchar had perfect Attack and Special Attack IVs from a young age. A Pok¨¦mon with strong IVs and a powerful ability can display incredible strength, and when combined with unlimited effort¡ªthe result is overwhelming power. Of course, reality doesn''t work exactly like the games. "Petil~" "Yup! Yuuuh!" Petilil and Doublade''s voices snapped Hikaru out of his thoughts. Seeing their slightly anxious expressions, he quickly crouched down. "Sorry, sorry, I just got lost in thought." "Petil~!" Petilil asked if it was because of the wooden carving. "The carving... well, it was an unexpected outcome. I''m not upset at all. In fact, I''m excited because you''ve become stronger." Hikaru patted her leafy head and encouraged her. "You''ll keep getting stronger, and you''ll fulfill your own wishes. Of course, I also need rewards in this process¡ªthe stronger you become, the greater my returns." "Let''s work hard together." "Petil! Waaah!" (????¦Ø??)?¡î Petilil clenched the sides of her leaf-like skirt as if they were little fists. Her eyes burned with determination. Get stronger! Stronger! Amidst this rising determination, the leaves on Petilil''s head began to glow. She recalled the dazzling sunlight that radiated from the carving moments ago¡ªit seemed to awaken something deep within her! The sun above shone brightly. After rain comes sunshine, and the grass will grow stronger and lusher! "Petil!" Suddenly, Petilil cried out to the sky. Then¡ªa vast amount of sunlight gathered above her head! The intense light resembled a miniature sun or a glowing screen, recreating the moment when the sculpture had exhibited its power. The sunlight became stronger! This was the move "Sunny Day!" But it didn''t stop there. The gathered sunlight continued condensing above Petilil''s head, forming a scorching hot solar halo that surrounded her. Hikaru and Doublade stepped back, watching in awe. The concentrated sunlight continued gathering, building up over time. And then¡ª BOOM! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A massive beam of light shot into the sky! Petilil had learned "Solar Beam!" "Sunny Day and Solar Beam are a natural pair. For Pok¨¦mon who can master both moves, learning Sunny Day usually means they can also learn Solar Beam¡ªbut not necessarily the other way around!" "The IV boost must have helped her tap into extraordinary power. But even though it increased her Attack IV, she can still use Special Attack moves? Or was it just a matter of reaching a threshold?" "Long-term battles built up her Effort Values, and this fertile land must have helped too." Hikaru looked around at his herb field. It was the result of knowledge + sweat, along with a small push from an external tool. And the outcome? A great success! However, someone else had been watching. From the rooftop of the workshop, a small, green, winged Pok¨¦mon had appeared, fluttering its tiny wings. Around it, ripples of time flickered. "Shi?" The Pok¨¦mon giggled mischievously. This workshop seemed like a fun place! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 38 - 38 June 24th. A few days ago, the rain arrived just in time. Now, the herb field and farmland are entirely covered in green; fresh sprouts greedily absorb the early summer warmth, growing sturdier by the day. And Petilil, who has learned Sunny Day, continues working in the fields. Her instincts as a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon grant her some knowledge about caring for herbs and crops. These herbs and crops only require ten days to a month before harvest, and on this land, they will be ready even sooner. From the workshop comes the sound of carving. Petilil knows that human is making more mysterious tools again. Two days ago, after being strengthened, she felt brimming with energy. Now and then, she lifts the small "hands" on her skirt hem and fires off a "Hard Brace" attack at the grass ahead. Here, she feels extremely at ease¡ªso much so that she might forget how to fight if she stays too long. At times, she''s even considered living here instead of reclaiming her old habitat. But whenever that thought arises, she remembers the once timid companions she had¡ªand their leader. Their leader is a standard-form Lilligant. Before this, Petilil also believed she would evolve into that form. But now, she knows she has another possible evolution, and she can''t help feeling anticipation for her own future. If she reclaims their habitat and evolves into that other form, how would their leader see her? Would her companions be happy for the return of their home? Or would they have already taken root somewhere else, unwilling to come back? "Peti¡­" If she took back the habitat only for her companions not to return, everything she did would seem pointless. But Petilil has considered this scenario long ago. Even if she lives there alone as a single Pok¨¦mon¡­ Her former companions may have left, but Pok¨¦mon are communal creatures, and many also migrate. Surely, eventually, other Petilil would arrive, settling once more in that old homeland. With that in mind, Petilil fixes her gaze on the distant forest. Beyond those rolling hills, rocks, and woodlands lies the outer forest that directly connects to the Shendu Ancient Forest. Perhaps the leader, too, had come from another place before migrating to this forest. That could explain why her form differs from the "other form" humans speak of¡ªher appearance is considered "normal," while only in harsh conditions can one evolve into the new form. To the leader, moving from one piece of land to another may be entirely normal. She might not understand why Petilil clings so hard to that one patch of land, for rich, fertile soil can be found anywhere. And likely the other Petilil thought the same. "Peti~" But I was born in that habitat¡­ Petilil withdraws her gaze from the forest and devotes herself fully to tending each crop. In the soft soil, Berries have sprouted as well. These astonishing Berry trees are a unique feature of this world: they drop their Berries to the ground, the Berries decay, and soon new sprouts appear. Unlike ordinary trees, they don''t have a long growth cycle¡ªthough these Berry trees here still seem to be growing rather quickly. Petilil arrives at the patch where the Berries are planted. By color alone, it''s clear this soil differs slightly from the rest. Though all the soil is soft, this patch appears to have been tilled multiple times. She heard it was thanks to a group of Diglett and Dugtrio from far away. That''s the power of a collective, not just a single Pok¨¦mon. A group of companions¡­ Petilil''s gaze drifts toward the workshop. The carving sound continues, over and over. "Roooaaar¡ª!" Suddenly, a distant roar echoes from the sky. Petilil bounces up and looks overhead, spotting a massive black dot beneath the white clouds! The dot rapidly closes in, scattering the surrounding clouds. Its outline gradually becomes distinct! It''s a huge Pok¨¦mon! The shape descends at high speed. Initially, Petilil panics¡ªshe gathers sunlight, assuming it to be a wild intruder. However, just as her Solar Beam is about to fire, she realizes the Pok¨¦mon diving down from the sky is carrying a human''s delivery box on its body. Huh? Seeing the bright sunlight, the descending Pok¨¦mon also changes course and soars straight toward Petilil''s area, landing with tremendous force at the edge of the field! Hearing the commotion, Hikaru and Doublade emerge from the wooden house. "A Charizard from Blackthorn City!" Indeed, the courier this time is Charizard again! Carrying a large box on its chest, it''s arrived one day earlier than expected. Because it had come here before, the route was familiar, so it flew faster. Charizard glances at Petilil, intrigued for a moment¡ªit''s never seen this type of Pok¨¦mon before¡ªbut quickly looks away. Letting out a few growls, it mimics what it did last time, pulling a Rage Candy Bar from the box and chomping away. Then Charizard begins to unload various items: a large supply of fertilizer, plus Crystallized Honey! Growth Mulch: Speeds up the soil''s drying but also accelerates Berry growth in soft soil. Damp Mulch: Slows the soil''s drying but also slows Berry growth in soft soil. Stable Mulch: Extends the time before Berries drop. Gooey Mulch: Increases the number of times new sprouts appear after the plant wilts. These fertilizers were originally intended for Berry cultivation, so besides them, there''s also regular fertilizer for herbs and crops. Crystallized Honey glimmers with an amber glow. Bug-type and Fairy-type Pok¨¦mon love it; it can attract them to wherever it''s placed. Produced by Combee, it''s not exactly rare. If any honey is truly rare, it''s the "Terrifying Sweet Honey" produced by Vespiquen. "Roaar!" Charizard scratches its head, indicating these fertilizers and honey were quite heavy, so it took longer to fly here than last time. "Thank you so much. This place really is out in the boonies." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru smiles and places the packed parcels into the box. There''s one to Pallet Town, one to Ecruteak City, and one bound for the Hoenn region. Charizard looks over the parcels. When it notices the one for Hoenn, its expression changes a bit, letting out a series of growls. Doublade translates promptly: Charizard is saying your workshop looks so run-down¡ªit never expected you''d be doing business all the way in Hoenn! "Yeah, it''s pretty dilapidated. I never bother to fix it up, as long as it doesn''t leak when it rains¡­" Hikaru feels a bit embarrassed. How could his ramshackle workshop compare to a Pok¨¦mon Center? "Rooar, roooar." With its claws at its hips, Charizard seems to be complaining: Shipments to Hoenn must be transferred through Cianwood City. It''s not fast enough¡ªotherwise, it could deliver directly to Cianwood without returning to Blackthorn City. Not fast enough? Hikaru recalls Charizard''s base Speed stat is about 100. That''s already quite fast. Charizard: "Rooaar¡­" Johto''s main courier for urgent deliveries of all sizes is Dragonite. Suddenly Hikaru understands. Oh, that Dragonite with a base Speed of only 80, but it has Extreme Speed¡ªno wonder Charizard can''t compete! Simultaneously, Charizard explains that in snowy mountain regions, it''s the one handling deliveries since it isn''t a Dragon type and thus not weak to ice. As for rainy weather, one Sunny Day solves the problem¡ªno big deal. On foggy days, it can use Defog. In short, it can handle a wider range of climates than Dragonite, which can''t deal with icy conditions. "Is that so? Then take this." Hikaru pulls out a wooden carving shaped like Charizard. "Roaar?" Charizard looks puzzled. Is this just some normal craft? "No, once you go back, pray to it. It''ll show you the power you long for." "Aren''t you wishing for more speed? Indeed, you can still be faster. I''m a toolmaker who sells items with unusual abilities. If you don''t mind, give it a try." Hikaru explains with a smile: "After all, you might be picking up and dropping off parcels here often. If you can fly faster, that helps me too." When long-term effort is finally recognized by one''s own potential, it can burst forth with astounding power. Charizard, still somewhat unsure, accepts the carving. It gives a friendlier roar to Hikaru, indicating that if it ever finds anything neat on its route, it will bring it by next time! [Your relationship with Charizard has improved!] Flapping its wings, Charizard takes off, performing a mysterious dance in midair¡ªevidently Dragon Dance¡ªto increase its speed. Then, it vanishes into the distant sky. "I guess you could call that a sort of sales pitch," Hikaru mutters. Petilil also watches as Charizard flies away. Powerful Pok¨¦mon can cross mountains and rivers to reach such faraway places. If she evolves, could she travel just like that? "Yo?" Suddenly, Doublade floats over to Petilil. She tilts her head in confusion, while the two red sashes on Doublade sway side to side, both eyes expressing a hint of exasperation. "Yo ©·(¡Ñ)©³" No, no, that Charizard wasn''t traveling for fun! It was working a delivery job¡ªif it goes overtime, it might lose out on its snacks! "Wah-wah¡­" "Peti?" All of a sudden, Petilil seems to sense something. She glances around quickly; just a moment ago, when she looked up, she thought she saw a shadow flicker in her peripheral vision. "Peti?" Petilil cocks her head. Was that a mistake? "What''s wrong?" Hikaru notices Petilil looking distracted. Petilil hops over and says she just saw a strange shadow. "A strange shadow? It''s daytime, so a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon shouldn''t be out." Hikaru rubs his chin, turning to Doublade for translation. "Did either of you notice anything?" "Yoo?" "Yoop." Both of Doublade''s eyes reveal puzzled expressions. Seeing that, Hikaru instantly understands. "Figures¡ªI can''t really count on a Pok¨¦mon with a careless personality to have super-sharp observation skills." "Maybe it was a leaf or some weed blowing over from the woods. Perfectly normal. Or maybe, because we created the Symbolic Tablet, we attracted some Unown!" "I hear Unown like spying on people! In any case, don''t overthink it. If it really is an Unown, there''s no malice." Hikaru holds up his index finger, giving both Pok¨¦mon a little explanation about Unown, which are just like the characters on the stone tablet! "Peti." Petilil once again looks around. (¡­?) Was it really just her imagination? Or was it Unown? If it''s a friend, why not show itself? By this time, Hikaru has entered the cabin. Petilil remains in the field a moment longer, then follows him inside. Outside, by the workshop window, that winged, green Pok¨¦mon appears once again, giggling quietly. But it only laughs for a moment before it notices Unown E there. "Tee?" Their three gazes meet, and Unown E makes an awkward sound: "Unown¡­" Haha, what a coincidence¡ªyou''re spying on them too, huh! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 39 - 39 [Next Week Event For: Warhammer: Starting as a Planetary Governor!!] [200 PS = +1 Extra Chapter!!] "New stock has arrived." After Charizard left, Hikaru more or less finished his tasks for the day. He produced several additional carvings¡ªmostly stone sculptures, with fewer wooden ones. But for the newly listed wooden carvings, he added a note offering custom orders. Then he took photos, uploaded them to his store, and added the new products. Hikaru designs these sculptures based on the Pok¨¦mon he''s encountered or those belonging to his customers, though he also introduces new items. Those he''s encountered¡ªor that his customers represent¡ªinclude Charizard, Charmander, Dragonite, Scyther, Gengar, and Xatu. New items are Slugma, Lairon, and Dratini. Together with the previously made Snorlax, these sculptures are up for sale. Hikaru plans to watch which pieces sell well. If something does well, he''ll make more. If it doesn''t move, he''ll stop producing it and develop new designs instead. Of course, he won''t forget to list the Arceus sculpture¡ªthough presumably hardly anyone knows that Pok¨¦mon... There are three stone versions in total and one wooden version. Additionally, regardless of whether the sculpture is of an evolved or unevolved Pok¨¦mon, if the carving style, materials, and technique remain the same, the resulting effects are somewhat similar. He noticed this pattern from the Charmander and Charizard statues: Handicraft: Small [Ancient Statue] ¡ª Shinto Ruins Style Description: A statue carved in an ancient style, modeled after Charmander. Some collectors may pay a high price. Effect: Warm Air ¨C The surrounding air becomes noticeably warmer. Meanwhile, the Charizard version has the following effect: Effect: Burning ¨C Flames burn more vigorously. Hikaru hasn''t forgotten Doublade either. Although the patterns on Doublade''s scabbards are a bit tricky, the finished product looks quite nice. First, he made a stone carving, placing it beside Petilil''s sculpture. He purposely gave it a "sword in the stone" design by adding a rock base into which swords could be inserted. Because Doublade consists of two blades, he set them diagonally so they form an X. Handicraft: Small [Ancient Statue] ¡ª Shinto Ruins Style Description: A statue carved in an ancient style, modeled after Doublade. Some collectors may pay a high price. Effect: Harvesting ¨C Nearby chopping/cutting/gathering efficiency +10%. "Oh, so it''s a carving for chopping wood or splitting logs? If used together with Petilil''s statue, maybe you get a rapid-growth timberland?" "It can also be used for cutting stone or trimming cloth¡ªan excellent work-support statue." It now seems that Ancient Bracelets are for teaching Pok¨¦mon moves, whereas these Ancient Statues offer various small buffs. As for the Ancient Jar and Ancient Crown, Hikaru still isn''t sure what abilities they might have. In the games, the items linked to crowns and jars include things like King''s Rock and Dire Hit''s "Urn"¡­? But many King''s Rocks are naturally occurring stones, not forged. Though examples of man-made ones do exist. And Silver Crowns or Gold Crowns look more like bottle caps with a crown motif. "Huh, maybe a forged Ancient Crown would turn out to be the Crown Tundra''s Calyrex''s ''head'' or something." Next is the wooden carving: Handicraft: Small [Ancient Wood Carving] ¡ª Shinto Ruins Style Description: A sculpture carved in an ancient style, modeled after Doublade. Some collectors may pay a high price. Effect: Wishmaking By repeating certain tasks, you have gained new knowledge. "Carving Expert": +20% to carving efficiency and technique. Hikaru hands the Ancient Wood Carving to Doublade. "Alright, pray to the carving. It will show you power. But it''s best not to pray for extra speed. Even when you evolve fully, your inherent Speed won''t be all that high." "In terms of first priorities¡ªwhether attacking first or overall mobility¡ªSpeed isn''t what you need right now." Doublade seems rather confused. Swords, after all, are usually most effective at higher speeds, right? You swing, and before the opponent notices, you''ve struck them down! Plus, it can use "Lighten Body" to greatly increase Speed¡ªand now it has two blades. If it maximizes that Speed¡­ "Yoop? Yooo? (¡Ñ¨tX¨s¡Ñ)~?" So why not pick Speed? Hikaru listens to Doublade''s protest, and his mind drifts to Ash''s Torterra. Mmm, the so-called "fall guy" Tortoise... But personally, Hikaru kind of wants to capture a Torterra himself one day. Ash''s Torterra was really fast before it evolved, focusing all its strengths on Speed. But after reaching its final form, it became heavy and had to expend extra energy for top-speed movement, leading to a big stamina drain. In real-time battles, a Pok¨¦mon''s stamina is something you can''t ignore. Even if HP remains, dwindling stamina reduces both offense and defense by a lot. That Torterra had relied on speed moves since its Turtwig days, neglecting defensive training, so once it evolved, its weak defense became glaringly obvious. Whenever it took a direct hit, it couldn''t handle it. However, at that time, Ash didn''t have a tool like Loaded Dice available. In later eras, Torterra could learn Shell Smash, enabling an aggressive Speed-based approach. Pairing Shell Smash + Loaded Dice + Bullet Seed + Headlong Rush, the Torterra could fully abandon defense, adopt a do-or-die style, and rapidly defeat its opponent. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For Doublade''s final evolution, Aegislash, it''s usually best to attack after the opponent. You rely on high endurance in Shield Form to tank a hit, then switch to Blade Form to strike back. If you act first, you''ll shift straight into Blade Form and get hammered. Though real-time battles aren''t turn-based, its Ability, Stance Change, and the related stat differences still apply. Blade Form is extremely fragile, but don''t worry¡ªdefense is handled by the priority +4 move King''s Shield. Once Hikaru obtains more rare wood in the future, raising Doublade''s Speed IV might not be a bad idea. "In realistic terms, it''s like giving up your natural talents to work on what you''re weak at, which yields half the results for double the effort." "We need to fully tap into our strengths. Once those are well-developed, we use our remaining time and effort to shore up any weaknesses." Hikaru explains these ideas to Doublade and Petilil, then continues: "After all, once you''ve improved your weaknesses, your opponent may misjudge you¡ªthinking this Pok¨¦mon shouldn''t be that fast, or shouldn''t have that kind of power. Combining those shored-up weaknesses with your strong innate talents is the secret to becoming truly formidable." It''s like in the earliest generations of Pok¨¦mon games (Gen 1 and 2), where the maximum Effort Values weren''t 252 but a whopping 65,000. In this real-world setting, a Pok¨¦mon''s diligent effort is surely rewarded. There''s no such "252 limit." Indeed, we previously saw mention of "maxing out an IV," but no specific numbers were given. Using game terms, maybe the maximum IV is 31. But if it''s the real Pok¨¦mon world¡­who knows! In the very first generations, the maximum IV was just 15! IVs are natural talent; EVs are hard work. True greatness combines talent, sweat, and a bit of luck. "Yooo!" "Peti!" Doublade and Petilil both understand Hikaru''s reasoning. They focus intently on the wooden statue. Doublade floats forward, closing its two eyes, recalling scattered memories from long ago. Doublade once stayed in some ancient kingdom and seems to hold a special regard for the word "ideal." Seeing Petilil fight so earnestly, it quickly acknowledged her¡ªthat might be a kind of chivalric spirit¡­ even though "Honedge" itself was not a knight back then. The wooden carving begins to glow brilliantly, once again shining like a tiny sun! [The Ancient Wood Carving responds to the Pok¨¦mon''s wish, revealing its power.] [Power revealed: Doublade''s Attack IV has reached its maximum!] "Yoop! Yooo!" Doublade feels its blades growing sharper! "And there''s also the Arceus statue¡­" Hikaru recalls the Arceus stone sculpture. Stone carvings can let a Pok¨¦mon learn a move that normally requires evolving first, and they can also help with egg-hatching. But since this isn''t a Daycare, that second function isn''t useful here. Maybe he needs to wait a bit longer, until Doublade and Petilil grow stronger, before having them interact with the Arceus statue. Speaking of which, if Doublade were to learn King''s Shield¡­ Actually, that little shield it has right now still isn''t complete, so it can''t really block anything yet, according to the Pok¨¦dex description¡ªit''s not sturdy enough to endure attacks. While indoors, Doublade already noticed the stone carving and attempted to touch it, but Hikaru stopped it. Meanwhile, he also carved a new wooden Arceus statue out of a large piece of lumber. Unfortunately, while the stone version had instantly upgraded to a premium piece, the wooden one didn''t undergo any changes. Perhaps the wooden statue needs special materials and brand-new techniques¡ªjust like how the ancient stone statues require Ruins Stone or Ancient Rock. So for now, that wooden statue is basically useless. It would exhibit power for Arceus, but where is Arceus anyway? And does Arceus even need a wooden carving to gain more power? "If I post this for sale online, people are bound to complain it doesn''t work¡ªaccusing me of fraud." "Maybe I''ll just sell it to Volo, pull one over on him for some cash?" "Tomorrow¡­ I''ll head into the forest to collect lumber and Tough-Tough Ore." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 40 - 40 [Next Week Event For: Warhammer: Starting as a Planetary Governor!!] [200 PS = +1 Extra Chapter!!] June 25th, clear weather. As planned yesterday, Hikaru is heading into the outer forest to gather wood. High-quality wood will be used for carving wooden sculptures, while common lumber is for firewood. The workshop''s stock of firewood is running low. Hikaru takes along the stone sculptures of both Doublade and Petilil, straps on a wooden frame for carrying firewood, and grabs his lumber axe. "Yooo-oo (¡Ñ¨tX¨s¡Ñ)~" Doublade waves its red sashes toward Petilil before drifting after Hikaru. In the evenings, Petilil rarely goes inside the house. Even when Hikaru invites her, she says she feels more comfortable in the soil¡ªgoing indoors doesn''t give her the same sensation. Hikaru knows this relates to the "knowledge" he bestowed on this land. Thanks to the Fertile Land effect, the place brims with vitality, so for Petilil, who loves being in the soil, staying outside is more comfortable than going indoors. "Okay then, I''ll leave the place to you!" Last night, Hikaru explained the plan in writing and told the two Pok¨¦mon. Petilil lifts her little skirt edges, trying hard to mimic a waving motion, while the three leaves on her head sway in the breeze. "Peti~!" The sooner you go, the sooner you''ll be back! There aren''t any wild Pok¨¦mon around here to worry about, and only Diglett ever come by the house¡ªthough they usually remain in the village once the tilling season ends. Plus, if some Pok¨¦mon did show up, Petilil could use Sunny Day + Solar Beam to drive it away. Petilil balls up the hem of her skirt like a tiny fist! She feels she''s in top shape right now, afraid of no one! As soon as Hikaru and Doublade head into the forest, that same Pok¨¦mon that had been secretly following Petilil quietly slips from near the workshop into the forest as well! Petilil, meanwhile, turns around in confusion. There it is again, that strange sense of being watched¡­ Wait, it''s gone? They pass a small creek of snowmelt and enter the sun-dappled outer forest. This area is merely the edge of the Shendu Forest''s zone of influence. No powerful Pok¨¦mon reside here, and villagers often come to chop firewood. But since it''s a bit farther out, the villagers prefer woodlots closer to the village. Hikaru, however, doesn''t see any abandoned woodlots around¡ªperhaps they lie in another direction from where he''s walking. "Let''s just cut trees around here." So he thinks. He picks a spot that''s not easily noticed and buries half of Petilil''s stone sculpture at the roots of a fairly large tree. The sculpture can spur trees to regenerate quickly. Moreover, in this world, trees already grow fast by nature. As soon as Hikaru places the statue, he senses a strange vitality emanating around certain nearby trees. It''s hard to describe, but he figures it''s due to having made the Symbolic Tablet, which boosted his mental acuity¡ªthus allowing him to notice these unusual changes in the environment. Trees, too, are living things. When their vitality shifts, he can feel it. The forest around him rustles as though stirred by a breeze. "¡­It''s like they''re trying to talk. Right, maybe I''ll try that Psychic training Kazuki mentioned¡ªthough it''s daytime." Hikaru stares intently at one of the trees for a while. Slowly focusing, he seems to hear the voice of the woods. But in an instant of distraction, his concentration breaks, and that curious feeling disappears. "Huh? It really worked?" It''s just ordinary concentration, but Hikaru wonders if the Symbolic Tablet is granting him a beginner''s aptitude for Psychic power. Doublade, for its part, is perplexed to see Hikaru talking to a tree. Both of its sword-forms are itching to try out their blade skills by chopping wood. "Alright, let''s get started. Doublade, use Cut! Chop off those thick branches!" "Yo~!" Both of Doublade''s blades flash white; delivering a double cut, they slice off a large tree branch in one go! The branch crashes to the ground with a thud. Doublade''s two consciousnesses each feel supremely cool in that split second. Though it was just cutting wood¡­there''s something else too! Suddenly, the two blades turn on each other in rivalry, letting out a "Yoop!" and "Yooo!": Left Sword: I definitely struck faster just now! Right Sword: Clearly I was the faster one! "Well, even split into two minds, it''s still got that same dramatic personality," Hikaru mutters. Then he instructs them: "Don''t fight, Doublade. Once you evolve, those split minds will merge again. For now, keep using Cut!" "Yoop! (¡Ñ)¨t!" "Yooo! (¡Ñ)¨t!" Both blades respond at once, then glare at each other again! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Left Sword: You were calling me! I''m the real main body! Right Sword: No, you were calling me! I''m the real main body! "You''re both doing great!" Hikaru can''t help sweating a little. Fortunately, both swords know their task is most important at the moment, so they keep their rivalry internal. Following Hikaru''s instructions, they flash their blades up and down, chopping branches left and right! Chop, chop, chop¡ªlumberjack style! Double the speed! Hikaru directs Doublade to hew off hefty limbs, while for thinner-trunked trees, they simply fell them outright. By midday, they''ve gathered plenty of wood. Thanks to the Doublade stone sculpture, they have a +5% faster chopping speed, and though that might not sound huge, it noticeably cuts the overall time when you do it for hours. The forest rustles gently. Petilil''s statue continues releasing its vitality. Hikaru thinks about using his knowledge to turn this part of the woods into a Fertile Land. Along with Petilil''s stone carving, the forest would continuously regrow, allowing repeated harvesting. Ordinarily, logging requires rotating the logging area to avoid deforestation. Overharvesting one spot can devastate the ecosystem. But in the Pok¨¦mon world, forests recover quickly. Ordinary logging probably wouldn''t impede the trees'' growth much anyway. "In Johto, near Azalea Town, there''s that well-known charcoal shop. They keep Farfetch''d and gather premium lumber from Celebi''s sacred oak groves, ensuring clean water and fresh air. It''s amazing." "That charcoal shop also appears in the games¡ªthe little side story where you chase after Farfetch''d." "Speaking of which, I''ve been burning through plenty of wood myself. Maybe I should try making ''Charcoal'' this time. Though it won''t match that famous Farfetch''d shop, it should help me learn about crafting and firing techniques related to flames." As Hikaru and Doublade venture deeper into the forest, the small, grass-green Pok¨¦mon from before appears once again near Petilil''s stone carving, silently watching. Radiating a gentle glow, she curiously pulls the statue from the soil, turning it over and over to examine it. It can actually help trees regrow? She blinks, her eyes brimming with intrigue. That human is truly amazing! ... Johto region, Azalea Town. Steven was the first to spot that Hikaru''s workshop had new updates, so he quickly logged in to take a look¡ªonly to discover they were just small statues. Though the stone sculptures were described as having special effects, they appeared rather dubious at first glance. Stone carvings¡­ Indeed, from everything he''s learned so far, that craftsman''s "family trade" does revolve around carving. Steven paid a visit to Mr. Steel, who isn''t too familiar with the Hoenn Champion personally. Yet when he hears Steven is inquiring about a certain craftsman, Mr. Steel immediately realizes the reason. "Oh, you must be talking about him. Last time, Bugsy came by asking questions about these matters. I never expected even Hoenn''s Champion would come searching." Mr. Steel is a bit puzzled. From what he recalls, Hikaru''s craft skills weren''t particularly famous¡ªjust ordinary, really. Moreover, Bugsy and the others seemed more interested in special stones than the craftsman himself. Hmm, maybe that kid''s changed careers to selling materials now? Still, the fact these people hold him in such high regard is probably a good thing. If they become familiar with him, maybe they''ll visit Mr. Steel''s shop more often, too. Many craftsmen without significant renown or unique techniques rely on a base of loyal customers for their income. "He used to be quite skilled at carving¡ªwood sculptures, stone sculptures, all that. It was originally a Johto craft style, but his family later moved way out to Sinnoh. Then, some years back, I heard his father died. I''m not sure where he is now¡­ rumor says he came back near Johto." Mr. Steel reflects. Craftsmen moving to other regions is perfectly normal. Johto has its own famous carvers¡ªPryce of Mahogany Town is a renowned ice-sculpture artist. Trying to outdo him in sculpture would be nearly impossible. Meanwhile, Sinnoh is also very fond of various carving arts; relocating there was probably a good idea. "I see¡­ Thank you very much." Steven takes the information he needs and departs Mr. Steel''s place, heading for Azalea Gym to meet Bugsy. Once Steven''s gone, Mr. Steel, still curious, wants to check on Hikaru''s online workshop store to see how his skills have progressed. But he himself isn''t very savvy online, so he calls on his granddaughter: "Chihui! Help Grandpa follow this online shop¡ªI don''t know how to use it!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 41 - 41 [Event For: Warhammer: Starting as a Planetary Governor!!] [200 PS = +1 Extra Chapter!!] Meanwhile, over at the Azalea Gym. This was Bugsy''s first time meeting Steven, and he was quite nervous. When Steven asked how to find that source of Glow Moss, Bugsy could only scratch his head, looking rather helpless: "I don''t know where that person is either. Apparently, they''re somewhere near a village in the Johto region, and the package was sent from Blackthorn City." Steven was a bit speechless. But on second thought, he realized he sometimes acted the same way. For example, not long ago, when someone was trying to deliver a letter to him, they spent ages wandering all over the map trying to find him; meanwhile, he had been in Granite Cave mining stones the entire time, completely unaware of anything going on outside. Ha, back then he must have caused everyone quite a bit of trouble. And now, he was getting a taste of what it felt like to be looking for someone with no clue where they might be. Truly, times do change. "... I can understand that a craftsman might be out in the wild collecting rare materials," Steven said with a smile. "I''ve done that myself in the past." Though he didn''t manage to get the craftsman''s address from Bugsy, at least he gained a new lead: Blackthorn City. If it was shipped by delivery, it must have been sent out from the Pok¨¦mon Center. As long as he could find the correct mail carrier Pok¨¦mon or the one responsible for deliveries, he could trace the sender''s location. However, Steven didn''t have much time. He had already spent several days investigating in the Johto region; he urgently needed to head to the Kanto region to attend the fossil exhibition at the Pewter City Museum of Science. At the same time, Steven never mentioned buying the Eviolite from Bugsy; he only held it in his hand and observed it for a moment. "This really is an amazing and mysterious stone. Even though I''m not a Pok¨¦mon, holding it, I can still feel a curious energy." "Eh, really?" Bugsy was astonished. Steven nodded and smiled at him. "I often excavate various stones in the wild and in caves. Some of my Pok¨¦mon are Rock-type, so I''m very sensitive to stones." Bugsy thought for a moment. "That craftsman told me that after his further polishing, this stone is better than a normal stone of the same kind. It can activate a Pok¨¦mon''s potential for a longer time. I think that''s what he meant." "Better than the same type of stone?" Steven immediately caught the unusual hint in that statement. If there''s no comparison, you wouldn''t say something like that. And if he''s comparing them, that means the craftsman has seen a normal stone of this kind somewhere else¡ªan Eviolite that had already been used! "So that''s it! It appears that such stones might exist in other regions as well. And previously, he worked in the Sinnoh region¡­ speaking of Sinnoh''s famous excavation site¡­ the Underground!" Steven mentally pieced things together and concluded that the Sinnoh Underground might contain other Eviolite stones. This realization and speculation made him both excited and happy. But considering he was the Hoenn Champion, if he spent too long in Sinnoh, it could look bad, and he wouldn''t be able to handle any issues promptly. What a headache. Maybe he really should let Wallace take over the championship. But that guy said he wanted to participate in Contests and didn''t have time. Oh right, he also mentioned something about holding a "Wallace Cup" in Sinnoh. Why not just have him look for stones on Steven''s behalf while he''s there? Hmm, such a sincere request from a friend¡ªhow could Wallace possibly refuse? Steven decided that before heading off to other regions, he needed to make some proper arrangements for his champion duties. But seeing that the Hoenn Elite Four are all basically free spirits, he couldn''t help having a bit of a headache. "Why doesn''t our region have someone who''s serious about work¡ªa glasses-wearing type who studies every day and eagerly does overtime?" "Thank you. I believe I''ve gained some useful information!" Steven thanked Bugsy and handed the Eviolite back. Bugsy, a bit puzzled, was just about to speak when Steven abruptly proposed a battle: "Huh?! A battle with the Champion?!" Bugsy was stunned. Although he had become the Johto region''s Gym Leader at the youngest age ever, battling the Champion was on another level entirely. However, Steven stated: "I want to witness the power of the Eviolite firsthand. Please, have a Pok¨¦mon battle with me!" At the same time, Steven glanced down at the online shop page displayed on his Pok¨¦gear. After a brief moment of thought, he decided to place an order. Perhaps these sculptures were also made from some special stone with some sort of special effect? Steven bought the Lairon sculptures and immediately wiped out their entire stock. As for the shipping address¡­ "Sorry, Bugsy, but could I have you receive the delivery for me?" Of course, besides Steven, those professors who had been paying attention to the Traveling Workshop also noticed the new carvings on sale. However, most of them had no particular interest in sculptures. Stonecraft and woodcraft techniques weren''t generally part of their research focus. Yet the item description mentioned these sculptures having special buffs, which did seem to break common sense and made the professors suspicious. Among them, Professor Elm noticed the Arceus sculpture and read the note about its effects. The stock showed three units available. "It can make a Pok¨¦mon hatched from an egg grow stronger? How could a sculpture¡­have that kind of ability?" "By the way, I''ve never seen the design of this Pok¨¦mon before. Is it from some other region? But then why is it labeled as an ''unknown Pok¨¦mon''?" "Ah, it might just be the artist''s original creation, right?" Professor Elm pushed his glasses up. At first, he thought these supposed effects violated common sense and contradicted science. But soon, he recalled that all over the world, there are ruins where things that defy common sense and modern scientific theory are often unearthed. After all, "common sense" is simply a summary of current phenomena. Some things you won''t believe exist until you see them with your own eyes. Besides, that sculpture''s depicted Pok¨¦mon was something he had never seen before. As a researcher specializing in Pok¨¦mon eggs, Professor Elm began to consider buying one of these sculptures. But when he saw the price, he couldn''t help hesitating. Even as the leading professor in charge of Johto''s research, spending 100,000 wasn''t exactly pocket change. Should this count as a personal expense or come out of research funds? And he also worried that the cost-benefit ratio might not be ideal. The description said the sculpture was only about the size of one''s palm. "Hmm? Hey! Why did the inventory just go down?" While he was refreshing the page on his computer, Professor Elm suddenly saw the stock drop from 3 to 2! Someone bought one? "Ugh¡­ should I risk being cheated and give it a try? If it really has something to do with Pok¨¦mon egg groups, it would be extremely valuable research material!" "Oh! Now it''s down to 1! Who''s buying these?!" Gritting his teeth, Professor Elm finally clicked the "purchase" button. "So this is that workshop, huh? I see something about ''stones related to evolution,'' but all I can find in the listings are sculptures." In the Sinnoh region''s Sandgem Town, within Rowan''s research lab: Professor Rowan, who was older in appearance than even Professor Oak¡ªwhite hair, a bushy white beard, and always wearing a white or brown overcoat over a blue vest and long-sleeve shirt¡ªhad just received word from Professor Oak. Hearing that there might be a strange stone connected to evolution, he paid close attention. After all, such a stone could be a major breakthrough for his research on Pok¨¦mon evolution. But after following the Traveling Workshop for a few days, there was no sign of the so-called "evolution stone" being restocked. Then, suddenly, the new products turned out to be sculptures? Even so, one particular Pok¨¦mon sculpture caught Professor Rowan''s eye. He didn''t recognize that Pok¨¦mon at all, but it felt "very Sinnoh-esque." He could almost glimpse a bit of Dialga or Palkia in it. The stone carving was labeled: "Unknown Pok¨¦mon." "Just from the photos, it looks like something excavated straight out of ancient ruins. If it''s a replica, the craftsmanship is unbelievably good¡ªpractically indistinguishable from an authentic relic. Unless¡­ it really is genuine?" "Could the owner of this shop be a tomb raider?" Professor Rowan couldn''t help letting his imagination run wild. But because this mysterious Pok¨¦mon sculpture existed, he became intrigued. The sculpture also had a unique description saying it possessed a special function: it could enable a Pok¨¦mon to learn moves normally learned only after evolution. That was indeed strange. Of course, there are some very gifted Pok¨¦mon out there¡ªProfessor Rowan had studied them. Certain exceptionally talented Pok¨¦mon really can learn moves before they evolve. For instance, Riolu, which sometimes has a tiny chance to learn Aura Sphere even before evolution. Riolu, which looks like a small blue doglike humanoid, is called the "Emanation Pok¨¦mon." As its category suggests, it normally can''t harness Aura before evolving; it can only barely sense aura waves. Yet a rare, gifted Riolu can master aura abilities even before evolving. This phenomenon is one of the many miracles in the Pok¨¦mon world. What, precisely, distinguishes evolving Pok¨¦mon from their pre-evolved forms? And those Pok¨¦mon that don''t evolve¡ªare they perhaps already in a kind of "complete form"? Still, some Pok¨¦mon once believed to have no evolution suddenly got new evolutions when certain items appeared¡ªlike Electivire and Magmortar. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That is precisely why Professor Rowan wanted to buy an Arceus sculpture. If its function were real, it would be a special item of great value to the study of evolution. Move-teaching tools have existed since ancient times, so it wouldn''t be unheard of. The Technical Machine (TM) we have today is proof enough that technology can do amazing things. "Hmm? The inventory''s down to 1? Who on earth is buying these things? Ah, never mind¡ªthey may be expensive, but I''m placing an order!" "Twenty thousand¡­!" "After purchasing, I should inform Cynthia. She''s quite knowledgeable about these matters." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 42 - 42 After purchasing the Arceus sculpture, Professor Rowan also placed an order for a Slugma sculpture. According to its product description, the Slugma sculpture can make the surrounding area warmer¡ªessentially serving as a fireplace that doesn''t require a flame. It sounded quite practical. "It must have some kind of built-in heating device. But this effect does resemble Slugma''s natural trait. Wherever Slugma gathers, the ground temperature rises. In colder regions, some people even raise Slugma and let them move around inside a fireplace to heat their entire house." "By the way, there''s no direct shipping option? It has to go from Johto to Kanto, then from Kanto to Sinnoh? The shipping fee''s kinda high¡­" Professor Rowan pondered this while reviewing the other sculptures'' feature descriptions: The Slugma sculpture''s function is heating. The Charizard sculpture''s function is to make fire burn more fiercely. The Scyther sculpture can increase the cutting force. The Charmander sculpture can make the air scorching hot. The Dragonite sculpture prevents abnormal status more easily. The Xatu sculpture can foresee one event each day. The Snorlax sculpture''s function is to calm external forces and soothe the mind. Calm external forces? What does that even mean? "Ugh, no matter how you look at it, something''s off. Could this store be a scam? If these items turn out worthless, I''m going to complain to Oak. He''s the one who made me follow this weird shop. If my money is wasted, I''ll blame him!" "That''s a full two hundred thousand!" "And there are Gengar and Lairon sculptures. Wait, the Lairon one is off the shelves? It says ''This product is no longer available¡­ inventory is out?''" ... Sinnoh region, Battle Castle. A young man dressed in a butler''s uniform¡ªcomplete with a standard tailcoat on top and purple trousers below, his hair slicked back in a rather odd style¡ªwas staring at the screen on his Pok¨¦gear. "It''s a very old-looking Snorlax statue. Supposedly, it can calm the mind somewhat." "Hmm, could the sculptor be a person with psychic powers?" This was Darach, the Castle Valet of the Battle Castle, one of the Sinnoh Battle Frontier facilities. He served as the attendant of the castle''s true owner, the young lady Caitlin. That girl possessed extremely strong psychic powers, so formidable that whenever her emotions ran too high, her powers would go out of control and rampage. Because of that, she was prohibited from participating in battle. However, Caitlin had gradually realized her own immaturity and was determined to change herself. She''d been through a period of training and refinement and was about to depart on a journey to the faraway Unova region. Darach believed she would accomplish something extraordinary there. Perhaps in just a few months, he''d hear news of his mistress''s meteoric rise in that land. With that in mind, Darach had been searching online for ways to help Lady Caitlin master her psychic power more quickly. While browsing on his Pok¨¦gear, he came across the Traveling Workshop. "If this statue truly has the effect of soothing an agitated heart, it might also calm the rampaging psychic power. It could help Lady Caitlin gain better control of her abilities. I''ll buy this statue as a parting gift for her." ... Johto Region, Ecruteak City. "Though this was recommended by Professor Elm¡­" A strange workshop, a strange artisan, and strange yet powerful talismans! Morty examined the spiritual power radiating from the talismans. It was utterly different from the power he had cultivated himself. "What an unusual kind of energy¡ªlike it comes from another world. Yes, it''s like the power of the spirit realm." "The person who made these talismans must be a formidable ''adept in spiritual training''!" Such an adept is one type of medium, someone who gains unique abilities through rigorous spiritual discipline. Morty prided himself on his Clairvoyance, using his spiritual power to see what his clients wished to see¡ªno matter how far away, he could behold it. Morty was also a seeker of Ho-Oh. Originally, Professor Elm recommended this shop to him, hoping Morty would investigate the shop''s items. That was a formal request. Yet after actually purchasing these talismans, Morty discovered that the difference between his spiritual power and the artisan''s was quite large. It wasn''t just the total amount of spiritual power but also the method of its use and its source that were different. "My spiritual power comes from painstaking practice, but the artisan who made these talismans might have been born with this power." "There really are people like that." Neither Morty nor other well-known spirit mediums¡ªlike Phoebe of the Hoenn Elite Four, who gained her strong spiritual power by training at Mt. Pyre¡ªhad been born with such abilities. Some spiritual power users acquire their abilities after near-death experiences that allow them to see ghosts, essentially receiving a summons from the spirit world. Truly gifted psychics¡ªthose born with these abilities¡ªare exceedingly rare, but when they do appear, they display extraordinary spiritual talent. Morty exhaled lightly. These talismans had already helped him immensely in his training. Even the Curse Talismans he tested on Gengar were extremely potent. At the same time, the mediums, shrine maidens, and psychics gathered in Ecruteak Gym¡ªpeople who sought to refine their ghostly or spiritual powers¡ªwere all full of praise for these talismans. "Maybe I should invite the artisan to Ecruteak City." Morty contemplated that idea. Once it arose, he found it hard to suppress. But inviting someone over¡ªwould he ask them to share their spiritual insights, or craft some talismans on-site? Either way, it might seem presumptuous. "I need to prepare some gifts. Perhaps I can offer him my personal notes on spiritual training." Morty glanced at his Pok¨¦mon¡ªMisdreavus and Gengar, both of which seemed extremely fond of these talismans. These unique talismans enhanced their Ghost-type energy, making them highly suitable for training Ghost Pok¨¦mon. Furthermore, Gengar and the others sensed that the talismans contained some attribute energy from a Pok¨¦mon they''d never encountered before. Intrigued, Morty used his Clairvoyance¡ªnot to spy on the Glow Moss this time, but to search for that mysterious Pok¨¦mon. Eventually, Morty glimpsed a Pok¨¦mon shaped like a sword, an extremely lively one, which he had never seen before. In this vision, the Pok¨¦mon was very close to its trainer; they shared a strong bond. "A powerful, naturally gifted spiritual energy¡­ Right. If it''s that person, maybe they can see Ho-Oh." Morty remembered the ancient legend of Ecruteak City. From time immemorial, people here had worshipped Pok¨¦mon as deities. And it was said that the legendary Pok¨¦mon would one day appear before a truly worthy trainer. So the legend goes¡­ Morty had always believed in that beautiful myth. Since birth, he''d engaged in secret and demanding training to fulfill a fragment of that ancient legend. He once believed that if anyone could summon the legendary Pok¨¦mon to this land, it would be him. But despite all his effort, he still could not call forth Ho-Oh. Morty understood that he hadn''t been chosen by the legendary Pok¨¦mon. Yet that didn''t mean his path was closed off. Until he witnessed a radiant future, he would continue training! And this time, perhaps¡­ "A formidable trainer¡­ This artisan with such a gifted spiritual talent, plus a unique Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon¡­" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That sort of inborn power often comes with a certain destiny. That''s typically how these things go. The more I think about it, the more excited I get!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 43 - 43 "I was planning to buy more Curse Talismans this time... Geez, stop fighting me for the merch." "Are all the people buying Curse Talismans mediums or something?" ... Unova Region, Undella Town. A woman with purple hair and dark skin, dressed in jeans, a work shirt, feather accessories, and various ancient pendants, was currently viewing Hikaru''s store page. Seeing that the Talismans were once again listed as "unavailable," Raifort irritably scratched her head and turned her attention to the newly listed products. They were sculptures? A Gengar sculpture... "It says it makes it easier to find items hidden in dark corners." "Hey! This could be really useful for me! When I''m ''excavating'' ruins, some things are just hidden too well¡ªit''s a real pain." "Gengaa!" Next to Raifort was the very Gengar that had once sent Hikaru a cursed email. It stared at the store page, pointing at the ''Gengar Sculpture'' with a mischievous grin. "You want this sculpture too, Gengar?" Raifort gave a light laugh. "Gengaa!" Gengar raised its arms and shook its plump body, showing just how eager it was to have it. "All right, it just so happens this would help us out. Though if there were a sculpture that let you pass through walls, that''d be even better!" Raifort let her imagination run wild for a moment but then shook her head to dismiss the idea. "When I''m tomb¡ªer, archaeology¡ªraiding, those maze-like walls are annoying, but that''s part of the fun of exploring ruins. If there''s no challenge, I won''t feel as thrilled when I finally uncover ancient artifacts." "Oh well, I heard rumors about some ''undersea ruins'' in Unova, but I haven''t found a thing. Maybe they''re just tall tales. I''ve still got those Cleanse Tags unused. Looks like I''ll head back to Paldea. Unova hasn''t exactly been peaceful lately; that Plasma group is going around promoting their silly ideology..." "Speaking of which, if this person is a craftsperson, maybe they''d have some insight in exploring ruins. These faux-ancient sculptures nearly fooled me at first glance¡ªI actually thought they might be genuine relics, but then the page says they''re replicas." "Does an imitation of history count as part of history, too?" Raifort found herself intrigued by Hikaru. "If I order now and have it shipped to Paldea, by the time I get back, the sculptures should have arrived. Maybe this artisan can make me more special items in the future. I''ve also read in some ancient documents about these ''seal stakes.'' If I can find them or at least pass the info on, he might be very interested." "Still, I need to gather more historical data. Those four Pok¨¦mon¡ªonce considered treasures¡ªwere passed around by humans, gradually accumulating curses and desires¡­" "This is an ancient Paldean legend about how these Pok¨¦mon were sealed away. What item was used for the sealing? If I could crack that mystery¡­ then someday, I might get this craftsperson to help me." "If I do find the locations of the Treasures of Ruin, I might just ask him to break the seals!" Pondering all this, Raifort changed her shipping address and placed an order for the Gengar sculpture. ... Kanto Region, Sevii Islands. In the Sevii Islands, Lance¡ªthe dual Champion of Kanto and Johto, former Dragon-type Elite Four member, and current League Investigator¡ªwas having an informal match with Lorelei, the former Ice-type Elite Four. The outcome was Lance''s victory. To outsiders, that might seem normal, since Lance was the Champion and Lorelei was a former Elite Four member. But as far as Lorelei was concerned, things weren''t so simple. Dragon-types are typically weak to Ice-type moves; so despite Lance being the strongest trainer of the Indigo Plateau, he had often lost to Lorelei in their practice matches. Elite Four members spar with each other regularly to maintain top form. This time, though, things were different! "Well, how about that! My Gyarados didn''t go down even after your Lapras used Thunder, all thanks to the Focus Sash. That''s the bond between me and my Dragon Pok¨¦mon!" Lance was positively elated. After purchasing that peculiar item from some unknown artisan and doing a simple test to confirm it worked, he''d flown straight to the Sevii Islands on his Dragonite to have this match. Lorelei, in order to protect her hometown, had resigned from her position at the Indigo Plateau and was replaced by a new Elite Four member. From Lance''s perspective, now that Lorelei¡ªhis "natural counter"¡ªwas gone, and Red had also left the Indigo Plateau, Lance''s champion title somehow felt¡­ undeserved. "Just because the threat is gone doesn''t mean the weakness has disappeared," he''d told himself. Dragon-types are weak to Ice. Gyarados can''t handle Electric attacks. Those two types were exactly Lorelei''s specialties! "Thank you, Lorelei. Now my Dragon Army no longer fears Ice- or Electric-type moves! Dragon-types are the strongest!" "Strongest? It''s clearly that weird tool making the difference," Lorelei muttered, massaging her temples. Lance laughed uproariously: "No way! The artisan told me: as long as there''s a strong bond between my Pok¨¦mon and me, we can withstand any attack! My Pok¨¦mon will never fall!" "That''s our bond! A trainer without that bond might only survive one fatal hit by using the item, but if you''re truly in sync with your Pok¨¦mon, you can endure more than once!" Lance was in extremely high spirits, leaving Lorelei rather speechless. Finally, she asked, "You managed to buy that odd item¡ªso why can''t I buy one too? Ugh, what are you so smug about? Anyway, it only worked three times. The first was clearly because of the item; the next two times were just luck. By the fourth attack, you went down, didn''t you?" "Also, what''s this store called?" "Hey, Lorelei, thinking of rejoining the League? The Elite Four slots are already full," Lance said, quite serious. "If you really want to return, you''d have to defeat one of the current Elite Four." "I''m not planning on going back. I''m just a regular Pok¨¦mon trainer now. Buying an item shouldn''t be a big deal." Lorelei waved him off. "The Sevii Islands still need me. If Team Rocket shows up again, who''s going to deal with them? Word is they haven''t completely disbanded and are still active." "That''s true¡­" Lance nodded, then recommended Hikaru''s shop to her. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s this shop run by a certain artisan who sells amazing items. They say any tool he crafts gives unique enhancements to Pok¨¦mon and trainers." Lorelei raised an eyebrow. "They say. Who exactly is ''they''?" "A newly appointed Elite Four member who''s also psychic. He said he bought a rare item from that place: a Light Clay turned into a ''Light Pot,'' which can power up Psychic Pok¨¦mon and extend the duration of moves like Light Screen and Reflect." "Right, let me check if the shop has restocked¡ªhuh? Dragonite and Dratini sculptures?!" Lance''s eyes lit up. Upon seeing the description, he immediately placed an order: "Ha! Sculptures that can prevent abnormal status! Lorelei, your freezing specialty is done for! Meanwhile, my Dragon Army has never resorted to cheap tactics like inflicting status conditions. A true battle relies on raw power!" "Idiot." Lorelei rolled her eyes. "I can just ask the artisan to custom-make some sculptures for my Pok¨¦mon, right? They''d have their own special abilities, wouldn''t they?" "I see in the item descriptions that every sculpture has its own effect, consistent with its type." "If I purchase Lapras, Dewgong, and Cloyster sculptures¡ªor buy some unique tools¡ªyou might be the one losing next time." At that, Lance momentarily had no retort. He just muttered, "Well, I''m sure that store will sell even more great stuff, and then I''ll still win!" Ignoring him, Lorelei sent an email to Hikaru. Just as she''d said, she had clearly seen how much Lance''s new item had improved his performance. Naturally, she wanted something equally powerful. ... Paldea Region, Artazon Town. "This work¡­ it''s practically avant-garde!" A slender man with wisteria-colored curls, wearing a wine-red shirt, was browsing art pieces online when he came across Hikaru''s shop. The ancient-style sculptures caught his eye immediately. This man was Brassius, the Gym Leader of Artazon Town, also known for his skill in sculpture art. While he was getting all excited, the tall man beside him, who had blond hair, a green coat, gray pants, and a bright red bow tie, nodded in agreement. This was the Dragon Tamer Hassel. "Indeed, Hassel¡ªsuch masterful faux-ancient workmanship is avant-garde art in its own right!" "Exactly! Retro-style art can transport people through time. That nostalgic atmosphere draws everyone in. Compared to modern-day chaos, the past feels simpler, more comforting. That illusion of the ''classic and eternal'' is the powerful charm of all things vintage!" "This shop is a treasure trove!" "Oh! There''s a Dratini here¡­ This Dratini¡­ so avant-garde! I want to have an in-depth exchange with this craftsperson¡ªno, this art master!" A light seemed to shimmer in Hassel''s eyes. "There''s an art exhibition later this year. I''d love to invite this artist to attend!" "My inspiration is surging! A retro style¡­like an ancient ruin''s sculpture¡ªmysterious and wondrous!" Brassius said, "The Dragonite sculpture looks great, too! Plus, the listing says these sculptures have special effects¡­ I can''t help being curious. Could it be just a sales pitch? Well, either way, the price for such artwork is worth it!" "Anyway, shall we place an order? We''ll get acquainted first, then invite him!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 44 - 44 Meanwhile, after gathering enough wood, Hikaru turned his gaze toward the depths of the forest and ventured inside with Doublade for a brief exploration. "If I arrange the Symbol Plates to spell out Celebi''s name, will it accelerate plant growth? The abilities of the Symbol Plates correspond to Pok¨¦mon, and it''s said that forests where Celebi has appeared always flourish with dense vegetation." "I should try it when I get back and see if it can speed up the growth of herbs and crops. Since it promotes tree growth, it must also enhance soil fertility." Milking Legendary and Mythical Pok¨¦mon for benefits? A little bit doesn''t count as exploitation. As Hikaru explored the forest, he encountered various Pok¨¦mon, including the common Spinarak, Pidgey, and Caterpie. There were also Paras with mushrooms growing on their backs, Cottonee hanging from trees, and Kricketune perched on branches, producing xylophone-like sounds. Along the roadside, motionless Sunkern, clusters of shy Shroomish, Furret standing on their tails, and Murkrow dozing off were visible. On the ground, Diglett peeked out of burrows, and a Croagunk stood at the roadside, staring at Hikaru. "H-hello, I''m just passing through." Hikaru greeted the Croagunk, which puffed up its cheeks and let out a low croaking sound while staring at him with dull eyes, its head slowly rotating like a machine. As Hikaru ventured deeper into the forest, he wondered if there might be different terrain ahead. If he kept going, he could follow the trees'' guidance into the Sacred Forest of the Northwestern Lands, an ancient and perilous woodland. "I remember a villager saying he once ventured inside with Bibarel to gather firewood but was attacked by a Scyther. But since we''re on a different path, I shouldn''t have to worry about that." Recalling the villager''s warning, Hikaru pressed on, primarily aiming to search for Tough Salt. And fortune favored the diligent¡ªsoon, Hikaru discovered a pinkish mineral with properties almost identical to rock salt! Impurities in the salt veins caused the rock salt to appear pink or beet red, but due to the cover of trees and stones, it was difficult to spot. [Rare Material: Tough Salt] [Description: A translucent mineral. Grass- and Rock-type Pok¨¦mon favor it, and it can attract them to its location.] [Acquired Craft: Lure Food Preparation] [Gained Knowledge: +1] [Fast Mining: +10% Mining Efficiency] "If Tough Salt is considered rock salt, then it must be a crystallized form of surface rock salt." Hikaru started mining and soon filled a bag. Doublade also packed a small bag, and as the wind whispered through the forest, the Pok¨¦mon nearby gradually disappeared as the mining progressed. "Come to think of it, none of the Pok¨¦mon I encountered were particularly strong... and I haven''t seen any Oddish." Oddish was practically ubiquitous in the Pok¨¦mon world, being one of the most fundamental and essential Pok¨¦mon in any ecosystem. Yet, Hikaru hadn''t seen a single one along his journey. Unluckily, he also hadn''t found any fruit-bearing trees producing Apricorns. It seemed that this area wasn''t suitable for Apricorn growth, or perhaps they had already been eaten by Pok¨¦mon. Even land without soft soil could sustain Apricorn trees, though they would grow more slowly and bear fewer fruits. Crackle. Hikaru heard a strange noise. Had he entered Scyther''s territory? No, there were no signs of slashing. It was said that Scyther would cut down trees to hone their scythes. Soon, Hikaru stumbled upon something remarkable¡ªApricorns! A nearby Apricorn tree bore dark-colored fruits, standing alone in a small grassy clearing. The ground slightly bulged like a miniature platform, and there was a noticeable gap between the tree and its surroundings. The presence of an Apricorn tree indicated that the soil here was highly fertile. A round, Apricorn-like Pok¨¦mon rolled into view! "Hisui Voltorb!" Hikaru hadn''t expected to see one so soon. However, after hiding behind a tree and observing for a while, he didn''t spot any other Voltorb or the large Hisuian Electrode. The Hisuian Voltorb let out a gleeful giggle, then shot a bunch of electrically charged seeds from its head before rolling in place a few times and using Rollout! The attack struck the Apricorn tree, knocking several dark Apricorns onto the seeds below. The Hisuian Voltorb then cackled and rolled away. ...So it just came here to crash into things? That felt strangely mischievous. "Wait, maybe this is a form of sowing. It''s said that Hisuian Voltorb''s composition is similar to Apricorns, and they spread seeds through the holes in their heads." "Perhaps, at some point, these seeds fuse with the Apricorns and turn into something like an egg." "Pok¨¦mon eggs always appear suddenly, without any clear signs. To this day, no one has witnessed the exact moment an egg comes into existence." "But not all Pok¨¦mon need eggs to develop. For example, Exeggutor¡ªif its faces fall off, they become its pre-evolution, Exeggcute." "I''ve just witnessed something incredibly rare. This could be how Hisuian Voltorb reproduces¡ªthrough the fusion of Apricorns and seeds, much like Exeggutor and Exeggcute. One day, these Apricorns might turn into Pok¨¦mon." After the Hisuian Voltorb rolled away, Hikaru approached the Apricorn tree and gathered all the fallen Apricorns and seeds. [Rare Material: Black Apricorn] [Description: A black-colored Apricorn with an indescribable fragrance. Used as a crafting material for Pok¨¦ Balls. Some Pok¨¦mon enjoy its flesh, consuming the interior while leaving the tough outer shell.] [Acquired Craft: +1] [Apricorn Processing Craft (B+): In ancient times, artisans would hollow out and fire Apricorns, inserting specialized Pok¨¦mon-catching nets to craft Pok¨¦ Balls. Apricorn-made Pok¨¦ Balls typically possess unique properties.] [Missing Requirement: Net Weaving Craft] [Can Be Crafted: Hisui Pok¨¦ Ball (Requires Jade, Scrap Iron, Brown Apricorn).] [Rare Material: Voltorb Seed (From Hisuian Voltorb).] [Description: Seeds dispersed by Hisuian Voltorb. They seem to parasitize Apricorns and, when gathered in large quantities, generate electricity, functioning as natural batteries.] [Gained Knowledge: +1] [Seed Mutation: Crops and Apricorn trees planted by you have a 5% chance to mutate.] "So, they weren''t Electric Seeds but rather a rare Pok¨¦mon material. Since Hisuian Pok¨¦mon are scarce, their seeds are considered rare materials. However, when they are ejected, they resemble Electric Seeds, crackling with electricity." Most of the mature Apricorns had been knocked down by Hisuian Voltorb, while the unripe ones remained on the tree. It was known that excessive harvesting could kill an Apricorn tree. The ground was also littered with many long-rotten Apricorns, suggesting that Hisuian Voltorb''s sowing process was not always successful. "Even though the Sacred Lands have a climate similar to Hisui, this isn''t actually Hisui. That''s likely why Hisuian Pok¨¦mon struggle to thrive here¡ªthey''re constantly searching for Apricorns to sustain their population." "And since Hisuian Voltorb cackles and discharges electricity so often, it must be why other Pok¨¦mon have fled. Its presence around the Apricorn tree probably scared them off. When it gets excited, it releases accumulated electricity all at once through its head, shocking everything nearby. In ancient villages, it was said that people would seal its wooden head openings before driving it away." Recalling this amusing Pok¨¦dex entry from when he played the games, Hikaru couldn''t help but chuckle. "It rolled off west-northwest, towards the area where Petilil reside." Having gathered plenty of materials, Hikaru and Doublade left, ensuring to mark their path on nearby trees. However, Hikaru pondered aloud, "What if the trees recover quickly, or if a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon passes by and restores them?" Doublade thought for a moment before spotting some rocks nearby. The two blades immediately went to work, slicing and carving a crude yet distinctive stone marker. "Yo!" It might have been shoddy craftsmanship, but at least it was unique¡ªno way they''d lose their way now! As they departed, the surrounding bushes rustled. A small, turtle-like Pok¨¦mon peeked out. A special sprout grew from its head, and upon seeing that both Hisuian Voltorb and Hikaru had left, it let out a sigh of relief. "Turtwig." The Turtwig carefully surveyed the area. After confirming that no intruders remained, it emerged from the bushes. Strange plants grew atop the soil-covered shell on its back, with particularly eye-catching patches of red. Powerful Herbs and Nature Mints! It circled behind the Apricorn tree, quickly dug a small hole, and nestled inside, raising its leafy sprout as it used Synthesis. Blending in with the fertile soil, Turtwig nurtured the plants on its back and settled in for a restful nap. But¡­ this area was frequently visited by Hisuian Voltorb. Turtwig sighed. Maybe it was time to find a new home. The forest had become so chaotic lately¡ªScyther, Ursaring, shadowy ghosts, rolling electric balls, and that strange rock-digging giant¡­ "Shi~!" A peculiar, ethereal giggle echoed in Turtwig''s ears. It immediately jolted awake, glancing around nervously. A grass-green Pok¨¦mon had materialized beside it, startling the little turtle! Turtwig had never seen such a Pok¨¦mon before. Was it after the plants on its back?! The green Pok¨¦mon murmured softly, then pointed in Hikaru''s direction. Turtwig hesitated, glancing that way before shaking its head. If it lived among humans, they''d pluck all the plants off its back! The green Pok¨¦mon simply shook its head, indicating that it had seen plenty of thriving plants in that human''s land. The environment there was brimming with life! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 45 - 45 After carrying the wood back to the workshop, Hikaru noticed that over ten new orders had appeared on his computer. Even the entire stock of sculptures had been completely sold out, instantly lifting his spirits. Not only that, but multiple customers had placed requests for custom sculptures. [Avant-Garde Art], [Gible Senpai], [Snowy Doll], [Pok¨¦mon Observer]. "These IDs are quite unique¡­ They want sculptures of Sudowoodo, Gible, Lapras, Cloyster, Dewgong, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle?" "In that case, the remaining ruin stones won''t be enough. I''ll have to look for more ruins." "Everything''s moving in a good direction! Thanks, Bugsy! This must be your doing!" "Having a Gym Leader as a customer really makes things easier." Regardless of whether it was intentional promotion or passive word-of-mouth, the products were now selling well, and sales continued to rise! However, sculptures were fragile goods. Still, even if damaged, Hikaru''s sculptures retained their effects unless they were completely shattered into powder or had their heads broken off to the point where they no longer resembled Pok¨¦mon. Losing a hand or a tail? Minor injuries¡ªnothing fatal. It would just make them look a little ugly. Hikaru had already tested this by intentionally breaking one sculpture. Fortunately, the ruin stone parts remained reusable, meaning only ordinary stone materials were lost in the process. Before shipping, Hikaru ensured proper protective measures were in place. Some sculptures were carved in separate parts and then assembled, making transportation easier and reducing damage rates. For shipping, the best approach was to fill the crates with foam padding and cotton, ensuring stability during transport. Thus, Hikaru applied for large-item shipping. While a single sculpture was a small item, combined together, they formed a large shipment. However, he didn''t have foam padding or cotton at hand, so he needed to buy them first before proceeding with packaging. This would also streamline his future shipping processes. Charizard Has Work to Do! "The delivery locations are New Bark Town, Sandgem Town, Sinnoh''s Battle Frontier, Seven Island, Azalea Town... Oh, there''s also Deep Pot Town¡ªis that an order from the Paldea region?" "A wild customer appeared!" After contacting the Pok¨¦mon Center in Smoky Ink City, Hikaru and Doublade went to process the wood they had brought back. Doublade once again unleashed a Double Night Slash, swiftly cutting the wood into neatly stacked firewood. The logs were moved into the cabin, stacked in the corner and warehouse. During this process, Petilil came over to help. Hikaru was surprised to find that, despite her small frame, she possessed incredible strength. She easily pushed logs with her head, though the leaves on her head were pressed down, they quickly bounced back once she let go of the wood. "Petiii~" Petilil lifted her tiny skirt proudly, expressing that ever since her last prayer, she had felt much stronger. Her increased Attack IV had also boosted her physical strength. By the time they finished processing a portion of the firewood, the sky had darkened. Seeing that there was still a fair amount left on the cart, Hikaru decided to turn the rest into charcoal. Making charcoal was simple, but the simpler something seemed, the harder it was to perfect. The difference between high-quality and low-quality charcoal was obvious at a glance, so Hikaru needed to prepare thoroughly. While he could probably find some charcoal in the village, it wouldn''t necessarily meet his standards. And regular charcoal wasn''t exactly a rare material¡ªit was just a common fuel source. Since it was already late, he would have to wait until tomorrow to work on it. Altering the Symbol Plate¡ªSummoning Celebi? That night, in his workshop, Hikaru adjusted the wording on the Symbol Plate to "Celebi." Immediately, a mysterious sensation filled the room. It was as if the workshop itself had come alive. This vibrant life energy spread outward, visibly affecting the surrounding plants! Hikaru stepped outside and was stunned to find that the biggest changes had occurred not in the herbs or crops, but in the fruit trees! Previously, the fruit trees had only just begun to sprout tiny buds, but merely altering the Symbol Plate had caused them to grow visibly taller! Skipping Growth Stages? "In the games, fruit trees normally go through seven stages: Planting, Sprouting, Growing, Rising, Budding, Blooming, and Fruiting. In a warm and humid region like Hoenn, the entire process only takes five stages!" "But now, the trees have skipped straight from Sprouting to Growing!" "So that''s how it works¡ªthe effect of Celebi''s name is a ''growth stage jump''?" Hikaru was overjoyed. Checking the herbs and crops, he found that they had also advanced by an entire growth stage. Particularly the Tumbling Beans, which had already grown nearly half a meter tall and needed a trellis. This was incredibly useful! It greatly reduced plant growth time! "Petii~" Petilil stared in disbelief at the scene before her. She had no idea what Hikaru had done, but the surrounding plants had suddenly skipped an entire growth stage. Her little brain simply couldn''t comprehend what had just happened! Meanwhile, Doublade floated out proudly. "See? This is the power of special artifacts! And that strange Symbol Plate? Yeah, I helped craft it!" This wasn''t an exaggeration¡ªit was an undeniable achievement! Petilil was shocked at first but then happily shook the leaves on her head. However, as she thought about something, her joy faded into disappointment. "If this kind of power exists, then my help in tending to the land¡­ isn''t needed at all." If the farm could flourish without her, what would happen to her work? And the rewards she was supposed to receive? "Yo!" Doublade noticed her distress and patted her leaves with both ribbons before turning to Hikaru. "The power of the Symbol Plate is only temporary," Hikaru reassured her. "If I change the engraving, this ability will disappear. A true master of cultivation doesn''t rely on artifacts but can grow strong and healthy plants naturally." Hikaru knelt down and gently stroked Petilil''s leaves. "You don''t have to worry. Just keep doing your usual work. Like I said, the Plate is just an aid, not the core of our farming efforts." "The knowledge you gain from hands-on experience is the key to true growth. Even if we end this season''s planting now, there''s always the next season, and the one after that. No power is unlimited." Hearing this, Petilil''s mood lifted. She bounced happily and hugged Hikaru''s hand, feeling much better. "These next few days are going to be busy! Let''s all work hard together!" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a joyful heart, Hikaru returned to his workshop, while Doublade and Petilil followed him inside. Petilil still preferred staying in the soil. Over the past couple of days, as the surrounding herbs, crops, and fruit trees continued to sprout and grow, the land had become even more vibrant¡ªespecially after today''s event. As the land settled into peaceful silence and everyone drifted off to sleep¡­ A peculiar Pok¨¦mon descended from the rooftop, landing in the herb field. It gestured towards the forest, calling forth a Turtwig that cautiously emerged. "Turt!" Turtwig was amazed by the rich life energy in this place. Spotting Petilil sleeping nearby, it beamed with excitement. This place was incredible! The green Pok¨¦mon proudly puffed out its chest. "Shi!" See? I wasn''t lying! This land is truly amazing! I''m the Forest Guardian, I don''t deceive Pok¨¦mon! If you''re still worried about being discovered, you can come here at night to soak in the soil! "Turt¡­" Turtwig hesitated, feeling a little guilty. Sneaking onto someone else''s land felt wrong, but if it got caught, all the plants on its back would be plucked clean¡­ Maybe¡­ it should just visit at night and leave before dawn? Had Hikaru woken up at that moment, he would have discovered the Pok¨¦mon leading Turtwig¡ªthe Mythical Pok¨¦mon from Johto, the Forest Guardian, Celebi! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 46 - 46 "Wait, why did all the crops suddenly mature overnight?!" The next morning, when Hikaru woke up, he was greeted by a confused Petilil standing in the middle of the field. All the plants they had cultivated had reached full maturity and were ready for harvest! Hikaru even thought for a moment that he had overslept for an entire month! ¡ºPetilil has completed a crafting task!¡» ¡ºLearned the move: Pollen Puff.¡» ¡ºPetilil has gained Knowledge: +1¡» ¡ºHarvest Season: By cultivating various crops, Petilil''s overall stats will grow more easily.¡» Reading the notification, Hikaru glanced at Petilil. All stats would now be easier to grow? That was quite an impressive result, but it was likely linked to this strange phenomenon. However, Petilil was still caught up in excitement, seemingly unaware that she had undergone a significant change. Looking around at the mature crops, Hikaru''s gaze eventually fell on a small pit in the soil¡ªone that looked like it had been dug up and then refilled. "Petilil, did you dig this hole?" Petilil tilted her head in confusion. "Peti?" "Huh, not you? Then¡­" Just as Hikaru was wondering about it, he suddenly heard a cheerful voice: "Shi!" On the roof of the workshop, a light-green Pok¨¦mon sat happily, swinging its small feet and gently shaking its head as it watched Hikaru and his two Pok¨¦mon step out of the wooden house. Hikaru couldn''t believe his eyes. It was Celebi! The guardian deity of the forest! "I see¡­ so that''s the reason¡­" Hikaru muttered repeatedly. Celebi stood up on the roof, flapped its tiny wings, and gracefully flew toward them, greeting Petilil and Doublade. "Shi!" "Yo!" "Peti!" Petilil gazed at Celebi with admiration. Was this mysterious Pok¨¦mon responsible for making all the plants grow overnight? When would she be able to do the same? Meanwhile, both of Doublade''s eyes were fixated on Celebi, as if it had just thought of something. "Yo~!" Right! This guy was definitely from the forest! Hey, if Celebi''s around, then preserving the forest is unnecessary, right? Just chop down trees freely, and they''ll grow back the next day. This ability was way too convenient! Doublade failed to realize that, despite being a sword¡ªno, two swords¡ªit had completely adopted the perspective of a lumberjack. "The Symbol Slate can establish a connection with corresponding Pok¨¦mon," Hikaru recalled, repeatedly mulling over the sentence. At that moment, Celebi suddenly flew back to the roof. Then, it returned holding a wooden carving, looking very excited. "Shi!" Hikaru was surprised before quickly understanding: "You like the carvings I made?" Celebi nodded with a smile. "Shi!" Then, it extended a tiny finger, pointing toward the depths of the forest before circling around Hikaru, signaling for him to follow. Celebi. Shrine. Forest depths. Carving. A few key words connected in Hikaru''s mind, and he seemed to grasp the answer. Meanwhile, Doublade had already begun chattering, acting as a translator. "I see. Celebi is saying that there''s an old shrine in the forest that needs repair, and it wants me to restore it using my carving skills?" "And it specifically needs ''Ancient Carving Techniques,'' correct?" Hikaru understood now! So Celebi wanted him to help restore the shrine! Celebi''s shrines existed in many forests. It seemed that in ancient times, thousands of years ago, people across various regions worshipped Celebi. In the games, Celebi''s shrines were even significant locations for time travel. And speaking of Celebi''s most famous shrine, that would undoubtedly be Ilex Forest in the Johto region! Originally, Hikaru had planned to work on charcoal burning today. However, since all the herbs and crops had ripened overnight, they had to be harvested as soon as possible. Celebi seemed to realize this as well and smiled awkwardly. It appeared to have disrupted Hikaru''s plans. "It''s fine. Let''s focus on harvesting these herbs and crops today. I should be thanking you¡ªotherwise, it would have taken me many days to collect all of these. Now my stock is fully replenished." Hikaru didn''t mind at all and even completely forgot about the small pit. He then assured Celebi: "Once I''m done here, I''ll help you repair the shrine." At the same time, he pondered over the meaning of the Symbol Slate. Initially, he understood that arranging the characters actively could establish a connection with corresponding Pok¨¦mon, but there was a second part to the description. Some Pok¨¦mon may also take the initiative to establish a connection with the Symbol Slate. Did that mean that, sometimes, the slate would form words on its own, and those Pok¨¦mon¡ªlike Celebi¡ªwould be drawn to him? This connection might not be "telepathy" or "direct communication," but more of a vague prophecy. When Pok¨¦mon related to him were about to appear in the future, the slate would arrange its characters accordingly. That was his theory. "Friend¡­ All life meets and creates new things." For some reason, Hikaru thought of the inscription on the Solaceon Ruins in the Sinnoh region. Yes. The Symbol Slate used Unown characters, and the slab in Solaceon Ruins was similar. It even contained that very phrase, which was also Cynthia''s favorite motto. Looking ahead, Celebi had quickly bonded with Petilil and Doublade, and the three Pok¨¦mon were now working together to gather the herbs, crops, and berries. "Shi!" Celebi plucked a berry and handed it to Hikaru, expressing its willingness to help. "Thank you." Hikaru reached out but hesitated for a moment. Sensing what he wanted to do, Celebi did not retreat. Instead, it proactively grasped his hand. Celebi''s touch was like a soft leaf¡ªso delicate that Hikaru momentarily lost himself in the sensation. His mind felt at peace, as if a gentle breeze rustled through him, accompanied by a faint, chiming sound. "Healing Bell." Hikaru snapped back to reality and saw Celebi smiling at him. It confirmed that Celebi had just used the move. Healing Bell¡ªa soothing chime that cured all status conditions of allied Pok¨¦mon. With the help of Celebi, Petilil, and Doublade, Hikaru quickly gathered all the herbs, crops, and berries and stored them in the workshop. Since this marked the end of the cultivation process, Hikaru gained another point of Knowledge, while Petilil and Doublade received experience and growth. ¡ºHarvesting task completed.¡» ¡ºGained Knowledge: 1¡» ¡ºBetter Harvest: Herbs will have stronger effects, crops will taste better, and berries will provide more energy.¡» ¡ºDoublade has gained experience and growth through work.¡» ¡ºPetilil has gained experience and growth through work.¡» Unexpectedly, Hikaru also saw information about Celebi. ¡ºCelebi has gained experience and growth through work.¡» Even external Pok¨¦mon could grow by actively participating in work¡ªjust like the Dugtrio before. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru''s expression became somewhat amused. He had previously thought about "farming experience" from a Mythical Pok¨¦mon. He never expected it to actually work! At the same time, since he had successfully cultivated under "Permafrost Farming Techniques," Hikaru gained a clue to a new material! [Rare Material: Wood from Ilex Forest] [Location: Ilex Forest] [Related Craft: Unique Charcoal Burning Technique] "Shi?" Celebi sensed an unusual burst of Grass-type energy emanating from the harvested herbs and crops, slowly gathering into its body. Did it just get stronger? Strange things always happened unexpectedly. Celebi knew it must have been because of this remarkable human. After finishing the harvest, Hikaru returned to the cabin, picked up a stone block, and began carving. This time, he was, of course, sculpting Celebi. As Hikaru worked, all three Pok¨¦mon gathered around him curiously. Celebi sat on the table, Petilil tilted her head in fascination, while Doublade was boasting about Hikaru''s carving skills¡ªboth swords competing over who could praise him more! Celebi, thoroughly amused, beamed with joy. Before long, the carving was complete. Hikaru knew well¡ªhis accumulated knowledge and skills were never in vain. ¡ºCrafted Item: Small [Ancient Statue] ¨C Sinjoh Ruins Style.¡» ¡ºDescription: A statue carved in an ancient style. Some Celebi enthusiasts may pay a high price for it.¡» ¡ºEffect 1: Memory Recall ¨C Allows Pok¨¦mon to remember moves they once knew but had forgotten.¡» ¡ºEffect 2: Child of the Forest ¨C Prevents getting lost in forests and reduces encounters with wild Pok¨¦mon.¡» (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 47 - 47 The special effects of Celebi''s statue include move re-learning and protection from wild Pok¨¦mon attacks in the forest¡ªhighly practical abilities! At the same time, Hikaru recalled the Pok¨¦mon: Celebi - Voice of the Forest movie. In that film, when Ash and his friends entered the forest with Celebi, they were not attacked by any wild Pok¨¦mon. In fact, led by Ursaring, the Pok¨¦mon even guided them along the way. Celebi, known as the guardian deity of the forest, is revered by all Pok¨¦mon and has left behind many unique legends across different eras. As for move re-learning, while Pok¨¦mon in the real world of Pok¨¦mon rarely forget moves they''ve learned, there are exceptions. For example, "moves that can be learned before evolution but become unavailable after evolving." "Tiii!" Celebi caressed its own statue, looking very pleased! At the same time, it sensed a mysterious power contained within the statue. While it couldn''t fully comprehend it, it felt a deep connection to it. It was quite similar to the ancient statues carved for it by humans! Afterward, Celebi flitted around Hikaru''s workshop, poking here and touching there. When it saw moss being cultivated in some flower pots, it reached out and touched them. Immediately, Hikaru received feedback from the system: [Rare Material: Luminous Moss] [Description: A single-use glowing moss. If the Pok¨¦mon holding it is hit by a Water-type move, its Special Defense will increase.] [Knowledge Acquired: +1] [Moss Mastery: If Luminous Moss is transplanted onto a rock, there is a chance it will transform into "Mossy Rock."] ¡ºCelebi has completed a crafting task, gaining experience and growth!¡» ¡ºLearned the move: Helping Hand.¡» Hikaru chuckled inwardly. Well, I just gained myself. In the Pok¨¦mon world, many names are derived from plants, and Hikaru was no exception. Hikaru refers to a type of moss, which also happens to be a battle item. For Pok¨¦mon weak to Water-type moves, this luminous moss can help them resist Water-type attacks effectively. "If it were transplanted onto a Pok¨¦mon like Onix, maybe it could make them resistant to Water. What should I call a Pok¨¦mon like that? Mossy Onix?" "If an Onix covered itself in a layer of moss over time, could it even develop a Grass typing?" While contemplating, Hikaru completed another crafting process¡ªthis time with Celebi''s help. The moss cultivation technique was successfully developed, unlocking a new material hint! [Rare Material: Unique Woodland Sapling] [Obtaining Locations: Oak Woods / Viridian Forest / Petalburg Woods / White Forest / Santalune Forest / Glimwood Tangle] [Corresponding Craft: Unique Tree Cultivation Technique] "Bii!" Celebi gazed happily at the glowing moss in the pot, appearing carefree and joyful, as if nothing could trouble it. As for the Symbol Plate and the Arceus statue, Celebi had already secretly examined them the previous night! "Labi!" Celebi pointed at the glowing moss, expressing its wish. Now that the shrine was repaired, Celebi hoped to transplant some of these glowing mosses as decorations. Hikaru hadn''t expected such a request, but it was a great idea! Adding moss as a decoration would enhance the shrine''s aged and sacred atmosphere. He gave Celebi a thumbs-up. "That''s a brilliant idea!" "Bii!" Celebi puffed out its chest proudly. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru laughed as well. "Looks like you approve of my craftsmanship. Then tomorrow, we''ll help you restore the shrine. You''ve helped me out a lot, after all." "But to properly restore ancient carvings and ruins, I''ll need Ancient Rocks or Ruin Stones. My supply of stones from the Shinto Ruins is almost depleted." Hikaru scratched his head. Ruin Stones were the easiest to acquire, but he lacked a good mode of transportation, making travel to the Shinto Ruins inconvenient. Besides, the ruins served a special purpose, and if he kept returning, Grandpa Yama and Wataro would probably think he was restocking supplies. "Do you know where I can find Ancient Rocks or Ruin Stones?" Hearing Hikaru''s question, Celebi pressed its tiny hand to its chin, lifted its little head, and its eyes gleamed with recollection. Before long, it exclaimed excitedly! "Tiii!" Yes, there was a ruin! Northwest of Shinto Forest, there was a collapsed and ruined structure. It wasn''t anything important, and there was nothing valuable inside¡ªonly some strange stones. As for why it collapsed, it seemed to be due to a Pok¨¦mon battle? That ruin had been in ruins for a long time! "Labi!" Celebi detailed the state of the ruins while Doublade translated with a series of eerie yo-yo-yo sounds. Meanwhile, Petilil swayed its leaves, pondering how it should handle battles with Voltorb when it returned to the forest. In Shinto Forest, powerful Pok¨¦mon marked their own territories. If one invaded another''s domain, battles would break out. It wasn''t surprising that some unfortunate ruins had been destroyed in the process. As for Ancient Rocks, Hikaru wasn''t even sure what qualified as one. Was it defined from a geological standpoint? If so, then there were way too many possibilities. Would a rock from a thousand years ago count? What about one from a hundred million or a billion years ago? That said, the Pok¨¦mon world hadn''t existed for that long. "Anyway, let''s go check out the ruins tomorrow!" Now that Hikaru had Celebi''s statue, he could safely venture deep into the forest. The wild Pok¨¦mon wouldn''t attack him¡ªthis effect was far superior to that of the Cleanse Tag! The Cleanse Tag could repel weak wild Pok¨¦mon, but against stronger, higher-level ones, it lost its effectiveness. At that moment, Celebi suddenly spoke: "Bii!" Recently, many Pok¨¦mon in Shinto Forest had been acting restless, even leaving their habitats. "Huh? Is that so?" Hikaru recalled the Scyther incident mentioned in the village. However, Celebi simply patted its tiny chest confidently, as if to say there was no problem at all. "Tii, bibi, labi!" No worries! Just follow me inside, and those Pok¨¦mon won''t attack us! It held its head high and puffed out its chest, looking quite different from the Celebi Hikaru had seen in the anime. Could this Celebi''s personality be¡­ arrogant? Or perhaps bold? Hikaru took out a Pecha Berry and offered it to Celebi. It happily accepted and ate it without hesitation. However, when Hikaru handed it a Figy Berry, Celebi shook its head. Figy Berries restore one-third of a Pok¨¦mon''s maximum HP but cause confusion if the Pok¨¦mon dislikes spicy flavors. "Oh, I see. Your nature is Bold." No wonder it actively approached him. Normally, Mythical Pok¨¦mon weren''t fond of interacting with humans, but a Bold-natured Pok¨¦mon would be curious enough to try new things. "Tii?" Celebi floated onto the workbench, nibbling on the Pecha Berry while tapping Hikaru''s arm with its tiny fingers. Do you need any other materials? After Doublade translated, Hikaru thought for a moment and replied: "Could you get me a sapling from Oak Woods?" In Johto, the best-quality trees came from Oak Woods. Hikaru had chopped many trees from the outskirts of Shinto Forest but hadn''t triggered any new crafting techniques. He wanted to cultivate a tree from Oak Woods to see what made it special. Even charcoal made from Oak Woods had mysterious effects. Now was the perfect time to use the new crafting knowledge he had obtained. "Tii~" A sapling from Oak Woods? No problem! Celebi confidently patted its chest again. While the Celebi worshiped in Oak Woods wasn''t her, all Celebis could use the shrines scattered across different regions to travel through time. Without hesitation, Celebi soared outside. Under the watchful eyes of Hikaru and his two Pok¨¦mon, it performed a time jump! A radiant glow of time energy swirled, and soon, Celebi returned¡ªusing its psychic power to carry an Oak Woods sapling, gently placing it in front of Hikaru! "Tii!" Celebi beamed proudly, tilting its head high. Time travel is amazing, right? It had instantly traveled to Oak Woods, pulled out a sapling, and returned! Since Oak Woods had a shrine, she could teleport there directly. "That''s¡­ incredible!" Even though Hikaru had seen this countless times in games, witnessing it in reality was an entirely different experience. His praise was genuine. Celebi puffed up even more proudly! As soon as Hikaru touched the sapling, information flooded into his mind: [Rare Material: Oak Woods Sapling] [Description: A unique sapling from Oak Woods. Although the entire forest consists of oak trees, they cannot be found growing elsewhere. Once fully grown, the oak tree can be used to create top-quality ''charcoal.'' In the shadow cast by its canopy, time is considered ''nighttime.''] [Acquired Crafting Knowledge: +2] [Unique Charcoal Crafting (C-): Gained knowledge of crafting the finest-quality charcoal. Charcoal burned from Oak Woods trees possesses special effects.] [Unique Sapling Cultivation (C+): Saplings from specific forests can be transplanted anywhere while retaining their original forest''s special properties.] Two new techniques related to trees¡ªjust as Hikaru had anticipated when he first discovered clues about them. So, that''s how it works! Hikaru had noticed that both of the material hints Celebi had provided earlier included Oak Woods. He had assumed that each crafting technique corresponded to a single material, but that wasn''t entirely correct. Some materials could be linked to multiple techniques¡ªit just required the right conditions to trigger them. Still, even if he hadn''t obtained the second crafting technique today, he could always acquire it by visiting another forest. Crafting knowledge wouldn''t disappear, and neither would the materials. "I thought today''s workload would be lighter, but it looks like I''ve got a lot more to do!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 48 - 48 Hikaru rolled up his sleeves, ready to get to work! Harvesting medicinal herbs required processing them into traditional medicine. This way, he could refine his pharmaceutical crafting skills and unlock new materials. For the sapling cultivation, Hikaru chose a hillside to plant the tree. Once the initial planting was done, Celebi confidently patted its chest, signaling that everything was in good hands! The Oak Woods sapling was planted on a nearby slope, and Celebi used its powers to accelerate its growth at an unbelievable rate. The sapling rapidly passed through its growth stages¡ªtaller, thicker, stronger¡ªuntil it transformed into a towering tree! Hikaru watched in awe at this miraculous scene, while Celebi flew over, grinning expectantly, as if waiting for praise. "You really are amazing!" Hikaru didn''t hold back on his compliments. "With a tree this big, I can finally produce that special charcoal." "Plus, I can carve even stronger wooden sculptures from Oak Woods timber!" And where there''s one, there''s two¡ªwho''s to say Celebi can''t fetch another Oak Woods sapling? "Maybe one day, after gathering all sorts of unique saplings, I can plant them around the workshop and create a Forest of Wonders¡ªa blend of trees from different regions, each with its own special abilities and characteristics." Just imagining such a landscape filled Hikaru with excitement. Of course, transplanting foreign tree species could sometimes lead to ecological imbalance. However, as Hikaru glanced at the vast and seemingly endless Shinto Forest, he wondered¡ª Would this massive forest even care about a few new tree species? The sheer number of towering trees in Shinto Forest was beyond count! Besides, Digletts frequently gnawed on tree roots and seemed to have no particular preference. That alone acted as a form of natural ecological control. Once the planting was complete, Hikaru had Doublade cut the branches from the enormous oak tree, gather the wood, and store it properly. Meanwhile, he and Petilil began preparing traditional medicine. Celebi curiously observed both processes¡ªwatching Doublade practicing Fury Cutter while chopping trees, before eventually drifting over to the workshop entrance to check out Hikaru''s herbal crafting. Floating in midair, Celebi watched as Hikaru processed the herbs. Petilil shook the leaves on its head, and Hikaru plucked one to mix with previously collected herbs for drying. "Use Sunny Day." At Hikaru''s command, Petilil swayed its head. Even after a leaf was plucked, new ones would sprout immediately, as long as it had enough energy. "Bai! ()o¡î" Petilil used Sunny Day! A powerful sunlight beamed down, helping dry the herbs. This was the traditional sun-drying method, which removed moisture from medicinal ingredients using solar energy. However, sun-drying wasn''t suitable for all herbs. Some required oven-drying, especially berry-based medicines, while others needed shade-drying to preserve their medicinal value. Different drying techniques had to be used accordingly¡ªfire pits, heated walls, or burning agricultural waste, branches, and firewood to provide the necessary heat. Juicier medicinal fruits, for instance, needed to be quickly dried at temperatures between 70¨C90¡ãC to prevent nutrient loss. Hikaru also recalled that more advanced traditional medicine could incorporate spores to alter medicinal properties. Pok¨¦mon that could use Spore, such as Parasect, might play a role in medicine-making. Additionally, ingredients from Pok¨¦mon¡ªlike Toxicroak''s venom or Seadra''s spines¡ªcould be used for medicinal purposes. Something to experiment with in the future. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Celebi flitted back and forth, observing the drying herbs on one side and Doublade''s rapid swordplay on the other. Time flew by, and within an hour and a half, Hikaru''s first batch of dried herbs was complete. "Alright, time to grind them!" Hikaru moved the dried herbs into the medicine-crafting room, prepared the grinding tools, and began processing them. Before long, he had produced his first batch of traditional medicine! ¡ºCrafting Process Complete!¡» ¡ºObtained: Unique High-Quality Medicine!¡» ¡ºDescription & Effects: Carefully processed medicine that significantly restores a Pok¨¦mon''s HP but has an extremely bitter taste, reducing Pok¨¦mon friendship. However, if given to Pok¨¦mon that like bitter flavors, it increases their friendship instead.¡» ¡ºKnowledge Acquired: +1¡» ¡ºPotion Compatibility: Combining medicine with specific berry juices creates different flavors, improving Pok¨¦mon friendship and enhancing vitality.¡» Hikaru blinked. "Huh? So I don''t have to worry about medicine lowering friendship anymore¡­ Berry Medicine Juice? That sounds a bit unappetizing. Would it actually taste good?" Right on cue, Petilil''s crafting bonus popped up. ¡ºPetilil assisted in the process, gaining experience and growth!¡» ¡ºAcquired Knowledge: Herbal Cultivation ¨C +5% efficiency in growing medicinal herbs.¡» ¡ºLearned Move: Grassy Glide.¡» "Bai?" Petilil noticed the change in its abilities, spun around once, and then suddenly slid across the floor¡ªGrassy Glide! A surge of green energy sprouted along its path, forming a grassy terrain. However, the workshop wasn''t very spacious, so Petilil crashed into a wall, leaving it dizzy. Celebi quickly flew down, laughing as it helped the dazed Pok¨¦mon up. "Be careful when using new moves," Hikaru chuckled. Then, new material hints appeared. [Material: Soft Sand] [Locations: Rock Mountain Ruins, Smoky City, Deep Caves, Natural Sand Piles, Rage Lake Shore, Olivine Beach] [Corresponding Craft: Unique Glassmaking Technique] Oh, Soft Sand! That''s the item that boosts Ground-type moves! "Glassmaking, huh? Looks like my forge will be getting more use. I heard that glass artworks sell really well in Kanto." Hikaru took a juice extractor from the cabinet¡ªit was shaped like a Seadra. Placing harvested berries inside, he blended them into juice. Then, following the newly acquired knowledge, he mixed the medicine into different juices, creating four servings of Berry Medicine Juice. "Alright, who wants to try?" Doublade had already returned, and Hikaru placed the four juices in front of the three Pok¨¦mon, taking one for himself. "Don''t worry, I didn''t use any bitter-tasting berries." Oran Berry + High-Quality Medicine (Heal Herb) Hondew Berry + High-Quality Medicine (Vital Bloom) Sitrus Berry + High-Quality Medicine (Royal Leaf) "Bai!" Petilil eagerly approached first. However, instead of drinking from the cup, it dipped its head-leaf inside, absorbing the Hondew medicine juice. A moment later, it let out a delighted exclamation! "Bai~ waaa!" Delicious! "Hondew Berries have a mild spicy taste. Mixed with Vital Bloom, they can cure a Pok¨¦mon''s status condition." Seeing Petilil''s excitement, Celebi followed suit and took a sip¡ªthis time, properly drinking from the cup. "Tii!" As expected, Celebi''s eyes sparkled in surprise. It had chosen the Oran Berry + Heal Herb blend. "Oran Berries have a mix of flavors, and when combined with Heal Herb, they greatly restore a Pok¨¦mon''s HP." The last cup was for Doublade, though its method of drinking looked somewhat eerie. Its red ribbons touched the cup''s surface, the two hilts fought over the drink, and ghostly energy slowly absorbed the liquid. "Yuuu¡­ yup!" Its two eyes widened in delight. "Of course, this one has Royal Leaf! It''s known as the ''King of Herbs''¡ªreduces Pok¨¦mon fatigue and increases move usage limits." Hikaru also drank his own blend¡ªHondew + Revival Herb + Pecha Berry + Royal Leaf. The taste was indescribable¡ªbitter, sweet, sour, and astringent, all mixed together. The effect? Fully restores a fainted Pok¨¦mon''s HP and boosts vitality! He felt his exhaustion fading, his body surging with energy. "If I fully master Berry Juice Crafting¡­ could I create Nutrient Drinks?" Nutrient Drinks¡ªPok¨¦mon stat boosters! The three Pok¨¦mon swapped sips before turning toward Hikaru''s cup with eager eyes. Celebi sat on his lap, Doublade hovered behind, and Petilil clung to his shoulder, all pleading for more. "Alright, alright, I''ll make more!" As Hikaru surrendered his drink, an Unown E quietly observed from behind an old pendulum clock. The Unown E watched from the shadows, its gaze fixed on the lively scene of Hikaru and the Pok¨¦mon interacting. It was also part of this home, after all. In fact, this place was originally its residence! The last time it had messed up, it hadn''t dared to show itself. Now, seeing everyone so happy together, it couldn''t help but feel envious. I¡­ I have to find the right time to reveal myself! Unable to bear the cheerful atmosphere any longer, Unown E phased through the walls with its psychic power, vanishing into the outside world. Meanwhile, Hikaru was still immersed in the excitement of his discoveries. With the new crafting knowledge and materials, his workshop was steadily progressing. The idea of using berry juice to counteract the bitterness of traditional medicine had been a breakthrough. Not only could it prevent a decrease in Pok¨¦mon friendship, but it could even enhance their bond! Hikaru took out his notebook and recorded some new notes. Notes: Celebi ¨C Pok¨¦mon from Shinto Forest Ability: Natural Cure Nature: Bold Met in front of the abandoned workshop Dislikes spicy flavors Extremely curious Now that the medicines and juices were successfully crafted, Hikaru turned his attention to his next goal¡ªcrafting the best-quality charcoal from Oak Woods. With the massive oak tree grown by Celebi, he had more than enough wood to begin production. The next step was to start burning and refining the material. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 49 - 49 [+500PS REACHED!! Thanks for your support!] June 27th When Hikaru woke up from his sleep, he noticed something pressing down on his chest, making it a little hard to breathe. Celebi was lying quietly on top of him. Meanwhile, Doublade remained propped against the wall at a 45¡ã angle, now appearing as two separate swords, resting even more securely. Outside the house, Petilil remained nestled in the soil and hadn''t returned inside. This workshop is getting lively. Hikaru now had three Pok¨¦mon by his side¡ªalthough he hadn''t officially captured Celebi, they had become friends, which felt even better. He lay there, staring at the ceiling, unwilling to move in case he disturbed Celebi. Before long, Celebi stretched lazily, its tiny feet flexing as it let out a light, joyful sound. "Tii~" Seeing Celebi wake up, Hikaru''s mood also improved. However, he couldn''t help but notice the dark rings around Celebi''s eyes, resembling sleep deprivation. Forget it. Some comments are better left unsaid. "Good morning." Hikaru greeted Celebi, who flapped its tiny wings and hovered into the air, allowing him to sit up. However, Celebi seemed to notice his sluggishness and quickly flew to his head, closing its eyes as it began to hum softly. The sound was incredibly pleasant, like distant chimes echoing through the sky. Heal Bell restored Hikaru''s condition! "Oh! I feel great now!" "Let''s have breakfast first!" Hikaru patted Celebi''s head and went to the kitchen. Today, he planned to make something special. After obtaining Hard Minerals, he had yet to attempt crafting Lure Dumplings. Now was the perfect time to put that technique to use. In the Hisui era, Lure Dumplings were made by combining lure ingredients with specific plants or minerals. The base was typically rice dumplings or flour-based dumplings. Wait¡­ if I use rice, isn''t that just onigiri? And if I use flour, isn''t that basically steamed buns? Thinking this over, Hikaru began making Lure Dumplings. He steamed rice, shaped it into dumplings, and mixed in the Hard Minerals, causing the dumplings to take on a faint pink hue. This completed the most basic "Mineral Lure Dumpling." However, after contemplating the crafting knowledge in his mind, he decided to enhance it further. "Celebi, can you use Magical Leaf?" Celebi, who had been curiously eyeing the dumplings, looked up at Hikaru and nodded. "Tii!" It didn''t know why Hikaru was asking, but it immediately produced a flurry of Magical Leaves. Hikaru blended the leaves into the Mineral Lure Dumplings, adding chopped berries as well. ¡ºCrafting Complete!¡» ¡ºCrafted Food: Mineral Lure Dumpling¡» ¡ºEffect: Made from minerals, Magical Leaves, berries, and lure ingredients. Strongly attracts Grass- and Rock-type Pok¨¦mon. Mixing in other special ingredients may create unique effects.¡» ¡ºBonus Effect: Overgrowth Food ¨C Temporarily enhances Grass-type energy, benefiting Grass-type Pok¨¦mon growth!¡» ¡ºKnowledge Gained: Cooking Expertise ¨C Food quality increased by 15%.¡» Wait¡­ did I just make an Overgrowth Dumpling? Hikaru looked at the dumpling in his hand and passed it to Celebi, who immediately took it and devoured it with delight. It''s delicious! Stretching his body, Hikaru noticed Doublade waking up, floating lazily from its corner. Outside the window, Petilil''s leaves swayed as it peeked in curiously. Everyone''s awake! Hikaru opened the window, picked up Petilil, and made a few more dumplings. Both Petilil and Doublade were delighted, especially Petilil, who felt a surge of power after eating the Overgrowth Dumpling. "Waa waa!" The leaves on its head seemed to grow slightly larger! "Alright, today we''ll head to Shinto Forest. I need to prepare my equipment first." After breakfast, Hikaru gathered everything he needed: Work attire Material backpack Carving and repair tools Luminous Moss (for Celebi) Suddenly, Celebi flew over to its statue and hugged it tightly. "You want to take it with you?" "Tii!" Celebi nodded eagerly. It really liked the statue. But after glancing around, it quickly floated over to Doublade and whispered something. "Yuuuu~" Doublade translated, "Celebi wants to trade something valuable for the statue." "Labi~!" Celebi chirped proudly, expressing its reasoning. Through time travel, it could collect treasures from different eras! If Hikaru was willing to trade, it wouldn''t take the statue for free. "If we place Celebi''s statue in the forest shrine, it''ll probably function like a save point for wild Pok¨¦mon, huh? Since it allows move re-learning." Hikaru chuckled. "Alright, I''ll look forward to the trade next time." "Tii~!" Celebi nodded confidently, promising that its next gift would not disappoint. Once Hikaru and the Pok¨¦mon were ready to leave, Petilil excitedly joined in. "Since no one''s staying home today, we''ll all go together." "Waa waa~!" Petilil clenched its leafy fists with determination. It had been training and working hard these past few days¡ªnow it was stronger than ever! "You''re pretty eager, but we might not run into those Hisuian Voltorb this time." Hikaru patted its leaves, then set off with his Pok¨¦mon toward the forest. After they left, deep within the forest, a Turtwig peeked out from the bushes, watching Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon with envy. It must be nice to have companions¡­ But since they weren''t here today, it could finally come to the workshop and bask in the sunlight. Photosynthesis would help the plants on its back grow better. I don''t have any companions, so I have to rely on these "special grasses" to get stronger. Perched atop the workshop roof, Unown E observed the Turtwig. It had noticed this little guy visiting for the past few days¡ªit must''ve been brought here by Celebi. Since it didn''t seem to be damaging the land, Unown E decided to continue watching for now. ... With Celebi leading the way, the group first passed through the area where they had previously chopped trees, then moved deeper toward the northwest¡ªtoward where they had found the Black Apricorn tree. The route soon changed. "Wait, this is the same direction that Hisuian Voltorb rolled off in?" Hikaru rubbed his chin and checked his supplies. Just in case, he took out a Max Repel and a Silent Spray. Max Repel: Prevents weak wild Pok¨¦mon encounters. Silent Spray: Temporarily silences footsteps, making it harder for wild Pok¨¦mon to detect the user. Petilil remained on high alert, constantly scanning the surroundings. After using the sprays, the effect was immediate¡ªwild Pok¨¦mon moved away. Hikaru picked up several dropped Pok¨¦mon materials along the way, as well as more Hard Minerals. They had been traveling northwest for a long time now. Yet, contrary to expectations, no battles had broken out. No wild Pok¨¦mon attacked. No Hisuian Voltorb appeared. Then, Celebi suddenly flew ahead and gestured excitedly. "Tii!" We''re here! The ruins! Let''s collect some stones first! A massive fallen tree lay across the forest path, surrounded by other tilted trees. Something must have happened here. "Doublade, use Fury Cutter." Technically, Cut would be better, but the fallen tree was too massive. Doublade immediately unsheathed its blades. Double-speed Fury Cutter¡ªCancel! "You don''t have to cancel this one¡­" Hikaru scratched his head as Doublade swiftly carved out a large gap in the tree, allowing them to pass through. Beyond the dense greenery, they emerged into an open clearing¡ªclearly not a natural formation. The entrance to an ancient ruin stood before them, partially collapsed, with signs of previous repairs. Hikaru took a step inside and immediately sensed something was off. The patterns on the ground¡­ they looked familiar. Like an H. "This¡­ Is this Rock Mountain Ruins?!" Hikaru gazed deeper into the ruins. The temple''s primary color was an earthy brown, seemingly built from a mixture of mud bricks and stone. In various legends, Rock Mountain Ruins was known as the resting place of Regirock, one of the legendary titans. The ruins'' locations and unlocking methods varied across different regions, but their connection to the titans remained consistent. As Hikaru walked further inside, he noticed that, just like in other Rock Mountain Ruins, there were no extra rooms¡ªonly a main hall. Inside, a massive stone statue of a giant figure stood, though it was severely damaged. Signs of battle covered the area. For a moment, Hikaru felt a strange sensation¡ªas if time had rewound. The broken ruins before him restored to their original state in his vision, showing the temple as it once was. He quickly shook his head, snapping out of the illusion. As the vision faded, new knowledge surfaced in his mind. So that''s it¡­ This illusion was triggered by my "Ancient Inscriptions" knowledge! Understanding of all ruin-related knowledge has increased by 25%. So that''s what it meant¡­ I can now perceive how ruins originally looked and decipher hidden mechanisms and inscriptions! With this newfound insight, Hikaru quickly noticed something hidden beneath a pile of rubble in the corner¡ªa cache of iron ore and a faintly glowing purple stone placed on the ground. It was an Evolution Stone! Hikaru hurriedly picked up the Evolution Stone, verifying its authenticity. Since he had previously obtained one before, no new crafting techniques were triggered, but he still felt satisfied. "Yuuu~!" Doublade immediately reacted upon seeing the Evolution Stone, vibrating excitedly. It''s back! The stone is back! "I''ll help refine it when we return," Hikaru reassured. "Yuuup~!" For once, Doublade''s two blades didn''t argue; instead, they seemed genuinely happy. Not long after Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon entered the ruins, a large Scyther landed on a fallen tree nearby. Its eyes widened at the sight of the massive tree that had been cleaved cleanly in half. "Scy!" A powerful opponent! Scyther sharpened its scythes, its gaze filled with caution as it examined the footprints on the ground. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Did an outsider enter? The swordsmanship displayed in that cut was beyond ordinary. If a trainer like that remained in the outer regions of the forest, it would pose a problem for its dominance. "Scy." A black phantom-like titan, A giant bear covered in peat, A rock colossus, And now, a human who could slice apart massive trees? There were too many obstacles to its rule. First, that massive bear had wandered into the outer forest, causing a mess. Then, the stone giant''s awakening had disrupted the forest''s peace. Now, even humans were meddling in things. Yet, despite all this frustration, Scyther felt an unusual hesitation. Why don''t I feel the urge to attack this human? Every time it attempted to follow the footprints deeper into the ruins, its battle instincts dulled. It couldn''t explain the sensation, and after several moments of indecision, Scyther reluctantly flew away. This human is strange¡­ I''ll deal with that stone giant instead! With that, Scyther disappeared into the depths of the forest. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 50 - 50 Inside Rock Mountain Ruins Hikaru cautiously approached the broken giant stone statue, noticing that half of the H-shaped marking on the ground was buried under rubble. As he examined the statue, knowledge surged into his mind: [Ancient Craft: Giant Stone Statue (Damaged)] [Description: A statue used for worship and the sealing of Regirock. Currently, no power can be felt from it¡ªit is severely damaged.] It was a powerless, half-collapsed statue, meaning Regirock was no longer here. "The surrounding minerals¡­ If I look closely, these seem to have crumbled from inside the ruin''s walls." "So, it''s said that Regirock repairs its body using special stones. Did the ancient people offer minerals in its temple for this very reason?" Aside from these materials, Hikaru also gathered iron ore and limestone, storing them in his backpack. Among them, a high-quality metal piece stood out¡ª [Rare Material: Fragmented Iron] [Description: Naturally formed metal fragments, can be processed into locks and other small parts.] [Forging Insight: Gained some knowledge from skilled blacksmiths.] Additionally, Hikaru easily found Soft Sand in the collapsed area of the ruins. Piles of it had gathered naturally. [Rare Material: Soft Sand (Quartz)] [Effect: Fine-textured sand. When held, it boosts the power of Ground-type moves.] [Crafting Unlocked: Unique Glassmaking Technique (C)] By refining Soft Sand, unique glass products can be crafted while retaining the material''s original effects. [Unlockable Items: "Marbles," "Glass Whistle."] Oh, that''s the Hoenn Region''s specialty item¡ªthe "Glass Whistle." However, the Glass Whistles in Hoenn were made from volcanic ash. Local glassmasters refined them into different types with unique effects. "I wonder what kind of special effects my version will have." Hikaru continued searching the ruins. When he touched a fallen wall section and unearthed some heavy, uniquely textured, and differently colored stones, more information surfaced: [Rare Material: Ancient Rock] [Description: Rock that has either fallen from Regirock''s body or was assimilated by it. It is said that every stone comprising Regirock''s body was excavated from different lands, and similar rocks can be found across all geological layers of the world. Some Rock-type Pok¨¦mon also shed or create similar stones.] [Contains powerful Rock-type energy or has been infused with strong psychic power.] [Crafting Unlocked: Ancient Architecture Technique (B)] When combined with Ruin Engraving and Environmental Sculpture techniques, it allows for the recreation of buildings with an ancient aesthetic. [Discovered Clues: Regirock, Garganacl, Stonjourner, Carbink, Diancie, Tree of Beginning.] [Unlockable Items: King''s Rock, Cleanse Tag (Outer Shell).] [King''s Rock: A naturally formed, crown-shaped stone. With the right crafting technique and Ancient Rock, it can be refined into an artificial King''s Rock. However, it does not unlock the crafting method for "Ancient Crown."] "Oh! So this is Ancient Rock! That means it''s stone assimilated by powerful Rock-type Pok¨¦mon!" "I can now craft King''s Rock and Cleanse Tag!" King''s Rock was a held item that sometimes caused opponents to flinch when attacking. If given to Poliwhirl or Slowpoke, they could evolve! Meanwhile, the Cleanse Tag was a brilliant, translucent charm. Holding it prevented stat reduction from an opponent''s moves or abilities. Some theorized its core material came from Carbink''s diamonds or Metagross'' steel hide. This item was particularly hated by Pok¨¦mon with Intimidate¡ªthough, of course, only by opponents! "Having a Legendary Titan in the ruins means it''s possible to craft items like these!" From the material descriptions, it wasn''t just Regirock that could generate Ancient Rock¡ªother Pok¨¦mon could as well. For example, Garganacl''s orange crystals were crystallized Rock-type energy. It absorbed sunlight through them, which then reacted in its energy core and was fired as light spheres from its mouth. Meanwhile, Stonjourner''s Pok¨¦dex entry stated that its rock composition was identical to monoliths, and it had a unique ability, "Power Spot," that enhanced teammates. And of course, Carbink and Diancie were self-explanatory. The Tree of Beginning was believed to be the origin of Fossil Pok¨¦mon. The rocks from that site contained crystalline life energy. This confirmed that Ancient Rock''s effects were similar to Ruin Stone¡ªthe two could substitute for each other. Ruins contained the spiritual energy of ancient civilizations, infused by their beliefs and emotions. This spiritual essence was a real phenomenon in the Pok¨¦mon world¡ªotherwise, how else would Ghost-types and Psychic-types exist? Hikaru realized this temple held more treasures than expected. Many minerals had fallen from its collapsed walls. By now, he had gathered a substantial amount of materials, and his backpack had become extremely heavy. Thankfully, Celebi used Psychic to make the bag float, significantly lightening the load. "Thanks, Celebi." "Tii~" Celebi patted its chest. Leave it to me! No problem! "Could the Ancient Crystal be in here? Or¡­ is it part of the floor?" Hikaru searched for one last item that could be found in Rock Mountain Ruins¡ªthe Ancient Crystal. The most crystal-like objects in the ruins were the circular "eyes" of the giant statue and the large H-shaped marking on the floor. After all, the H-symbol glowed when stepped on, emitting a clear, yellow radiance resembling crystal. Sweeping away the dust, Hikaru touched the transparent part of the H-symbol. Immediately, knowledge flooded his mind. [Precious Material: Ancient Crystal (Not Yet Acquired!)] [Description: A rare ancient crystal with mysterious powers. It can communicate a Pok¨¦mon''s will to humans, allowing deep understanding between them. It can also be used to seal Pok¨¦mon.] [Unlockable Item: Cleanse Tag (Core).] Hikaru looked around carefully and finally found a massive, broken crystal in a corner, seemingly embedded into the wall as an additional structure. "I found Ancient Crystal!" [Knowledge Gained: Heart of the Crystal ¨C Can communicate telepathically with ancient Pok¨¦mon.] [Crafting Unlocked: Unique Tool Crafting (C+)] By combining Pok¨¦mon materials, tools for production or rituals with unique abilities can be crafted. This may require forging techniques. [Unlockable Item: Protective Gear.] With all necessary materials gathered, Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon left Rock Mountain Ruins. Thanks to Celebi''s Psychic, carrying the heavy backpack was effortless. Following Celebi''s lead, they headed southwest. Before long, they arrived at Celebi''s Shrine, located in a clearing within the forest. This shrine differed from Oak Woods'' shrine¡ªit was built entirely from stone, resembling the one from "Pok¨¦mon: Celebi - Voice of the Forest." It featured a stone base and an altar, though it had noticeable differences. Its design matched the style of Shinto Ruins. However, the upper half was missing, and the altar itself had been destroyed. The base also had numerous cracks and missing pieces. "Alright, let''s start the repairs. First, I''ll reshape the ruin stones into a proper altar. The severely damaged parts will need a full re-sculpting, while smaller cracks can be filled and polished to restore their surface." With Doublade''s help, Hikaru began cutting stone. Meanwhile, Petilil and Celebi assisted by polishing and restoring the base. Finally, glowing moss was placed, giving the shrine an ancient, mystical aura. "Tii!" Celebi joyfully placed its small statue inside the altar. At that moment, knowledge once again surged into Hikaru''s mind¡ª sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Ancient Craft: Celebi''s Shrine] [Effect: Time Leap ¨C Acts as Celebi''s time-travel anchor. Occasionally, mysterious items from the past and future will appear.] Just then, behind the shrine, something rolled out. A bright green fruit tumbled forward. It was a Micle Berry! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 51 - 51 [Rare Material: Micle Berry] [Description: This berry stores beneficial components within itself for Pok¨¦mon, requiring a long time to mature.] [Effect: When held by a Pok¨¦mon, it can cure all status conditions.] [Crafting Obtained: 1] [Rare Candy Crafting (B): Can be used to create Rare Candy that enhances a Pok¨¦mon''s abilities, requiring Micle Berries as the core material.] Hikaru looked in surprise at the newly refreshed berry, while the other Pok¨¦mon also showed astonished expressions, eagerly crowding around. Only Celebi sat on the newly restored shrine, looking pleased. "A miraculous berry, the Micle Berry, huh? Now that we have it, we can plant its tree and achieve Micle Berry self-sufficiency! And finally, we can craft Rare Candy!" However, it would take some time for the berry tree to grow¡ªprobably about a month? Since it was already getting late, Hikaru took out some Pok¨¦mon food and instant meals, and after a simple meal, he prepared to head back. During this time, Celebi remained still. Hikaru seemed to sense something and asked with some reluctance, "Are you leaving?" "Bi~! Bi!" Celebi nodded affirmatively. Now that the shrine was restored, it could perform time jumps again! The next time it returned, it wouldn''t have to worry about not having a landing point. But honestly, the forest was quite boring¡ªHikaru''s workshop was far more interesting! "Bi!" Celebi spread its arms, giving high-fives to Doublade and Petilil before finally landing on Hikaru''s head. It liked Doublade, Petilil, and Hikaru. It loved everyone at the workshop! Even if it left now, it would always remember them. For a Pok¨¦mon that could travel through time, this parting wasn''t truly a farewell¡ªit would return again someday in the future, just like the blink of an eye! By then, everyone would have evolved, right? Of course, there was also the sneaky Turtwig that secretly burrowed into the soil. Celebi had thought about revealing its little secret but decided against it, not wanting to betray its trust. Well, it wouldn''t be long before Turtwig became their companion too! Celebi firmly believed this. "Labi!" It would travel to the past and future, gathering wonderful things and bringing them back for everyone! "Be sure to visit the shrine from time to time!" "Is that so? Then thank you! If the shrine ever gets damaged again, come find me¡ªI''ll fix it for you." Hikaru smiled and watched Celebi vanish as it traveled through time. Gentle ripples spread through the space around them before gradually fading. "Wait a second¡ªwithout psychic assistance, my backpack suddenly feels so heavy! Doublade, help me out here!" After Hikaru and his two Pok¨¦mon left, perhaps an hour or maybe three passed as dusk settled over the forest. Suddenly, there was movement in the woods. A tall Scyther appeared near Celebi''s shrine. It circled the structure for a long time, recalling the human and Pok¨¦mon it had seen earlier. That human¡­ the one with the strange twin swords¡ªso they were here to repair the Forest Guardian''s shrine? Wait, if they had the recognition of the Forest Guardian, wouldn''t that make them dominant in the outer forest? What a troublesome person. But no matter¡ªScyther was determined to defeat that human! Just then, a second sound echoed! Scyther spun around sharply but, upon seeing the source, turned and fled in frustration. Boom¡­ Boom¡ª Heavy footsteps reverberated through the ancient forest. A massive, oppressive black figure emerged near Celebi''s shrine. Its face was marked with an "H"-shaped light pattern, emitting a strange, static-laden buzzing sound, characteristic of the Regi species. It carefully observed the newly restored shrine. Had Hikaru still been there, he would have recognized its true identity immediately. The Legendary Giant¡ªRegirock! Leaving the forest, bidding farewell to a new friend. But life always finds a way to reunite. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When Hikaru, Doublade, and Petilil returned to the workshop, they noticed another small hole in the ground outside. Hikaru paused in thought. Come to think of it, these little holes kept appearing every day, only to be refilled later. Was this Celebi''s doing? Or was it the work of Diglett? Finding no missing herbs nearby, Hikaru decided to let it go for now. Back inside, he carefully arranged the newly obtained materials and took out the Evolution Stone, immediately beginning the polishing process. Before long, the Evolution Stone was fully polished, revealing its unique properties. "It draws out a Pok¨¦mon''s inner potential, functioning similarly to slow EV growth. And Doublade¡­ in battle, it''s actually a very powerful Pok¨¦mon." Hikaru handed the polished Evolution Stone to Doublade, which immediately grabbed hold of it¡ªbut¡­ "Gyooo~! ©g£¨¡Ñ£©¨s¨p!" "Puuu~! ©g£¨¡Ñ£©¨s¨p!" The right sword: I am the main body! The Evolution Stone should go on my hilt! The left sword: No, I am the main body! The Evolution Stone should be placed on me! The two swords unsheathed themselves, their blades shimmering with metallic light! It was Iron Defense! Just as they were about to fight, Hikaru was about to intervene when Petilil shook its head, as if to say, How silly. Petilil jumped into Hikaru''s hand, took the Evolution Stone, and happily hopped behind Doublade. There, a small, undeveloped shield was forming. Petilil tapped on the tiny shield. Doublade''s two swords paused. Oh, right! They had a shield now! If they put the stone on the shield, they wouldn''t have to fight over it! "Gyuuu (Puuu)~!" "Thank you, Petilil!" "Petiii~()~" "You did great." Hikaru patted Petilil''s head and leaves, and the little Pok¨¦mon swayed happily. "Gyuuu~" At that moment, Doublade floated over, feeling slightly troubled. Both of its eyes on the sword hilts stared at Hikaru, asking: When will we become a single consciousness again? "That''ll have to wait until we find a Dusk Stone," Hikaru answered. "There''s no other way. After all, both you and Petilil need stones to evolve." "Puuu~" Doublade looked a bit dejected. Its current form was certainly cool, but having two separate minds was a bit strange! Hikaru hadn''t expected that, despite their constant "internal battles," Doublade still found its form impressive. Impressive? Of course! Even Hikaru had to admit it! If he strapped Doublade to his back, wouldn''t he look like one of those legendary swordmasters? And with two blades, he could pull off the dual-wielding swordsman style! "For now, let''s plant the Micle Berries and then rest. Petilil, I''ll leave taking care of the berries to you." "Petiii~!" Petilil lifted its tiny leaf-like skirt. Leave it to me! You can count on it! Just like Celebi, it wanted to stand tall with pride and use its abilities to accomplish amazing things! The Micle Berries were important, and it was determined to nurture them well! ... The Next Day The first batch of herbs and crops had been harvested, so it was time to plant the next batch quickly. Fortunately, they had just acquired new fertilizer, so soil fertility wouldn''t be an issue. Petilil continued working diligently, fully focused on cultivating the Micle Berries. "Petii~ Petii~" A miraculous berry! A miraculous berry ()~! Yesterday, it had carefully polished the shrine. Hikaru had given it a surprised look¡ªhe had noticed its effort! That''s right, sculpting and polishing work¡­ it could handle that too! Petilil glanced toward the workshop. Inside, the fourth empty room now had a large pickling jar, seemingly meant for making some kind of special food item¡ªsomething called "Double Pickles"? Well, everything Hikaru made was amazing! As long as it remembered that, everything would be fine! Tilting its head, it peeked over to the other side of the hill, where wisps of smoke were rising. Petilil''s leaves swayed as it curiously watched Hikaru and Doublade working from the edge of the field. At the moment, Hikaru was digging a kiln for charcoal production. Charcoal kilns could be underground pit kilns or simple earth kilns. Hikaru had chosen a gentle slope and started digging out the kiln pit. If only we had a Pok¨¦mon that could dig, this would be so much easier¡­ Meanwhile, Doublade was busy trimming and chopping a pile of wood. After quite some time, the earthen kiln was finally completed, with a smoke vent and air inlet left open. Hikaru took the neatly prepared logs from Doublade and stacked them inside the kiln. Then, he sealed the top with a mixture of mud and straw. The air vent also served as the ignition point. As Hikaru lit the kiln, wisps of blue smoke began rising from the chimney. During the charcoal-making process, the kiln needed to be frequently checked for cracks or leaks. He also had to monitor the smoke''s density and color to estimate the moisture content of the wood. The final step involved sealing the kiln and letting it smolder in a low-oxygen environment until the charcoal naturally cooled. This part would take a long time. To aid the process, Hikaru placed a Charizard statue next to the kiln. It was supposed to enhance the flames, but since charcoal-making mainly relied on slow-burning, its effectiveness was uncertain. What kind of unique transformation will this oak charcoal undergo after this special process? Hikaru was already looking forward to it. Another new product for the workshop''s store! "Herbal juices¡­ will anyone buy them? Maybe after we make glass containers for bottling¡­" "Medicine herbs, Energy Roots, Revival Herbs, berries, Luminous Moss, Double Pickles¡­ Am I running a pharmacy or something?" As for Light Clay, Hikaru figured he''d ask the Diglett in the village to help dig some up next time. In exchange, he could offer them berries and vegetables. If they could find some, that would be great. The feeling of being busy was truly fulfilling. It seemed like the workshop''s reputation was growing more and more! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 52 - 52 Hikaru let out a satisfied sigh. There was nothing else to do while the charcoal was being processed, so he returned to the cabin and put all the available items up for sale. As for the wood carvings, the choice of Pok¨¦mon to sculpt didn''t matter much. Unlike stone carvings, which required testing for effectiveness, wood carvings were more flexible and faster to complete. "Speaking of which, what would happen if I carved a human figure?" This thought surfaced in Hikaru''s mind and refused to leave. In fact, he had considered making human sculptures before just to see the results. However, he had been too busy recently to carry out the idea. Without further hesitation, Hikaru began carving. As for the choice of subject, if he were to sculpt a "well-known person" he had recently encountered, it would undoubtedly be Volo. "Carving Volo, huh¡­ Would that attract Giratina? Never mind, I should pick someone else." "Hm¡­ How about Cynthia?" Speaking of Volo, one would naturally think of Cynthia¡ªright? Come to think of it, Volo, Cogita, and Cynthia all shared the same face. Were the ancient Sinnoh people''s genes really that strong? Hikaru quickly got to work. His knife continuously chipped away at the wood, occasionally using a chisel to refine areas he found unsatisfactory. Before long, he completed a wooden sculpture of Cynthia. [Artifact: Small "Ancient Wooden Sculpture" ¨C Style of the Sinnoh Ruins] [Description: A wooden statue carved in an ancient style, depicting Sinnoh Champion Cynthia.] [Effect: Archaeology ¨C Allows the discovery of one lost piece of knowledge from a ruin.] "Huh? This time, there''s no mention of ''some collectors would buy it at a high price''¡­ Does that mean it won''t sell?" "The effect is archaeology¡ªretrieving lost knowledge from ruins. That''s Cynthia''s profession! So, if I carve a person''s image, the resulting effect is linked to their profession. Then what about someone without an extra profession, like a Gym Leader?" Hikaru decided to carve another person, this time selecting a Gym Leader with no known secondary occupation. "Norman." He was the father of the protagonist in the Pok¨¦mon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald games. Depending on the chosen player character, he would be either Brendan or May''s father. In the anime, he was May''s father, while in the manga, he was Ruby''s. Norman was simply someone who pursued strength. Though in the Pok¨¦mon Adventures manga, he appeared to have previously worked as a League official, in the games and anime, he had no known side job or League position¡ªjust the title of Gym Leader. [Artifact: Small "Ancient Wooden Sculpture" ¨C Style of the Sinnoh Ruins] [Description: A wooden statue carved in an ancient style, depicting Norman of the Petalburg Gym.] [Effect: Normal Power ¨C Increases the strength of Normal-type Pok¨¦mon training near the sculpture over time.] "Oh, so it boosts the corresponding Pok¨¦mon type''s strength!" "Then what about someone with no job or associated Pok¨¦mon type?" For his third sculpture, Hikaru chose Red. Once the Champion, he had since retired, with no official profession. He spent his days training in solitude on Mt. Silver, where he was practically a legend. Many considered him the strongest Trainer in the Pok¨¦mon world. [Artifact: Small "Ancient Wooden Sculpture" ¨C Style of the Sinnoh Ruins] [Description: A wooden statue carved in an ancient style, depicting Kanto Champion Red.] [Effect: Fighting Spirit ¨C When one of your Pok¨¦mon gains Effort Values (EVs), all of your Pok¨¦mon will also receive an equal amount.] "¡­So Red''s statue is for EV training?" Hikaru spent almost an entire day absorbed in wood carving. His craftsmanship improved significantly, and his later sculptures became increasingly lifelike, shedding the slightly rough look of his earlier works. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Finally, after some deliberation, Hikaru decided to carve Volo as well. Surprisingly, the effect of Volo''s sculpture was increased friendship with Pok¨¦mon. "Is this effect mocking his relationship with his Togekiss?" Despite treating Pok¨¦mon as mere tools and calling himself a "Pok¨¦mon tamer," Volo had raised a Togepi that required high friendship to evolve into Togekiss. "He talks tough, but deep down, he cares about his Pok¨¦mon." Looking at his completed sculptures, Hikaru muttered, "This setup looks like a figurine shop." Observing his own hands, he noticed that his carving skills had visibly improved through repeated practice. In contrast, his progress with stone carving was slower, which made sense since stone was much harder to work with than wood. "Even basic craftsmanship, when honed over years of repetition, can develop into a unique and outstanding skill." [Due to repetitive completion of tasks, knowledge has increased.] [Wood Carving Specialist: +25% efficiency and skill in wood carving; sculptures will appear more ancient and refined.] ... June 27 ¨C Cloudy As the month neared its end, Sinnoh''s climate became noticeably warmer. Yesterday had been eventful, with charcoal production and wood carving. Today, Hikaru planned to focus on crafting stone sculptures and a batch of charms. Additionally, he would work on making the King''s Rock and Pure Pendant. At the workshop, Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon began making charms, a relatively quick task. Doublade swiftly sliced through fabric, but Hikaru noticed something new¡ªit was no longer using its blades directly. Instead, it had started using Psycho Cut. The tangible psychic blades moved like fine threads, demonstrating that Doublade''s psychic power had significantly improved! "If it keeps training like this, could it eventually learn Spacial Rend?" Dimensional Slash? Unfortunately, Ghost-types didn''t have any true cutting moves. Among the Ghost-type moves Doublade could use, only Shadow Sneak and Shadow Claw were actual Ghost-type attacks¡ªthough it hadn''t even learned Shadow Claw yet. For now, it had to rely on Psychic-type cutting moves. But if it mastered Psycho Cut, it could become quite formidable! Hikaru didn''t disturb Doublade and instead prepared the Ancient Rock and Ancient Crystal for crafting the Pure Pendant and King''s Rock. While his unique polishing technique was useful, handling crystals required extra care. Thinking of Petilil''s leaves, he got an idea. He went to the herb field, where Petilil immediately ran up to him excitedly. "Waaah!" Hikaru picked up Petilil, who let out a melodious sound, humming a little tune. After explaining the task, she became eager to help! She had been waiting for this moment¡ªfinally, she could contribute to crafting! Petilil plucked one of her leaves and assisted as Hikaru finished shaping the Pure Pendant and King''s Rock. Naturally occurring King''s Rocks were stones that had naturally formed into a crown shape, making their surface rough and uneven. In contrast, handmade King''s Rocks had sharp edges and a polished gleam¡ªjust like the ones in certain spin-off games. Meanwhile, Hikaru continued carving the stone casing for the Pure Pendant, made from Ancient Rock. By the time Petilil had finished polishing, Hikaru had also completed his work. [Petilil has completed a crafting task! Gained experience and growth!] [Learned move: Encore!] [Gained Knowledge: Grass Polishing ¨C +15% precision in polishing rocks and crystals.] "Huh? Encore?" Hikaru paused for a moment before realizing this was the missing piece in his battle strategy. "This move is crucial to victory!" Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he carefully embedded the polished Ancient Crystal into the stone casing. Crafted Items: [Pure Pendant (Sinnoh Ruins Style)] Effect: A luminous, crystal-clear pendant. Holding it prevents stat reductions from opponents'' moves or abilities. Additional Effect: Pure Mind ¨C Slightly purifies the hearts of Pok¨¦mon and humans. Due to its Sinnoh Ruins-style carving, it also mildly strengthens mental power and alleviates fatigue. [King''s Rock] Effect: When the holder attacks, there is a chance to make the opponent flinch. Additional Effect: Regal Presence ¨C Pok¨¦mon''s recognition of the holder increases by 20%. Hikaru took a deep breath. The two most important evolution stones! Hikaru exhaled deeply. Among the three acquisition methods, obtaining one from Volo was the simplest. However, if he only had one stone, Hikaru would still need to find another. Encountering Regirock was far from easy. It made sense for the evolution stones to be found on Regirock¡ªafter all, this Pok¨¦mon roamed in search of rare stones to repair its body, and evolution stones were among the rarest. Hikaru calmed his thoughts and went to check on the charcoal he had made the previous day. He headed down the hillside to retrieve it. These charcoal pieces had been made from oak wood, and although the kiln was somewhat crude, the craftsmanship and materials made up for the lack of advanced equipment. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 53 - 53 [Rare Material: ''Scorching Charcoal'' from the Oak Forest] [Description: This high-quality charcoal is produced from burning oak wood and is said to purify water and air.] [Effect: When held by a Pok¨¦mon, Fire-type moves increase in power by 20%.] [Unique Effect: Fire-type moves gain an additional 15% power boost. When held for an extended period by a Fire-type Pok¨¦mon, its Fire-type energy gradually increases, unlocking its latent potential.] [Acquisition Craft: Flame Forging Craft (B-): A forging technique that utilizes various attribute materials. Items created using this technique significantly enhance Fire, Steel, and Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon.] "Oh, I unlocked ''Forging''!" With this, the forge in the workshop can now operate year-round! Pottery firing, glassmaking, metal forging! And not just for obtaining materials. ¡ºA craft has been completed!¡» ¡ºGained Knowledge: Accelerated Firing ¨C Increases the speed of fired item production by 15%.¡» The effect of the craftwork matches what was described under rare materials. Scorching Charcoal¡ªHikaru vaguely recalls that this item exists in the Pok¨¦mon Trading Card Game, appearing as pitch-black charcoal with flames bursting out from its cracks. Afterward, Hikaru received a random material clue: [Material: Leftovers] [Acquisition Locations: The orchard in the workshop, deep within the Kamiyako Forest, the Nameless Grove, carried by Hisui''s mischievous Voltorb.] S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Corresponding Craft: Unique Leftovers Processing.] "Huh?" Hikaru was momentarily stunned. While many items function both as battle tools and natural materials, he never expected something as simple as Leftovers to have its own craft. And¡­ it actually exists in the real Pok¨¦mon world? Isn''t this just a bunch of half-eaten berries left behind by Pok¨¦mon? Normally, consuming it in battle gradually restores HP. But thinking about it, if a Pok¨¦mon carries a whole berry, eats part of it during battle, but doesn''t finish it, wouldn''t that mean it can benefit from both ''berry healing'' and ''Leftovers healing'' at the same time? "If a Pok¨¦mon holds a large Sitrus Berry, takes a bite to restore HP in a critical moment, and then slowly eats the rest, wouldn''t that be broken? Just one bite of Leftovers restores a quarter of its HP!" It was a joke, but the more Hikaru thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. "Speaking of which, the ''Leftovers Processing Craft''¡ªis it just mixing leftover berries together?" Like making berry juice? Maybe it doesn''t need to be strictly represented as a single half-eaten apple core, like in the games. If turned into juice, it should be called ''Leftover Berry Juice,'' and each sip would restore one-sixteenth of HP. "Could the Nameless Grove be the original habitat of Petilil and its kind? Usually, Leftovers are held by Munchlax and Snorlax, but it''s listed as being carried by Hisui''s mischievous Voltorb¡­ That''s suspicious." On June 29th, under clear skies, the roar of a Charizard echoed from the distant horizon as Hikaru finished his last sculpture. "All orders are complete!" Exhausted, Hikaru sat at the workshop entrance, with Doublade and Petilil leaning against him. They had worked hard too! ¡ºDoublade has completed its work! Gained experience and growth!¡» ¡ºGained Knowledge: Fluid Carving ¨C Increases the attack speed of cutting moves by 15%.¡» ¡ºLearned Move: Pursuit!¡» ¡ºPetilil has completed its work! Gained experience and growth!¡» ¡ºGained Knowledge: Rock-Breaking Power ¨C Increases both Attack and Special Attack by 10%.¡» ¡ºLearned Move: Grass Knot!¡» Both pieces of knowledge were obtained through repeated labor. From Hikaru''s perspective, their effects were quite valuable! ... With a thundering impact, Charizard landed, breathing heavily. For once, it didn''t greet him with its usual roar. Instead, it stared at Hikaru and the two Pok¨¦mon, as if it wanted to complain, but held back! Ah, even the customer seems exhausted! "Roar~" Hikaru: "You want to say something?" Charizard: "¡­" It had so much to say! Why does this remote area have so many delivery orders?! Flying back and forth is exhausting, you know! "Hah, you''re definitely thinking something rude." Hikaru could read its expression easily. No need to guess¡ªit was obviously due to the recent increase in orders. "Next time, you guys might need to send more Pok¨¦mon to pick up shipments. Having only one is too tiring." "Oh right, I''ll make you some herbal berry juice. It''s not bitter at all and tastes great." After returning indoors, Hikaru prepared some herbal berry juice. Doublade and Petilil drank it and immediately regained their energy! Charizard scratched its head. Initially, it was wary of eating anything that might upset its stomach and disrupt its work. But seeing how happy the other Pok¨¦mon were after drinking it¡­ Maybe¡­ it should try? Hesitantly, Charizard accepted a cup and downed it in one gulp. "Roar~!" A refreshing sensation spread from its throat to its entire body, even clearing its mind! This tastes amazing! Oh, power! Energy is surging back! "Roar!" Seeing Charizard''s excitement, Hikaru grinned. "I''ve been observing you. Since you''re so dedicated to work, I guessed your nature must be ''Hardy.'' That nature doesn''t increase or decrease any stat, and it lets you tolerate all flavors." "Good, right? This is my exclusive product. You can only get it here!" Charizard licked its lips, glancing at the now-empty cup, then at Hikaru, looking a bit embarrassed. "Want another cup? No problem." Just as Hikaru was about to head back inside, Charizard spoke up. It first praised the ''wood carving'' from last time, saying that after following Hikaru''s guidance and channeling its power into the carving, its flight speed had dramatically improved! Dude, your items are insane! Now, in all of Smokemoor City, this Charizard was the fastest! Its coworkers were stunned! "Haha, glad I could help. So, did you finally beat that Dragonite?" Hikaru asked, but Charizard let out a deep sigh, shook its head, and pointed at the sky. A dark silhouette appeared high above, rapidly diving down! "Whooo~" A round belly, tiny whiskers, dainty little wings, a chubby tail, and an adorable face! It was Charizard''s coworker¡ªDragonite, the express delivery Pok¨¦mon from the Johto region! Ah, so it used ''Extreme Speed.'' Still can''t outmatch it, huh? The second Dragonite had arrived¡ªlikely to assist Charizard with deliveries! Hikaru patted Charizard reassuringly before turning to the chubby Dragonite. "Do customers get head pats?" "Whooo~" Dragonite eagerly moved forward, embracing Hikaru. In an instant, he felt completely relaxed from its soft, cushiony body. No wonder Dragonite outperforms Charizard at work. Just look at how friendly it is! Charizard, on the other hand, acts all cool and aloof. Sure, it''s diligent, but in the end, people prefer someone both competent and warm like Dragonite! "Roar~!" Charizard glared at Dragonite''s enthusiasm, clearly displeased! That''s my client! Why are you getting all cuddly with my client?! "Roar!" Charizard nudged Dragonite, signaling it to keep some distance. But instead of getting upset, Dragonite turned around and hugged Charizard, even patting its back. Faced with such an affectionate dragon, Charizard quickly lost its temper, folding its arms with an aloof expression. Petilil and Doublade had never seen Dragonite before, and it cheerfully picked them up too! "Wow!" Petilil wiggled its leaves, clearly delighted. Dragonite''s body was strange¡ªit had tiny, nearly invisible dragon scales, but it wasn''t rough at all. Instead, it was super soft! "Yoop~" Even Doublade twitched its scabbard happily. Dragonite''s hug was truly pleasant. Too friendly! "Alright, I''ll leave these shipments to you guys!" Hikaru handed out more berry juice to Dragonite, which drank it and showed a delighted expression. "Whooo~!" Seeing its satisfaction, Hikaru glanced at Charizard, who was standing there pretending to be indifferent. He smiled at Dragonite and said: "Charizard actually saved this for you." "Whoo~?" Dragonite turned to look at Charizard, who simply huffed. Fine. You''re my coworker and friend¡ªI guess I can share good stuff with you. Dragonite happily hugged Charizard again. Thus, the affectionate Dragonite and the tsundere hardworking Charizard made the perfect delivery duo¡ªjust like protagonists and rivals in a manga! "The natural airheaded, affectionate Dragonite and the tsundere, hardworking Charizard¡­ This is just like a manga protagonist and rival duo!" Hikaru silently made a mental note. Meanwhile, Charizard crossed its arms, signaling to Dragonite that since the juice was finished, it was time to get to work. "Roar roar!" Charizard pushed Dragonite away, grabbed the shipments, and flapped its wings to take off into the sky! "Whoo~" Dragonite waved its tail at Hikaru as a farewell. However, before leaving, it suddenly seemed to remember something. It rummaged through the pouch it carried and handed something to Hikaru. "Whooo~" "This is¡­?" Hikaru took the gift, which turned out to be a ''Golden Leaf'' and a ''Silver Leaf''! [Precious Material: Shining Leaves (Two Types)!] [Description: A mysterious golden leaf. No tree has been found to naturally produce such leaves.] [Description: A mysterious silver leaf. No tree has been found to naturally produce such leaves.] ¡ºGained Knowledge: +2¡» [Leaf Mutation: Any trees or grass you cultivate have a 10% chance of growing multiple golden or silver leaves.] [Mysterious Inscription: A form of hidden knowledge. By following its content and applying the corresponding mystical craftsmanship, one can create exceptionally unique items. It is also possible to engrave secret inscriptions onto designated facilities to place seals (requires one of the following powers: Psychic, Spiritual Energy, or Aura).] ¡ºGained Craft: +1¡» [Mystic Token Crafting (A): A technique that utilizes Pok¨¦mon materials, natural materials, and special leaves to create unique certificates! Using special leaves, the corresponding certificates can gain unique abilities.] [Crafting tickets with these inscriptions allows access to certain special locations (requires the correct inscription technique).] [Craftable Items: ''Weakness Policy (Silver),'' ''Evasion Policy (Gold).''] (End of Chapter) ==== [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Let me know if you want me to continue! Chapter 54 - 54 An A-rank craft? Hikaru found it hard to believe. When he looked up again, Dragonite had already soared far into the sky! Dragonite had used Extreme Speed! "This is truly incredible! Whether it''s chasing down Charizard or helping me, this Dragonite has been a huge help!" Weakness Policy and Blunder Policy were two peculiar items. A Pok¨¦mon holding Weakness Policy would have its Attack and Special Attack greatly boosted when hit by a super-effective move. Blunder Policy, on the other hand, increased the holder''s Speed significantly if a move missed due to accuracy. Although Hikaru had obtained the crafting method, he also recalled something about Shining Leaves¡ªthey seemed to appear in HeartGold/SoulSilver when a Pok¨¦mon followed its Trainer through tall grass. If five Shining Leaves were collected, they could be woven into a Shining Crown, which would then be registered on the Trainer''s certificate. But that crown looked like it had far more than just five leaves! And the Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf were rare items found in Let''s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! Hikaru hadn''t expected them to be related to the Shining Leaves. Though he had acquired an A-rank craft, there was no way to make use of it for now. As his excitement gradually faded, his computer chimed with a familiar beeping sound. Petilil and Doublade instinctively turned toward the workshop''s door! "It''s fine. I''m exhausted too. Let''s all take a break first!" Hikaru patted Petilil''s head and then turned to Doublade. "How about I sharpen your blades later?" "Yohwooo~" "Yohoop~" Both consciousnesses of Doublade were thrilled! Sharpening its blades was a form of maintenance, which to Doublade was like relaxation! Petilil had been feeling tired, but upon hearing about blade maintenance, she suddenly became excited again! Wait¡­ could Pok¨¦mon also be polished? Maybe she could try it too! "Let''s rest for now!" Hikaru hurriedly urged Petilil, seeing her more energetic than even himself. If she didn''t rest, he¡ªher Trainer¡ªmight collapse first! She was supposed to have a Stubborn nature, but she was acting like she had Diligent instead! As Hikaru prepared to return to the workshop, he suddenly spotted some large mushrooms growing in the corner. Mushrooms grew quickly, and just one rainfall could make them flourish. In the old workshop¡ªa structure of mixed wood and stone¡ªthey thrived even better. [Rare Material: Mochi Mushrooms] Effect: Large and mature mushrooms. A favorite food of Monster Egg-Type and Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon, capable of attracting them to wherever they are placed. Knowledge Acquired: Mushrooms at Your Doorstep ¡ª Mushrooms grow more easily near your home. Craftable: Mushroom Bait Bundle "Huh? This is a unique mushroom from the Hisui region¡­ and it''s growing near my workshop?" He had stumbled upon a treasure at his doorstep. However, neither Doublade nor Petilil liked eating these mushrooms. Hikaru harvested them and, seeing there were still plenty left, decided to get some pots later to cultivate them properly. Hopefully, it wouldn''t turn out like the ''Research Lab Incident'', where wild mushrooms thrived in the wild but failed when carefully cultivated. Back inside, Hikaru used food-processing techniques to mix the mushrooms with other ingredients. After some thought, he added a bit of Soft Sand. His Pok¨¦mon didn''t use Monster Egg- or Dragon-type moves, but in bait food recipes, different materials could be mixed in freely¡ªafter all, Pok¨¦mon ate a wide variety of things, unlike humans. On a whim, he also tossed in a Revival Herb leaf. [Crafting Complete!] [Crafted Food: Mushroom Bait Bundle] Effect: A blend of special mushrooms, Soft Sand, Berries, Revival Herb leaves, and bait materials. Strongly attracts Ground-, Monster-, and Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon. Additional Effect 1: Earthen Nourishment ¨C Greatly boosts Ground-type energy for a limited time, aiding in their growth! Additional Effect 2: Terra Essence ¨C Ground and Monster-type Pok¨¦mon that eat this will enter a state of peak vitality. Their health improves, training becomes more effective, and they are more likely to learn new moves! So, the more materials added, the better the effects? Compared to last time''s Verdant Nourishment, this Earthen Nourishment food even had an additional bonus effect. Maybe adding Revival Herb had created some unexpected synergy? Just as Hikaru finished the new recipe, his email notification rang. "A new email? Another wild customer?" The workshop was thriving, and more and more clients were placing orders. Subject: Inquiry About the Purity Pendant Hikaru raised an eyebrow at the sender''s ID: Mythology Researcher. Was this a ruins enthusiast? "The craftsmanship of this pendant is very similar to a particular style I''m familiar with. May I ask about its crafting method¡­?" "Sorry, that''s a trade secret," Hikaru replied politely. The sender didn''t push further. "I see. That was my mistake. However, I would still like to purchase this pendant. The effect¡ª''Prevents stat reduction in battle''¡ªsounds incredible, almost like the Clear Body ability some Pok¨¦mon have." Hikaru began his pitch: "The price is 500,000 Pok¨¦dollars. Since this is a special edition Purity Pendant, made with rare materials, it not only prevents stat reduction but also enhances mental focus and relieves accumulated fatigue." The core material was Ancient Crystal¡ªa rare relic from Rock Mountain Ruins. Until he found more, the stock was extremely limited. "No problem. Can I buy more than one?" Hikaru blinked in surprise before replying: "Apologies, but due to material rarity, I can only sell two at most." "That''s fine. I''ll take two." Just like that, a one-million Pok¨¦dollar deal was sealed. Hikaru hadn''t expected such a wealthy customer. But considering the ID, the buyer was likely a ruins explorer, a profession known for deep pockets. Definitely a ruins enthusiast. His unique engraving style must have caught the buyer''s attention. "Do you need anything else? I also sell items related to Pok¨¦mon training and battle strategies." "Hmm¡­ There are many interesting items in your shop, but I have trouble choosing." Hikaru offered a suggestion: "If you''re unsure about each item''s effects, I can provide recommendations. Also, bulk purchases come with discounts. What Pok¨¦mon do you train?" "Ghost, Steel, Water, Grass, Ground, Fairy..." "That''s quite a well-rounded team. For Ghost-types, I recommend Spell Tag and Spooky Cloth¡ªthe former boosts Ghost-type moves, while the latter enhances their energy. For Grass-types, I suggest Verdant Nourishment, which greatly increases Grass-type energy for a period, aiding their growth. For Ground-types, Soft Sand boosts their move power, and my new Earthen Nourishment food enhances their training efficiency and overall energy. As for Steel, Water, and Fairy-types, I don''t have specialized training items right now, but you might be interested in Ancient Wooden Carvings. These carvings can enhance a Pok¨¦mon''s strengths or compensate for weaknesses¡ªbut be aware that each carving is single-use, so choose its enhancement wisely." Masago Town ¨C Professor Yamanashi''s Lab A tall woman in a black coat, with golden hair and black accessories, clicked the purchase button. She was none other than Cynthia, the Champion of Sinnoh! "Just as you said, this shop has many intriguing items," Cynthia remarked. "Though I still have my doubts¡­ The descriptions sound incredibly powerful. If they are all accurate, then perhaps this craftsman possesses techniques passed down from ancient myths." She glanced at Professor Rowan, who had previously purchased a certain sculpture. Although it hadn''t arrived yet, Cynthia had rushed over upon hearing it might relate to mythology. One glance at the shop''s photos, and she immediately recognized something she had been searching for¡ª A Pok¨¦mon depicted in ancient myths! "In the Solaceon Ruins murals, there is a massive light at the center. At three points surrounding this light are the representations of the three Lake Guardians." Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf. "But I have another interpretation." Cynthia smiled slightly, gently brushing a strand of hair that had fallen over her face. "The three points forming a triangle could actually represent Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina." Professor Rowan was momentarily taken aback, still holding a cup of steaming tea. "Giratina?" "Yes. Based on my recent research, I have identified it as the third Legendary Pok¨¦mon corresponding to Dialga and Palkia. It governs the Distortion World. I have confirmed this from an ancient text." "And at the center of the Solaceon Ruins mural, the enormous light represents the entity that created this world." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Throughout Sinnoh, various stone tablets contain inscriptions. From these, we can infer that there exists a being even more powerful than Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina." "We don''t yet have detailed information on Giratina, but it seems that the chaos of the Distortion World is caused by the instability of time and space." "The mural in the Solaceon Ruins appears to be conveying an important message. That is my interpretation as a researcher of mythology." Professor Rowan glanced at the computer screen. The shop listing for the Arceus sculpture now showed that it was out of stock. "You think this Pok¨¦mon is connected to Dialga and Palkia?" "Yes. However, I will conduct further research once the item arrives." Cynthia tilted her head slightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Finally... I feel like I have touched upon a true fragment of mythology. Rare individuals and fascinating discoveries¡ªthe stories passed down on this land must be witnessed firsthand." "Oh, and that pendant is also worth investigating. I just sent details about it to my grandmother, and she mentioned that it closely resembles the traditional talismans of Celestic Town. That means it''s an ancient charm." "This craftsman must have deep connections to Celestic Town''s history! Once the pendant arrives and I analyze it, I might consider inviting them for a discussion." "Actually, that was my grandmother''s suggestion." "An artisan preserving ancient craftsmanship?" Professor Rowan mused. "That reminds me of something I came across during my research in Kanto." "In the past, back when Sinnoh was still called Hisui, I found traces of a peculiar legend." "Are you referring to the people of the Celestial Accord?" Cynthia immediately picked up on the reference. "I''ve come across similar stories. A long time ago, many ancient Sinnoh people left this region and traveled to Johto. They settled in a place called Shinto, bringing Sinnoh''s culture to Johto." "A land where Sinnoh and Johto''s ancient traditions merge¡­ Very little information is available on that region. Could this craftsman be¡­?" "It seems that soon, I may need to visit Johto myself!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 55 - 55 ["Your sculptures are truly amazing! I love collecting these ancient statues!"] ["What? You''re saying these are replicas? No, no, I already know they''re replicas! But even so, these are crafted so well that they''re indistinguishable from real antiques! This is also a form of valuable artwork! I''m willing to pay a high price to purchase them all!"] ["Ah, I see. You''re selling them to others as well¡ªmy apologies for being presumptuous. In that case, I''ll just buy one of each!"] ["W-What?! Some of them are already out of stock? That''s such a shame! When will you be restocking them? I''ll be waiting at any time!"] ["Then I''ll take just one sculpture for now!"] After seeing off the last customer, whose ID was [Mythology Researcher], there was no time to mourn the departure of a loyal customer before a new one arrived! This time, the customer''s ID was practically an open declaration: [Bourgeois Meyer]. "So, it''s Mr. Bourgeois Meyer from the Unova region. Seriously, who uses their real name online?" The Bourgeois family was a wealthy household residing in Undella Town, Unova. The family had six members, all of whom were passionate about collecting ancient antiques. This time, they had found the shop through a "friend''s" recommendation and were deeply impressed by the craftsmanship. Undella Town, Unova? Oh right, there was indeed a customer from that area¡ª[Ancient Explorer], wasn''t it? "Customers recommending each other¡ªthis means my customer base is only going to grow bigger!" "But my initial goal was to dominate the Johto region, so why do all these ''wild'' customers keep coming from other regions? Hmm¡­ Do the people in Johto not have any demand for battle-related items? So far, my only customers from here have been the one from Ecruteak City and two of the Elite Four." "And what about the other Gym Leaders? Huh?" As Hikaru was pondering this, a new email arrived. It was from a previous customer in Ecruteak City¡ªsomeone who had made a direct purchase without much interaction. ["The Reaper Cloth I bought from you last time worked wonders for channeling spirits, so I''d like to purchase another batch, along with some Spell Tags."] ["Allow me to introduce myself¡ªI am Morty, the Gym Leader of Ecruteak City, and a ''Seeker of Truth.'' It seems that you, too, are a powerful spirit medium. If you have the time, I''d love for you to visit Ecruteak City. I''ll prepare tea and a gift to welcome you."] Oh, so it''s Morty! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This guy has quite a rich background in the games, anime, and manga, especially because of his identity as both a spirit medium and a seeker of Ho-Oh. His title of ''Seeker of Truth'' basically makes him a high-level spirit medium. Through rigorous training, he''s gained a mysterious ability called Clairvoyance. "¡­Wait, does that mean he can spy on me like Nanu?" Hikaru narrowed his eyes and scratched his head. People with weird abilities like this¡­ always make you feel like you''re being monitored by a hidden camera! ["Alright, if I have the time, I''ll definitely visit¡ªprobably in the fall or towards the end of the year."] Morty seemed delighted by the reply: ["Then I''ll be eagerly awaiting your visit! Also, I''ve recommended your charms and spiritual cloths to my fellow spirit mediums. After using them, they were all quite shocked at their effectiveness. I expect they''ll be coming to purchase from you soon!"] ["Ah, thank you so much!"] Hikaru quickly typed out his response. Customers sharing their experiences and recommending products to others¡ªit''s a positive cycle! As for Ecruteak City, Hikaru had already been planning to visit. The main reason was the process of crafting a Clear Bell, and unknowingly, he was close to gathering all the necessary materials. The only thing missing was the woven net technique, which was the most crucial step in the entire process. "Should I stop by Azalea Town and visit the Iron Master first? But right now, I still can''t leave." (TL: For the people that don''t know, Iron Master is Kurt, the one that made Pokeballs in Johto, his name in Japanese is Gantetsu. That''s why people there call him Iron Master, Tetsu=Iron) Traveling from Sinnoh back to Johto wasn''t easy¡ªjust reaching the nearest cities, Blackthorn City or Cherrygrove City, would take a lot of time. Walking back wasn''t an option. If he were to head to Johto, leaving around late August or mid-September would be ideal. By October, this place would be covered in snow, giving the land time to recover. Speaking of which, if he could build a greenhouse, he could continue growing crops even during Sinnoh''s harsh winters. Johto had a unique method of growing Berries using Berry Planters. In the games, Berries couldn''t be planted directly in Johto''s soil; they could only be grown in these planters. They looked like glass-covered flower pots at first glance, but they were actually quite complex. The soil in these planters likely came from either Sinnoh or Hoenn. Different regions had different soil qualities, which made Hikaru think about the unique forests of each region. "If I had a large Flying-type Pok¨¦mon, I could travel freely between regions¡­ It would be so much more convenient. Right now, though, it''s kind of a hassle." "Blackthorn City has Charizard flight services. You ride in a hot air balloon while a Charizard pulls you forward¡­" Not having a Flying-type Pok¨¦mon for transportation was definitely inconvenient. But if he were to choose one, it had to be big and strong enough to carry him over long distances. Plenty of Pok¨¦mon could fly, but only large and sturdy ones¡ªlike big Charizard or Dragonite¡ªcould carry a person over long distances. Speaking of large Flying-type Pok¨¦mon in Johto, there was, of course, Skarmory. But compared to Skarmory, Galar''s Corviknight was the superior option in every way. Now that he thought about it, Doublade''s evolved form, Aegislash, could technically hover and carry someone at low altitudes¡­ but it didn''t exactly seem safe. After dealing with the two new customers, Hikaru took out some Berries from his latest harvest. Thanks to Celebi''s power, these Berries looked even better than naturally grown ones. He handed some to Petilil and called over Doublade, who was still chopping wood. "Let''s all have some Berries! Well¡­ actually, I''m the only one eating." Petilil and Doublade absorbed nutrients instead of eating in the traditional sense. "Remember, don''t finish them all. Leave some behind." Though the two Pok¨¦mon didn''t understand why, they still followed instructions. Hikaru then bit into an assortment of Berries: Sitrus, Pecha, Oran, Rowap, Lum, Occa, Babiri, Chople¡­ all of them were partially eaten. Doublade had the most unique way of consuming them¡ªits ribbon-like arms grabbed two Berries at once and absorbed their essence, leaving behind shriveled husks and seeds. Soon, all that remained was a pile of Berry scraps. Hikaru carefully examined each one. No reaction. No reaction. No reaction. "¡­Strange. Do these not count as ''leftover food''?" Then, as he picked up the first Berry he had eaten, a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind: [Material: Leftover Food (High-Quality Sitrus Berry)] [Description: A partially eaten Berry left untouched for a while. Due to prolonged exposure, its nutrients have begun to deplete, altering its composition. Its taste has worsened, and it only restores 1/16 of a Pok¨¦mon''s HP.] [Crafting Unlocked: +1] [Unique Leftover Cooking (C+): A technique to combine various leftovers, partially eaten, or aged Berries into special dishes. The form of the dish is flexible. When a Pok¨¦mon holds and eats it before battle, its HP will gradually recover during combat. The effect also works outside of battle.] [If a Pok¨¦mon with healing moves assists in crafting, the resulting food will have additional special effects.] "¡­If a Pok¨¦mon with healing moves helps¡ªoh, wait! I remember something." Back in the Hisui era, Pok¨¦mon techniques were used in cooking for flavoring. Without hesitation, Hikaru grabbed some cookware and set up a campfire, tossing some Berry scraps into a pot. "Petilil, use Pollen Puff on the food! But gently." Petilil looked incredulous. "Pet?" Despite its curiosity, it followed instructions. A shimmering golden-red puff of pollen drifted into the pot, delicately landing inside. As soon as it did, the food underwent a mysterious change. Hikaru ladled out some of the thick Berry stew to observe. [Crafted Food: Leftover Berry Stew (Floral Soup)] [Description: A stew made from various leftover or aged Berries. It has a powerful healing effect and attracts nearby Pok¨¦mon.] [Effect: Pok¨¦mon that eat it will gradually recover HP during battle.] [Bonus Effect: Enhanced by Pollen Puff. Eating this permanently boosts a Pok¨¦mon''s Dexterity (small boost). Grass- and Bug-type Pok¨¦mon also receive an energy boost.] Dexterity? That''s a Pok¨¦mon''s physical attribute! Speed affects movement speed. Strength determines impact force. Dexterity influences precision in special actions. Endurance affects fatigue levels. Jumping power affects height. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 56 - 56 "Oh oh, this is really nice!" Hikaru gently stroked Petilil''s leaves. "In the future, you can help out when we''re cooking, too!" "Peti!" Petilil let out a cheerful cry. At the same time, Hikaru''s mind received corresponding feedback. ¡ºPetilil has completed a craftsmanship task! Gained experience and growth!¡» ¡ºLearned the move: Weather Ball!¡» ¡ºGained Knowledge: +1¡» ¡ºSeasoning Participation: Food seasoned by Petilil restores +10% stamina.¡» "Wow wow!" Petilil''s small skirt-like leaves twirled up! It could feel it¡ªjust a moment ago, it had suddenly learned a new move and had become a bit stronger! "Yooh~!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yoop~!" Doublade also expressed its approval of Petilil. It then extended two ribbon-like arms and began absorbing the essence of the berries. The food visibly vanished before their eyes, and Doublade could feel its "operational precision" improving! This sensation¡­ what a fantastic feeling! Meanwhile, Hikaru was staring in astonishment at the notifications. Weather Ball! Wait a second, this means Sunny Day + Weather Ball¡­ Even a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon could now unleash a Fire-type attack! ... June 30, Cloudy Hikaru gradually put up the recently made products for sale, marking them properly. High-quality medicinal herbs, Energy Root, Revival Herb, Sun Moss, and Charcoal. The Double Pickles were also nearly done. Pickling takes a month, so they still needed a few more days. There were also some wooden carvings. However, Hikaru didn''t list the character carvings for sale¡ªafter all, the individuals being sculpted might not appreciate their likeness being sold online. If these kinds of sculptures were to be sold, the sculpted individuals'' approval would be necessary. As for the wooden carvings, Hikaru decided to experiment using oak wood from a specific tree. ¡ºCrafted Item: Small [Ancient Wood Carving]¡ªStyle of the Capital Ruins¡» ¡ºDescription: A wooden carving made in imitation of ancient sculptures, using high-grade oak wood. The carving depicts Petilil.¡» ¡ºItem Effect: Special Defense Prayer¡ªBy praying to the wooden carving, it will respond to a specific Pok¨¦mon and enhance its Special Defense!¡» "Using oak wood will designate the ability to enhance Special Defense." At that moment, Diglets''s voice came from outside. Hikaru immediately put down his laptop and headed to the kitchen, where he saw Petilil cooking Berry Soup. "Peti!" Petilil watched as Hikaru took some Sand Radish from the ingredient cabinet. What''s he planning to do? "It''s because the Diglett have arrived. They helped till the land for me before, and this time, I need their help to dig up some important items." "Don''t let the Berry Soup cook for too long." "Wow wow!" Petilil nodded its head rapidly, showing that it was being careful. Hikaru handed the freshly carved wooden sculpture to Petilil. The Pok¨¦mon shook the leaves on its head, and in a flash of dazzling light, its Special Defense IV reached the maximum! ... Outside the House Hikaru carried a bunch of Sand Radish outside. Diglett liked eating vegetables and plant roots, so Sand Radish should be something they enjoy. As expected, Dugtrio arrived, leading a few Diglett along. However, they seemed a bit puzzled when they saw the herb field. Why are these herbs growing so slowly? "It''s because of special circumstances¡ªI already harvested once!" Hikaru explained with a smile while glancing at the surrounding fields. Perhaps it was due to Celebi accelerating growth once, but the second batch of crops was sprouting much faster than the first. The land itself seemed to have received some kind of unique enhancement. "Daigo?!" Dugtrio''s three heads showed expressions of shock! What?! The village hasn''t even had its first harvest yet, and you''re already on your second batch?! "These are a thank-you gift for you guys. They were harvested from my field last time! Also, I have a favor to ask." Hikaru handed the Sand Radish over, and Dugtrio immediately recognized what they were. The Pok¨¦mon were delighted! Plant roots! Alright, so what''s the task? "I want to find a type of glowing clay. If you discover any while digging, could you bring it to me? I have plenty of Sand Radish and Berry Vegetables¡ªI''ll trade them for the Light Clay." "Daigo!" Dugtrio nodded all three heads in agreement. The Diglett let out cheerful cries. Glowing clay, huh? We''ll keep an eye out for it while digging! The Diglett accepted Hikaru''s request. They had only come by to check on the farm, so after munching down a huge pile of Sand Radish, they packed up the rest and took them along. "By the way, is this little hole in the ground your doing?" Hikaru pointed at a small hole in the herb field. Dugtrio looked confused and turned to ask the other Diglett. However, all of them denied having been here in the past few days. That meant¡­ the hole had nothing to do with the Diglett. Hikaru''s curiosity deepened. Although the hole wasn''t causing any harm and the surrounding herbs hadn''t been disturbed, it still felt like¡­ someone had moved in. Hmm, I should pay attention to this over the next few nights. However, the small hole didn''t appear every day, and its timing seemed random. To discover its origin, he would need long-term observation and a little luck. But he still had work to do during the day, so staying up all night wasn''t an option. "Oh well, I''ll just see how lucky I am at night. Maybe I''ll catch the culprit in action." Hikaru made a note in his mind. Just like in the anime, when Dugtrio and Diglett carried things, they balanced them on their heads. Watching them leave happily, Hikaru decided that he needed to venture into the forest again soon. Compared to the mysterious hole, gathering materials was far more important. Perhaps he might even find some rare materials. "The crafts I currently have but haven''t used yet are¡ª" Flame Forging Mystic Token Crafting Apricorn Processing Glass Smelting Tool Manufacturing Ice Sculpture Crafting "Hmm, since I have forging and tool-making skills, I should create some useful tools!" Hikaru reviewed the crafts he had mastered but not yet applied and decided that his next task was to forge unique tools. Although he already owned common exploration and production tools¡ªsuch as a pickaxe and entrenching shovel¡ªthe unique tool-making technique allowed him to mix Pok¨¦mon materials to create specialized tools with unique abilities. As Hikaru recalled the details, a list of Pok¨¦mon materials and their respective crafting processes surfaced in his mind. "...Such a rich selection!" Hikaru opened the forge room and began preparing materials for forging. The iron scraps and minerals he had previously collected had all been stored in the forge. Meanwhile, Doublade and Petilil sneakily peeked from behind the door, watching Hikaru at work. The Berry Soup was ready. Staaare~ (x2) "Oh? Are you guys interested in forging?" Hikaru''s first glance went to Doublade¡ªlast time, it had run away immediately upon entering the forge. After all, as a Steel-type Pok¨¦mon, it naturally feared fire. But Petilil, a pure Grass-type Pok¨¦mon, was also interested in forging? No, it was probably just eager to participate in his work. Such adorable and hardworking little ones! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 57 - 57 Flames rose within the forge, the scorching charcoal spewing out embers. Scrap iron and ore were gradually melted and hammered. Neither the previous owner nor Hikaru had any knowledge of blacksmithing; it was completely unfamiliar territory. Fortunately, acquiring the craftsmanship also imparted the proper production process. Moreover, Hikaru had previously obtained some insights into blacksmithing from the Rocky Mountain Ruins¡ªthough the method of acquiring them had been somewhat mysterious, it proved incredibly useful! With both factors combined, even a complete novice in forging could craft items comparable to those of a skilled artisan. The rising flames symbolized power, something that could easily shake the worldview of weaker beings. The boiling firelight, the forceful hammer, the solid anvil¡ªeach strike carried a raw and intense impact! Before long, Hikaru had forged a pair of iron gloves. After stitching them together with leather, the first forged tool was completed. ¡ºCrafting completed!¡» ¡ºCrafted Item: Destruction Gloves.¡» ¡ºDescription: A tool crafted using Pok¨¦mon materials and scrap iron, forged with special flames and processing techniques. It enhances Steel-type energy.¡» ¡ºItem Effect: Rapid Digging¡ªIncreases excavation speed by 20% and grants a unique usage of "Dig."¡» "Dig? Is this a move?" "Its crafting materials include the spikes and claws of Sandslash. However, due to the fire-based forging process, it only enhances Fire, Steel, and Psychic-type energy, making it incapable of boosting Ground-type power." "Whoo¡ª" Hikaru wiped the sweat off his forehead, took a short break, and looked at the steel gloves in his hands with amazement. At some point, two Pok¨¦mon had wandered into the forge. They gathered around the special gloves, exchanging thoughts, seemingly sharing their own opinions. However, upon hearing Doublade''s words, Hikaru immediately shook his head. This guy was still preaching its whole "king" spiel! Time to check out the newly obtained materials instead! [Material: Spark Scales.] [Acquisition Locations: Ancient Castle (Unova) ¨C Volcarona, Great Crater (Paldea) ¨C Volcarona, or obtained from a Larvesta evolving into Volcarona.] [Corresponding Craft: Ancient Kiln Technique (Can be used to create the Ancient Pot).] "Ancient kiln firing? Good stuff! Can Volcarona''s scales be bought online?" "Probably not." "Well, since I''ll be heading to Unova at some point, I''ll just save this craft for a few months later." Doublade: Forging, huh? Back in the day, my (x2) body was forged as well. At that time, I wasn''t even a Pok¨¦mon! Anything the new king forges is bound to have incredible powers! Petilil (poking the gloves): You weren''t a Pok¨¦mon before? Then what were you, Doublade-senpai? Doublade: Have you ever heard the tale of the ancient sword''s awakening? Doublade swayed both of its ribbon-like arms. An ancient sword, weathered from countless battles, becomes inhabited by the soul of the dead and transforms into a Pok¨¦mon¡ªthat''s me! But there''s a misconception¡ªI wasn''t a human soul. I naturally became a Pok¨¦mon through the mystical energies of the world. Many Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon are born this way! Petilil (clenching tiny fists): Then you must have been an amazing sword before! Doublade: No, to be honest, it''s embarrassing¡­ After becoming a Pok¨¦mon, I was captured by a wandering sorcerer with strange magic and presented as a tribute to a king. Later, I was chosen by a knight to be his Pok¨¦mon. I learned some underhanded¡­ I mean, truly practical battle techniques from that knight! But for some reason, I was eventually left to gather dust in a warehouse. By the time I woke up, the kingdom had already fallen. Petilil (shocked): Eh?! That''s so unlucky! Doublade (resolute): Exactly! That''s why my dream now is to support a powerful leader and help him become the new king! Doublade: Right now, the kingdom is still in its infancy. If you join in earnest, you could be among the founding ministers! Petilil (ears twitching): No, senpai, I don''t understand¡­ What''s so great about being a minister? If I''m following Hikaru, aren''t I already with him? Doublade (stunned): Eh? The benefits, right, the benefits¡­ What are they? Oh! You get to command other Pok¨¦mon! Petilil (confused): But I don''t want to command other Pok¨¦mon. I''m just me. Why should I order others around? Doublade: Ugh¡­ Doublade: Wait¡­ Oh no! I don''t have a post-establishment plan for my kingdom! Doublade fell into deep contemplation. None of the Pok¨¦mon were interested in its grand nation-building scheme. Petilil only cared about the gloves Hikaru had crafted and her own work! "If forged items have special abilities, they could be quite useful in daily life. The initial intent behind crafting these tools was, of course, to make work easier." "Also, should I forge some protective gear for Petilil?" After so many days of training, Petilil had grown significantly stronger. Combined with her own knowledge and experience, she would no longer be as helpless in battle as before! However, Hikaru still wanted to prepare some defensive measures for her. He searched his mind for special items that could enhance Grass-type Pok¨¦mon. Loaded Dice + Bullet Seed? But Loaded Dice seemed to be a mechanical item, described as a die that always rolls favorable numbers. Hikaru didn''t have much knowledge of mechanics yet. Forging protective gear seemed like the more practical option. Before long, Hikaru had completed some protective gear, and to his surprise, his thoughts led to an unexpected result: ¡ºCrafting completed!¡» ¡ºCrafted Item: Small Protective Armor (Steel).¡» ¡ºDescription: Prevents the usual effects from contact-based attacks. Enhances Steel-type energy and move power.¡» ¡ºNegates: HP loss from Rocky Helmet; Poison from Baneful Bunker; HP loss from Spiky Shield; damage from Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, and Aftermath; and secondary effects of Flame Body, Static, Cute Charm, and Perish Body.¡» ¡ºItem Effect: Rebound¡ªIncreases Defense by 15% and reflects incoming impact force.¡» ¡ºNote: Excessive damage may cause the armor to break instantly.¡» "Oh?" Hikaru''s eyes lit up before handing the small protective armor to Petilil. "Try it on!" Petilil curiously took the armor, though her tiny hands made it difficult to equip, so Hikaru helped her put it on. Once fully equipped, the hem of her small dress was reinforced with iron plates, and a tiny helmet adorned her head, with three leaves extending from holes at the top. "Wow-wow!" It felt slightly heavy! Petilil swayed from side to side, gradually adapting to her new armor. At the same time, she felt as though she had acquired a new ability¡ªthough it wasn''t the same feeling as learning a move! "Petil?" Petilil looked at Doublade. "Pet!" Doublade-senpai, can you battle with me? "Yowoo¡­" Doublade snapped out of its deep thought (x2), adjusted its stance, then pointed at Petilil while glancing at Hikaru. "No problem. This is the perfect time to test the equipment. Doublade, use Shadow Sneak!" Doublade let out a murmuring sound. Its blades glowed with a purple-white aura, and both swords shot forward, striking Petilil directly! At that moment, Petilil instinctively activated the new ability granted by her armor. The steel-type energy in the armor gathered the surrounding ambient energy¡ª Rebound! Doublade was suddenly hit by the force of its own attack! "Pet! Wow-wow~!" Petilil bounced happily. Seeing Doublade get knocked back by her own counterattack filled her with joy! S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In her excitement, she leapt onto Hikaru''s shoulder, rubbing her face against his. "Wow-wow!" Thank you, Hikaru! Meanwhile, Doublade, now wide-eyed (x2), stared at Hikaru with longing. Shouldn''t I get one too?! Hikaru sighed, patting Petilil while glancing at Doublade, who looked somewhat dejected. Seeing this, he reassured it: "Alright, alright. Next time, I''ll find a way to craft something similar for you. If modifying your sheath is out of the question, I''ll just have to enhance your crossguard and hilt." "That would actually be a good thing¡ªit would help distinguish you from other Pok¨¦mon of the same kind¡­ though, to be honest, there aren''t any other Pok¨¦mon like you in this region anyway." "Now that I think about it, various tools seem to have different applications. Some are related to Pok¨¦mon moves, while others aren''t. I suppose the tool''s function has to match a move for it to work." "Yowoo~!" Doublade nodded eagerly, clearly stating¡ªit wanted the most stylish crossguard ever! As for the effects it could have¡­ if he was lucky enough to forge a tool imbued with the power of a Pok¨¦mon move¡­ what if he could? Doublade recalled hearing about a certain move before¡ª"Behemoth Blade"¡ªa move where a sword was swung with overwhelming power. Maybe Hikaru could try forging something like that? "Pffft¡ª" Hikaru nearly spat out his drink. "You¡ªyou know about Behemoth Blade?! Were you brought here from Galar?" Hikaru suddenly realized that, while Doublade had been a prized "treasure" from ages past, it had never mentioned where it originally came from. It seemed even Doublade itself had no idea. Which meant¡­ back in the age of kingdoms, there were no regional classifications. "Yopu?" Sure enough, Doublade looked completely clueless. It had only heard of the move from the mysterious traveler who had captured it as a treasure. "That move can''t be replicated on a weapon¡­ Wait¡ªactually, maybe it can." Hikaru had been about to reject the idea, but then it hit him¡ªif he could obtain Zacian''s fur, along with the "Rusty Sword" containing ancient, decayed iron¡­ maybe he really could forge a unique tool imbued with Behemoth Blade! Zacian (Crowned Sword) + Rusty Sword + Iron Head = The King''s Blade + Behemoth Blade! The formula was already set! If he truly managed to gather these materials and craft a crossguard infused with Behemoth Blade''s power¡ªor even attach it to a lumber axe¡ªwould that mean... He could use Behemoth Blade to chop down trees?! "Oh¡­ this actually sounds really interesting!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 58 - 58 "Since we''re all prepared, let''s head into the forest tomorrow and help you reclaim your habitat!" "Even though your companions have left, once you reclaim your home, they''ll surely return!" Hikaru suddenly spoke, and Petilil, who had been rubbing its cheek excitedly, paused. Hikaru gently lifted Petilil from his shoulder. Their clear eyes met, and a storm of emotions swirled in Petilil''s mind. The day had finally arrived. From the very beginning, this human had mistaken her for an Oddish. Then, he had taught her how to grow stronger. He helped her learn new moves, trained her tirelessly, carved wooden sculptures for her, and gave her plenty of berries and food. Now, he even crafted a tiny set of armor for her. If she defeated that Voltorb, did that mean she would truly have to leave her Pok¨¦ Ball? Leave the workshop? "Pet..." Petilil''s enthusiasm suddenly faded. "Huh? What''s wrong?" Hikaru asked, confused, as Petilil leapt from his hands. The three leaves atop her head drooped slightly, reflecting her melancholic mood. If she won, she would have to leave the workshop? But if she didn''t, the Voltorb would continue to occupy her home. In that case, was there even a reason to fight anymore? She no longer had a reason to battle. Hikaru noticed Petilil''s sadness and seemed to understand something. He then asked softly: "Could it be that... you don''t want to leave here?" "Pet..." Petilil turned to glance at Hikaru, then at the ever-indifferent Doublade. Leave, or stay? She was deeply torn. "Don''t worry." Hikaru''s reassuring voice made Petilil look up again. "Whether you want to leave or stay, I won''t stop you. You can take your time and think about it." Hikaru paused for a moment before continuing: "Just do what you truly want to do. Do what you believe is right." The leaves atop Petilil''s head slowly lifted again. She was still lost in thought, but her expression remained melancholic. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She didn''t want to leave. Seeing this, Doublade finally snapped out of its usual nonchalant state. "Oh! So you don''t want to leave! You''ve grown attached to the workshop!" Doublade floated over and gently brushed Petilil''s leaves with its ribbon-like arms. "Yoh~" "Yopu~" Ah, the meetings and partings of this world are always like this. Sometimes, people are just fleeting passersby in each other''s lives. And isn''t that the same for me? My entire kingdom became nothing more than a brief episode in my sword''s journey. From the king to the knights¡ªeveryone fell in the laughter and chaos of battle. "Pet..." Petilil asked Doublade¡ªdidn''t it have a previous Trainer? When he was gone, didn''t it feel anything? Doublade responded that although its previous Trainer was still a recent memory, from a chronological standpoint, a thousand years had already passed. That Trainer had long since turned to dust. Sometimes, one must face reality and choose to do what they find meaningful. It had already found a new way of life. The memories of its kingdom would slowly fade, and compared to its past, the present suited it far better. Besides, it never had a particularly deep bond with its previous Trainer¡ªafter all, in the end, it was just left to rust away in a storage room. "Yoh~! Yopu..." "Simply put, if reclaiming your habitat is something you believe in, then just do it! And after that, you can always come back. Don''t worry about whether other Pok¨¦mon will take over again. If they do, just go up and smack them twice! Eventually, they''ll stop trying!" Doublade''s crude yet straightforward advice made Petilil laugh through her tears, and Hikaru stepped forward. "Pet!" Petilil hopped toward Hikaru, her three leaves swaying. "If you still want to live with me, Doublade''s method actually works," Hikaru smiled. "The choice is entirely yours." "We should always follow our hearts and never make choices that we''ll regret." "Pet!" Petilil lifted the hem of her little leafy dress, psyching herself up. And slowly, an idea began forming in her heart. Yes, just as Doublade said! "Pet!" Even if new Pok¨¦mon came to live in her habitat, it would be because she had chosen to abandon it¡ªnot because it was taken from her, just as she had once chosen to leave behind Lilligant and the other Petilil. That was her choice. Abandoning something of her own volition and having it stolen were two entirely different things! She would fight and then return here! She did not want to leave! "Pok¨¦mon with a stubborn nature can sometimes overcome emotional struggles more quickly," Hikaru chuckled. Being stubborn wasn''t necessarily a bad thing! Compared to timid or reserved Pok¨¦mon, they were stronger and more determined, unwilling to give up on what they set their minds to! "Alright, that''s the spirit! Tomorrow, we''ll get ready and challenge that Voltorb!" "Pet!" Hikaru extended his hand, and Petilil raised her tiny leafy dress in response. The two of them high-fived! Doublade also lifted its ribbon-like arms, wrapping around their hands in agreement. "Yoh~" "Yopu~" See? The advice of a thousand-year-old Pok¨¦mon is still the best! Sometimes, you youngsters should listen to the wisdom of us ancient beings! "That said, it''s time for something important." Hikaru stood up, walked over to his workbench, and picked up the Arceus stone carving. But he hesitated. There had already been an unusual evolution-related move learned before. That was Weather Ball. Technically speaking, Petilil shouldn''t be able to learn Weather Ball. It was a move she could only acquire after evolving¡ªregardless of which form she took. Yet during their training, she had accidentally gained the move. This meant that through hard work, it was possible to learn post-evolution moves, albeit not particularly powerful ones. No, Weather Ball was actually quite strong¡ªit was just situational, dependent on the weather. Some Pok¨¦mon in the wild could learn evolution-exclusive moves under special circumstances. With that in mind, Hikaru nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps Petilil had an unexpectedly high learning potential? If so, what kind of powerful move would the Arceus stone carving grant her? Would it be that dance? Hikaru led his two Pok¨¦mon and the carving outside the workshop to an open area. Petilil knew that this stone held an extraordinary power¡ªcrafted by Hikaru himself, yet always kept off-limits. Now was the time to use it. What kind of power would it grant her? Petilil wondered. "This is the Arceus stone carving. It represents a Pok¨¦mon said to have created the world," Hikaru explained to the two Pok¨¦mon. Both Petilil and Doublade were stunned. A Pok¨¦mon that created the world? Could such a Pok¨¦mon truly exist? No, at that point, wasn''t it more of a god than a Pok¨¦mon? "So now, it''s time to understand its power. You can feel the energy within the carving, right? Touch it, and then..." "It''s all up to you. It will grant you a powerful move¡ªone that only Pok¨¦mon can learn." Petilil didn''t hesitate. She reached out and touched the Arceus stone carving. A grand, ancient melody echoed in her heart¡ªa song that seemed to transcend thousands of years, originating from the ancient times when the people of the divine capital played it to honor Arceus. Time eroded everything, yet this melody had traveled across millennia to the present. A mysterious energy surged from the air around her, and Petilil''s body began to glow¡ªa radiance much like the light of evolution. As the ancient melody resonated, Petilil closed her eyes, immersing herself in its rhythm. Countless visions filled her mind. The distant sky, ancient mountains, tranquil forests, and long-lost ruins. Light shone in the heavens, restoring the ruins to their former glory. Humans and Pok¨¦mon alike danced in celebration, lifting torches high. Their voices illuminated the sky, the interplay of light and flames dazzling. Their dance carried an indescribable rhythm and power. They used music and dance to showcase the divine''s might! And then¡ª Petilil released the carving, an understanding dawning upon her. She instinctively mimicked the ancient people and Pok¨¦mon, recreating their dance. Petilil twirled and leaped, performing a lively dance! Faintly, the ancient music accompanied her movements, leaving Hikaru and Doublade in awe. Then, a powerful force surged within Petilil as the radiance fully blossomed! "Pet!" She completed the dance, the light gradually fading. Petilil''s leafy dress swirled¡ªshe now understood how to use this formidable move! "Petilil has learned Victory Dance!" "With Victory Dance mastered, using a Sun Stone will guarantee evolution into the Hisuian form!" Hikaru smiled. She had learned the noble Victory Dance and solidified her evolutionary path. The door to a new world had opened for her. Hikaru gently stroked Petilil''s leaves before carefully placing the Arceus stone carving back inside the workshop. However, at that moment, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something unusual on the workbench¡ªthe Symbolic Tablet. The inscriptions on the stone had shifted, rearranging themselves into a new word. Regirock¡ªThe Legendary Titan. "The Symbolic Tablet sometimes predicts upcoming special Pok¨¦mon-related events. So, after Celebi... the next one to appear is the legendary titan, Regirock?" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 59 - 59 Of course, before tomorrow arrives, today''s work still needed to continue. Hikaru stared at the Symbolic Tablet, deep in thought, wondering what kind of encounter he would have with another Legendary Pok¨¦mon this time. But for now, he decided not to dwell on it. The beeping of the computer urged Hikaru, as well as Petilil and Doublade, back to work! This busy life was exhausting, but it truly felt fulfilling! Petilil bounced around, following Hikaru to the computer. Along the way, she suddenly asked Doublade a question. "Pet?" "If your ideal kingdom becomes a reality, does that mean all Pok¨¦mon will work together with Hikaru?" Doublade, slightly confused, responded: "Yoh..." "A king does not work!" "Huh?!" Petilil tilted her head in confusion. "Pet?" "If a king doesn''t work, then why do they get to be called a king? Shouldn''t a true king work alongside everyone else and lead by example?" "Yoh... yoh?" Doublade was stumped, now questioning its own beliefs. That''s right! Why should the new kingdom follow the old ways? Thinking about it now, it never really understood why kings didn''t have to work¡ªit was just something that had always been the case, so it had accepted it as normal. But now, it seemed... kind of wrong? One isn''t acknowledged as a king after becoming one, but rather, only those who are acknowledged become kings! Yes! Yes, that''s it! "Yoh!" Doublade declared that it had discovered a new principle for building its ideal kingdom! A place where both humans and Pok¨¦mon could live without worries, where everyone had their own responsibilities¡ªthat was the world it wanted to create! Hikaru overheard Doublade''s exclamations. Although he didn''t know what Petilil had asked, Doublade was once again preaching its villain-like ideology of kingdom-building. The more Hikaru listened, the stranger it sounded. Actually, a world where Pok¨¦mon worked and lived harmoniously already existed. Wasn''t that just the Mystery Dungeon world? A parallel world to the Pok¨¦mon universe? "Oh, the customer''s request is... huh?" Hikaru read the email from a "client," but his expression turned strange. [Today, I want to discuss the topic of Pok¨¦mon liberation. Humans and Pok¨¦mon have lived together for so long, with many believing we are indispensable partners to one another. But is that truly the case? Could this belief simply be one-sided wishful thinking on the part of humans?] "This format looks familiar... Isn''t this the same propaganda Plasma Team used? Right, back when Plasma Team was first active in Unova, they weren''t seen as an illegal organization yet, but more like a religious group." "They''re even sending propaganda emails all the way to Sinnoh?" That was Hikaru''s initial thought, but then he noticed something peculiar in the last section of the email: [You are a craftsman? Then do you know about the Light Stone and the Dark Stone?] [I am Ghetsis of Plasma Team. I am a man who fights for the true equality between humans and Pok¨¦mon!] [If you know the whereabouts of these two stones, please respond to me. I would be immensely grateful and will offer a generous reward. Let us work together to create a world where all life is equal!] Hikaru: "..." "...Could this be from the Ancient Seeker? No, wait... it must be Mr. Bourgeois!" At first, Hikaru thought this might be a new client sent by the Ancient Seeker, but upon further reflection¡ªwere there any archaeologists famous in Unova? If anything, the only notable figure in Undella Town was Cynthia. But Cynthia merely had a vacation home there. Given that it was summer, there was a chance Cynthia was in Unova, but if she was, she would never introduce Ghetsis as a potential client. Besides, Hikaru didn''t even know Cynthia personally. So there was only one possibility¡ª It was Mr. Bourgeois! As Plasma Team became more active in Unova, they must have sought out collectors of ancient relics to find the legendary two stones. Naturally, they would ask Bourgeois Meyer, a well-known collector of antiquities. "Ahh, this is a troublesome client... Even though I know where the Light Stone and Dark Stone are, I absolutely can''t tell him." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru replied to the email: "Are you looking to purchase something? I''m afraid I don''t know what stones you''re referring to. My apologies." A response came back quickly. ["I see... My apologies, it was wishful thinking on my part. I have asked many antique collectors, but none of them knew about these two stones. In desperation, I decided to reach out to someone overseas."] ["Since I''ve disturbed you, please allow me to show my sincerity by making a purchase. Do you offer custom sculptures?"] Hikaru raised an eyebrow¡ªthis guy was unexpectedly polite. Before breaking his mask, Ghetsis really did put on a convincing act as a "righteous man." "Of course. What kind of sculpture do you want?" ["Hydreigon. Do you know this Pok¨¦mon? I need a large sculpture, not a small one."] "Of course, no problem. Large sculptures start at 400,000 Pok¨¦dollars." Hydreigon was Ghetsis'' ace Pok¨¦mon. Perhaps he wanted the sculpture for Plasma Team''s propaganda, though Hikaru couldn''t guess his exact intentions. However, all of his sculptures contained special effects. Now that he had access to even more ancient stones, there was no need to worry about material shortages. ["Ah, that won''t be a problem! Also, I noticed your shop sells something called ''The King''s Prestige Emblem.'' From its appearance, it looks different from a normal King''s Rock, and its description says it makes Pok¨¦mon more obedient."] ["I would like to purchase one."] "It''s not obedience, it''s acknowledgment." Hikaru corrected him, already understanding Ghetsis'' intent¡ªhe wanted to find the legendary dragon and make it acknowledge either him or his adopted son, N. Of course, N¡ªthe so-called King of Plasma Team¡ªwas nothing more than a puppet in Ghetsis'' eyes, a tool to control the legendary dragon. At this point in time, Hikaru wasn''t sure what state N was in. "The price is already listed¡ª200,000 Pok¨¦dollars." Hikaru wasn''t entirely sure how to price this item. The normal King''s Rock''s flinch effect wasn''t particularly strong since it was mostly an evolution item. But after his enhancements, this one granted +20% acknowledgment, presumably effective on all Pok¨¦mon. But for someone like Ghetsis, money was never an issue. He had embezzled an untold fortune through Plasma Team and, unsurprisingly, immediately placed an order. "Thank you for your business." Hikaru paused for a moment before adding: "A Pok¨¦mon that acknowledges you will always acknowledge you. But no matter how many of these items you buy, a Pok¨¦mon that does not recognize you never will. Items don''t determine everything¡ªwhat matters most is the bond between a Trainer and their Pok¨¦mon." "So tell me¡ªdo you have a true bond with your Pok¨¦mon? Or is this for someone else?" The answer was already obvious. ["It is for our King."] Ghetsis replied. ["He will become the legendary hero, and for that, the legendary dragon must acknowledge him. Do you know the founding legend of Unova?"] ["How does one unify a world torn apart by conflict?"] ["It is by standing beside the dragon Pok¨¦mon, one black and one white¡ªPok¨¦mon who appear only before heroes who pursue either truth or ideals. They guided their chosen hero, bestowed knowledge, and bared their fangs at those who threatened their kingdom."] ["The hero and the Pok¨¦mon became one, and together, they created Unova."] ["Once again, the hero and the Pok¨¦mon shall rise in Unova!"] ["Our King and the legendary Pok¨¦mon will unite! They will create a new ideal kingdom! This is the re-enactment of Unova''s founding legend! And I am working tirelessly for this great cause!"] ["A world where humans and Pok¨¦mon live as equals! Do you think this is the right path?"] Doublade suddenly jumped in. "Yoh?!" It stared at the computer screen with both eyes. Hikaru explained the message''s contents to it, and Doublade immediately became furious! "What kind of low-level ruler thinks they''re on the same level as my King?!" "You think having a team makes you special?!" "Yoh~~!" "Yopu~~!" "Hikaru, cancel the order! Let''s piss him off!" Sure! Here''s the continuation of the translation: "Business is business. Don''t worry, everything he''s saying is just lies." Hikaru reassured his two Pok¨¦mon. Petilil, however, didn''t understand the text on the screen. She didn''t know what this whole "kingdom-building ideal" was about, so she had no reaction at all. Sometimes, too much knowledge is just a burden! "Pet?" Petilil tilted her head, adorably shaking it in confusion. Not knowing how to read, she remained carefree and innocent. "A true hero has already appeared, but the outcome won''t be as he claims. All this talk about ''monarchs'' and ''new kings''¡ªthese are just words used in religious indoctrination to brainwash followers. Some people, due to their weak will, are easily deceived by such propaganda. But then again, those kinds of people were never suited to be Pok¨¦mon Trainers in the first place." "Don''t be fooled by the surface-level ideals and speeches. Look at what actions he has actually taken. Didn''t you just say earlier? A king isn''t acknowledged after becoming one¡ªit is being acknowledged that makes one a king." Hikaru patted Doublade, and only then did Doublade feel reassured! "That''s right! Our king is still superior!" "I acknowledge your king''s will!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 60 - 60 As soon as the new order was processed, the computer beeped again¡ªthere was no downtime at all. This time, the client was also from Unova! "If this keeps up, I''ll end up conquering Unova before I even finish establishing myself in Johto. And to think it all started with the Ancient Seeker¡­ The people of Unova are really well-informed. Meanwhile, are Johto residents just¡­ not going outside?" This new client seemed like a regular one. Their ID was "Volcarona." Volcarona¡ªconsidered a semi-legendary Pok¨¦mon in Unova. "Wait a second, Volcarona¡­ No way, is this Alder? Haha!" Client: ["Hello, my name is Alder."] Hikaru: "..." An awkward silence filled the air. Doublade and Petilil were both confused. What was wrong with this person? Were they harder to deal with than that deceitful liar from earlier? "Oh¡­ this is the Champion of Unova." Hikaru finally processed the situation and sent a response: "What can I help you with?" ["I saw an item in your shop called Herbal Juice. It seems to enhance a Pok¨¦mon''s vitality? To be honest, one of my Pok¨¦mon may not have much time left. I am searching for a way to heal it."] ["I have asked around and learned that Johto has a Secret Potion capable of instantly restoring any Pok¨¦mon that has lost its energy. However, its effects are said to be extremely potent, and I fear my Pok¨¦mon might not withstand it. That''s when I found your shop."] ["At first, I was skeptical about the idea of juice enhancing vitality. But then I thought¡ªdoesn''t the natural world already have miraculous berries capable of restoring health and curing status conditions? Perhaps there is a berry that can save my Pok¨¦mon. And since Johto''s Shuckle Juice is renowned worldwide, I realized I should reach out to you."] Hikaru added Alder as a friend, and Alder explained his situation in more detail. As expected¡ªhis sick Pok¨¦mon was Volcarona. In Pok¨¦mon Black & White, Ghetsis had mocked Alder, saying that he had lost his passion for battling after his long-time partner passed away. This confirmed that Alder''s Volcarona hadn''t died of old age, but rather an illness. After leaving the Unova League in the care of the Elite Four, Alder wandered across Unova, no longer taking battles seriously. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Herbal Juice¡ªthe kind you need to strengthen vitality¡ªis priced at 50,000 Pok¨¦dollars." ["50,000? Just 50,000?!"] Alder seemed shocked. But it made sense¡ªat that price, this medicine was unbelievably cheap. Almost too cheap for something that could potentially save a life. Hikaru patiently replied: "I cannot guarantee its effectiveness, so please try it first. If it doesn''t work, I have other medicines that might help. As for the price¡ªmedicine that is too expensive loses its purpose as medicine." "However, shipping will take some time." ["I understand. Johto and Unova are far apart, but as long as it arrives in time, I will find a way to keep my Volcarona going."] ["When I was younger, I was too focused on battling¡­ and now my Pok¨¦mon has suffered because of it. This is my mistake."] ["Thank you for your help!"] Hikaru hesitated for a moment, then suddenly thought of Rippled Water and quickly sent another message: "By the way, do you know of a place called the Entree Forest?" ["Entree Forest? I''ve never heard of it."] Alder seemed confused. Hikaru recalled that the Entree Forest could only be accessed using Professor Burnet''s C-Gear technology. Before that invention, the forest would have seemed like a normal part of Unova. "It should be somewhere in the central Unova region." ["Oh! You mean the Central Forest. I know that place. It''s said that people experience mysterious dreams there. A researcher has been studying it for some time and has made some progress. Do you need help with something there?"] "Yes, I believe a certain Pok¨¦mon may appear in that forest. I''m searching for it. It looks like this¡ª" Hikaru sent a description. Alder quickly replied: ["I see. I''ll keep an eye out for that Pok¨¦mon. If it''s connected to the Dreamlike Forest, the researcher studying it might know something."] With that, Alder stopped sending messages. Now, he had been entrusted with two important tasks¡ªfinding the Entree Forest and saving Volcarona. Hikaru let out a deep breath. "If Volcarona actually survives¡­ then even if Ghetsis manages to gain the recognition of a Legendary Dragon, so what? People call Alder the weakest Champion because he lost his main Pok¨¦mon, but if his old Volcarona were still alive, things might have been different." Alder actually had two Volcarona. After the older one passed away, he became discouraged and stopped battling seriously. "This could be a huge shift in the timeline¡­ I hope my Herbal Juice works." "As for Johto''s Secret Potion, he must be referring to the ancient medicine from Cianwood City. I should make time to visit that place and buy a sample. If I analyze it, I might be able to recreate an even better version." The Cianwood pharmacy was an old establishment and didn''t sell its products online. The only way to obtain the Secret Potion was to travel there personally. In the games, the Secret Potion was powerful enough to cure the Psyduck''s chronic headaches¡ªa truly miraculous remedy! But even the most effective medicine could only extend life, not create it. If a Pok¨¦mon had strong vitality, it would recover fully after treatment. However, if it was already frail and suffering from hidden ailments, the Secret Potion''s potency might actually worsen its condition. Hikaru had just finished another order and was preparing to make some glass containers when¡ª The computer beeped for the third time! "What is this, a triple order streak?" ["Your carving skills are quite impressive. This old man was recommended to you. Do you take custom sculpture requests?"] This time, it was a request for a gym statue, not an individual sculpture like Ghetsis'' order. Hikaru focused. "What kind of statue would you like?" ["Haha, your sculptures are incredibly lifelike. They feel like relics from an ancient era. This old man wants to commission statues of a Pok¨¦mon called Urshifu. Have you heard of it?"] ["If not, don''t worry. I have pictures¡ªjust follow these poses."] Urshifu? Wait¡­ recommended by someone¡­ and referring to himself as an old man? "Could this be Mustard from the Isle of Armor? But I don''t recall his dojo having statues¡­" In Pok¨¦mon Sword & Shield, Mustard was a former Galar Champion who lived on the Isle of Armor. His son, Hyde, once mentioned that "Mr. Iron" had visited the island years ago to craft special Pok¨¦ Balls for Mustard. That was when Hyde saw Iron''s craftsmanship and attempted to replicate it using a machine. When the player creates an Apricorn Pok¨¦ Ball, Hyde admits that he had spent years trying to recreate the technique but could never fully replicate Mr. Iron''s skills. In short¡ªMr. Iron was the ultimate artisan, crafting Pok¨¦ Balls by hand even in an era dominated by machines. As for Mustard, he was an avid gamer. It made sense that he''d try online shopping. However, Mr. Iron was too old-fashioned for the internet, and all his online affairs were handled by his granddaughter, Chihiro. Hikaru thought for a moment before checking the photos. As expected¡ªSingle Strike Urshifu and Rapid Strike Urshifu! "Two statues for the dojo entrance?" In Sword & Shield, the dojo entrance looked oddly empty. Statues would make it feel much grander! "Large statues range from 200,000 to 400,000 Pok¨¦dollars each. Two would cost between 400,000 and 800,000. Is that acceptable?" ["400,000 is fine."] The reply came quickly. ["I trust your craftsmanship. The level of detail in your work is simply divine!"] ["I can''t wait to see the finished statues!"] "Thank you for your trust. I won''t disappoint you." Hikaru replied. However¡­ why did this person add "lu~" at the end of every sentence? Either way, today had been very profitable! But just as the messages stopped, the inbox beeped again¡ªthis time, from "Mr. Iron." And another email¡­ ["If possible, I''d like to visit your shop soon. I''m looking to purchase rare stones. ¡ªSteven Stone?!"] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 61 - 61 [PS Event For Will Start On PS Reset!!] [+200PS= +1Chapter!] Hikaru immediately replied to Steven''s email and finally realized that the gemstone collector who had been inquiring about Evolutionary Stones earlier was actually Steven himself. To be honest, the profession of "gemstone collector" isn''t rare in the Pok¨¦mon world. In the games, Trainers with this role are usually categorized as "Gentlemen" or "Hikers," so Hikaru never expected it to be Steven Stone! Steven, the Champion of the Hoenn region, was someone Hikaru was familiar with from childhood memories of playing the Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald games. Along with his close friend Wallace, the two would often trade the Champion title back and forth. The reason Steven frequently switched the Champion position with Wallace was due to his passion for traveling and excavating rare stones. Honestly, he might as well adopt Paldea''s Champion-tier system, where the Elite Four are also considered Champions. That way, Steven could freely leave whenever he wanted. Right¡ªSteven had many rare stones. Hikaru suddenly thought of something important and hurriedly sent a reply. "I do have some rare stones here." As soon as Steven received the response, he quickly replied and even added Hikaru as a friend. "Hello, let me formally introduce myself. I am Steven Stone, a gemstone collector passionate about collecting rare stones. Through certain channels, I learned about your shop and the unique stones you''ve sold in the past¡ªnamely, Evolutionary Stones." "I have already tracked down the previous buyer and confirmed the details. You once told me that Evolutionary Stones might appear in areas where Pok¨¦mon gather in large numbers. I conducted some investigations but have yet to find anything significant." "So, about the rare stone you mentioned¡ªwhat is it?" Finding nothing was expected¡ªEvolutionary Stones weren''t something one could just stumble upon. Hikaru quickly sent another message: "A special rock that fell off the Legendary Pok¨¦mon, Regirock." "A rock from a Legendary Titan?! That''s amazing!" Steven seemed extremely excited. Hikaru deduced that this version of Steven had never encountered the Legendary Titans, unlike his counterpart from Pok¨¦mon Adventures. In the mainline games and anime, the Hoenn Regi Trio weren''t required captures; they were more of puzzle-based Legendaries. Based on game lore, it was highly likely that the Regi Trio in Hoenn had never been caught by anyone and were still in hibernation. After all, Regis were scattered across various regions, and in the combined games, anime, and manga, the only legal owner of a Regi Trio was Brandon, the Pyramid King¡ªbut his Regis were unrelated to Hoenn''s. "By the way, I wanted to ask¡ªdo you have a Sun Stone or a Dusk Stone?" "Sun Stones and Dusk Stones are quite rare. Unfortunately, I don''t have a Sun Stone on hand, but I do have a Dusk Stone, which was excavated from Mt. Pyre long ago. If you need it, I''d be happy to gift it to you." Hikaru was delighted. "That''s great! But I''d prefer to buy it instead." "No need. This is a personal gift¡ªplease accept it. To be honest, I do have a favor to ask. If you ever come across Evolutionary Stones or discover new types, I''d like to purchase them from you." New Evolutionary Stones¡­ Hikaru did have one, but it was already given to Doublade. As Hikaru was lost in thought, Doublade suddenly spoke up, asking about the meaning of the text on the computer. Hikaru explained the conversation. Surprisingly, after hearing the explanation, both of Doublade''s eyes flickered. "Yoowoo~" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Since someone wanted the stone, why not sell it? After all, once it evolved, it wouldn''t need the stone anymore! Hikaru was puzzled¡ªDoublade had always been obsessed with rare stones, so why was it suddenly okay with selling this one? Doublade crossed its two ribbon-like arms as if folding them over its nonexistent chest. "Yoopup... Yoowoo!" It had a new plan. After hearing that suspicious customer''s speech about nation-building, Doublade felt there was something worth learning from it! This wasn''t just selling a stone¡ªit was an investment in relationships! With this stone as a foundation, this powerful individual would eventually become an ally. If one wanted to be a king, they had to gather strong figures under their command. This was called winning hearts! Doublade was paving the way for Hikaru! How about that? Wasn''t it doing a great job as an advisor? Plan: Success! Hikaru blinked, then sighed. So it was related to that edgy kingdom-building scheme after all. Still, no matter how ridiculous the logic was, Doublade was helping. Hikaru adjusted his mindset. "You do have a point. Once you evolve, you won''t need the Evolutionary Stone anymore. But it''s a shame there''s no Sun Stone¡ªotherwise, Petilil could evolve." Hikaru glanced at Petilil, who waved its leaves dismissively. "Waa-waa!" I''m strong even without evolving! Hikaru thought for a moment and decided not to mention the Evolutionary Stone for now. Once Steven arrived, they could discuss it face-to-face. Meanwhile, Petilil could use the stone to reclaim its habitat. For now, it was better to keep it. So Hikaru agreed to Steven''s request, and the latter quickly responded. "I''ll visit around July 5th-6th. Is that alright? We can discuss everything in detail when we meet. Thank you for your time!" Steven seemed thrilled¡ªwhen it came to stones, his enthusiasm knew no bounds. He was so obsessed with collecting them that he''d even resign from his Champion position just to search for more. "Man, Steven¡­ Devon Corporation is filthy rich. He''s a major client. Financially speaking, only Mr. Bourgeois could compare¡­ No, wait, even Mr. Bourgeois couldn''t match up. After all, in the games, that family went bankrupt from collecting antiques, right?" (TL: For the people that don''t know, it''s a character from Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs) "Bai~" "Yoowoo~" Petilil and Doublade cheered. Today had brought in many new orders! "Alright, let''s go make some glass!" After finishing the online transactions, Hikaru gathered Petilil and Doublade and returned to the forge, carrying a wooden bucket filled with soft sand. The Ruins of the Mountains had plenty of soft sand, so Hikaru brought back half a sack, along with various minerals. The journey back was heavier without Celebi''s help using Psychic to lift the load, but thanks to the superhuman strength of people in the Pok¨¦mon world, Hikaru managed to transport everything. Unique glassmaking techniques surfaced in his mind. Preparation: Sand, limestone, soda ash, and plant ash. Melting: Heat the sand in a furnace above 1800¡ãC, melting the quartz. Shaping: Blow and mold the molten glass using hollow metal pipes. Cooling: Rapidly cool the molten glass to form a transparent structure. That was the basic process. The specialized glassmaking techniques would enhance the craft, and with the Charizard figurine in the forge amplifying the furnace''s heat, temperature wouldn''t be a concern. But Hikaru had an idea. Looking at Petilil, who was curiously observing the forge, he suddenly said: "Hey, let''s try something new!" "Petilil!" "Waa-waa?" Petilil tilted its head. "Use Sunny Day!" Although confused, Petilil obeyed. A powerful radiant sun appeared on the ceiling¡ªno need for light bulbs now! Hikaru then pointed at the furnace. "Adjust your power and use Weather Ball!" Petilil recalled the move it had learned from work. "Waa-waa." Closing its eyes, it gathered energy, forming three orbs in front of it. "Waa-waa!" The Weather Ball orbs ignited and were tossed into the furnace, causing a massive blaze! "Nice! Petilil can help with forging now¡ªyour control over Weather Ball is impressive!" Letting a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon assist in fire-based forging? Well, this Grass-type knew Fire-type moves! "Waa-waa!" Petilil was delighted¡ªit had another job it could help with! A few hours later, after careful shaping, Hikaru completed a small glass whistle. "Yoowoo..." Doublade, watching Hikaru and Petilil work, felt left out. Before the forge reopened, it had helped with everything, but now, it couldn''t participate in glassmaking! "It''s alright. Every Pok¨¦mon has its strengths and weaknesses¡ªjust do what you''re best at." Hikaru reassured Doublade. Then he examined the newly crafted whistle. Crafted Item: Glass Whistle of the Earth Effect 1: Boosts Ground-type move power by 25% when blown by a Trainer or Pok¨¦mon. Effect 2: Enhances Ground-type energy perception, improving Pok¨¦mon training. While in this state, the user is immune to critical hits. Glassmaking Knowledge +1 New Blueprint Unlocked: Specialty Mirror Crafting Hikaru carefully examined the newly crafted Glass Whistle of the Earth in his hands. The transparent surface reflected the warm glow of the forge fire, showcasing its fine craftsmanship. He nodded in satisfaction. Doublade, still feeling left out, let out a low murmur and shifted its position slightly. It longed to be part of the process but knew that working with molten glass was beyond its capabilities. "You still play an important role, you know," Hikaru reassured Doublade, sensing its emotions. "We all contribute in different ways." Doublade perked up slightly but remained silent. Now that the Glass Whistle of the Earth was successfully created, Hikaru was curious about the specialty mirror crafting knowledge that had just appeared in his mind. [New Material: Mirror Armor] Source: Obtained from Corviknight with the Mirror Armor ability. Associated Craft: Unique Mirror Forging / Specialized Imitation Forging Effects: Mirrors crafted through this process may inherit certain traits and abilities from Steel-type Pok¨¦mon. A thought crossed Hikaru''s mind. A mirror that retained Steel-type abilities? That sounded incredibly useful. "A glass item with Pok¨¦mon properties... Could I create something similar to those artifacts used in ancient Pok¨¦mon myths?" he wondered aloud. The knowledge about Mirror Forging filled his thoughts. The crafting method seemed complex, but it was something he could work toward. "If I can get my hands on a Corviknight with Mirror Armor, I should be able to extract the necessary materials..." Hikaru murmured, making a mental note. For now, he set the glass whistle aside and cleaned up the forge. The day''s work had been productive. Just then, his Pok¨¦mon communicator lit up with an incoming message. It was from Steven. "I''m preparing for the trip now. I should arrive on the morning of July 5th. Looking forward to discussing the details in person!" "Steven sure doesn''t waste any time when it comes to rare stones," Hikaru mused with a chuckle. His Pok¨¦mon gathered around, sensing the anticipation in the air. Petilil, now feeling proud of its unexpected role in glassmaking, hopped up and down excitedly. "Bai~ Bai~!" It chirped happily. Doublade, though still a little broody, floated closer to Hikaru. Everything was falling into place. For now, Hikaru had more preparations to make before Steven''s arrival. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 62 - 62 [PS Event For Will Start On PS Reset!!] [+200PS= +1Chapter!] Hikaru''s eyes lit up, but when he saw that the material required came from Corviknight, he immediately fell into deep thought. That Pok¨¦mon only existed in Galar and Paldea¡ªit wasn''t available here. And on top of that, it needed the Mirror Armor ability? That was way too demanding. Mirror Armor was a Hidden Ability, after all. That being said¡­ could Skarmory''s steel feathers or Aggron''s shed armor serve as substitutes? After all, Steel-type Pok¨¦mon produced plenty of useful materials. Skarmory''s iron feathers, Aggron''s iron plating, Bronzong''s bronze shell, Registeel''s blackened metal, Orthworm''s thick iron, and Celesteela''s aerospace-grade alloy. Wait¡ªBronzor, Bronzong''s pre-evolution, was literally a bronze mirror Pok¨¦mon. Maybe picking up Bronzor fragments could unlock the special mirror forging technique as well. "If I capture a Corviknight, I''d have a steady supply of steel materials. Plus, unlike Skarmory, Corviknight isn''t afraid of rain. It''s one of the best flying Pok¨¦mon out there." Hikaru reined in his fantasy. No use thinking about it now. Instead, he turned his attention back to the Glass Whistle of the Earth. "Oh, so it increases move power a bit¡ªjust like Soft Sand normally does. That effect carried over. On top of that, it also boosts Ground-type training and prevents critical hits¡­ This whistle is way better than the original Glass Whistle from Hoenn!" "Hmm¡­ though it might be because I used Soft Sand as the base material. That sand was originally found in Regirock''s temple, so it likely contained Rock and Ground-type energy." "But since I don''t have any Ground-type Pok¨¦mon, I should sell this whistle. Also, its training effect reminds me of The Secrets of the Earth technique¡­" Hikaru glanced at Petilil''s leaves. Could different Pok¨¦mon-related materials create unique variations of the Glass Whistle? To test this theory, Hikaru plucked a leaf from Petilil, gathered some oak leaves from the nearby forest, and added them to a new batch of molten glass for a second round of crafting. The result was¡­ ¡ºCrafting Completed!¡» ¡ºCrafted Item: Verdant Glass Whistle¡» Description: A whistle made from Soft Sand, common materials, and special Grass-type plants, using unique glassmaking techniques. Effect 1: When blown by a Trainer or Pok¨¦mon, Grass-type moves increase in power by 10%. Effect 2: When blown, it grants a connection to Grass energy, allowing better Grass-type Pok¨¦mon training. While in this state, the user cannot be hit by critical hits. "The effects are almost identical, but the move power boost dropped to 10%. Is that because Soft Sand, a Ground-type material, was still the main ingredient? Still, this is pretty good¡ªit''s a useful item." "If I swapped out the Grass-type material for a Miracle Seed, the boost would probably go up to 25%. But Miracle Seeds are naturally occurring items and extremely rare¡­ Maybe I could use my mutant seed research to produce a Miracle Seed among my crops?" Beep Beep¡ª Hikaru''s computer notification went off. ... Kanto Region, Sevii Islands, Four Island. The red-haired woman¡ªa former Elite Four Ice-type trainer from Indigo Plateau, Lorelei, had received her delivery. "Dewgong, Lapras, Cloyster¡­ hmm, these sculptures look ancient." "Seeing them in person is completely different from looking at pictures online. It''s like the feeling I got when visiting the Ruins of Alph¡­ Could something like this really be made through sheer carving skill alone?" Lorelei stroked her chin as she carefully examined the 1/20 scale sculptures, then picked up the instruction manual that came with them. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was a user guide. "Ice-type sculptures will slightly lower the surrounding temperature." "Huh, it really does feel a bit colder. I like it!" "The Dewgong sculpture''s effect: Gradually restores HP for Ice-type Pok¨¦mon." "This thing is basically an eco-friendly refrigerator!" "Dew~" Lorelei''s Dewgong suddenly wiggled forward, tilting its head as it gazed at the miniature version of itself. The sculpture emitted a distinct chill, making Dewgong feel extremely comfortable. "You like it too?" Lorelei mused, arms crossed. "Sevii Islands have a tropical climate¡ªonly the Icefall Cave is cold enough for Ice Pok¨¦mon." As she said, the Sevii Islands leaned toward warm climates, so most Ice Pok¨¦mon resided in Four Island''s Icefall Cave. Lorelei usually let her Pok¨¦mon rest there, but lately, with Team Rocket causing trouble, she hadn''t been able to let them return. Four Island was Lorelei''s hometown¡ªher house was on the eastern side of town. "With these sculptures, I don''t even need air conditioning anymore! Alright, everyone¡ªcome out!" She released all her Pok¨¦mon¡ªexcept for Lapras, whose size was too large for indoor summoning. Aside from Dewgong and Cloyster, she also had Slowbro and Jynx. The moment her Pok¨¦mon emerged, they immediately noticed the temperature shift and turned their attention to the three sculptures. The cold aura coming from them lowered the room''s temperature, making it far more comfortable for the Ice-types. Cloyster, with its usual mischievous smirk, examined its own sculpture from multiple angles, curiosity evident in its gaze. "The Cloyster sculpture¡­ increases the hardness of ice. Hmm¡­ maybe it affects training?" Testing this theory, Lorelei ordered, "Cloyster, use Icicle Spear!" Cloyster smirked and channeled Ice energy, forming a massive icicle¡ªnoticeably larger than usual! The icicle dropped to the floor, and when Lorelei touched it, she found it was harder and denser than before! The cold aura it emitted was also noticeably stronger¡ªthough only slightly. "The difference isn''t huge, but as an Ice-type expert, I can tell it''s real!" "It even makes my Pok¨¦mon stronger¡­ This is amazing! Though it looks like it was designed as a refrigerator substitute." For someone of Elite Four caliber, reaching new heights in strength wasn''t easy. After all, Elite Four members were basically Champion candidates. Yet these sculptures passively boosted both the environment and Pok¨¦mon training¡ªjust by existing. Lorelei was thrilled. The Lapras sculpture''s effect was described in the guide as enhancing both Ice and Water-type energy absorption. "That makes sense¡ªif it gathers surrounding Ice energy, it could help Pok¨¦mon grow stronger. And on Sevii Islands, which are surrounded by ocean, this effect would be massive!" "There''s water everywhere!" "If I put this sculpture in Icefall Cave, it would make a huge difference!" Lorelei was genuinely excited. Her Pok¨¦mon were now completely absorbed in the sculptures, while she pulled another item from the delivery box¡ªthe Focus Sash. "It looks exactly like Lance''s¡­ though I nearly broke his last time we fought." This fabric granted incredible power, but wore out over time. Lance had left in a hurry after their battle, so he probably hadn''t noticed the wear and tear on his Focus Sash. Compared to that, the sculptures were extremely durable¡ªthough they couldn''t be used in battles, since a single attack would shatter them instantly. "Good, now I don''t have to worry about Lance getting a Dragonite sculpture to annoy me!" Lorelei had also ordered multiple Focus Sashes¡ªand even a Focus Band. Her reasoning? The special Focus Band had a 5% chance of preventing fainting after using Explosion. And her Cloyster knew Explosion. "Next time, I''ll use it to blow up Lance!" Lorelei''s eyes gleamed with anticipation as she held the Focus Band. "If I''m lucky, I might even trigger multiple Explosions in a row! If only there were an item that could turn Explosion into an Ice-type move, that would be even better..." Her attention then shifted to another item¡ªShell Bell. "I''ve heard of this before. It''s a special bell crafted from Hoenn-region seashells. When a Pok¨¦mon carries it, it can restore HP upon attacking. Sinnoh seems to have something similar, but what''s the actual mechanism behind it?" "Either way, it''s a rare find in Kanto." Lorelei gently shook the Shell Bell, its chime clear and soothing. "Even if I don''t use it in battle, it makes a lovely decoration." She browsed through the latest items listed in the mystery workshop''s shop, noting that several new products had been added recently. "Hmm, King''s Rock, Charcoal, Purifying Pendant¡­ Oh! This one looks strong!" "The price isn''t bad either. I''ll buy it!" Then, a thought struck her. "Is there any item that can increase the freeze chance of Ice-type moves? Preferably something that boosts it to 50%. Every time I see Lance, I get a headache!" If she could freeze opponents on contact, battles would become so much easier. With malicious delight, Lorelei grabbed her Pok¨¦mon communicator and messaged Hikaru. Unsurprisingly, she received a response almost immediately¡ª "?" "Sorry, but our workshop doesn''t have such an item. And with all due respect, a 50% freeze rate would probably get you banned from the Pok¨¦mon League." "Ha~ So there''s nothing like that, huh." Lorelei sighed. Not that she cared about being banned¡ªshe just wanted to beat Lance into the ground. However, she quickly shook off the disappointment and perked up again. She continued chatting with Hikaru. "Hey, shopkeeper, have you ever considered making special ability-enhanced dolls? You could create dolls with unique effects, right?" "¡­Dolls? I could give it a try. That''s a great idea. However, since I haven''t made any yet, I don''t know what their effects would be, and pricing is still undetermined." "Oh! Then I''d like to pre-order a Lapras doll! Ah¡ªbut no rush on delivery!" "If you''re not in a hurry, that''s perfect. Thank you for your support." Lorelei''s eyes sparkled with anticipation. She had already confirmed that items from Hikaru''s workshop were completely different from ordinary merchandise. Lance only ever bought battle items, thinking raw power was everything. "He doesn''t understand¡­ Pok¨¦mon training and nurturing are just as important!" Once she acquired enough specialized training tools, his Dragon Legion wouldn''t stand a chance against her team. Lorelei pondered the market availability of unique effect dolls. The only well-known one was Clefairy Doll, supposedly capable of escaping from wild battles. But in reality, that was just a distraction tactic¡ªnothing special about it. With that in mind, Lorelei messaged Hikaru again: "By the way, I always look forward to new products from your shop. But since I''m an Ice-type Trainer, please release more Ice-type items in the future!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 63 - 63 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] In the Unova region, within a villa in Undella Town, the bright sunlight slanted through the windows, illuminating the luxurious interior. A young girl with long, cascading blonde hair was also keeping an eye on a certain shop while sending a message to her butler, Darach. "The product''s effect is excellent. I feel like my control over psychic power has improved significantly." "No, the Snorlax sculpture itself doesn''t enhance my psychic abilities, but it calms my mind. Every time I look at it, my emotions and power gradually settle down, and my influence on the surrounding environment decreases." "Thank you, Darach." ["This is my duty as your butler, my lady. There is no need to thank me!"] ["I specifically selected this for you to be of assistance. It''s wonderful that the sculpture has had such a beneficial effect!"] Darach, on the other side of the Pok¨¦gear, sent a message back, relieved that the Snorlax sculpture was helping Caitlin. ["So, my lady, how is your journey in Unova?"] "Hmm, I''ve made some new friends recently, and one of them acknowledges my strength. Darach, don''t worry. The environment in Unova is wonderful. I''m staying in my villa right now, experiencing all kinds of Pok¨¦mon¡ªPok¨¦mon that can''t be found in other regions. It''s very interesting." ["It seems like you''re enjoying Unova. If you ever need anything, please let me know."] "I recently defeated a Trainer, and it seems they recommended me to the Unova Elite Four. They want me to take up the position as one of the new Elite Four members." ["Ehhhhh?!"] Even through the Pok¨¦gear, Caitlin could vividly imagine her butler''s shocked expression. After all, she had only just arrived in Unova, yet she had already achieved such an impressive feat. Surely, Darach must be both surprised and proud. Thinking of this, Caitlin couldn''t help but feel a small sense of pride. Of course, the sculpture played a significant role in this process. That peacefully sleeping Snorlax, carrying an ancient aura, seemed to have been slumbering for centuries. Every time she looked at the sculpture, her mind would calm, and her control over her psychic powers would become more precise, ensuring that she wouldn''t inadvertently cause destruction. Thus, even when she lost battles, she no longer flew into a rage. Yes, battles always had wins and losses. She still needed more training. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that thought, Caitlin sent another message to Darach: "But I didn''t accept right away, because I don''t think my power is mature enough yet. I need to train further before making a decision." "Back when I was with you, I never realized how thrilling and enjoyable battles could be. I need to refine my control over my psychic abilities even more." "As for that useful sculpture, I really like it. I''ve been keeping an eye on the store you recommended. The owner seems to sell many interesting items. If I see something I like, I''ll send it to you, and I''d appreciate it if you could send it to me." "However, the shop doesn''t seem to sell many artistic pieces, which troubles me a little. Besides sculptures, they should also offer paintings, carpets, and other artistic decorations. That way, I could use these items to decorate my villa." "Well then, let''s talk next time, Darach." With a sigh of relief, Caitlin put down her Pok¨¦gear after seeing Darach''s response. At that moment, another voice spoke up in the room. "Your butler really dotes on you! I wish I had such a thoughtful butler." The speaker, a short-haired woman clad in a black skirt and stockings, with exaggerated decorations on her upper body, looked at Caitlin with envy. She seemed to have been writing something, but now she stretched, accentuating her graceful curves. Shauntal, one of the Unova Elite Four and a well-known novelist! "He''s my butler. You can''t borrow him." Caitlin answered seriously. Shauntal waved her hands. "Alright, alright, I was just joking!" "Speaking of which, your home''s decor is unbelievable. Even just looking at that sculpture calms my emotions¡ªahhh! This is bad! I can''t write anything in this state!" Shauntal suddenly groaned in frustration, clutching her purple hair. "As a novelist, I can''t write passionate, exciting scenes when I''m too calm! I need intense emotions to create climactic moments!" "I originally came to your place to gather inspiration, but instead, my mind is now so peaceful that I can''t write a single word!" Shauntal stared blankly at the Snorlax sculpture. The more she gazed at it, the sleepier she felt. Caitlin had told her there was something beautiful in her home, which piqued her curiosity. However, instead of gaining inspiration, her mind had gone completely blank! The sensation was strange and soothing, but for a novelist, it was a disaster! She asked Caitlin whether the sculpture possessed some kind of psychic ability, but the answer she received was that the sculpture itself carried an inexplicable power. Truly mysterious! "Then why not order a custom sculpture? Maybe there''s one that can excite emotions instead." Caitlin answered calmly while browsing the store''s product page on her Pok¨¦gear, carefully selecting an item. Shauntal also began browsing. ".Actually, I once saw special talismans in the shop. The description said they were a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon''s favorite item. I wanted to buy one, but they were already sold out." "Darn it! If only I had discovered this shop earlier!" After Caitlin introduced her to the shop, Shauntal had been browsing its products, and her mind was suddenly flooded with inspiration. However, due to the Snorlax sculpture''s effects, those ideas quickly drifted away, making her forget everything! "How does this Snorlax sculpture even make people ''instantly forget'' things?!" Shauntal felt utterly speechless. The fleeting inspirations disappeared, but when she continued browsing the shop, new ideas kept emerging. It was a bittersweet struggle! A mysterious workshop hidden in an unknown corner of the world, crafting unique items with special effects... What a perfect concept for the opening of a new novel! However, Shauntal''s favorite theme was still about Trainers challenging the Elite Four. The bonds between Trainers and their Pok¨¦mon¡ªevery person who lived alongside Pok¨¦mon had their own story. The tales of humans and Pok¨¦mon helping each other were far more compelling than stories featuring only humans or only Pok¨¦mon. So¡­ what kind of Pok¨¦mon would this mysterious craftsman have? What had they experienced in the past, and what awaited them in the future? Deep in thought, Shauntal continued browsing the store''s sculpture section. "A Chandelure sculpture seems like a good choice, but I don''t know what effect it would have¡­" She pondered for a moment before sending a message. "Can the effects of a Pok¨¦mon sculpture be customized?" She stared at the shop''s reply screen and soon received a message from Hikaru. ["Each Pok¨¦mon sculpture has a unique effect. But truthfully, even I don''t know what an unknown Pok¨¦mon''s effect will be. This mystery is part of the product''s appeal."] "Hmm, so the effect is unpredictable. But a Chandelure''s effect will definitely be different from Snorlax''s." Without thinking too much, Shauntal decided to place an order! A vintage aesthetic¡ªthe shop''s antique craftsmanship would pair well with her Chandelure. After all, Chandelure''s design itself was inspired by an old-fashioned chandelier! Whenever she looked at Chandelure, inspiration flowed endlessly. Every night, it illuminated her books with its eerie ghostly flames, creating the perfect ambiance for writing. "By the way, the shop sells mystical cloth. Has the owner considered making mystical paper?" Shauntal suddenly had an idea. ["Oh, thank you for the suggestion. That''s an interesting concept! If I create a mystical notebook, I''ll add it to the shop and notify you."] "Great! Also, could you save a few extra talismans for me next time? Just a few, in secret. Please!" ["No problem. I''ll include some extra talismans when your sculpture ships!"] Caitlin also opened the chat window at that moment, but she was inquiring about something else. "Have you considered creating unique new art pieces? Like carpets, wallpapers, scroll paintings, or tea sets? I saw an item called a glass whistle, and its design looks great. But if there were glass products with Psychic-type attributes, that would be even better." "Last time, I bought a vintage-style Snorlax sculpture from your shop, a gift from my butler. It has been incredibly effective." ["Your suggestions are quite interesting! I''ll definitely consider them. Thank you for your purchase and support."] Caitlin smiled, feeling much more pleased. It seemed that in the future, she would be able to purchase more of her ideal artistic products from this shop. As for the craftsmanship of the shop owner, Caitlin had no doubts at all. Just the vintage aesthetic showcased in the Snorlax sculpture¡ªno, rather, it was a relic-like style¡ªwas already incredibly unique, carrying a beauty that felt as if it came from ancient times. She wanted more, much more, to decorate her villa. There was still plenty of space left to place these exquisite pieces! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 64 - 64 [+200PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 400PS!] In the Paldea region, at Cascarrafa City. A long-awaited international delivery had finally arrived at its destination. The well-known sculptor, Brassius, could barely contain his excitement. Beside him stood his friend, Hassel, the Dragon-type Elite Four member of the Paldea region. Both men shared a deep appreciation for art. However, compared to the more optimistic Hassel, Brassius¡ªbeing a renowned sculptor¡ªoften found himself in creative slumps due to a lack of inspiration. Previously, it was Hassel who had suggested he browse Pok¨¦mon-related news and updates online to find inspiration. During that process, they discovered Hikaru''s shop. The intense vintage aesthetic, the sculptures resembling ancient relics revived from ruins¡ªone glance was all it took for Brassius to become utterly captivated, completely immersed, and instantly filled with new inspiration. Although he was an artist who revered nature, he also believed that civilization was an integral part of nature. Humans, Pok¨¦mon, the sky, the land, the ocean, the rivers¡­ People and nature had always been intertwined. Towns built by people, ancient ruins covered in moss over the ages, whispering old stories¡ªthese were also forms of artistic expression. Thus, during the days while waiting for the sculptures to arrive, Brassius attempted to "replicate" the ancient-style sculptures he had seen in the photos. However¡­ The results were unspeakable. Sculpting techniques could not be easily imitated, especially when the other artist''s craftsmanship had already reached a near-divine level. Brassius had carved several pieces, yet no matter how hard he tried, he could not capture the ancient essence. His knowledge of ruins was limited, and he believed that was one reason he could not replicate the same artistic essence. Another crucial factor was the vast difference in sculpting skills between him and the shop owner. The difference was massive! Brassius and Hassel carried the crate containing their ordered sculptures into Brassius''s workshop. During the process, Brassius took another long, careful look at the imitation sculptures he had carved earlier. "These are all failures. Whether it''s the carving technique, the sculpting style, or the artistic essence¡ªI couldn''t replicate any of it!" His tone was filled with frustration. Hassel, towering over him, set the crate down in its designated spot and tried to console his friend. "Brassius, this is merely a difference in artistic style. From the looks of it, that shop owner must have gone through years of meticulous refinement and practice. Just as you find it difficult to mimic their style, they might struggle to replicate yours." Hassel patted Brassius on the shoulder, but Brassius let out a sigh. "No, even in terms of pure sculpting technique, the gap is immense." "That shop also offers wooden carvings¡ªyou saw them too, didn''t you, Hassel? Even the wood sculptures exude an ancient aura, that strong vintage aesthetic. Even through the Pok¨¦gear screen, it felt like I was being transported to a distant past. A world from a hundred, a thousand years ago¡­ You can catch a glimpse of it just from the sculptures!" Brassius became increasingly excited as he spoke. Riding that emotion, he eagerly opened the crate. At that moment, an ancient air seemed to rush out toward them! The sculptures of Sudowoodo and Gible were carefully taken out. Although both Pok¨¦mon were captured in rather ordinary poses, their essence was perfectly preserved. They looked as if they had been turned to stone rather than sculpted from scratch. As Brassius gazed at the Sudowoodo sculpture, it felt as though its eyes were truly watching him, observing him in silence. He even had the illusion that, in the next instant, the Sudowoodo would spring to life! Words like "lifelike" were not enough to describe the sheer brilliance of this ancient-style craftsmanship. This was the power of art! "This is avant-garde art!" An artist gives life to their work. Everything they see and touch can become a source of artistic creation! And the sculptures before them truly looked like real, living Pok¨¦mon¡ªtelling the story of their past existence, as if they had once roamed a distant era long ago! "This is astonishing¡­" Hassel was equally amazed. A casual observer might simply find these sculptures aesthetically pleasing, but as artists, they could recognize the incredible precision and skill embedded in these pieces. "They look even more refined and ancient in person than they did in the photos." "As for the effects¡­" Hassel remarked. At this point, he felt that the supposed special effects of the sculptures were the least important aspect. The Sudowoodo sculpture enhanced one''s ability to understand mimicry techniques. The Gible sculpture improved digging efficiency and enhanced a Pok¨¦mon''s ability to learn moves. "Gible!" Hassel''s Gible swayed its body, opened its mouth wide, and jumped onto the table. It stared at the sculpture, tilting its head in confusion. Why did its companion turn to stone?! Hassel burst into laughter. "Haha! My dear Gible, this isn''t an actual Pok¨¦mon. It''s just a sculpture! Did it fool you?" "Gible?" Gible looked at the two humans, then at the sculpture again, scratching its head in puzzlement. It had never seen such a realistic sculpture before¡ªit really thought it had found a stone version of itself! Gible stared at the sculpture in a daze. Then, all of a sudden, strange thoughts began forming in its mind. The feeling was like instinct. Following this instinctual pull, Gible subconsciously started moving. Swaying its body, it focused its energy toward its tail. Its perception of Dragon-type energy sharpened. Before, it had always relied purely on instinct to use its moves. But now, for the first time, it felt as though its power could be freely controlled. Thus, using all of its strength, it clenched its tiny claws, closed its eyes, and focused intensely! "Gible¡­!" "Oh! Gible, what''s happening?!" Hassel quickly checked the description of the sculpture''s effects. At that moment, Gible''s tail was swelling, a surge of Dragon-type energy condensing at its tip! The shining energy burst from its tail, forming a powerful whip-like force! Gible had learned Dragon Tail! "Gible!" The little Pok¨¦mon let out an excited cry, eagerly swinging its newly energized tail. Its actual tail was short, so it had never been able to execute wide, sweeping attacks like stronger Dragon-types. But now, it finally had a tail attack of its own! Gible was overjoyed! "So it really works¡ªthe sculpture helps Pok¨¦mon understand moves better¡­ That''s incredible! Gible, what did you feel just now? Why did you suddenly focus so intensely?" Both Hassel and Brassius were astounded as they circled around Gible, examining it from all angles. Brassius, in particular, had been completely captivated by what had just transpired. A sudden rush of inspiration flooded his mind! A new sculpture¡­ A new art piece¡ª"Gible Learning Dragon Tail"! "Inspiration¡­ It''s flowing out of me!" Brassius gazed excitedly at the Gible sculpture. He knew exactly what he needed to sculpt next. Then, looking at the Sudowoodo sculpture, he felt another surge of creative energy rising within him¡ªboundless and unstoppable! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Immediately, he gathered his wood materials and prepared his carving tools. Hassel was taken aback, but Brassius declared, "This time¡ªthis time, I will replicate this sculpting style! Seeing the real sculpture is completely different from just looking at photos! This artistic beauty, transcending time and space¡ªI will perfectly recreate this carving technique!" "And I will apply it to my next masterpiece! Ah, avant-garde art!" Brassius had entered an artistic frenzy. As an artist, he had a relentless pursuit of perfection, often falling into creative slumps so severe that he would even close his Gym temporarily. Seeing him in this state, Hassel knew there was no point in trying to talk to him now¡ªBrassius would be consumed by his work until the sculpture was complete. Hassel sighed but soon smiled. At least the shop owner''s work had helped Brassius break through his slump. That was the best outcome possible! Hassel himself had also gained inspiration from the sculptures. How could ancient aesthetics be translated into painting and music? It was a difficult challenge, but the ability to turn these feelings into tangible art and share them with others¡ªthat was the magic of painting and music. Opening his Pok¨¦gear, Hassel stared at Hikaru''s shop for a moment before sending a message. "Shopkeeper, have you considered making musical instruments? Or custom orders?" "Also, some tools for Pok¨¦mon training... The new items listed are the Glass Whistle and Hardy Soil Treats." "By the way, among the Elite Four members, Ms. Rika is a Ground-type specialist, isn''t she? These items might be useful to her. You should recommend them to her!" Beep beep¡ª Just then, Hassel''s Pok¨¦gear rang. Seeing the caller ID, Hassel sighed in mild exasperation before answering the call. "Yes, this is Hassel. I''m in Cascarrafa City. Chief, you want to inspect the Gym? Right now? Actually, I''m not slacking off¡ªBrassius is currently in an artistic frenzy and won''t be paying attention to anyone for a while. He had been struggling to come up with pieces for the upcoming Cascarrafa City Art Exhibition, and it had been troubling him for quite some time." "The reason he''s like this now is because we recently discovered a shop¡­ Oh, by the way, aside from artistic items, this shop also sells training and breeding tools. You might be interested in them, Chief." "Ground-type training tools¡­ The Glass Whistle and Hardy Soil Treats." "These descriptions make them sound impressive, especially the Hardy Soil Treats. But could something like this actually exist? It sounds like a mythical ingredient, like the Herba Mystica." A sharp-looking woman with short green hair, dressed in a formal yet stylish suit, scrolled through the shop''s listings. She had just finished another battle¡ªan interview match against a rising star Trainer who was challenging the Paldea League. As a relatively new Elite Four member of Paldea, Rika had been personally selected and appointed by Geeta, serving as both an interviewer and assistant. However, the more battles she fought, the more she felt her own shortcomings¡ªespecially when facing promising new Trainers. Maybe she needed to intensify her own training¡­ Sometimes, Rika couldn''t help but wonder if she truly deserved the title of Elite Four. Speaking of which, the League was currently implementing a long-term project, aiming to strengthen students from the Paldea Academy through various tests. This initiative was meant to raise Paldea''s overall competitive level. It was a joint effort between the Paldea League and the Academy, and it introduced a new ranking: Champion Rank. The Academy''s new primary focus was training students to reach Champion Rank Trainers. So far, no one had passed the Champion Rank exam yet, but the ambition and determination of the Academy students put pressure on her as well. It should have been a good thing, yet it made Rika question herself. Just as she was feeling a bit troubled, Hassel¡ªPaldea''s long-time Elite Four veteran and Dragon-type expert¡ªseemed to notice the self-doubt hidden beneath her cheerful demeanor. And so, he recommended this shop to her. Hassel, despite his eccentric speaking habits and tendency to lecture others, was a reliable person. Perhaps because he was also an artist, he had a keen sense of emotion and could read between the lines. "Nothing escapes Hassel''s eyes, huh? He even figured out that I''ve been doubting my own strength¡­" Ground-type specialists were already rare across all regions, and because of that, training tools designed specifically for Ground-types were even harder to come by. "Since Hassel is recommending this, I guess I''ll buy them and give them a try. At the very least, I know Soft Sand is a real item, so this shouldn''t be a scam." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 65 - 65 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] New Bark Town, Johto Region. Professor Elm had just received the package. The reason he had purchased an Arceus sculpture was due to the description in the shop stating that it would have a special effect on Pok¨¦mon eggs during incubation. As a Pok¨¦mon breeding and egg research expert, ever since Professor Elm had uncovered the mystery of Pok¨¦mon eggs, breeding centers in Johto and neighboring regions had begun offering the special service of raising Pok¨¦mon eggs. However, Pok¨¦mon eggs always appeared suddenly¡ªno one, not even Professor Elm, had ever witnessed the exact moment an egg was laid. "Enhancing the Pok¨¦mon hatched from the eggs and even having a chance to encounter a unique new life¡­ What exactly does that mean? Could it be an alteration to their abilities?" The shop''s description was vague, and when Elm tried to ask for clarification, the response he received was: ["You''ll understand once the Pok¨¦mon hatch."] It seemed that the sculpture would have an extraordinary effect. Perhaps that was also why only three were available. If the seller wasn''t a fraud, Elm felt fortunate that he had been quick enough to purchase one. As it happened, he had a batch of unique Pok¨¦mon eggs ready for hatching. Of course, Elm also knew that another professor had purchased the same sculpture¡ªProfessor Rowan from Sinnoh. Rowan was his senior, and Elm''s own research on evolution and abilities had been greatly influenced by Rowan''s work. Before the sculptures arrived, Elm had discussed the matter with Professor Rowan. Based on Rowan''s hypothesis, this unique Pok¨¦mon design likely had connections to Sinnoh''s mythology. Originally, they had assumed it was merely an artistic representation, but now it seemed to be linked to a legendary and mysterious Pok¨¦mon. Even though Elm had no background in sculpture, he could sense the powerful ancient aura radiating from the statue. If he listened closely, faint music seemed to emanate from it. However, whenever he tried to focus, the sound would vanish, as if it had been an illusion. Beep beep¡ª The video phone rang, and Professor Elm quickly answered. On the other end was his mentor, Professor Oak! "Professor, your timing is perfect! I was just about to hatch a new batch of Pok¨¦mon eggs." Professor Elm greeted Oak warmly, and Oak immediately perked up with interest. "So, you''re going to test out that sculpture?" Indeed, the three mysterious Pok¨¦mon sculptures had each been purchased by three professors¡ªProfessor Oak being the last of the trio. ["I bought some other sculptures as well, but I''ve been too busy to test their effects. Regarding that particular Pok¨¦mon''s sculpture, I spoke with Professor Rowan. He seems to be having Sinnoh''s Champion investigate it. She''s an exceptional archaeologist."] ["I plan to purchase more items and conduct a large-scale test all at once. I''ve even invited a few skilled Trainers to assist me."] "Ahem! Anyway, let''s see what happens when your Pok¨¦mon eggs hatch. This is an important experiment." As Professor Oak spoke, his expression seemed a bit unusual, but Elm didn''t notice¡ªhe was too excited. He quickly linked the video call to the Pok¨¦gear''s live stream function so that Oak could observe the entire hatching process remotely. Standing before the incubation devices, Elm explained, "These are eggs of the ''starter Pok¨¦mon''¡ªChikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile." Starter Pok¨¦mon referred to the Pok¨¦mon given to new Trainers when they embarked on their journeys. They were carefully selected by the regional professors for their balanced growth and strong potential. Some were bred by the Pok¨¦mon League, while others were personally raised by professors to be distributed to aspiring Trainers. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Of course, wild populations of these Pok¨¦mon could still be found in nature. As an expert in egg research, Professor Elm was also one of the finest breeders. The Pok¨¦mon eggs he handled were nurtured within his lab. Now, inside three incubation chambers, three eggs lay quietly, waiting for the moment of their hatching. The instruments monitoring them indicated that they were close to the hatching stage. "Based on my recent research, I''ve discovered that some Pok¨¦mon can actually perceive the outside world before hatching. They can sense our presence. Now, I''ll place the sculpture between the three Pok¨¦mon eggs." Elm anxiously awaited the moment of hatching. However, the exact timing was entirely up to the Pok¨¦mon themselves¡ªincubators could only assist in the process, not force an egg to hatch. Professor Oak, aware of how long such observations could take, also waited patiently. However, in the next instant¡ª The Arceus sculpture emitted a soft glow! Both professors were stunned. "That sculpture¡­! It''s glowing!" As the light shone forth, the three eggs in the incubators also began to glow. Without a doubt, this was the sign of imminent hatching! "All three eggs¡­ at the same time?!" Professor Elm''s assistant, who was also monitoring the incubators, looked at the readings in shock. As Elm''s only assistant, their workload was often overwhelming, but at this moment, their expression was filled with astonishment. "The hatching process is unusually intense! This is completely different from before, Professor!" "Keep monitoring the instruments and gradually adjust the power output to a safe threshold!" Elm instructed as he anxiously watched the eggs. Meanwhile, on the video call, Professor Oak''s expression had turned serious. The glow surrounding the three eggs intensified. As the incubators'' power was lowered, the eggs themselves began to change shape! There were two types of Pok¨¦mon hatching processes¡ªone where a Pok¨¦mon breaks out of its eggshell and another where the egg itself transforms directly into the newborn Pok¨¦mon. The latter was happening now! "Chiko?" "Quil?" "Tototo!" Three Pok¨¦mon emerged from the dazzling light¡ªChikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile! For a brief moment, a bright starry effect shimmered around Chikorita! Immediately, Professor Elm noticed something remarkable¡ªthese three Pok¨¦mon were noticeably larger than usual! In the wild, larger Pok¨¦mon typically had greater competitive strength among their kind, as size often correlated with power and speed. However, within laboratory conditions, starter Pok¨¦mon rarely exhibited significant size variations since their incubation environments were controlled. The chance of breeding particularly large or powerful individuals was extremely low. But these three were clearly different from any Pok¨¦mon Elm had hatched before! "How is this possible? This is an incredible transformation! Quickly, open the incubators!" Elm instructed his assistant to unlock the devices. As he approached the three newly hatched Pok¨¦mon, his eyes immediately locked onto Chikorita! Its leaf color was different¡ªno, its entire body color was different! "Chiko?" Chikorita tilted its head in confusion as it gazed at Professor Elm, while he trembled with excitement. "This is¡­ a unique new life?!" A Shiny Pok¨¦mon had hatched! On the other end of the call, Professor Oak was equally astounded, murmuring, "A Shiny Pok¨¦mon¡­" Professor Elm immediately responded, "Shiny Pok¨¦mon naturally have an extremely low appearance rate in the wild, and their emergence seems completely random. Team Rocket once conducted experiments at the Lake of Rage to create a Red Gyarados, initially believing that its coloration came from retaining Magikarp''s original hue. However, later research found that Golden Magikarp could naturally evolve into Red Gyarados as well." Professor Oak nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, in the Orange Archipelago, we''ve also discovered Pok¨¦mon with altered colors due to environmental changes¡ªsomewhere between Shiny Pok¨¦mon and regional forms." "Regardless, this sculpture''s function has been verified beyond doubt. It holds significant value for research on Pok¨¦mon breeding and egg groups!" Elm took a deep breath to calm himself. "These Pok¨¦mon will soon be given to new Trainers. I need to conduct further research on them before that!" "As for analyzing the sculpture itself¡ª" "Leave that to me," Professor Oak offered enthusiastically. "What kind of energy affected the Pok¨¦mon''s colors and enhanced their strength? The sculpture glowed just before the eggs hatched, as if signaling the birth of new life. It must have influenced the incubation environment, causing these remarkable results." "Yes¡­ Mysterious phenomena like this have always been beyond conventional science. There have been many such occurrences in this world." Professor Oak''s expression changed slightly, as if recalling something from the distant past. ... Traveler''s Workshop Hikaru closed the pop-up notification from customers and let out a long sigh. Some of his regular buyers, along with new customers, had given him valuable suggestions. "Ice-type items¡­ Never-Melt Ice and Snowball? But where would I even get those? Climbing an ancient frozen peak would be too dangerous." "Dolls, huh? I could try making some. Substitute Dolls and Clefairy Dolls? I still have some materials left. That should be enough." "Haunted paper¡­ That''s an interesting idea. I never thought of using paper as a ghostly artifact. It might produce some unexpected effects¡ªkind of like that cursed mail I once received from a Gengar owned by an ancient researcher¡­ If that''s the case, I should have Doublade learn modern script. No¡­ maybe it would be better to write in ancient text? That would add an extra layer of mystery!" "Alright, time to place the paper from my storage room into the fourth chamber for ghostly infusion. I''ll wrap it in Spirit Cloth and let Doublade refine it. That should speed up the process of crafting haunted paper." Hikaru muttered to himself while jotting down notes. "Paintings, decorative carpets, wallpaper, teaware¡­ A Psychic-type Glass Whistle? My painting skills are still a bit behind my sculpting skills, but if I stick to an ancient ruin aesthetic, it might work!" "Musical instruments¡­ I''ve never made one before, but maybe I could forge them? I''d need brass, or perhaps fragments from a Bronzor? I wonder if those can be bought¡­" Although Bronzor wasn''t particularly rare, they mostly gathered in ancient ruins, abandoned buildings, and tombs, making them somewhat difficult to find. "If that''s the case, I need to purchase a large variety of materials from external sources. Fortunately, I''ve made quite a bit of money recently¡ªmight as well spend it all!" Hikaru began searching for the necessary tools and resources online. Some Pok¨¦mon materials, like Wigglytuff fur, were considered high-end Pok¨¦mon textiles and could be bought from ranchers who specialized in raising them. But other rare materials were much harder to obtain. "My recent earnings from selling sculptures and various items have totaled around 3,000,000 Pok¨¦ Dollars." The price of sculptures varied widely, with some being inexpensive and others highly valuable. Stock levels also differed. Among them, the Arceus sculpture alone had brought in 600,000, while other sculptures combined had made around 1,500,000. The rest came from charm talismans, battle items, light-infused pottery, and specialty food products, adding up to another 1,000,000. "There''s still some unaccounted revenue from custom orders, including commissions from Mustard and Clavell. Their payments will be processed once they receive their sculptures." "Now, let''s buy Pok¨¦mon materials, common minerals, and cotton for stuffing plush toys¡­" "Cotton¡­ Cottonee''s cotton is a specialty of Unova." "Minerals¡­ The Galar Mines are rich in brass and premium minerals associated with Copperajah." "Paint pigments¡­ Smeargle''s tail pigment from Johto is top-tier!" "Textiles¡­ Wigglytuff fur from Kanto is woven into the finest yarn." These Pok¨¦mon were common and had lived alongside humans for ages, forming a mutually beneficial relationship. This made it relatively easy to purchase their materials online. However, high-quality items came at a steep price, and Hikaru''s funds quickly dwindled. "Just buying extra stock of these four materials already cost me 1,880,000¡­" "Now I have 1,500,000 left." "Alto Mare''s artistic frescoes and stained glass, Floccesy Town''s unique musical instruments, Rota''s vintage crafts and traditional clothing, Hoenn''s volcanic ash pigments¡­" "Spent 1,100,000¡ªas expected, art supplies are ridiculously expensive." After checking his remaining balance, Hikaru saw that he still had 400,000 Pok¨¦ Dollars left¡ªjust enough to purchase some additional supplies. "Next time Charizard and the others come back with deliveries, they''re going to have their hands full!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 66 - 66 [+400PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 600PS!] Night fell, and drowsiness crept in. To prepare for tomorrow, rest was essential. So, after a busy day, Hikaru didn''t continue working. Tonight, Petilil didn''t stay outside the house. Instead, it surprisingly ran inside, jumped onto Hikaru, and quickly fell asleep. "After helping with the fire and forging today, she must be a little tired." Hikaru assumed Petilil was exhausted from assisting with the forging earlier. That was at least part of the reason. However, Doublade''s two eyes glanced at the sleeping Petilil. "Yooo" It seemed that today''s encouragement had helped her release some inner tension. But she was still a little nervous about tomorrow, which was why she sought comfort in her trainer''s embrace. Though Doublade could be careless at times, it was also very attentive to details. Small details, big discoveries. Hikaru smiled and looked at the slightly awkward Doublade. "You can sleep with me too, but I''m a bit worried you might unsheathe yourself in the middle of the night." "Yo~woo!" Doublade denied it outright¡ªits sleeping posture wasn''t that bad! It had spent a thousand years lying in a warehouse collecting dust. If Hikaru hadn''t woken it up, it would have just kept lying there! But since Hikaru had invited it¡­ Doublade floated beside the bed, found a comfortable spot, and leaned against the bedpost. There! No more worrying about accidents! As the night deepened, outside the house, Turtwig once again sneaked closer in its usual "suspicious" manner. Yet, no one noticed¡ªexcept for Unown, which quietly observed everything. Hikaru gradually drifted into sleep. The dream started turning pink. "Huh?" Hikaru stared blankly at the world before him. A simple wooden house stood in the middle of some trees and shrubs. There was a pond in front of it and a patch of fertile soil. "Wawa?" Petilil wobbled at Hikaru''s feet, also curiously looking around. And this time, Hikaru realized something. This was a dream¡ªand not just any dream. A Pok¨¦mon Dream World! So, this small house before him should be¡­ his Dream World home?! However, unlike the standard red-and-white house, its colors and architectural style were closer to his own workshop. It seemed that this house had been modeled after his real-world workshop! "I didn''t sync using the C-Device, yet I still entered the Dream World. Compared to the last time in the Burned Tower''s dream, the coordinates this time are surprisingly normal." In the fifth-generation Pok¨¦mon games, the Dream World was first introduced to the public. However, entering it required completing a main quest and obtaining Dream Mist, which allowed players to sync their game and Pok¨¦mon''s dreams, connecting them to this new world. Apparently, this small house was his workshop, and this dream belonged to Petilil. "My thoughts are clear this time, and I''m fully aware that this is the Dream World. Is this because of the Dream World itself, or the effects of my ''Dream Explorer'' knowledge?" Last time, when he entered Walking Wake''s dream, he gained a unique ability¡ªDream Explorer¡ªwhich sometimes caused him to enter a Pok¨¦mon''s dreams passively. He also had a chance to bring something back from the dream. Last time, he had brought back a fragment of Walking Wake''s crest. "The Dream Island home¡­ That fertile soil is a berry plantation." In the Unova region, due to a lack of soft soil suitable for berry growth, berries could only be cultivated within the Dream World, making them a rare commodity. "The lack of soft soil is probably because Unova doesn''t have Dugtrio. Although it has Drilbur and Excadrill as alternatives, they''re more suited for mining than soil cultivation." Hikaru pushed open the small house''s door. Inside, there were some basic chairs and tables, but most of the space was empty. Suddenly, a flood of information rushed into Hikaru''s mind. [Crafting Building: Dream Workshop] [Description: Originally a normal Dream World home, but due to the power of the Symbol Slate, it has transformed into a replica of your real-world workshop, granting it unique abilities.] "Huh? A crafting building?" Was this due to the Symbol Slate''s influence¡ªthe same one that had led him into Walking Wake''s dream last time? The Symbol Slate, a stone tablet that creates all things¡­ Hikaru murmured. [Building Effect 1: Dream Inviter] Occasionally, Pok¨¦mon will visit your Dream World and request tasks from you. These effects only work while inside the Dream World. Some Pok¨¦mon may choose to settle near your Dream Workshop, expanding your floating island and triggering unique events. [Building Effect 2: Dream Island Link] Allows connections to special Dream Islands, potentially triggering rare events. "This lets me connect with Pok¨¦mon¡­ That''s definitely the power of the Symbol Slate." "Pok¨¦mon settling in my Dream World¡ªis this some kind of Pok¨¦mon version of Animal Crossing?" "Speaking of which¡­" Hikaru''s eyes turned toward the corner of the house. Unlike his real-world workshop, this place only had one room. Hikaru walked through the living area to a separate room and opened the door. Inside, embedded densely into the walls, were Symbol Slates! "So last time''s dream wasn''t a coincidence. The Symbol Slate''s power had already seeped into my dreams. That so-called mental enhancement must have been caused by this¡­" Hikaru picked up Petilil and looked around, but he couldn''t find Doublade. "Is it because only one Pok¨¦mon can sync into the Dream World at a time?" Leaving the Dream Workshop, Hikaru heard Petilil suddenly call out. "Wawa!" Petilil was looking in a certain direction. Hikaru followed her gaze and saw a mystical rainbow bridge. Beyond it, there seemed to be a floating island. "Dream World islands are all floating. Each one connects to different environments." Hikaru glanced at the island across the rainbow bridge. It seemed like an ordinary forest¡ªnothing particularly special. Deciding to check it out, he carried Petilil and stepped onto the bridge. The moment he entered the new floating island, he noticed something unusual in the depths of the forest. Something was there. The Little Forest, one of several Dream World islands, was usually small in scale. However, within this forest, a majestic tower stood tall! "Another¡­ tower?" The last dream had been Burned Tower. What was this one? The structure looked ancient, with fortress-like walls and Greco-Roman ruins surrounding it. "¡­Dragonspiral Tower?!" Upon getting closer, Hikaru finally recognized it, his eyes widening in shock. Unova''s oldest tower. No one knew when it had been built. It was also the birthplace and resting place of legendary Pok¨¦mon. This tower was suspected to be a relic of the ancient Unovan kingdom! Why do my dreams keep throwing me into these legendary locations? Last time, he had entered Burned Tower, hoping to see Suicune, only for it to become Walking Wake. And now, through Petilil''s dream, he had stumbled upon Dragonspiral Tower. Did this mean he was linked to another Pok¨¦mon''s dream again? But how? Petilil was a Pok¨¦mon from Eterna Forest, with no connection to Unova. Why would she dream of this ancient tower? As Hikaru pondered whether to climb the tower, a strange noise suddenly echoed from the forest. Then¡ªa raging fire erupted, engulfing the forest in roaring flames! The sudden inferno startled Petilil, but Hikaru knew this was a dream. These flames shouldn''t be real¡ª Whoosh¡ª! A scorching tongue of fire lashed toward him¡ªcarrying real heat! "What? Dream fire can be hot? What kind of flame is this?!" Just as Hikaru searched for an escape, dark clouds gathered above. A distant dragon''s roar echoed through the skies. The clouds thickened, then unleashed a torrential downpour, quickly dousing the fire. Petilil cheered, dancing happily in the rain. But Hikaru knew¡­ something was off. Fire. Dragonspiral Tower. A blaze engulfing the land¡­! Boom¡ª! A massive shadow approached from the forest. Rain poured down as Hikaru and Petilil tensed up. Petilil took a battle stance, though she was visibly nervous. She activated Endure¡ªforcing herself to suppress her fear! Hikaru was already reaching for his bag. But the shadow stopped upon seeing his reaction. It tilted its head, hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward¡ªemitting a familiar sound. "Roar?" "Huh?" Hikaru squinted. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wait¡­ that looks familiar! That sleek, Suicune-like body¡­ that raptor-like stance¡­ "Walking Wake?!" (End of Chapter) ==== [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 67 - 67 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+400PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 600PS!] Hikaru was utterly stunned! How could this guy be here near Dragonspiral Tower?! Even though this was a dream, it still felt incredibly strange. Walking Wake had first appeared in Burned Tower, and now it was in Dragonspiral Tower. Was this what the Symbol Slate meant by a "fated encounter"? But¡­ this was still just a dream! Walking Wake also tilted its head in slight confusion upon seeing Hikaru, then happily walked forward. Petilil, however, was immediately on guard and was about to launch an attack¡ªuntil Hikaru scooped her up! "Don''t attack! This is a friend!" "Wawa?" This dragon¡­ is a friend? Petilil was confused and still somewhat tense. Walking Wake, in turn, looked at Petilil curiously. "Rawr?" Where''s that straight sword from before? Was it fired? Did he switch Pok¨¦mon? But more importantly¡ªit was great to see Hikaru again! Walking Wake was absolutely delighted! This is my little dragon trainer! "How are you here? It''s great to meet again, even if it''s still a dream." Hikaru reached out and stroked Walking Wake''s crest, mane, and jaw. Just like last time, the Pok¨¦mon remained still in a submissive posture, purring contentedly like a large dog. Then, it let out a low growl and turned toward the tower. With Hikaru''s Dragon Tamer knowledge, he could understand Walking Wake''s thoughts. Moreover, since this was a dream, communication was effortless as long as Hikaru focused. Additionally, the Crystal Heart he obtained from the Ruins of Rock was taking effect. Walking Wake, being an ancient Pok¨¦mon, was classified as Paradox, but it was still a being summoned from a past timeline. "You''re saying this is the dream of a great dragon? And you''ve been here several times¡ªsearching for Payapa Berries?" Hikaru was stunned. Walking Wake let out a long sigh before growling in frustration. It was currently sleeping in a strange forest filled with pink mist. There were no other Pok¨¦mon there, but sometimes berries would fall from the dream itself. Walking Wake had planted them, but they grew slowly and weren''t enough to eat. By dreaming in that forest, it could enter other Pok¨¦mon''s dreams and search for more berries, which it then brought back. This way, the berries became real food. So, it had been stealing things from other Pok¨¦mon''s dreams¡ªand stockpiling them in that mysterious forest. Meanwhile, in this dream, there was a great dragon that kept repeating something about "the real world being here." Every time it approached the tower, the forest would erupt into flames, as if the dragon was trapped in a nightmare. Hikaru finally understood. "So the one inside Dragonspiral Tower is¡­ the legendary Dragon Pok¨¦mon, the ''Dragon of Truth''¡ªReshiram!" And now, the cause of the forest fire was also clear! According to Unova''s myths, if humanity disregarded truth and indulged in selfish desires, Reshiram''s flames would burn their kingdom to the ground. 2,500 years ago, Reshiram and Zekrom fought in an intense battle alongside the twin heroes. When the heroes realized their mistake, they restored peace. But after their deaths, their sons reignited the war. In rage, Reshiram and Zekrom unleashed flames and lightning, reducing Unova to ashes. One dragon slumbered in the Ancient Castle, while the other rested in Dragonspiral Tower. "So its memories from 2,500 years ago are still repeating in this dream, which is why the forest keeps burning¡­" Hikaru glanced around¡ªthe forest was rapidly regenerating since this was a dream. Still, Reshiram''s dream wasn''t his concern. Hikaru was more interested in where Walking Wake''s real body was right now. A mysterious forest connected to many Pok¨¦mon''s dreams, where real objects could be brought out from dreams¡­ That had to be the Entralink Forest! At that moment, Walking Wake pulled a Pok¨¦ Ball out of its mane¡ªa pink Pok¨¦ Ball. Hikaru was shocked. A Dream Ball?! "Wait, this was the Heavy Ball from before¡­ but now it''s become a Dream Ball?" So, Walking Wake had been carrying this all along. And the Dream Ball worked in both dreams and reality. Originally, Walking Wake was supposed to be summoned to Paldea, but somehow, due to an accidental dream event, it had ended up in Unova''s Entralink Forest instead. The Entralink Forest was a secret location known by very few people in Unova. Hikaru suddenly felt that this situation was getting complicated. As a Dream Explorer, he could bring one object out of the dream. However, Walking Wake''s real body was in the Entralink Forest¡ªwhich meant Hikaru couldn''t take it out of the dream using his ability. "That pink mist in the forest must be ''Dream Mist''¡ªthe key to entering the Dream World." Hikaru gripped the Dream Ball and checked its information. [Crafted Item: Dream Ball (Walking Wake''s Pok¨¦ Ball)] [Description: A mysterious Pok¨¦ Ball that appeared in the Entralink Forest. It can capture any Pok¨¦mon within the forest.] [Item Effects: If used in the Entralink Forest, catch rate ¡Á255. Otherwise, catch rate ¡Á1. If used on a sleeping Pok¨¦mon, catch rate ¡Á4. Otherwise, catch rate ¡Á1.] [Note: This unique Pok¨¦ Ball was created using Dream Mist and Dream Materials. Since Walking Wake has already been captured and is in the Entralink Forest, it cannot be removed from the dream via Dream Explorer. You must visit the Entralink Forest.] Hikaru sighed in disappointment. So he couldn''t take it out after all. The Entralink Forest was a bizarre place, possessing unique powers. Only there could Pok¨¦mon be made real, so it made sense that Walking Wake was summoned there. "Wait!" Hikaru suddenly thought of something. What about his Dream Home? It had permanent soft soil¡ªwhat if he brought Walking Wake there instead? That way, it could gather berries near his Dream Home, and Hikaru would be able to see it every time he entered a Pok¨¦mon''s dream! Besides, Unova and Sinnoh don''t have a time difference¡­ No, Walking Wake probably just overslept. After all, in the Entralink Forest, it had nothing to do but sleep everywhere. Hikaru immediately said to Walking Wake: "Come back with me to my Dream Home. You can plant berries there too! Whatever berries you want, I''ll grow them for you!" "Rawr!" Walking Wake''s eyes lit up in excitement, and it let out a happy purr. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru really is the best trainer! Oh, right! Walking Wake suddenly thought of something. It pointed at Dragonspiral Tower, growled twice, then rumbled excitedly. Then, it shook its body, and with a plop, a round white stone rolled out of its mane! Walking Wake picked it up with its claws and handed it to Hikaru. Upon realizing what it was, Hikaru froze. Wait¡­ Walking Wake had been storing treasures in its mane?! And this stone¡­ "You found this in the dream? But not inside the tower?" Walking Wake scratched its face and tilted its head in confusion. What''s wrong with that? If it appeared in a legendary dragon''s dream, it must be something valuable! Hikaru held the round, white stone in both hands. [Crafted Item (?): Light Stone (Cannot Be Taken Out)] [Description 1: The remnants of Reshiram''s body after its destruction. It is said to be awaiting the arrival of a hero.] [Description 2: Though its surface is scarred, it repeats the same 2,500-year-old nightmare. It harbors resentment toward something inside Dragonspiral Tower. Perhaps polishing away its scars could calm it down.] [Item Effect: Can be used as a heat source for forging.] Hikaru: "¡­" So this really is the Light Stone?! Walking Wake, do you just pick up everything you find?! "Rawr~" Walking Wake happily let out a triumphant roar. See? This is a great find! I''ve collected even more from other Pok¨¦mon''s dreams! (End of Chapter) ==== [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 68 - 68 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+600PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 800PS!] Walking Wake spoke while lowering its body, letting out a howl. Hikaru flipped over, riding on Walking Wake''s back, while Petilil swayed its leaves and jumped onto the crest on Walking Wake''s head. Riding a mighty dragon, how majestic! "Roar~" Walking Wake carried Hikaru and Petilil, swiftly dashing through the Dream Forest. Before long, they arrived at a grassy area piled with various items¡ªthis was the dream world of the White Dragon. This dream would not disappear and was even connected to the dreams of other Pok¨¦mon. As a result, Walking Wake treated it as a storage warehouse, temporarily placing the treasures it had scavenged from other dreams here before moving them to the Link Forest. "Aw~" Among the piled-up items were a large number of Pecha Berries. Hikaru squatted down and started rummaging through the supplies. He first found some Pok¨¦mon materials among the heaps of berries, while Walking Wake pointed at certain objects with its claws¡ªthese were the treasures it claimed to have "picked up" from the dreams of other Pok¨¦mon: [Uncommon Material: Ghostly Gold Chunk] [Description: Originally regular gold ingested by a Cofagrigus, infused with ghostly energy. Apparently, Walking Wake forced it to spit the gold out¡ªCofagrigus was in extreme pain.] Hikaru: "(._.)?" [Uncommon Material: Spiral Tablet] [Description: The spiral tablet embedded in the chest of a Baltoy. Walking Wake pried it off¡ªBaltoy lost its dreams.] Hikaru: ".(;¡ã¥í¡ã)?" [Uncommon Material: Illusion Mane] [Description: The fiery red mane of a Zoroark, capable of creating illusions. Walking Wake yanked it off¡ªits owner is currently shocked about its dream ordeal, comforting Zoroark that it isn''t bald.] Hikaru: ".(¡ä¥í`)?" [Rare Material: Leader''s Crest] [Description: A fragment resembling a weathered blade, only carried by Bisharp that leads a group of Pawniard. Walking Wake broke it off and took it¡ªBisharp is now abandoned by its followers.] Hikaru: "This is just..." [Rare Material: Cobalion''s Steel Horn (Tip)] [Description: The yellow steel horn of the legendary Swordsman, Cobalion. After encountering Walking Wake in a dream, they engaged in battle, and Walking Wake bit off its horn with Fire Fang¡ªCobalion is now extremely enraged!] Hikaru: "This is getting out of hand!" Walking Wake had rampaged through the dream world, causing havoc across Unova. Just how many Pok¨¦mon''s dreams had it invaded? Even the dream of a Swordsman Pok¨¦mon?! Cobalion, also known as the "Steel Ram," is indeed double-weak to Fire. It probably thought it had the upper hand upon seeing Walking Wake''s Water/Dragon typing, only to be caught off guard by a Fire Fang, losing its horn in the process. Fortunately, all of this happened in a dream. In reality, the affected Pok¨¦mon didn''t suffer any actual harm¡ª...except perhaps some mental trauma. "Aw~" Walking Wake showed no sign of remorse for its actions. Instead, it proudly let out a roar, raising its head high, as if proclaiming that it had conquered vast territories for Hikaru! These items were the most treasured possessions of those Pok¨¦mon in their dreams, yet they had all been "collected" by Walking Wake. How impressive was that? "To be fair, that''s actually quite impressive." Hikaru had to admit that Walking Wake had a talent for plundering. Even Petilil was shocked to see so many unique Pok¨¦mon materials, bouncing in excitement. Walking Wake''s vanity was greatly satisfied. Lowering its head, it let out a soft growl to Petilil while nudging her, as if showing off in front of a friend. If you ever need help, just call me. You may look weak, but I''m strong! Walking Wake''s low growl conveyed this message. It then enjoyed Petilil''s admiring gaze, wagging its tail happily. Occasionally, it cast expectant glances at Hikaru, seemingly waiting for a second round of praise. "Alright, alright! You win!" That was the highest compliment between men! "Aw!" Walking Wake''s tail swayed even higher in excitement! S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Hikaru dug through the materials, he found something even more valuable. [Uncommon Material: Grass Gem] [Description 1: A gem infused with Grass-type energy. When held, it boosts the power of a single Grass-type move once. Beneficial for the growth of Grass-type Pok¨¦mon.] [Description 2: Crystallized elemental energy formed naturally over time. Can also be cultivated artificially by creating specific environments to accelerate its formation.] Besides the Grass Gem, there were also¡ª Dragon Gem, Electric Gem, and Psychic Gem! If Hikaru could bring these out of the dream world, he would gain corresponding knowledge, just like when he took a fragment of Walking Wake''s crest last time. This process was already familiar to him. "These are Unova''s specialty gems, usually found by digging in Dusty Ground. These are great finds!" "Thank you, Walking Wake!" This time, his gratitude was genuine. Hikaru stroked the side of Walking Wake''s face, causing it to purr with pride. After all, nobody else wanted these shiny objects¡ªit had simply "retrieved" them from dreams! However, Hikaru recalled that a Dream Explorer could only take one item per trip. Given the abundance of gems, he decided to move them into his dream home first. At the same time, he noticed the surrounding trees! Since this was a dream forest, could the wood here be special? Hikaru touched one of the trees and attempted to analyze it. Soon, information about the tree flooded his mind. [Rare Material: Dreaming Tree (Little Forest)] [Description: A unique tree that only exists in dream worlds. It can be cultivated within dreams and, through special carving techniques, can be turned into a mystical wooden carving. This carving can be used once to change the abilities of Grass, Bug, Poison, and Electric-type Pok¨¦mon, transforming them into rare abilities.] Hikaru was astonished! There were only two known items capable of changing Pok¨¦mon abilities: Ability Capsule, which switches a Pok¨¦mon''s first ability to its second ability, and Ability Patch, which changes a common ability to a hidden ability. In the Paldea region''s item shops, Ability Patch was extremely expensive, costing 500,000 Pok¨¦dollars! And this was even after it had become widely available! Although the Dream Carving could only affect four Pok¨¦mon types, it was still incredibly powerful. Hikaru couldn''t imagine how valuable it would be if sold! "Dream Explorers can only bring one item out¡ªthis tree it is!" "Walking Wake, use Dragon Tail on the tree!" Hikaru gave the order, and Walking Wake let out a roar, swinging its massive, whip-like tails, instantly felling a large tree! Boom! The tree crashed down with a loud thud, and Walking Wake turned to Hikaru. Should I transport this tree back? "Yes, take this fallen tree back home!" "Awrooo!" Walking Wake spun around, coiling its powerful tail around the tree and lifting it with ease. Hikaru opened his bag, storing away all the Pecha Berries and gems, then carried Petilil and directed Walking Wake across the Rainbow Bridge. Thud! The mighty dragon arrived at the dream home, placing the felled Dreaming Tree in the open space in front of the small house. [Acquired Craft: Dream World Wood Carving (B) ¨C Allows carving statues in a dream world style. Requires Dreaming Tree wood to function. The carvings induce sleep and grant Pok¨¦mon rare abilities.] As Hikaru touched the tree, the corresponding skill was acquired, and he breathed a sigh of relief before excitement took over again. Looking at the modest dream house, Hikaru wondered how to transport the Light Stone''s flames out of the dream. Maybe he could chop more trees, turn them into charcoal, and take them out? It seemed like he had a lot of construction work ahead. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 69 - 69 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+600PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 800PS!] "This is the soft soil area!" Hikaru carried the Pecha Berries to the edge of the fertile ground. Walking Wake eagerly watched as Hikaru buried the berries and watered them. Meanwhile, Petilil happily bounced forward. "Aw?" Walking Wake curiously looked at Petilil, unsure of what the little one was about to do. "Petilil is an incredible cultivator!" Hikaru stroked Petilil''s leaves. After days of hard work, Petilil had gained considerable knowledge and learned new moves. She naturally had the ability to enhance plant growth, and now she decided to showcase her skills in front of this mighty dragon! You may be strong, but I have my own unique abilities too! Petilil gathered light, illuminating the soil! Sunny Day! Then, Petilil used "Growth"! Her body instantly expanded, boosting her Attack and Special Attack, and under Sunny Day, the effect doubled! "Wow~!" The soft soil reacted, resonating with Petilil''s energy. The ground split open as multiple berry seedlings sprouted rapidly! ¡ºPetilil has completed the cultivation process, gaining experience and growth.¡» ¡ºAcquired Knowledge: Mega Growth ¨C Increases plant maturation speed by 25% and quality by 25%!¡» "Aw?!" Walking Wake was astonished, glancing at the seedlings in the soil and then at Petilil, who had rooted herself into the ground. Its eyes now sparkled with admiration and excitement! A partner who can make berries grow faster? This little dragon-human''s new companion is amazing! How could it not be great? Now, there will be an endless supply of Pecha Berries! Receiving Walking Wake''s approval, Petilil was overjoyed, lifting her leaf-like skirt in excitement, showing that all her hard work had paid off! With her and Hikaru cultivating together, the berries would grow even fuller and taste better! "Grrrr~" Walking Wake let out a pleased rumble, lowering its head to nuzzle Petilil before licking her gently. For dragons, this gesture signified recognition. Walking Wake''s eyes now regarded Petilil differently, and its expression transformed into that of a hopeful pup waiting to be fed. "Wow!" Petilil shook her leafy head, delighted! Receiving a new companion''s acknowledgment was the greatest honor! "Speaking of food, why not try this?" Hikaru reached into his bag and pulled out a Mushroom Cake. The dream world is truly convenient! "Awrooo?" Walking Wake sniffed the strange dumpling and its eyes lit up instantly! What was this incredible scent? It opened its mouth, rolled its tongue, and swallowed the Mushroom Cake whole. Immediately, a surge of energy spread through its body, but a large portion of it remained unabsorbed. "Gar?" Walking Wake tilted its massive head in confusion. "Hmm, Mushroom Cake are highly attractive to Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon, but the one I just took out was infused with Soft Sand, so it only affects Ground-types. That''s why you didn''t get a boost." "So, what could enhance a Dragon Pok¨¦mon''s strength...?" Hikaru pondered, then pulled out a Dragon Fang from his bag. The Dragon Fang boosts the power of Dragon-type moves when held. Beyond being a power-boosting item, Dragon Fangs were also used as a secret ingredient in certain cuisines. In the Alola region, a special broth was brewed using Dragon Fangs, but since they were rare, obtaining them in the real world required either searching in Dragon Pok¨¦mon habitats or acquiring them from Dragon Master clans. Blackthorn City in Johto, Village of Dragons in Unova, and Meteor Falls in Hoenn were such places. "Maybe I can ask Lance for help," Hikaru thought. Meanwhile, the Dragon Fang he had just created in the dream world wasn''t actually a new material¡ªit was just imagined into existence. Hikaru began grinding the Dragon Fang. In the dream world, any tool could be conjured at will, and soon, he had collected the powdered remains and kneaded them into a new batch of Mushroom Cake. This time, a new description appeared: ¡ºFerocious Dragon Treat: Temporarily amplifies Dragon-type energy, aiding in the growth of Dragon Pok¨¦mon.¡» ¡ºNote: Although it''s a dream-created food, it still slightly boosts Pok¨¦mon''s strength within the dream.¡» "This is it! Try this one!" Hikaru tossed the modified Mushroom Cake to Walking Wake. The dragon once again caught it in one gulp, swallowing it whole before even tasting it. It really was impatient when it came to food. "Garooo!" This time, Walking Wake''s eyes gleamed even brighter. It excitedly shook its head and tail, lifted its head skyward, and let out a triumphant roar. A surge of Dragon-type energy slowly rose within it! Walking Wake then turned its expectant gaze to Hikaru. It wanted another one! Just one more! "In reality, this would be even more effective!" Hikaru chuckled, rolling a few more Mushroom Cake, which Walking Wake eagerly licked up and swallowed. It then rumbled in satisfaction! Pecha Berries and Mushroom Cake¡ªwhat more could a dragon ask for? "For now, stay here until I reach Unova," Hikaru stroked Walking Wake''s mane. "I''ll try my best to visit the dream world often, so you won''t feel lonely." That said, without Dream Mist, entering the dream world seemed to be random. "Aw~" Walking Wake responded. The Link Forest was indeed boring. Though there were other Pok¨¦mon, they were all from the dream world and often disappeared randomly. The forest also lacked berries. Meanwhile, Walking Wake had its own thoughts brewing. Since it had found a new home, it had to work harder to scavenge more materials from other dreams! After all, nobody else wanted those items! It had asked! "Hup!" Hikaru placed the Light Stone inside the small dream house, setting it among the other gems. Its surface was rugged and scarred. Deciding to follow its item description, Hikaru attempted to polish it. "The Light Stone in the dream world left Dragonspiral Tower. Will the real-world Light Stone also appear in the Link Forest?" "If so, perhaps Team Plasma will never find the White Dragon!" "But why would a Light Stone, which should have been inside the tower, exist outside and hold resentment toward its birthplace?" Maybe the dream world and reality were opposites, just like how the version mascots in Pok¨¦mon games are reversed. After all, that was the theme of Pok¨¦mon Black/White! Hikaru suddenly had an interesting realization. Although both the Light Stone and Dragonspiral Tower existed in the White Dragon''s dream, perhaps in reality, the Black Dragon''s stone was inside the tower instead. Was the White Dragon furious because it couldn''t enter the tower? Hikaru glanced at Walking Wake. The dragon attempted to enter the house but got stuck¡ªits massive crest was too big, wedging into the doorway. Frustrated, it let out an annoyed growl: "Garooo!" Before, the bigger the crest, the more majestic it felt. Now, it was just a hassle! "Hmm, I''ll expand the entrance for you," Hikaru mused. Since he wasn''t the one living here, he might as well let Walking Wake use the house as a resting place. Even though its real body was in the Link Forest, scavenging items from other Pok¨¦mon''s dreams was exhausting. "Unova really is fascinating¡ªit can connect dreams and reality!" Hikaru marveled at this concept as he dismantled the house''s entrance. In his mind, he imagined a larger doorway, and sure enough, the entrance expanded. Now, Walking Wake could enter with just a slight tilt of its head. Exiting, however, was still a bit tricky. Nonetheless, it squeezed inside, curled up comfortably, and lay on the floor, staring at Hikaru. Hikaru sensed that this environment resembled the caves that Walking Wake''s kind once inhabited in ancient times. A home-like cave structure¡ªit made the dragon feel safe. ¡ºInvited Pok¨¦mon: Walking Wake¡» ¡ºEffect: The settled Walking Wake will expand Sky Island and bring alternating Sunny and Rainy weather.¡» "Wow!" Petilil also hopped inside, curiously exploring the interior. Since this house was based on her dream, it was quite similar to a workshop. Finally, Hikaru carefully polished the Light Stone, removing its scars. ¡ºPolishing Bonus: The Light Stone''s surface scars have vanished, calming its fury. The stone''s elemental energy has increased.¡» ¡ºThe Light Stone''s power will now bring vitality to its surroundings.¡» "Haa~" Petilil yawned, and the dream world began to blur¡ªa sign of waking up. "Time''s up." Hikaru glanced at Walking Wake, who also realized this and let out a regretful rumble. Next time, it would scavenge even better items! Perhaps... the dream of a certain Black Dragon next? Hikaru was lost in his fantasies while rummaging through his backpack, taking out a large number of Mushroom Cake. Though they were imaginary food, they still had some benefits for Walking Wake''s growth in the dream world. However, the true effects of dream energy remained unknown. Petilil also swayed its leaves! "Big dragon, see you later!" "Roar!" Walking Wake let out a low growl, watching as Hikaru and Petilil disappeared. Then, it immediately began devouring the Mushroom Cake. At that moment, the white Light Stone trembled slightly! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A consciousness within the Light Stone was gradually awakening! "Ga''oo?" Walking Wake tilted its head, looking toward the white stone with a questioning expression. What, you want some too? Heh, you don''t even have a mouth, how would you eat? Besides, these were given to me by my Trainer, so I can''t share them with you! Light Stone: "..." No one is trying to snatch your imaginary food! I am a mighty legendary dragon; I would never care about such ordinary food! The consciousness within the Light Stone pondered. It was truly incredible. Ever since that human had polished it, its anger had started to fade, quickly calming down and even recovering from its nightmares! His craftsmanship was quite impressive. No, that wasn''t the main point! Receiving the craftsman''s polishing in the dream seemed to help free its mind from its restraints more quickly. It might even influence the recovery speed of its physical body in reality! Since that hoarding water dragon had heard its call, then as its Trainer, that craftsman must also have a deep connection to reality! He could be a subject worth observing! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 70 - 70 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+800PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1000PS!] Unova Region, North of Floccesy Town, Pledge Grove. This was a secluded forest with a pond and a massive rock, where three unique Pok¨¦mon were gathered¡ªone resembling a sheep, one resembling a bull, and one resembling a deer. They were the legendary Swords of Justice: Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion! Cobalion had the appearance of a quadrupedal creature similar to a goat, with a body covered in deep-sea blue fur, jagged yellow steel-like horns, and a sky-blue snout. A tuft of white fur extended from its neck, giving it a regal and commanding presence. It was also the leader of the Swords of Justice! However, the three Swords of Justice did not always stay together. Sometimes, they resided separately in the Guidance Chamber, the Trial Chamber, and the Reflection Chamber. They also roamed the Unova region, honing their Sacred Sword technique and rescuing Pok¨¦mon in distress. Pledge Grove, however, was the place where they had sworn their oaths and formed their trio. Today, they had reunited to exchange insights from their travels and to keep a close watch on the interactions between humans and Pok¨¦mon. At that moment, Cobalion was discussing something with the other two warriors, visibly frustrated about a strange dream it had recently experienced. "You''re saying a legendary dragon attacked you in the dream world?" Virizion, the verdant Grassland Pok¨¦mon with a form resembling a mix between an antelope and a deer, displayed an expression of sheer disbelief. The legendary dragons of Unova were ancient Pok¨¦mon from myth¡ªReshiram, the Dragon of Truth, and Zekrom, the Dragon of Ideals. These dragons were said to have built the Unova region and then destroyed it, wielding powers akin to deities. The Swords of Justice had lived for centuries and naturally knew of this legend. "I''m not certain it was one of the legendary dragons," Cobalion admitted. "It did have a dragon-like form and used Dragon-type moves. But it was a Pok¨¦mon I''d never seen in Unova before. Next time, I''ll be sure to teach it a lesson." The memory of that night still infuriated Cobalion. While practicing its sword techniques in the dream world, it had been releasing sharp, triangular steel blades between its two steel horns when a massive dragon had barged into its dream. The dragon had immediately fixated on its steel horns, its eyes gleaming as if it had discovered a rare treasure! "Without a doubt, it used Fire- and Dragon-type moves, much like the records of the Dragon of Truth, which once scorched Unova. However, its body didn''t have any white markings." Recalling the battle, Cobalion frowned. The dragon, adorned with a flowing mane and a crystal-like crest atop its head, had first attacked with Dragon Pulse and Dragon Tail, then followed up with Flamethrower, Sunny Day, and Fire Fang! The sheer power of its Flamethrower was far beyond that of an ordinary Pok¨¦mon. Cobalion had fought fiercely before finally driving the dragon away, but not before it had nearly bitten off its steel horns. Thankfully, it had only happened in the dream world. Otherwise, if its horns had been broken in reality, how could it still call itself a Sword of Justice?! "Hahaha! From your description, that dragon does seem to have some differences from the Unovan legendary dragons," Terrakion, the muscular Cavern Pok¨¦mon resembling a bull, let out a hearty laugh. "Or maybe the legends themselves have been distorted over time?" Then, with a thoughtful look, it asked, "But despite its differences in color and appearance, if it truly is one of the legendary dragons, doesn''t that mean the hero is about to appear?" "The Hero of Truth and the Hero of Ideals?" Cobalion scoffed, still irritated. "They were just figures who rekindled war on Unova''s lands. Humans are neither inherently good nor evil¡ªthey simply attack whatever opposes their ideals. ''Truth'' and ''Ideals'' are just words they use to justify their actions." Terrakion suddenly remembered something. "While training recently, I noticed some humans searching for Unova''s legends. Their outfits were quite bizarre. Near the Pok¨¦mon League, they seemed to be secretly constructing something underground. I vaguely heard mentions of ''King'' and ''Hero.''" "I also saw a man with green hair¡ªperhaps the ''King'' they were referring to? If these events are linked, it could explain why the legendary dragon has begun to stir in the dream world. If it''s already appearing in dreams, then its emergence in reality may not be far off." "If we''re unsure, why not ask that one?" Virizion, who had been listening, finally spoke up. "The one living in the Giant Chasm. It''s also a great dragon and might know something about the legendary dragons." During their long journeys, the Swords of Justice had encountered many extraordinary Pok¨¦mon. In the remote parts of Unova, there lay the Giant Chasm¡ªa massive crater said to have formed from an ancient meteorite impact. When the Swords of Justice were younger, they had ventured into the chasm and encountered a Pok¨¦mon named Kyurem. As a rite of passage, they had once challenged Kyurem, recognizing its power. Over time, they had come to know it, though Kyurem had always remained somewhat indifferent and unwilling to discuss its past. "That''s right! Kyurem must know something¡ªit''s lived for centuries and has deep knowledge of ancient legends!" "If Unova is on the brink of a crisis, we''ll need Kyurem''s power!" Nodding in agreement, the three Swords of Justice swiftly departed from Pledge Grove, preparing to traverse half of Unova to reach the Giant Chasm! ... Beneath the Pok¨¦mon League, Unova''s Northernmost Region. Even Unova''s Elite Four, Champion, and League staff were unaware of a hidden truth¡ªbeneath the sacred and imposing Pok¨¦mon League, a far grander structure lay concealed. A magnificent castle, more opulent and dazzling than the League itself, stood in secrecy. As the rest of the world basked in daylight, Unova had just entered the night. Inside the castle, a tall man was gently comforting a Zoroark. He wore a black-gray cap, had vibrant green hair, and was dressed in a cream-colored long coat. A pendant resembling a celestial body hung from his chest, and a cube-like object, the Rubik Sponge, was attached to his waist. This man was none other than N, the public figurehead of Team Plasma¡ªa man who sought to change the world, to free Pok¨¦mon from human rule, and to create a world where only Pok¨¦mon could exist. Tonight, however, he was offering psychological support to his Pok¨¦mon. The previous night, his Zoroark had experienced a bizarre nightmare¡ªone where it was attacked by a massive, unknown dragon Pok¨¦mon. The dragon had seized its prized crimson mane, yanking it out without mercy, then clamped its jaws around Zoroark''s head, refusing to let go. No matter how much Zoroark struggled, the dragon''s immense strength rendered it powerless. It had been a complete nightmare. Had Zoroark not woken up in time, it feared it might have been left completely bald. The dragon in its dream had also breathed roaring flames. Using Illusion, Zoroark had recreated the image of Walking Wake, believing it to be the very legendary dragon N had been searching for. But N remained silent. The legendary dragon of Unova was indeed said to wield flames that could scorch the land. However, would a divine dragon recklessly invade an ordinary Pok¨¦mon''s dream just to yank out its hair?! Even a Stoutland from the streets had more class. The dragon''s appearance and color also didn''t match Unova''s legendary records. Still, N believed this dream held meaning. Unova had always been a land of strange, prophetic dreams. Even if they were often unreliable, they couldn''t be ignored entirely. Just as he was lost in thought, a voice rang out in the castle. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Lord Ghetsis has returned!" Ghetsis strode through the long corridors of the castle, his luxurious green cape billowing behind him as he approached N. Beside him was an elderly man with light green hair, clad in an ornate robe. "Oh, N, I bring good news." Ghetsis spoke with confidence, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "During my travels, I have found more like-minded individuals. The concept of the Seven Sages is nearly complete. Additionally, I have acquired an artifact that will ensure your recognition by the legendary dragon. Very soon, that item will arrive in Unova." A glint of excitement flickered in Ghetsis'' single visible eye. "Next, I plan to hold public speeches across Unova, awakening the people to the cruelty of Pok¨¦mon battles and making them realize that humans should not enslave Pok¨¦mon for their own selfish desires. The time of discord is coming to an end. Unova shall soon enter a new era." However, Ghetsis'' tone grew heavier as he added, "Unfortunately, we have yet to gather sufficient information on the legendary dragon. Despite scouring numerous ruins, our discoveries have been minimal." He gestured toward the elderly man beside him. "This sage here is Zinzolin." Zinzolin, an elder with sharp, intelligent eyes, took a step forward and gave N a slight nod in greeting. "The legendary dragon..." N''s gaze flickered thoughtfully. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Last night, my Pok¨¦mon had a peculiar dream." He proceeded to recount Zoroark''s bizarre nightmare in detail. As Ghetsis listened, his composed expression wavered ever so slightly. When he heard about the dragon''s crude and undignified actions, even he¡ªa cunning strategist¡ªcould not help but reveal a hint of bewilderment. "A legendary dragon behaving like that?" The idea that an entity revered in Unovan mythology would rudely barge into a Pok¨¦mon''s dream to pluck out its fur was utterly absurd. Even if the dragon had lost its sense of self after centuries of slumber, it should not have lost its majesty. If they were to use this as the basis for a hero''s legend, they would likely be ridiculed. Moreover, the dragon''s color scheme was all wrong. According to legend, the dragons were black and white. Had time altered its form? Or had historical records been flawed from the start? Zinzolin''s eyes narrowed. "A strange dream indeed. So, do you believe this creature is one of the legendary dragons?" He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I admit, something seems off. But at the same time, we cannot rely solely on historical accounts. Our extensive searches have yet to reveal the dragon''s resting place. Perhaps it is time to alter our approach¡ªto pay attention to beings that may not fit our expectations." Ghetsis remained silent for a moment before murmuring, "I have, in fact, come across certain peculiar records in my research." He did not elaborate immediately. The information he had found seemed too absurd to be worth serious consideration. There were whispers in ancient texts that spoke of a third dragon¡ªa being separate from Reshiram and Zekrom. But the details were scarce, fragmented, and vague, with little credibility. In truth, the entirety of Unova''s history revolved around the black and white dragons. If a third dragon had truly existed, then why was it barely mentioned? At best, some of these records could be referring to an ancient Hydreigon mistaken for a legendary being. But now... Ghetsis'' mind stirred. Could the unruly dragon from the dream be this so-called third dragon? If so, it was worth investigating further. "Very well," Ghetsis finally said, "I will look deeper into this matter. If there truly exists a third legendary dragon, then we must learn all we can about it." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 71 - 71 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+1000PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1200PS!] In Shinto, inside the Traveler''s Workshop. As the dream gradually faded, Hikaru and Petilil woke up simultaneously. The outside world was also getting brighter. The night had passed. As soon as Hikaru woke up, he heard Doublade''s shout! "Yoowoo!" Somehow, a piece of wood had appeared inside the room, pressing down on Doublade! Doublade looked dazed, staring at the wooden object that had suddenly materialized. Then, glancing at the now-awake Hikaru and Petilil, it immediately understood! There was only one truth! "You two entered the Dream World without me!" "Yoowoo~" Doublade floated to Hikaru, eagerly asking if they had seen that big dragon again this time. "We did!" Hikaru recounted what had happened in the Dream World. Doublade was astonished¡ªso that dragon had really come into this world! The Unova region again¡­ That place where the so-called "nation-building liar" resided. "Indeed, it''s over there, but we can''t go just yet. Let''s wait until autumn to set off and bring our companion back." "Then¡­" Hikaru looked at the dreamwood, then turned toward Doublade. "This is a special wood brought from the Dream World. It''s extremely important." "Yoowoo!" Doublade''s two ribbon-like arms waved excitedly! No need for more words. We understand! Double-speed cutting, start! Hikaru glanced outside. The distant horizon was beginning to glow. The dawn shattered the darkness, marking the arrival of July. Today was going to be a good day. Then, Hikaru and Doublade began cutting and carving the dreamwood! As for the design, Hikaru did not choose to carve Petilil because its rare ability, Leaf Guard, was not particularly useful. It was far inferior to Chlorophyll or Own Tempo. Even in a permanent weather effect, its function was too limited¡ªpreventing status conditions in sunlight was just too niche. As for Doublade and Walking Wake, they only had one ability each and weren''t of the Grass, Bug, Electric, or Poison types, meaning the wooden carving wouldn''t affect them. So¡­ Grass-type Pok¨¦mon. Hikaru''s first thought was Torterra, but like Petilil, Torterra''s rare ability was a classic example of being less practical than its common abilities. Wait! For Grass-types, wasn''t there a Pok¨¦mon that desperately needed its rare ability? And it was also from Unova! "Serperior! Including its pre-evolutions, Servine and Snivy! The Serperior line''s rare ability is Contrary!" Contrary reverses all stat changes¡ªboosts become drops, and reductions become increases! Hikaru began carving, and soon, he was finished. [Crafted Item: Dream World Wood Carving¡ªSnivy Form] [Effect: Made from dreamwood using specific Dream World techniques, synchronized with the Dream World. It can change Snivy''s ability to its rare ability. Each carving works only once per Pok¨¦mon!] [Doublade has completed a craftsmanship task, gaining experience and growth.] [Knowledge Gained: Dream Blade¡ªAll moves'' power increased by 10%, precision in handling energy improved by 20%.] "It''s done! The first item that can change abilities!" Hikaru pondered for a moment. An item that could change abilities was way too powerful. Naturally, its price wouldn''t be something an ordinary person could afford¡ªit would start at a minimum of 1,000,000. Besides, "Ability Capsule" and "Ability Patch" likely didn''t exist in this world yet! Which meant¡­ This was a truly unique product! However, Dreamwood was scarce, so it could only be treated as a custom-order product. If someone was willing to pay a high price, Hikaru could carve one for them! That said, some Pok¨¦mon''s rare abilities weren''t necessarily better than their common ones, so blindly chasing rare abilities wasn''t always a good idea. At the same time, Hikaru glanced at the Symbol Slate on the table¡ªthe words of Regirock were still there. Could it be today? Hikaru fully equipped himself, preparing to set out. He strapped on his large backpack once again, leaving the Snivy wood carving behind. Today wasn''t just about helping Petilil reclaim her habitat and fulfill her wish¡ªit was also a prime opportunity to collect important materials. Hikaru also packed the "Double Pickle"¡ªthe fermentation process took about half a month to a month, and now it was ready to use. This batch of pickles was finally ready. [Extra Crafting Completed!] [Crafted Item: Double Pickle] [Effect: A special pickle that grants a double-effect boost. After consumption, a Pok¨¦mon''s move damage temporarily increases by 1.5 times.] [Additional Effect: Focus¡ªEnhances concentration after consumption.] [Knowledge Gained: Pickling Master¡ªPickling speed increased by 20%. Pickled foods allow both humans and Pok¨¦mon to enter a focused state.] Hikaru carefully packed the Double Pickle. Petilil also geared up with protective gear, lifting her little dress and brimming with fighting spirit! She would win today! "Yoopuu~" Doublade floated beside Petilil, tapping its sheath with its ribbons. "Should we put the Eviolite on you now?" With one ribbon, Doublade lifted a small leather collar with a pouch¡ªit was designed to hold an Eviolite. Hikaru had stitched it together yesterday. "Petilil¡­" Petilil looked at Doublade''s Eviolite, then at her own body. She felt the stone was a bit too large and decided to wear it during battle instead. Hikaru led the way, wearing his reinforced gloves. He carried a pickaxe and a shovel, with a utility belt holding two Pok¨¦ Balls. His backpack was filled with various tools. He also brought along some sticky balls, though his supply was running low. Since he hadn''t been able to find the Jump Fern or a large quantity of Bugwort Berries, he could only make some mud balls instead, drying their outer shell for later use. Jump Fern was a type of fern, and since Shinto''s environment resembled Hisui''s, it should theoretically be found in the forest. Hikaru didn''t use the regular berries as materials; instead, he kept them as reserves. Perhaps, on his next trip into the forest, he''d find the necessary ingredients and replenish his stock. Of course, before entering the forest, he made sure to pack a Celebi wood carving in his backpack. The carving prevented him from getting lost and reduced the chances of wild Pok¨¦mon ambushing him, minimizing unnecessary battles and preserving stamina. Meanwhile¡­ After Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon left, Turtwig sneaked out from another part of the forest. "Na?" Everyone was out today? That meant the land was unguarded! And today''s weather was so nice! Over time, Turtwig had observed that Petilil''s habitat had been taken from her, and that human was helping her reclaim it¡­ or at least, that was its guess. That meant today was a perfect day to soak up some extra nutrients! Turtwig dug a small hole and quickly buried itself, activating Photosynthesis. The plants on its back flourished¡ªthe soil here was even richer than the land occupied by Hisuian Electrode! "Nana" With no one home, it was a bit lonely, but it could absorb as much sunlight as it wanted! Just as Turtwig was enjoying itself, a large E-shaped eye suddenly appeared before it. Unown-E: "¡­?" No one home? You''re acting like I, Unown, don''t exist! Do you not see this big Pok¨¦mon floating right in front of you?! Turtwig''s jaw dropped as it stared at this strange, floating eye Pok¨¦mon and then let out a loud cry! "Na!!" I''ve been discovered! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Anown~!" Seeing Turtwig''s reaction, Unown immediately understood¡ªthis little turtle was nervous. And at that moment, it had an idea! Floating in front of Turtwig, it blocked its path. "Anown~" This land isn''t something you can just freeload off of, you know~ Turtwig''s leaves quivered in tension, but Unown made soothing noises. "Anown~ Anown~" No need to be scared, little turtle. I already knew about you. But I never told that human, did I? Turtwig hesitated, feeling slightly reassured. Meanwhile, Unown continued its persuasion¡­ Unown patiently continued to explain: "Anown~~" "I''m also a Pok¨¦mon that lives here, but just like you, I haven''t been discovered by that human yet." "But, you know, that human is actually very kind. Sneaking over here every day just to absorb nutrients isn''t very efficient, and it''s tiring. Why not consider being caught by a Trainer?" "You don''t have any companions, do you?" "You long for companionship, don''t you?" Turtwig slightly opened its mouth. When it heard Unown say it had no companions, the leaves on its head drooped a little. Unown seized the opportunity to continue persuading: "Anown¡­ Anown¡­" "Don''t worry, that human wouldn''t pluck the herbs growing on your back. If you express your wish to keep them, he will respect it." "That Petilil was in a similar situation as you. She had no companions and came here to get stronger." "But later, that human took her in, and as they spent time together, they became companions." "Friendships must be actively pursued. If you don''t take the initiative, a lot of things simply won''t happen. You seem quite lonely in the forest..." "Na! Na!" Turtwig was about to protest that it wasn''t lonely, but it lacked confidence. After all, it was true that other Pok¨¦mon only cared about the rare herbs growing on its back and completely ignored its existence. It was too weak, so it could only survive by hiding¡ªit couldn''t even protect the plants growing on its own body... "Anown~" Unown''s persuasion continued. "You carry so many plants on your back, so of course, you require a lot of nutrients. But if you lived here, not only would you have fertile land, but you''d also have access to an abundance of herbs and high-quality food. Your nutrition would skyrocket in no time!" Unown continued its patient coaxing. The truth was, it remembered that Hikaru had mentioned wanting a Torterra. And since Unown had messed things up before, it hadn''t dared to show its face until now! This little turtle had been brought here by Celebi. If Unown could lure it into staying, it would be a great achievement! Not to mention, this Turtwig naturally carried medicinal herbs! Perfect plan! Turtwig glanced at the old workshop, then at the surrounding fertile and lush fields. Finally, it tilted its head slightly and looked at the plants growing on its own back. Then, it thought about the cheerful and lively Petilil who always seemed so happy in that place¡­ A bit of hesitation flickered in its heart. But it still wanted to observe a little longer. Unown secretly rejoiced. No problem. Sometimes, taking the time to observe isn''t a bad thing. As long as the thought is there, it''s just a matter of time! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 72 - 72 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+1000PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1200PS!] "Wawa!" In the forest. Petilil led the way at the front, hopping excitedly while guiding Hikaru and Doublade. This time, the route was a straight path northwest, with no detours. The forest was filled with various sounds, and in the shadows, some Bug-type Pok¨¦mon watched Hikaru curiously. Humans were a rare sight in the forest, especially one dressed so differently from the local people. "It''s time to use the Silent Spray." Hikaru sprayed himself with Silent Spray, reducing the noise he made while moving. He also applied it to the two Pok¨¦mon, though Doublade pointed out that it was floating and didn''t need it. But Hikaru insisted¡ªthere was no harm in using it, and it might even help muffle the sound of flight. When they encountered large trees blocking the way, Doublade swiftly cut through them with Fury Cutter. If there were large boulders, Hikaru would break them open to check for valuable minerals. They continued hacking and forging ahead until Petilil''s steps gradually slowed. By now, Hikaru had no idea how deep into the forest they had traveled. The surroundings had become dim. Massive, dense trees stretched toward the sky, their roots intertwined with stones, with streams trickling through them. Moss and clinging plants covered everything, and deep green vegetation flourished wildly. Hikaru spotted Diglett burrowing marks and various materials that had fallen from Pok¨¦mon. He picked up a Poison Sting¡ªit looked like a Beedrill''s tail stinger, indicating the presence of a Beedrill swarm nearby. These Pok¨¦mon never appeared alone. [Rare Material: Poison Sting] [Effect: A poisonous needle shed by a Pok¨¦mon. Increases the power of Poison-type moves when held.] [Knowledge Gained: Poison Resilience ¨C Resistance to toxins increased by 15%.] Hikaru also picked up: [Kadabra''s fur and skin fragments] [Effect: Brownish leather-like pieces from a Kadabra''s skin. When made into an accessory, it slightly enhances psychic power.] [Knowledge Gained: Psychic Insights ¨C Mental strength increased, along with knowledge on psychic training.] ... S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Parasect''s spores] [Effect: Can be mixed into medicinal formulas for stronger effects. Rumored to be an ingredient in secret medicine.] [Knowledge Gained: Apothecary''s Understanding ¨C Enhanced knowledge in potion-making.] ... [Steelix''s iron fragments] [Effect: Fallen iron skin from Steelix during digging. Can be used to craft a Metal Coat.] ]Knowledge Gained: Steel Forging ¨C Improved crafting quality by 10%, with knowledge of metalworking.] ... [Misdreavus'' tears] [Effect: These are Fear Tears worn around Misdreavus'' neck. Staring at them too long can cause fright.] [Knowledge Gained: Fear Transcendence ¨C Increased spiritual power and knowledge of fear-related spiritual arts.] ... [Valuable Bone] ]Description: A highly valuable Pok¨¦mon fossil prized by archaeologists and collectors.[ [Crafting Unlocked: Unique Bonecraft (C+) ¨C Allows crafting with Pok¨¦mon bones, granting benefits to Ground, Ghost, and Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon.] ... Hikaru continued collecting materials as they traveled deeper into the shadowy woods. He observed Pok¨¦mon either hidden within the foliage or boldly appearing in the distance. But eventually, all traces of Pok¨¦mon vanished, and a Pok¨¦mon-empty zone emerged. On the ground, decayed berries littered the soil. Hisuian Electrode''s seeds had parasitized these berries, attempting to absorb nutrients, yet they failed to grow into new Electrode Eggs. "Not all seeds will survive after being sown. The quality of the seed, soil conditions, climate, sowing technique, proper planting depth, timing, and method all matter." "Soil type, fertility, and moisture levels; temperature, humidity, and sunlight exposure¡ªthese are all crucial factors." "Although Hisui''s terrain and Shendu''s share similarities, they also differ greatly. The Hisuian form of Pok¨¦mon mutated in this environment rather than maintaining its standard form." "We''re almost there." Hikaru discarded the rotten berries. Petilil had grown visibly tense. "Peti! Peti!" Crossing the damp earth, covered with fallen leaves and moss, they arrived at an orchard. A dense grove of various Berries and Apricorns grew wildly, seemingly concentrated into a single area. Hikaru also noticed remnants of ancient ruins! This place might have once been cultivated by the people of Shendu as a Berry orchard! After humans abandoned it, nature reclaimed the land, transforming it into part of the forest. Five Hisuian Voltorb were rolling around on the ground, crashing into the trees. Some berries and Apricorns fell, and they excitedly scattered seeds as they dropped. However, the moment Petilil jumped out, the five Voltorb''s laughter abruptly stopped! "Peti!" One of them spoke up, questioning Petilil''s presence! But since its face was permanently goofy-looking, it was impossible to tell if it was serious or not! "Yoowoo~!" Doublade translated: "The Voltorb are saying, ''You again? This is our home now. Get lost, or things will end the same way as before!''" Pok¨¦mon were naturally combative. While their behavior could be cute and childish, when it came to survival and territory, they became passionate¡ªsometimes even ruthless. Wild Pok¨¦mon with flaws in their personalities were even more terrifying in battle! "Mahruru!" A massive shadow rolled out from the orchard''s edge and launched itself at Petilil! A Hisuian Electrode¡ªthe current boss of the orchard! Its appearance resembled an upside-down Hisuian Pok¨¦ Ball, with red on the bottom and wood-textured brown on top. Its body was covered in natural wood grain, with eye sockets resembling hollow knots in the bark. Unlike a regular Electrode''s permanent smirk, its expression was constantly furious, giving it a permanently agitated demeanor. Hikaru evaluated it in his mind. Size-wise, it was far smaller than "The King of the Caves." The King of the Caves was a legendary Hisuian Electrode that guarded one of Arceus'' Plates. It was said to be a descendant of the Ten Hero Pok¨¦mon and was capable of absurdly powerful continuous explosions! But this one? It wasn''t even close. "Mahruru?" Hisuian Electrode first eyed Petilil, then Hikaru and Doublade. "Oh, so you brought backup? Well, our explosions will handle that! Time to blow everything up!" "Wait a second, Electrode! I''m this Petilil''s Trainer now, and I challenge you to a territory battle!" Hikaru wanted to reason with the Electrode, but the moment it sensed Hikaru''s aura, it hesitated. It recognized the presence¡ªCelebi''s divine energy! "Mahruru. Mahruru!" Doublade translated: "Child of the Forest blessed by the Guardian of Time, I have no reason to refuse your challenge! But even if you defeat me, we won''t leave this orchard!" "...Seriously? That''s some thick skin you''ve got. No wonder your outer shell is made of wood!" Hikaru scratched his head awkwardly, recalling Walking Wake from his dream. Still, the fact that Electrode hadn''t immediately attacked him was already impressive. He couldn''t expect too much. At least Celebi''s lingering aura was helping Pok¨¦mon communicate instead of instantly fighting. But refusing to leave even if they lost? That was a problem. "If that''s how it is, then I have no choice. I anticipated this, which is why Petilil is already wearing protective gear¡­ Now, I''ll just have to knock you all out!" "Mahruru!!!" At Electrode''s command, the five Hisuian Voltorb rolled toward Petilil, flashing with electricity! They were using Quick Attack¡ªan Electric-coated charge attack that sometimes caused paralysis! "Whoa, no honor! Doublade, Reflect!" "Petilil, counter them with items!" "Doublade, Reflect!" Doublade floated forward and instantly set up a transparent barrier. In reality, Reflect was an invisible wall, and anything crashing into it would be severely obstructed! Meanwhile, Petilil braced herself. The first Hisuian Voltorb slammed into her, its electric energy crackling¡ªbut her protective gear absorbed most of the impact! At that moment, the metal plating on the gear glowed with a Steel-type energy¡ªthe first Voltorb that collided with her was immediately repelled! The force sent it flying backward, crashing into another Voltorb mid-air¡ªjust like bouncing pinballs, the two Pok¨¦mon were sent flying across the battlefield! The remaining three Voltorb suffered the same fate. Each one rebounded violently after crashing into Petilil, their attacks negated by the reflective force of the armor! Finally, only Hisuian Electrode remained. "Mahruru?!" Hisuian Electrode''s permanently angry expression briefly showed a hint of surprise. "You¡­ you''re using Steel-type power?! What kind of Grass/Steel fusion nonsense is this?!" "Wawa!" After knocking away the Voltorb, Petilil signaled Doublade to help her remove the damaged armor. Since the protective gear was only a small-sized piece, it had endured multiple consecutive impacts¡ªso it had reached its limit and was now broken. But that didn''t matter. Now, it was a true one-on-one battle! Petilil''s fighting spirit burned bright. All her effort and training over the past several days were about to be put to the ultimate test! Hikaru stepped forward and declared: "Now that it''s one-on-one, do you accept our challenge? If you lose, you''ll have to leave this orchard!" "I don''t know what happened to your previous habitat, but as long as we communicate properly, we can work something out. But if you refuse to negotiate, then we''ll settle this with a battle!" "If you took someone else''s home, then when they get stronger and take it back¡ªthat''s just how survival works in the wild, isn''t it?" Hisuian Electrode let out a series of grumbling noises, but after a moment, it steeled itself. "Mahruru! Mahruru Mahruru!!" Doublade translated: "I am fighting for my entire clan''s survival. I cannot lose! This isn''t just about winning or losing¡ªthis is my duty as the leader to stand and fight!" Hikaru sighed. "Why is this turning into a sh¨­nen protagonist''s speech?" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 73 - 73 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+1200PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1400PS!] Hikaru sighed. The way things were going, it almost felt like he was the villain here. But who was the one that attacked first without honor? It was clearly the opponent! Petilil turned back to lock eyes with Hikaru. There''s no problem! As long as Hikaru was her Trainer, she could definitely win this battle! "That''s right. As long as we work together, we can win this. Listen to my commands, and let''s claim victory together!" Hikaru crouched down, pulling out a Grassy Glass Whistle while also preparing a Double Pickle. Then, he had Petilil eat Leftovers. Meanwhile, Doublade took out the Eviolite, placed it into a small leather pouch, and secured it onto Petilil. Fully equipped, Petilil hopped onto the battlefield! Opposite her, Hisuian Electrode also readied itself for battle! "Victory Dance!" Right off the bat, Hikaru ordered a powerful move that only evolved Pok¨¦mon could learn! Petilil began a fierce, ritualistic dance¡ªboosting her Attack, Defense, and Speed! Speed was crucial against Hisuian Electrode! The enemy opened its large mouth: "Seed Machine Gun!" A rapid barrage of seed bullets rained down like a machine gun! "Protect!" Hikaru commanded. A green defensive barrier formed around Petilil. The Seed Machine Gun bullets ricocheted off harmlessly. Thanks to her recent growth, Petilil could now use Protect without exhausting herself like before! "Mahruru!" Seeing that its attack failed, Hisuian Electrode quickly switched strategies. Even wild Pok¨¦mon knew that Protect had a limited duration! Its body surged with golden lightning! Thunderbolt! A massive bolt of electricity shot toward Petilil! "Substitute!" Hikaru reacted instantly. Petilil sacrificed a portion of her HP to create a decoy substitute, which took the full brunt of the Thunderbolt. Since it wasn''t very effective, the substitute remained intact! A second Thunderbolt followed¡ªbut the substitute absorbed that one too! In real battles, Substitute wasn''t just for deception¡ªit also automatically attracted enemy attacks. "Sunny Day! Then, Solar Beam!" Petilil called forth a brilliant sun! Despite the forest canopy, the artificial sunlight pierced through the shadows! Petilil absorbed the sunlight! Seeing this, Hisuian Electrode panicked¡ªit also lifted its head and began praying to the sky! Instantly, dark clouds gathered overhead, shrouding the sun! But at that moment, Solar Beam had already fired! A massive white beam of energy blasted toward Hisuian Electrode! "Mahruru!" Hisuian Electrode was struck and sent flying, tumbling across the ground. But due to its Grass typing, it didn''t take much damage. Panting, it forced itself upright. By now, the rain clouds had fully formed¡ªHisuian Electrode had used Rain Dance! Immediately, its body surged with even more electricity! It was Charging! This meant its next Electric-type move would deal double damage, and its Special Defense also increased by one stage! Rain Dance + Charge¡­ There was no doubt what would come next¡ªThunder! Violent lightning crackled around Hisuian Electrode. Thunder rumbled within the dark clouds above! "Mahruru!" But Hikaru was waiting for this exact moment! "If you like using status moves so much, then let''s keep you using them forever!" Hikaru clapped his hands. "Encore!" Petilil twirled her dress, and spotlights seemingly appeared from nowhere, illuminating Hisuian Electrode! ¡ºHisuian Electrode is forced to use Encore!¡» "Mahruru?!" Hisuian Electrode panicked¡ªit wanted to unleash Thunder, but no matter how hard it tried¡­ It could only use Charge again! The forest grew wetter. The ground became muddy. Encore forces the target to repeat their last move three times! "Sunny Day! Follow it up with Pollen Puff!" Petilil cast Sunny Day again, banishing the rain! The bright sunlight reappeared! Then, she shook her leaves, conjuring a golden-red orb of pollen and launched it at Hisuian Electrode! Super effective! The Pollen Puff exploded upon impact, sending Hisuian Electrode rolling back! However, thanks to its Special Defense boost from Charge, it barely endured. Realizing it couldn''t attack, it decided to¡­ run away! Wild Hisuian Electrode used "Run Away!" Super effective¡ªfor itself! "Another Pollen Puff!¡ªWait, it rolled behind the orchard? Is this what wild Pok¨¦mon call ''Dodge Instinct''?" Hikaru sighed. Encore would soon wear off¡ªafter all, this wasn''t a turn-based game. Sure enough, Hisuian Electrode hid behind the berry trees, preventing Petilil from hitting it again. At the same time, Hikaru noticed small green globs falling from its body. Leftovers! "So that''s how it works¡ªit stores uneaten berries inside its body. As they ferment, they gradually restore its HP. I see, Hisuian Electrode carries Leftovers by literally storing food inside itself!" If left for too long, these berries might even ferment into a unique fruit juice! "But eating a little extra won''t save you. We still have one more trump card!" Hikaru had long suspected Leftovers could be found on wild Hisuian Electrode¡ªit was even labeled in his ingredient collection log. While Hisuian Electrode rolled unpredictably behind the trees, Hikaru quickly formulated a countermeasure. "Grassy Glide!" Petilil harnessed Grass energy, then slid forward at high speed, launching herself directly into the orchard! Hisuian Electrode was still nibbling its Leftovers, firmly believing in the "one bite of food keeps you alive" philosophy. Suddenly¡ªPetilil slid in and kicked it! "Mahruru!" Hisuian Electrode bounced off a tree, rebounded off another, and rolled right back into the battlefield! Petilil didn''t stop¡ªher momentum carried her forward, and she launched a second sliding kick! "Mahruru!!!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hisuian Electrode shrieked in pain. But as it tumbled across the ground, Encore finally wore off! Now enraged, it abandoned status moves and charged straight at Petilil! "Rollout!" Rollout¡ªa Rock-type move that increases in power with each consecutive hit! Since Hisuian Electrode''s body was a perfect sphere, it was faster than most Rollout users! No hands, no problem¡ªits attacks were naturally quicker! It wanted Petilil to experience a true sliding attack! But Hikaru had a plan. "Grass Knot!" Petilil cried out: "Wawa!" Suddenly, vines burst from the ground, entangling Hisuian Electrode! Grass Knot trips heavier targets¡ªbut since Hisuian Electrode was literally a rolling ball, the vines wrapped around it entirely! "Mahruru? Mahruru?!" No¡ªbad! Hisuian Electrode panicked as Petilil loomed over it. This wasn''t the same Pok¨¦mon from before! What¡ªwhat was she about to do?! "Weather Ball!" Petilil formed three transparent orbs¡ªunder Sunny Day, they ignited into flames! Weather Ball''s power doubles under weather effects, and with Sunlight, it becomes Fire-type! Petilil lifted the three blazing orbs high, staring down at Hisuian Electrode. Her eyes burned not just with battle spirit¡ªbut with the determination to reclaim what was hers! Three flaming Weather Balls soared through the air. Hisuian Electrode''s eyes widened in terror. "Wait! A Grass-type using Fire moves?! That''s illegal!!!" Hisuian Electrode let out a painful scream. Even with its Special Defense boosted twice, it still couldn''t withstand the scorching flames! However, despite being heavily damaged, it refused to give up! As the Weather Ball flames engulfed its body, it gathered all its remaining strength. Though its entire body was burning, it suddenly began emitting an intense green light! "Mahruru!" "This is my final move! Don''t underestimate me! I am the leader of my clan!" A massive spatial distortion appeared before Hisuian Electrode. It was using Chloroblast! Chloroblast¡ªa unique move exclusive to Hisuian Electrode, in which it concentrates chlorophyll into a powerful blast, dealing massive damage to the opponent at the cost of hurting itself! Hikaru reacted instantly. He threw the Double Pickle toward Petilil! Petilil stepped on it, triggering Double Power Mode! At the same time, Hikaru blew the Grassy Glass Whistle! "Max Power Solar Beam!" The Grassy Glass Whistle boosted Grass-type moves by 10%! The Double Pickle multiplied move power by 1.5x! A massive Solar Beam was unleashed! Solar Beam and Chloroblast collided head-on! "A beam struggle?!" The bright green energy of Chloroblast clashed fiercely against the blinding white power of Solar Beam. The entire forest was illuminated by their radiant light! At first, the two beams seemed evenly matched¡­ But soon, Chloroblast started to falter! Thanks to the stacked multipliers, Solar Beam was overpowering it! Hisuian Electrode''s eyes widened in disbelief. Solar Beam shouldn''t have been stronger than its ultimate move¡­ But Chloroblast was shattering, breaking apart under the relentless force of Solar Beam! The last thing Hisuian Electrode saw was a blinding flash of light. "Mahruru¡­!" Then, a massive explosion erupted! Hisuian Electrode was blasted away, rolling far across the orchard before crashing heavily beneath a berry tree. A shower of berries rained down from above. As the dust settled, Hisuian Electrode''s eyes spun into swirls¡ªit had completely lost the battle! ¡ºCongratulations! Petilil has learned a new move: Ingrain!¡» Petilil stood frozen for a moment, staring at the fallen "final boss." She had challenged this opponent countless times in the past¡­ And every single time, she had lost. But this time¡­ she had won?! "Wawa! Wawawawa!" Petilil suddenly bounced up and down with joy! She turned around and leaped straight into Hikaru''s arms, nuzzling against his face! "Thank you! Thank you so much, Trainer!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 74 - 74 "Bzzt bzzt." The Hisuian Voltorb rolled over hesitantly, glancing at the victorious Petilil before turning to their unconscious leader, the Hisuian Electrode. In the wild Pok¨¦mon world, when the leader of a group is defeated, the rest must either flee or submit. Previously, this was how the Lilligant and the other Petilil were driven away from their home by these Voltorb. One of the Hisuian Voltorb seemed to have the idea of self-destructing, but Doublade swiftly flew over, wrapped it in its ribbon-like arms, and hurled it far away. "Yoouu~" You want to self-destruct? Do you think this knight is just here to watch? "We won. According to the laws of the wild, this territory now belongs to us." Hikaru spoke seriously to the few remaining Voltorb. The Voltorb were at a loss. "Bzzt bzzt!" Our boss¡­ has been defeated! The Hisuian Voltorb exchanged glances, while the dazed Hisuian Electrode slowly regained consciousness. Realizing its loss, it could only sulk, though its face permanently looked angry anyway. "Mahru. (¨p£þÃó£þ)" Everyone¡­ I am deeply sorry. As the leader of our group, I have failed you all! Petilil, still in Hikaru''s arms, stared at the Hisuian Electrode, causing the latter to roll back slightly in fear. This Petilil was truly terrifying! A Petilil that could use Fire-type moves, Solar Beam, and even Block¡ªwhat kind of absurdity was this? At that moment, soft voices of "Bai Bai" and "Waa Waa" came from the side. Petilil turned her head, looking past Hikaru''s shoulder, and was shocked to see a group of Petilil had gathered there. Among them stood a Lilligant in her standard form, elegant and poised like a noble lady. "Waa Waa?" Petilil was stunned, filled with questions. Hadn''t their group already left? Why were they back here? She then noticed that Lilligant bore injuries, her orange crown-like flower petals torn and damaged¡ªnot at all like before! In that instant, a sharp realization struck Petilil like a blade through her mind. Could it be that¡­ the leader had fought before? "Dorei¡­" Lilligant murmured softly, as if calling out to a long-lost child. "Waa Waa Waa!!!" Petilil leaped from Hikaru''s arms, bouncing excitedly toward Lilligant, lifting her tiny dress-like leaves as she jumped, seemingly both scolding and boasting to her elder. I won! Just like I always said I would! As she spoke, her voice carried a sobbing tone, as if all her past grievances were bursting out at once. "Dore¡­" Lilligant glanced at the Hisuian Electrode and the Voltorb, who were now huddling together, seemingly preparing to leave. The Hisuian Electrode felt a sense of dread upon seeing Lilligant return. "Mah mahru!" This is bad! That Lilligant I fought before has returned! And now there''s also a Petilil that knows Fire-type moves. There''s no way we can hold onto this orchard anymore! Could it be¡­ that our clan is doomed? A deep sorrow welled up within Hisuian Electrode. Curse it all! It had worked so hard to evolve and lead its species, securing this territory with the hope of thriving and making the Voltorb family great again! But because of that stubborn Petilil, her resistance had inspired the entire group to rebel! That Lilligant it had once defeated had even returned. And it was all because of that tenacious Petilil! "Mah mahru mahru!" Hisuian Electrode muttered in frustration, while the Voltorb surrounding it no longer joked around but slumped in despair. Perhaps¡­ the dwindling of their kind was simply nature''s way. No matter how much they struggled, this day would inevitably come. "The Hisuian form is considered a mutation rather than the norm in the Shinto Forest. The rotting apricots represent failed growth¡­" Hikaru murmured alongside Doublade, understanding Hisuian Electrode''s lament through translation. He reflected on how wild Pok¨¦mon battles for territory were always this brutal and direct. The injuries on the Lilligant showed that after being "abandoned" by Petilil, she had confronted her own weakness and challenged Hisuian Electrode again. But from the looks of it, she had lost. However, given that Lilligant was never the fighting type, overcoming her timid nature and standing up for herself was already impressive. Now, Lilligant comforted Petilil while praising her. Since leaving the group, she had become so strong! After Petilil left, Lilligant had reflected on herself. Maybe she had been too weak, which was why their group kept getting driven away. So she had tried to change. "Dorei. (§Õ£à)." But¡­ it still wasn''t enough. Lilligant smiled sheepishly, and Petilil, seeing her broken flower crown, felt a twinge of guilt. But Lilligant simply patted Petilil''s leaves, telling her not to worry. "Dorei." I have seen your growth. Your decision back then was the right one. You fought continuously, trying to reclaim the home you lost. Because of that, you met the right person. So¡­ do you want to return to the group and become its new leader? "Waa Waa." Petilil froze and instinctively turned to Hikaru. Lilligant saw this and smiled. Hikaru, though reluctant, knew that from the beginning, he had promised to help Petilil grow strong and achieve her dream. And sometimes, Pok¨¦mon must make their own choices. "Go do what you truly want to do." "Bai Waa Waa!" Petilil hesitated for a moment before looking toward Lilligant. However, Lilligant smiled at Hikaru first, then turned back to Petilil. "Dorei-li!" "Waa Waa?" Petilil was stunned. Lilligant continued to smile. "Dorei¡­ Dorei-li!" The answer is already in your heart. The place where you truly belong is not with the group anymore. Children grow up. Independent ones no longer need the group''s protection. Though I had hoped you''d lead our clan, it''s clear you''ve found a better home. So, from the moment you left us, the moment you abandoned our group, you were already strong. And now, you have proven that strength. You are truly incredible. "Waa Waa Waa!" Petilil stared at Lilligant, before bursting into tears! All the past hardships came flooding out. Before she met Hikaru, she had fought so hard to defeat her enemies, only to lose time and time again. No one in her group dared to fight. No one believed in her. Yet, she never gave up. And now, Lilligant had finally acknowledged her. "Pok¨¦mon in the wild prioritize survival above all else, especially when leading a group." Hikaru understood why Lilligant had acted the way she did. But given how quickly she had appeared this time, it was clear she had been secretly watching over Petilil all along. Children will eventually grow up. They must leave their parents'' protection and face the harshness of the world on their own. "Dorei-li. Dorei." Lilligant expressed her gratitude to Hikaru, admitting her own weakness. So, I entrust this child to you. Thank you, human Trainer. Thank you very much! In the future, Petilil will only grow stronger, and the other children in the group¡ªthose who once feared battle¡ªare now looking up to her with admiration. Hikaru noticed the other Petilil bouncing around excitedly, crowding around their companion. They seemed eager to become as strong as she was! A strong leader inspires many others to become strong as well. A brave pioneer is the guiding light for those who follow. "Waa Waa!" Petilil shook her head, flinging away her tears. Her spirit was reignited! She turned to Lilligant and nodded, signaling that she would follow Hikaru. This battle was the last thing she did for her clan. But in the future, many more Petilil like her would choose to fight rather than run! Lilligant, pleased with her response, gently stroked Petilil''s leaves. "Dore~!" She was deeply satisfied with Petilil''s progress and echoed Hikaru''s words. Go do what you truly want to do! Petilil embraced Lilligant, then hugged each of the other Petilil in the group. "Mahru." At that moment, Hisuian Electrode, who had been silent, finally spoke. It suggested that perhaps coexisting wasn''t impossible after all. They had been wrong before. If they lost this orchard, their group would soon disappear. Please¡­ if it means our survival, we are willing to do anything! Hikaru was speechless. Wild Pok¨¦mon really do become obedient after a good beating! So Hikaru spoke to Electrode: "By the laws of the wild, since I helped Petilil defeat you, this orchard now belongs to me." "You claimed earlier that you wouldn''t leave even if you lost. But do you truly want to fight my Petilil again?" "Waa Waa!" Petilil lifted her leafy skirt, glaring fiercely at Electrode, making it feel guilty all over again. "Mahru. Mahru Mahru!" Sure, I said that before, but I can still change my mind, right? Oh, Child of the Forest, please have mercy! I will leave if necessary, but at least let the Voltorb stay! Hikaru proposed a solution. "I''ve observed how your group reproduces¡ªyou only need apricorns to thrive. This fertile land used to be an orchard cultivated by ancient humans for berries and apricorns. The only reason it remains fertile is because Lilligant and the Petilil have been caring for it." "If Lilligant and the Petilil stop tending to it, the soil will change over time. The reason you couldn''t produce high-quality apricorns is because you drove away the caretakers." Hisuian Electrode was shocked! How was I supposed to know that? I''m just a Pok¨¦mon! "So, allowing you to stay in a small section isn''t out of the question. But you must understand¡ªthis land belongs to me now! Lilligant and the Petilil must stay to take care of the soil and trees." "I understand that you want to strengthen your group, which is why you need orchards full of apricorns. But if you seize other Pok¨¦mon''s territories and rely solely on power, you will inevitably be defeated by stronger Pok¨¦mon. Isn''t that the law of the wild?" "If you truly wish to survive long-term, you must learn to coexist with other Pok¨¦mon and support one another. Right now, you are not strong enough, which is why you were defeated by my Pok¨¦mon. I know it won''t be easy to change your territorial instincts overnight, but a new way of life might be better than the old one. You and the other Voltorb should give it a try." "Mahru." Hisuian Electrode trembled slightly. The Voltorb around it were all staring at it, waiting for its decision. It was deeply ashamed. So this was all my fault? Petilil eagerly reassured Lilligant, telling her how amazing Hikaru was. If staying here wasn''t possible, they could always go to the workshop¡ªthere was plenty of fertile land there too! "Dore!" With Hikaru''s help, Lilligant and the Petilil returned to their home! Doublade wobbled in the air, letting out its usual hums. The conflicts over territory stemmed from the fundamental need for survival. Only in rare cases could such conflicts be resolved peacefully, creating a space where everyone could coexist. This is exactly what a true king should do¡ªaccept and protect all subjects. Pok¨¦mon were no different. Our king is far superior to that online scammer Ka''Bandha! Hikaru then walked into the orchard and began collecting various berries and apricorns. He obtained several rare berries that had never been cultivated before: Watmel Berry, Wacan Berry, Kasib Berry, Haban Berry, Babiri Berry, and Liechi Berry. [New Knowledge Acquired: Berry Connoisseur¡ªTrees you plant will yield more berries.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Expert Horticulturist¡ªBerry quality +25%.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Berry Specialist¡ªBerries you grow have 25% better quality.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Rapid Growth¡ªBerries grow 20% faster.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Preservation Expert¡ªHarvested berries won''t spoil easily and can be stored for long periods.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Medicinal Berries¡ªBerries used in medicine will have enhanced effects.] In addition, he also gathered a large number of apricorns: White Apricorns, Blue Apricorns, Yellow Apricorns, and Green Apricorns! [New Knowledge Acquired: Apricorn Cultivator¡ªYou can now plant apricorn trees anywhere, and they will thrive.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Efficient Pok¨¦ Ball Crafting¡ªPok¨¦ Ball production efficiency +25%.] [New Knowledge Acquired: Precision Pok¨¦ Ball Crafting¡ªPok¨¦ Ball crafting precision +25%.] "But I don''t have the knowledge to weave Ball Nets yet. Even with all this new expertise, I can''t immediately start crafting Pok¨¦ Balls." "I wonder if these apricorns can be used to make Hisuian Pok¨¦ Balls? Normally, crafting those requires Tea Apricorns¡­ and I don''t have any jade materials either." Hikaru carefully packed the apricorns and berries. Some needed to be dried into fruit chips for easier storage while maintaining their effects. At the same time, he discovered a plant called "Sticky Fern." This type of fern was one of the main ingredients used to make Sticky Globs. It wasn''t rare, but it only grew in specific environments. Due to the similarities in climate and soil between the Shinto region and Hisui, their natural environments shared many similarities. So, a plant that was common in Hisui was also present in the Shinto forests¡ªhe had finally found it. With this, plus some Tumblestones, he could make more Sticky Globs! Seeing the expectant look on Hisuian Electrode''s face, Hikaru smiled. "I have a unique cultivation technique. Once I bring these berries and apricorns back, I can grow even more. Simply scattering seeds like you do won''t be enough." Hikaru then took out a topical potion and applied it to Petilil, Hisuian Electrode, and the surrounding Hisuian Voltorb, healing their wounds and restoring their strength. "And besides," Hikaru continued, "didn''t you say that you''d do anything as long as your group could continue to thrive? You wouldn''t want your species to go extinct, right?" Hisuian Electrode suddenly felt a chill down its spine under Hikaru''s gaze. "Mah¡­ Mahru?!" (£¾§Õ£¼)! B-Big Brother Hikaru?! W-What are you planning?! "Let me examine your development!" Hikaru declared with an alarming phrase, pinning Hisuian Electrode down. Even Doublade''s two eyes widened in shock. ¦²£¨¡Ñ£©£¨¡Ñ£©! So you like them round, huh?! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh¡­ your surface is indeed similar to an apricorn''s. No, rather than similar, it''s almost identical! Pok¨¦mon biology really is fascinating!" Hikaru ran his fingers over Electrode''s outer shell, his artisan instincts kicking in as he analyzed its material composition. Hisuian Electrode broke into a cold sweat, too afraid to move, while the surrounding Voltorb murmured among themselves: Our boss is selling himself for the sake of the tribe! But¡­ we don''t even have a gender. "I think you can help me out!" Hikaru patted Electrode''s body, making a proposal. "Your body can store and ferment apricorns, right?" "Could you spare some for me to taste?" Hikaru took out a flask. Hisuian Electrode was momentarily stunned, then shook its body as if activating some internal mechanism. From the hollow, eye-like openings on its surface, it released a stream of juice. [Crafting Material: Leftover Fermented Berry Juice.] [Description: Various berries consumed by Hisuian Electrode undergo fermentation in its body, resulting in a unique juice infused with mild electric currents, beneficial for health.] [Effect 1: A Pok¨¦mon holding this item recovers 1/16 of its max HP at the end of each turn.] [Effect 2: When consumed by an Electric-type Pok¨¦mon, this juice aids growth by increasing base Speed EVs.] "A nutrient drink!" Hikaru immediately thought of the supplements found both in the games and real life¡ªitems that boost a Pok¨¦mon''s Effort Values (EVs) and Power Points (PP). He hadn''t expected to discover something so valuable from Hisuian Electrode! An idea formed in Hikaru''s mind, and he made a proposition to Electrode: "I can provide high-quality apricorns. As long as you have premium apricorns, your species can continue to reproduce, right? In return, you help me ferment some berries into juice. I''ll cultivate superior apricorns in exchange for your juice to assist your species'' survival. What do you think?" "Mahru?" Hisuian Electrode was dumbfounded. Are these berry juices really that valuable? They''re just leftover bodily fluids¡­ "Ah, while it''s not as tasty as Shuckle''s Berry Juice, in terms of functionality, it''s actually even more useful!" Shuckle, a Pok¨¦mon resembling a small shelled mollusk, stores berries inside its shell to ferment them into a delicious, restorative berry juice that heals Pok¨¦mon. In the Johto region, there was an old man known as the Shuckle Master who raised Shuckle specifically for this purpose. He used their juices to create various potent medicines, and among them was a rare blue-colored Shuckle whose special juice could make any Pok¨¦mon friendlier upon consumption. Hisuian Electrode had no idea what a Shuckle was, but Hikaru''s offer intrigued it. Compared to Lilligant and the Petilil, Electrode and its kind had no real ability to cultivate apricorns and berries. They had simply taken over the orchard because the environment was suitable for propagation. Now, it understood that the soil''s fertility was thanks to Lilligant and the Petilil''s care. "Mahru¡­!" Hisuian Electrode agreed to Hikaru''s proposal. Ensuring the survival of the tribe was its top priority. As their leader, it was determined to restore the dwindling population! "Then it''s settled!" Hikaru declared. "With my cultivation, this land will become even more fertile. And with Lilligant and the Petilil helping, this orchard will become the most prosperous place in the Shinto Forest!" Both the workshop''s orchard and this one needed to be cultivated simultaneously. Only by managing both could the ecosystem remain balanced! New Location Unlocked: Relic Orchard! With Lilligant''s tribe returning, countless Petilil¡ªnatural soil enhancers¡ªwere now tending to the land. Hikaru even saw his Petilil eagerly explaining the workshop to her companions. Perhaps some of them would eventually migrate there as well. And then¡ª THUD. THUD. THUD. A heavy, earth-shaking sound echoed through the forest. Hikaru and the Pok¨¦mon turned toward the source. From the direction Hikaru had arrived, a shadow emerged from the scattered beams of light filtering through the trees. A towering figure, nearly two meters tall, stepped into the sunlight. It was not a stone statue. The golem moved forward, illuminated by the rays breaking through the canopy, revealing its true form. Its face bore a characteristic H-shaped pattern of dots, but its body showed multiple cracks and damages, a stark contrast to its usual image. It was evident that it had endured many battles. Hikaru''s breath caught in his throat. His mind froze for an instant. This was no ordinary Pok¨¦mon. This was¡ª "The Legendary Titan¡ªRegirock!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 75 - 75 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+1400PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1600PS!] Sunlight filtered through the forest, casting scattered beams onto the ancient giant. A towering, oppressive figure stood silently not far from the gathered Pok¨¦mon. Regirock, the Rock Peak Pok¨¦mon. Its body was composed entirely of gray and orange rocks, with a distinctive "H"-shaped pattern of seven orange dots on its head. It had two thick, rocky arms with massive gray boulders for hands, while its shoulders were adorned with towering orange spikes, connected to its arms by smaller rock fragments. The torso was a columnar stone with an uneven surface, with two orange patches¡ªone on its left chest and another above its right leg. Its legs were short and sturdy, and three orange spikes protruded from its back. According to legend, Regirock was one of the Pok¨¦mon created by Regigigas, crystallized from the energy of rocks. Like Hikaru, all the Pok¨¦mon present¡ªwhether it was Lilligant, Petilil, or the Voltorb and Electrode¡ªbecame extremely tense! "Ma-ma-ru!" The Hisuian Electrode recognized the stone giant before them. It was the one that had caused disturbances in the forest not long ago! Regirock had been digging up stones and moving materials, intruding into many Pok¨¦mon habitats. Fortunately, it didn''t seem interested in those habitats themselves¡ªonce it took the stones it needed, it would leave without hostility unless attacked first. Doublade translated the Hisuian Electrode''s words for Hikaru, who continued to stare at the rock giant. Just as the tablets had foretold, the legendary giant had truly arrived! Moreover, back when they had visited the Rock Peak Ruins, they had already discovered that Regirock was no longer inside. And now, Hikaru finally understood the meaning behind the missing stones in the ruins. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Oh no. He had taken quite a few stones from the ruins. Even though it was only a small portion, would this legendary giant be angry because of it? At least he still had the Celebi stone carving, which reduced the probability of being attacked. But would it work against a Legendary Pok¨¦mon? From a type advantage perspective, Rock-type Pok¨¦mon were defensively weak. However, the legendary giant''s strength was not to be underestimated. Every region had its own legendary giants, except perhaps Johto, which seemed to lack such a legend. In Kanto, the Tree of Beginning housed three legendary giants, which might be Kanto''s own trio. Because they had never interacted with humans, they were never sealed away and had continued living within the Tree of Beginning to this day. "Johto''s giants? Or Sinnoh''s giants?" In ancient times, the people of Johto and Sinnoh had interacted. They lived in Sinnoh and built numerous temples, so it was possible that three legendary giants had followed the Johto people here and lived alongside the Sinnoh inhabitants. "Regi..." Regirock stood motionless like a statue. Its entire rocky body was covered in cracks and scars, as if it had just been through several battles. Then, it raised its right arm toward Hikaru. Hikaru thought it was about to attack, and Doublade immediately moved forward, preparing to intercept! Here it comes! Steel-types had an advantage against Rock-types. Even though Regirock was a Legendary Pok¨¦mon... at the very least, they should be able to hold out for a few rounds, right? But the expected attack never came. Instead, a beautiful flower was embedded in Regirock''s raised right arm. "Regi¡ª" Regirock let out a low sound, and at that moment, Hikaru suddenly felt the Pok¨¦mon''s thoughts. It was the knowledge of ancient crystals, "The Heart of Crystal," allowing him to communicate with Pok¨¦mon from the past. In his perception, the entire forest fell into silence. The towering giant stood bathed in sunlight, lifting its right hand to offer a bouquet of flowers. And within its heart, it repeated a single thought: "If I give you this flower, we are friends. Don''t worry, I mean no harm! Flowers are a symbol of friendship." "The legendary giant... wants to be friends with me?" "No hostility?" Hikaru thought back to the damaged Rock Peak Ruins and suddenly had an astonishing realization. Could it be that this legendary giant had been searching for him all this time?! Was that possible?! "Regi¡ª" Seeing Hikaru hesitate, Regirock let out another call, emphasizing once again that it meant no harm. It even seemed... excited. "Finally found you..." That was the message it conveyed. Hikaru took a step forward. Doublade, having vaguely understood Regirock''s words, remained vigilant but still followed. Lilligant, nervous, also bounced closer. The three of them stood before the giant. Hikaru accepted the flower¡ªit was truly beautiful. This scene, of an ancient giant offering a flower to a human, gave Hikaru a strong sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu from Laputa: Castle in the Sky. And that flower was¡ª [Rare Material: Gracidea Flower] [Description: On birthdays or commemorative occasions, it is sometimes bundled into bouquets as a symbol of gratitude.] [Crafting Acquired: 1] [Special Crop Cultivation (C+): Improves cultivation techniques for rare crops, enhancing their fragrance and significantly increasing Pok¨¦mon friendship levels.] Hikaru stared in a daze at the flower, while Regirock lowered its arm. Despite its heavy, rock-like body, Hikaru noticed deep gashes on its surface¡ªcracks splitting the stone apart. Regirock seemed to notice his concern but didn''t explain immediately. Instead, it removed an orange-red stone from its chest. Because that area was already orange, Hikaru hadn''t realized at first that it had been patched up. Regirock then handed the stone to Lilligant. "Wowah?!" Lilligant jumped in surprise, unsure what the giant was trying to do. Seeing its hesitation, Regirock''s "H" symbol flickered, before offering the stone to Hikaru instead. It was a gift. Regirock had witnessed the recent battle. It saw Lilligant fighting to protect its tribe, understanding what it meant to guard something precious. That was admirable, so this stone was meant to help Lilligant grow stronger. Realizing this, Hikaru hurriedly accepted the orange stone. [Rare Material: Sun Stone] [Description: A mystical stone that triggers evolution in certain Pok¨¦mon, radiating a solar glow.] [Crafting Acquired: 1] [Environmental Engraving (C+): Allows for intricate carvings in caves and temples, creating calming environments for Pok¨¦mon. Can shape unique "regional habitats" by combining different types of soil.] "This is a Sun Stone!" Although Sun Stones could be mined underground, in the wild, only Solrock typically carried them. Some even speculated that Sun Stones were extraterrestrial meteors, just like Moon Stones. As a Legendary Pok¨¦mon, Regirock repaired itself using rocks it found, so unearthing rare stones like this was entirely reasonable! The "H" symbol on Regirock''s face flickered again. "Sha... sha-li... sha..." It uttered a different tone. Regirock trusted Hikaru, for he had been blessed by the guardian of the forest. "A craftsman blessed by the Forest Guardian..." Hikaru understood and was momentarily stunned. Regirock was making a request. It had truly come looking for him! Upon awakening, it saw the ruined shrine and recognized it. A thousand years ago, the people of Sinnoh had built that shrine for Celebi. Anyone capable of restoring it must also be capable of repairing the ruined temple! "So, you want me to help restore your temple?" Hikaru had never done temple restoration before, but his newly acquired crafting techniques might make it possible. Ancient Architecture + Ruins Engraving + Environmental Engraving could potentially fully recreate ancient structures! Regirock then spoke again: "Regi¡ª" It assured Hikaru that it wouldn''t let him go empty-handed. The temple contained many high-quality stones and materials, and if restored, all the extra materials would be his! Since moving massive stone slabs was no issue for Regirock, Hikaru only needed to handle the carvings! "You sought me out so earnestly, and I even took materials from your temple... I have no reason to refuse!" "Alright! I''ll give it a try¡ªbut you''ll have to wait a few days. I''m expecting a friend." Hikaru agreed to Regirock''s request. "Before that..." Hikaru glanced at Regirock''s damaged body. "If you don''t mind... let me repair your body first?" The "H" symbol flickered rapidly. "Regi¡ª?" Repairing its body? Ah... long ago, someone had helped it with this before. It had been so long... (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 76 - 76 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+1600PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1800PS!] "Regi¡ª" Regirock expressed its gratitude to Hikaru and hoped that he could help repair its temple as soon as possible. After all, that temple was extremely important. This also made Hikaru realize something¡ªthe giant before him was subtly different from the ones in other regions. The status of the legendary titans varied across regions. For instance, the titans in Hoenn were forcibly sealed away by humans. So, generally speaking, the titans shouldn''t consider their sealed temples as important locations. This meant that the Rock Peak Ruins in Shinto were indeed built to worship Regirock. "Of course, the people of Shinto have seen Arceus and the three rulers of time and space. Why would they fear the legendary titans?" The Light Stage of the Shinto Ruins was once the place where Arceus descended. The ancient Shinto people, who could coexist with even the god of creation, naturally held a different attitude toward the legendary titans compared to ancient people from other regions. As for restoring statues, that was Hikaru''s area of expertise. After all, his craft, passed down through generations in his family, was sculpting. At the same time, Hikaru couldn''t help but marvel! If one were to talk about the greatest masterpieces of sculpture, they might point to the carvings in various ruins, the prayer reliefs in Twinleaf Town, or some other ancient statues. However, without a doubt, in Hikaru''s mind, the legendary titans were the ultimate masterpieces. Just the fact that they could move on their own and even repair themselves meant they had surpassed the level of mere decorative sculptures. The true master artisan wasn''t any craftsman from various regions¡ªit was Regigigas, who created the legendary titans! However, aside from the titans, the electric and dragon variants had a more abstract design that made it hard to call them sculptures in the traditional sense. Regirock sat down to make it easier for Hikaru to work on its repairs, while the Pok¨¦mon around them watched with curiosity. This giant had become a hot topic in the forest recently. But thanks to its presence, some powerful Pok¨¦mon that had suddenly intruded into the outer forest had been driven away and were nowhere to be seen. A Hisuian Electrode listened to the Pok¨¦mon''s discussions and felt somewhat ashamed, especially because its underlings were also talking about it. Their boss hadn''t been beaten up by the giant, which meant... their boss wasn''t a strong Pok¨¦mon! "Elec!" The Hisuian Electrode looked furious. Show me some respect, will you? "Everyone, can you help me carry some stones?" Hikaru asked the Pok¨¦mon for help, and they quickly scattered, gathering various small stones from the ground. The Petilil carried rocks on their heads, wobbling as they walked over. The Hisuian Voltorb used Grass-type moves to dislodge stones from the ground and then rolled them forward with their round bodies, though they often ended up launching themselves into the air. Doublade shook its twin blades, and in an instant, both swords unsheathed! It was time to show off some real skill! Watch my "Brick Break!" Fighting-type moves were especially effective against rocks. Doublade shattered the stones from the ground and split them apart, leaving the Hisuian Voltorb in awe and making the Petilil shake their leaves excitedly! "Wah-wah!" Hikaru''s Petilil took the opportunity to introduce the others to Doublade. Doublade was an often absent-minded but incredibly strong Pok¨¦mon. Its blades could slice through stone effortlessly, carving rock as easily as cutting through mud. In the workshop, it was responsible for sculpting and cutting stone slabs! "Yowoo~!" Hearing such praise, Doublade became even more eager. Brick Break, cancel! It put even more effort into cutting the stones! "Huh?" Hikaru noticed something unusual when picking up the stones. Some of them were covered in a familiar type of mud, emitting a faint glow and appearing pale green. It was Light Clay! "There''s Light Clay here?" This was an unexpected treasure! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The soil in the Remnant Forest contained the rare Light Clay. Doublade, while using Brick Break to shatter rocks, had discovered the glowing clay in the dirt and quickly extended its ribbons to start digging. Soon, it had collected quite a bit. Meanwhile, Hikaru continued repairing and refining Regirock. Since Regirock could repair its own cracks by assimilating inserted rocks, no adhesive was needed. However, polishing was still necessary. Not to mention, anything polished by Hikaru''s hands always became stronger! "Regi¡ª" Regirock could feel Hikaru''s exceptional craftsmanship. A strange energy surged through its body. The ordinary stones, once embedded and smoothed out, fused with its body more quickly than usual. As Hikaru examined Regirock, another layer of information surfaced before him. [Craftsmanship Enhancement: Through your refined technique, Regirock has undergone some changes, increasing its Defense and Special Defense.] [Boosts Fighting-type move power!] [Craftsmanship Enhancement: Through your refined rockwork, Regirock has undergone some changes, increasing its elemental energy.] [Boosts Rock-type move power!] "Regi!" Regirock felt amazing¡ªno, better than ever! Human, your craftsmanship is incredible! The giant stood up and let out a joyful sound. Hikaru wiped the sweat from his forehead. Seeing Regirock''s reaction, he couldn''t help but smile. A sense of pride in his own craftsmanship welled up in his heart. Pok¨¦mon reactions were always the most honest. It was clear that his skill had deeply satisfied this legendary giant! "All done! How do you feel?" Hikaru stretched a little. The surrounding Pok¨¦mon no longer felt much fear toward Regirock. They realized that this silent stone giant was actually quite approachable. Everyone gathered around it happily! "Oh, right. I need to craft some sculptures in the coming days. Can you help me by creating some ancient stones?" "Regi!" Regirock let out a booming sound, agreeing to Hikaru''s request. Now that it was in peak condition¡ªstrong in both body and power¡ªmaking some ancient stones as thanks for the repairs was no trouble at all! With Regirock fully repaired, Hikaru turned his gaze to the Sun Stone placed beside his backpack. He looked at Petilil. She seemed to understand that her time to evolve had come and appeared a bit nervous. The surrounding Petilil eagerly watched the Sun Stone. Without a doubt, Hikaru''s Petilil had been waiting for this moment for a long time, yet she was still apprehensive. Although they had confirmed that the evolution would lead to her new regional form, facing the moment itself was still nerve-wracking. But soon, Petilil cheered herself up. This land''s environment was the same as that of another region. In the forest, there were already Pok¨¦mon like Hisuian Voltorb and Hisuian Electrode, naturally adapting to their forms. So she could do it, too. Besides, Hikaru''s items had never let her down! "Alright, let''s evolve!" Hikaru looked around¡ªDoublade, Regirock, Lilligant, the Petilil, and even the Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode were all watching them. As Pok¨¦mon, they knew that this was a significant decision. "Wah-wah!" Petilil nodded toward Regirock in gratitude. "Regi." Regirock slightly swayed its massive body. It had found this stone while digging for materials to repair itself. As an evolution gift, it was most fitting. "Pure and dignified, the lands of Hisui and Shinto share many similarities." Hikaru murmured, reciting an ancient verse. Petilil touched the Sun Stone! In an instant, a brilliant white light engulfed her! As the dazzling glow faded, the small Petilil was gone¡ªwhat emerged was an elegant, ballerina-like Pok¨¦mon! Hisuian Lilligant! "Congratulations! Petilil has evolved into Hisuian Lilligant!" "Learned new moves: Ice Spinner and Leaf Blade!" "Victory Dance (Mastered)!" Victory Dance had been mastered? Hikaru was momentarily stunned. "Lilligant~!" Hisuian Lilligant let out a joyful cry! Hisuian Lilligant felt multiple surges of powerful energy within her after evolving. Aside from Victory Dance becoming more refined, she had also learned two new moves! Looking at herself, she realized her once small and round body had become notably tall and slender. Her legs were now long and strong, and her arms¡ªthough still in the shape of leaves¡ªwere now independent from her dress and capable of grasping objects freely! Overwhelmed with excitement, Hisuian Lilligant''s headpiece began to emit a pleasant fragrance! It was a scent meant to inspire and uplift her companions! "Congratulations on evolving and achieving your new form," Hikaru said with a smile. He initially considered patting Lilligant''s head but then hesitated, thinking it might not be appropriate now. However, Lilligant didn''t seem to mind¡ªshe eagerly hugged Hikaru with warmth, her floral crown releasing waves of fragrance. Thank you, Trainer. After the hug ended, Hisuian Lilligant seemed slightly flustered, her face tinged with a faint blush. She then turned toward the other Petilil, who were watching in awe, and embraced the original Lilligant as well. "Lilligant~" "Lilligant~!" The two Lilligant looked at each other, both radiating happiness. The original Lilligant had witnessed Hisuian Lilligant''s growth, and the Petilil had experienced the journey alongside her! The Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode, however, were far less emotional about the scene. The Voltorb once again huddled together, whispering among themselves. "Boss is even more outmatched now!" "Ele!" We''ve already made peace! Why are we still talking about battles?! This is just hurtful! Hisuian Electrode couldn''t take the humiliation¡ªit was absolutely fuming! "Lilligant~!" Hisuian Lilligant laughed joyfully, then cheerfully high-fived Doublade. Though one used leaves and the other used ribbons, the sentiment was the same. "Yowoo!" Doublade was equally thrilled about Hisuian Lilligant''s evolution. Then, it glanced over at the silent Regirock, feeling a bit disgruntled. You dug up all kinds of rocks¡ªso why didn''t you find a Dusk Stone?! If you had, I could''ve evolved too! I was here first, working, training, and fighting! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 77 - 77 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+1600PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1800PS!] "Goodbye, everyone! Our workshop is just outside the forest, so if you ever want to visit, you''re always welcome!" "But in winter, we might leave, so make sure to come in the right season!" Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon began their journey back. Hisuian Lilligant bid farewell to her kin, and the Pok¨¦mon of the orchard could now live together in peace and mutual understanding. At the same time, the legendary giant Regirock also followed Hikaru, as he had requested its help in crafting ancient stones. For the next few days, Regirock would remain near the workshop. On their way back, Hikaru took a detour to Celebi''s shrine to check if anything new had appeared. Sure enough, he found a strange palm-sized stone. [Rare Material: Hard Stone] [Effect: A stone that will never crack. When held, it boosts the power of Rock-type moves¡ªthis is a Hard Stone from an ancient time, weathered by the passage of ages.] [Crafting Skill Obtained: +1] [Ancient Awakening Craft (B-): An ancient technique of infusing natural energy into stones, requiring the move ''Hidden Power'' to craft an ''Ancient Bracelet.''] Ancient Bracelet! Hikaru hadn''t expected to gain this crafting skill¡ªhe was thrilled! With the ability to craft Ancient Bracelets, he could now create jade-like TM equivalents! As they passed through the forest, Regirock caught its first glimpse of Hikaru''s workshop. "That''s my workshop. What do you think? Not bad, right?" "For the next few days, we''ll be working together, so please be patient with us." A Regirock that digs up minerals everywhere¡­ wasn''t that basically a Pok¨¦mon version of Steven Stone? Hikaru arrived back at the workshop, and Doublade immediately noticed a small pit in the ground and quickly called Hikaru over. Since Celebi had already left, this pit wasn''t its doing. The Diglett also denied any involvement. "It''s back again¡­ A Pok¨¦mon we don''t know has been visiting this place. Now we can confirm that, like the Petilil, it was drawn here by the fertile soil and abundant crops." Doublade proposed an idea. It decided to stand guard tonight to find out who was digging these holes! Although the mysterious Pok¨¦mon hadn''t damaged any crops, Doublade''s curiosity had been piqued. "Yowoo~!" Hey, doesn''t this feel exactly like when Celebi was spying on Petilil? At that moment, an Unown suddenly floated up from the roof of the workshop, catching Hikaru completely off guard! A wild E-shaped Unown appeared! The Unown flew down and landed in front of Hikaru. "Annon." The Unown greeted Hikaru. The other Pok¨¦mon, having never seen such a peculiar Pok¨¦mon before, quickly gathered around in curiosity. Seeing the Unown approach Hikaru, Hisuian Lilligant became immediately alert! No touching my Trainer! Hisuian Lilligant quickly stepped in front of the Unown, startling it. But after a closer look¡ªoh! The Petilil had evolved! Doublade also floated up, glanced at itself, then at the Unown. Oh, so you float too, huh? Meanwhile, the Unown observed the surrounding Pok¨¦mon and was particularly shocked to see the legendary giant, Regirock. It then revealed that it had actually been living here all along¡ªit had just never shown itself! Now that it had finally revealed itself, it wanted to contribute to the family! "I''m here to join your household!" "You''ve been living here all along?" Hikaru was stunned for a moment before chuckling. "Does an abandoned workshop count as ruins now?" Unown usually lived in ruins or time-space distortions, but this one had been residing in his workshop¡­ Could this rundown workshop actually be a mysterious ruin?! "Annon." The Unown made a sound. It knew the truth behind the mysterious pit. Let me reveal the answer for you! ... Midnight Turtwig once again sneaked into the area. From a distance, it spotted Regirock. This giant was one of the Pok¨¦mon that had caused a stir in the forest¡ªbut unlike the other powerful Pok¨¦mon, this one didn''t fight for territory. Instead, it just kept digging up stones! Now, the once-feared giant just stood there, looking blankly into the distance¡ªit almost seemed¡­ lonely? From afar, it really did look like a statue. Turtwig grew nervous. From long-term observation, it knew this Rock Giant wouldn''t attack other Pok¨¦mon unless provoked¡ªlike that one Scyther who constantly picked fights with it. But! Turtwig had seen how that Scyther had been beaten and driven away in just a few moves. Before Regirock awakened, that Scyther had been one of the top bullies in the forest! Turtwig, moving stealthily, approached from a blind spot and made its way into the herbal garden. Why was this giant at a human''s workshop? Did that human tame the giant?! That would be insane! Turtwig couldn''t help but feel awe, but after glancing at the towering Regirock and then at its own small, weak body, a familiar feeling of inferiority crept up again. Forget it. A Pok¨¦mon as weak as me¡­ I have no value in being captured. Also¡­ where was that Petilil? It wasn''t outside tonight either. "Annon~" As Turtwig looked around and entered its usual self-doubt mode, Unown E suddenly floated out from the void! Yo! You''re back again! So? Have you made up your mind about today''s conversation? "Na¡­" Turtwig shook its head, expressing its self-doubt. It was too weak. That human would never like it. At most, they would just want its herbs. "Annon." Unown E sweatdropped. You''re even more emo than me?! Not cautious, not timid, just¡­ unbelievably self-deprecating! Unown E floated right up to Turtwig''s face and encouraged it. "Annon!" Have some confidence! How about this¡ªjust challenge the workshop owner directly! If you win, you''ll know how strong you really are! Don''t underestimate yourself! All Pok¨¦mon are strong in their own way! That Petilil used to be weak too, and now look at her¡ªshe''s amazing! "Na?!" Turtwig was shocked. Then, it glanced at the towering Regirock. You expect me to fight a legendary giant?! That''s suicide! "Annon?" Unown E realized the misunderstanding. No, no, no! That giant is just a customer! It''s just standing there because it has nothing better to do! Turtwig, mouth agape, took a moment to process the information. Suddenly, its gloominess lessened. Oh¡­ so it was just a guest¡­ I completely misunderstood. But¡­ fighting the workshop owner¡­? That newly evolved Petilil was already strong. And that floating pair of swords looked pretty powerful, too¡­ Turtwig''s heart raced. It had a feeling¡ªthis decision would change its future. But humans only liked rare plants from Pok¨¦mon like it. Even wild Pok¨¦mon did. If it really revealed itself, and if it lost the battle, then all the rare plants it had painstakingly gathered would probably be taken away! "I''m so weak¡­ That''s the most likely outcome." "Annon." Unown E sighed. You''re way too cautious! You''re already thinking about failure before even trying! "Annon!" Sometimes, you just have to be brave and take the first step! "Strong Pok¨¦mon, weak Pok¨¦mon¡­ that''s just how others see it. Sometimes, you need to believe in yourself too." A voice suddenly interrupted. Turtwig spun around¡ªthe workshop owner had appeared! It had been discovered! "Na!" Turtwig was startled, its whole body tensing up. It wanted to retreat, but Hisuian Lilligant had already moved. With an elegant skating motion, she swiftly blocked its escape route and gently lifted Turtwig into her arms! "Lilligant!" Hisuian Lilligant smiled, while Turtwig, initially panicked, suddenly froze. This Pok¨¦mon¡­ I''ve never seen it before¡­ Wait. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The scent is familiar¡­ Is it¡­ Petilil?! Turtwig stared in disbelief at the Pok¨¦mon before it. How was this possible? It had only been gone for one day, and Petilil had already undergone such an incredible transformation! Strong¡­ graceful¡­ beautiful¡­ This was Turtwig''s first impression of Hisuian Lilligant. "Yowoo~" Doublade floated over, its twin eyes observing Turtwig closely. Even Regirock, the silent legendary titan, slightly turned its massive body and approached. Turtwig anxiously looked toward Hikaru. I''m doomed! I''ve been sneaking in here for days, digging holes, and now the human has caught me! He''s definitely going to pluck all the plants off my shell! And now they''re talking about a challenge¡­? There''s no way I can win! "Oh, the plants on your back¡­" It''s happening! Turtwig closed its eyes in despair. "You''ve been cultivating them quite well! These soils¡­ They''re from the Black Apricorn area, aren''t they? I could tell the moment I touched them." Hikaru gently patted Turtwig''s head. The small turtle blinked in confusion. Hikaru then pointed to his own herb garden. "My plants are pretty well-grown too, aren''t they? Otherwise, you wouldn''t be so interested in this place. I have plenty of rare herbs here. For example¡ªthis one. This is Revival Herb." Hikaru gestured toward a lush, green Revival Herb growing in the garden. Turtwig cautiously turned its gaze toward the herb. Over the past several days, it had already sensed the incredible life force contained within these plants. "Would you like to learn my cultivation techniques?" Hikaru asked enticingly. "Na¡­" Turtwig hesitated. But it had observed this place for days, and now, looking at Petilil¡ªno, Hisuian Lilligant, who had become so much stronger in such a short time¡­ Hikaru''s words echoed in Turtwig''s heart: "Do you want to become stronger?" "Do you want to challenge me?" "Why not give it a try?" With a soft gesture from Hikaru, Hisuian Lilligant gently placed Turtwig on the ground. At the same time, Unown E floated beside Turtwig, offering quiet encouragement. Turtwig could sense that no one here had any malicious intent. Slowly, it began to let go of its fear. Taking the first step is always the hardest, but once that step is taken, everything else becomes much easier. Hisuian Lilligant crouched down. The pink crown-like flower on her head released a gentle, soothing fragrance. That was a scent meant to encourage and uplift allies! "Lilligant!" Hisuian Lilligant cheered for Turtwig. Unown E also joined in, offering words of encouragement. Turtwig took in the scent, and for the first time, it felt a spark of courage. If I become stronger, I can protect the plants I''ve worked so hard to find! If I become stronger, those wild Pok¨¦mon won''t dare steal my herbs anymore! And¡­ I really do want to learn better cultivation techniques! Turtwig''s gaze sharpened as it looked toward Hikaru. For the first time in its life, it let out a battle cry¡ªa call for recognition! ¡ºA wild Turtwig has challenged you!¡» (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 78 - 78 [EVENT STARTED!! +200PS= +1 Chapter!!] [+1800PS REACHED!!] The flower crown atop Lilligant''s head emitted an invigorating fragrance that encouraged its companions¡ªthis was precisely the reason Turtwig had gathered the courage to fight. Hikaru pondered. Perhaps this pollen could be refined into "Courageous Floral Scent," a remedy that could help timid Pok¨¦mon and even humans overcome psychological barriers. But for now, his focus was on welcoming Turtwig''s challenge! "Doublade, I''m counting on you." Hikaru looked at Doublade, who responded with a low hum and then pointed toward an open clearing in the distance with its ribbon-like arms. There were many valuable plants in this area¡ªit was best to battle on open ground. At the same time, Doublade began contemplating. Should it hold back? If it used Fury Cutter immediately and chained its strikes, the Bug-type move would be super effective against Grass-types, likely deciding the battle in an instant. What would its Trainer do? "Iron Defense!" As expected! Upon hearing Hikaru''s command, Doublade instantly understood his intent¡ªhe wanted to test Turtwig''s strength. By using Iron Defense right away, it was not only raising its physical defense but also subtly pulling its punches! Yet, Doublade wholeheartedly approved of this kind of restrained battle! No Pok¨¦mon is born strong. Every powerful Pok¨¦mon was once weak¡ªjust like itself in the past, just like Petilil once was! Someday, even weak Pok¨¦mon will become strong. If this Turtwig was willing to become an ally, Doublade wouldn''t mind deliberately losing, allowing it to use this battle as a stepping stone to growth! After all, to help Pok¨¦mon and Trainers who pursue their ideals¡ªthat was the essence of chivalry! As for its usual underhanded sneak attacks, and its habit of canceling Fury Cutter animations¡­ well, that was a different story altogether. Turtwig was extremely nervous. Seeing Doublade use Iron Defense, it didn''t think too much¡ªit didn''t even consider type matchups. The leaves on its head trembled violently as it launched Razor Leaf! Sharp, spinning leaves sliced through the air toward Doublade. Razor Leaf had a high critical-hit ratio! However, the leaf blades struck Doublade''s body like a storm but did little damage. With its naturally high physical defense, combined with Eviolite and Iron Defense''s effects, Razor Leaf felt more like a tickle than an attack! No critical hit was triggered! "Yo-woo!" Little turtle, use more force! Doublade called out¡ªa mix of taunt and encouragement! Seeing that Razor Leaf had no effect, Turtwig immediately opened its mouth. Gathering Grass-type energy, it unleashed a rapid barrage of glowing seeds! Bullet Seed! Rat-a-tat-tat! Turtwig gave its all, but Hikaru issued no command. Doublade merely floated in place, enduring the attack. Since Grass-type moves were ineffective against it, Doublade remained unharmed even as Turtwig gasped for breath after its assault. "Yo-woo~" Doublade floated closer. Turtwig instinctively backed away, but Doublade let out a teaching tone: I''m a Steel-type Pok¨¦mon¡ªGrass-type moves won''t do much to me! Little turtle, use a Ground-type move instead! "Na-na!" "That''s right! Doublade is correct¡ªGrass-type attacks don''t work well on Steel-types. In battle, always consider your opponent''s type!" Hikaru said before commanding, "Shadow Sneak!" Doublade''s sword shadows elongated. Under the bright moonlight, two dark streaks slithered along the ground toward Turtwig. Turtwig panicked, looking left and right, before the shadow on its right side struck it directly! "Na¡ª!" Turtwig nearly toppled over but managed to plant its four legs firmly into the ground, forcing itself to endure! Then, its four feet stomped down hard, triggering a shockwave! Bulldoze¡ªA Ground-type move! Doublade''s eyes glowed with interest! Oh, this move! It remembered this! That Gible from before had used it too. So, little turtle, you can use this move as well? The shockwave hit Doublade hard¡ªit was super effective! However, thanks to its incredibly high physical defense, the attack barely affected it. The only result was a slight reduction in speed. "Iron Defense," Hikaru commanded. Doublade''s twin blades shimmered with a silvery glow once more, further increasing its defense! However, Turtwig seemed to have realized something. A spark of inspiration flashed through its mind, and it suddenly shook its dirt-covered shell. The red Power Herbs on its back swayed¡ªabsorbing energy in an instant! "Lilli!" Lilligant''s eyes gleamed. That move¡ªit couldn''t be¡­?! "Na!" A radiant glow enveloped Turtwig! In the moonlight, and with the aid of the Power Herb, it unleashed¡­ Solar Beam! A massive beam of white light erupted from Turtwig''s head, roaring toward Doublade! This was a technique it had learned through photosynthesis¡ªa move it used to drive away any wild Pok¨¦mon that dared challenge it! "An instant-cast Solar Beam?! Well done!" Hikaru was thrilled. He had suspected that Turtwig''s Power Herbs might be hiding some powerful move, but he hadn''t expected it to actually wield Solar Beam¡ªan ultimate Grass-type attack! "This is incredible!" Hikaru''s praise was genuine. However, Doublade''s special defense was its weak point. Even with Eviolite, it couldn''t boost it significantly. If it took the full force of this Solar Beam¡­ "Autotomize!" "Yo-woo!" Doublade responded swiftly. Its two swords discarded their sheat and shot off in different directions! Its speed skyrocketed! The Solar Beam missed completely! sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Na?!" Turtwig was stunned. It had never seen a Pok¨¦mon disassemble itself before! But then, Doublade quickly retrieved its shield. For a brief moment, it looked clumsy, and Turtwig saw its opening! It absorbed more light, and another Solar Beam blasted forth! Back-to-back Solar Beams! The wild Pok¨¦mon watching from the sidelines gasped in awe. Even Regirock''s "H" symbol flashed rapidly as it analyzed Turtwig''s strategy. It was an excellent battle plan¡ªharnessing plant power and its own abilities to execute a completely unique technique! "Regi!" The legendary titan acknowledged Turtwig''s skill, and even Lilligant was impressed. She couldn''t replicate such a feat herself! Unown E''s single eye widened. Wait, wait! I really thought you were weak and couldn''t fight! You''re making me look foolish! "Autotomize!" Hikaru ordered again. Doublade hurriedly dodged, narrowly escaping the second Solar Beam. Turtwig absorbed light again! The third Solar Beam! Hikaru''s excitement peaked, and the surrounding Pok¨¦mon murmured in amazement. Turtwig''s relentless assault was truly remarkable! Regirock silently admired its strategy, while Doublade had never encountered such relentless aggression. One of its blades flung the discarded shield away and split apart once more! A bit messy, but its speed increased significantly! "Na-na!" Turtwig absorbed light once more. Its Power Herb activated again! Solar Beam! "Yo-woo!" This time, Doublade took damage. It tumbled through the air but managed to stabilize itself. Meanwhile, Turtwig panted heavily, nearly at its limit. "Well fought!" Hikaru approached, holding out a Pok¨¦ Ball. Turtwig couldn''t even respond, but hearing Hikaru''s praise filled it with joy. "Weak? No, not at all!" Hikaru lifted Turtwig with a bright smile. "You''re strong! Breaking Shell is an incredible move! Instant-cast Solar Beam is outstanding! And your final Tackle-Solar Beam combo was spectacular!" "Will you be my partner?! No, please¡ªbe my partner!" "Na¡­" Turtwig responded with a soft cry and smiled. Was my performance good enough? If so¡­ I won''t be looked down on anymore! I''m strong! So this is what it feels like to battle with all my might! Hikaru tapped the Pok¨¦ Ball against Turtwig''s forehead. With a flash of red light, Turtwig was drawn into the ball¡ªno struggle, an instant capture! "I caught Turtwig!" His team of botanical specialists had grown once again! "From now on, I''m counting on you, Turtwig!" Hikaru couldn''t help but think¡ªif this Turtwig evolved into Grotle, would the shrubs on its back all turn into Power Herbs? Ultra Power Shrubs? No, Hikaru recalled the radiant energy surrounding Turtwig earlier. That might not have been Solar Beam, but Synthesis! "Na-na¡­!" Turtwig panted heavily. Hikaru snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the small Pok¨¦mon, still standing strong despite its exhaustion. He couldn''t help but feel admiration. It was resilient, had extraordinary stamina, yet was a little insecure. However, once in battle, it fought as if its life depended on it. This Pok¨¦mon is amazing! "Even the strongest endurance has its limits. The next exchange will decide the match." "Well then, do you want to keep going? You''re really strong!" Hikaru''s words seemed to pierce through Turtwig''s self-doubt. The little turtle felt a cloud lift from its heart¡ªit had never been acknowledged like this before. For the first time, it felt truly recognized. "I can still go on¡­ I can do even better!" "Na¡ª!" Turtwig absorbed light again! But this time, it wasn''t Solar Beam¡ªit was Synthesis! Turtwig''s vitality surged as its body absorbed the surrounding light, restoring its energy. At the same time, a vibrant green glow enveloped it¡ªits Overgrow ability had activated! When a Pok¨¦mon''s HP is low, Overgrow boosts the power of its Grass-type moves by 1.5x! Turtwig''s eyes locked onto Doublade, determined not to miss a single movement. Doublade, on the other hand, had abandoned its shield. Its twin blades spun wildly in the air, seeking an opportunity to strike! Suddenly, Turtwig lifted its front legs and stomped down hard! Bulldoze! A shockwave spread outward, striking Doublade and slowing it down! Turtwig stomped again, further reducing Doublade''s speed. It was setting up for a decisive move! At that moment, Turtwig launched a Leech Seed! A large seed shot forward, striking one of Doublade''s swords. Vines sprouted from the seed, wrapping tightly around the blade. However, the second sword swiftly slashed through the vines using Fury Cutter! In one clean motion, it severed the parasitic tendrils! But that brief moment of distraction was all Turtwig needed! With everything it had, Turtwig charged forward! Tackle! It slammed into Doublade''s hilt with impressive force! At the same time, Turtwig absorbed light again! A blinding Solar Beam erupted, engulfing both Pok¨¦mon in radiant energy! "Yo-woo!" This time, Doublade truly took damage. Both of its swords spun uncontrollably through the air before finally regaining stability. Meanwhile, Turtwig, completely drained, collapsed onto the ground. Turtwig was unable to battle! "That was a great fight!" Turtwig didn''t even have the strength to respond, but upon hearing Hikaru''s praise, it felt incredibly happy. "Weak? Not at all!" Hikaru gently lifted Turtwig, his face filled with excitement. "Turtwig, you''re strong! Shell Smash is an amazing move! Your instant-cast Solar Beam is outstanding! And your final Tackle + Solar Beam combo was truly impressive!" Hikaru couldn''t help but think: if it evolved into Torterra, could he cultivate even more herbs on its back? What if it could trigger multiple item effects per turn? Power Herb for instant moves. White Herb for unlimited Shell Smash. Mental Herb to break free from status effects. And if it got knocked out? It could just eat a Revival Herb and get back up! His botanical research team had just gained another valuable member! "Well then, I''ll be counting on you from now on, Turtwig!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 79 - 79 [New Fanfic!! ] Hikaru opened the Pok¨¦ Ball, and Turtwig emerged. Immediately, the surrounding Pok¨¦mon gathered around! "Lilli~" Lilligant''s floral crown once again released its uplifting aroma, soothing Turtwig''s nerves. She then picked Turtwig up while the other Pok¨¦mon commented on its battle performance. "Yo-woo!" Doublade retrieved its shield and praised Turtwig for an excellent battle. To think you could push me, the first knight, into a tough fight¡ªimpressive! I was planning to go easy, but you managed to endure my Fury Cutter cancel! You''re no ordinary turtle! After all, Doublade had slain dragons! It began boasting about its previous battle against Gible, and Turtwig, unaware of the truth, was in awe. Meanwhile, even Regirock acknowledged Turtwig. Its unexpected battle strategy had even excited the stone titan! Though its power wasn''t overwhelming, its fighting spirit was undeniable! Turtwig''s eyes sparkled with joy. It never expected that the giant feared by many Pok¨¦mon in the forest would recognize its strength! It became teary-eyed. No one had ever acknowledged it before¡­ until now. "Unown~" Unown E floated forward, looking somewhat displeased. If you were this strong, why didn''t you say so earlier? If anyone should feel insecure, isn''t it me?! But then again¡­ If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything! Take the first step forward, and a bright future awaits you! Friends, companions¡ªthey were all within reach. Unown E had been right after all. Despite its complaints, it was genuinely happy for Turtwig. Once again, Celebi''s chosen Pok¨¦mon had proven to be extraordinary. Turtwig nodded, grateful for Unown E''s encouragement. It felt deeply fulfilled. Truly happy. "From today on, you''re a member of our workshop. Thank you for joining us, Turtwig. I may not be a battle-specialized Trainer, but I''ll still help you become stronger!" Hikaru patted Turtwig''s head. As for the Power Herbs growing on its back, he chose not to pick them. Turtwig had always been wary of humans because it feared they would take its rare plants. However, Hikaru had never seen a Turtwig that actively collected rare herbs before. Turtwig gazed at Hikaru. Thank you. Thank you for recognizing me. It repeated these words in its heart. Lilligant then carried Turtwig inside. Its exhaustion soon caught up with it, and before long, it was fast asleep. Hikaru took out a potion to treat its injuries. He also replaced the missing portions of its soil shell with high-quality soil from a flower pot. Since Turtwig''s shell was made of dirt, it would harden after absorbing water, so there was no need to worry too much. Afterward, Hikaru picked up his notebook and began writing down his observations. Turtwig ¨C A Pok¨¦mon from Shinto Forest Ability: Overgrow Nature: Careful Met at: The herb field Dislikes bitter flavors ... July 2nd, Clear skies Turtwig drowsily woke up inside the workshop, finding itself inside a flower pot. It glanced at its back, checking the herbs¡ªnone were missing. Hikaru was at the workbench, crafting something. "Oh, good morning, Turtwig!" "Na!" Turtwig greeted Hikaru, though it still felt nervous for some reason. Now that the excitement had worn off, it began to question itself. What should I do next? Before, its daily routine was simple: find a sunny spot in the forest, drink water, and occasionally visit the workshop to absorb some Ground energy. But now¡­ it was a member of the workshop. Yet, it had no idea what its role should be. Fortunately, Hikaru put down his work, walked over, and picked Turtwig up. "Starting today, you''ll begin working. Your job is soil cultivation. For now, you''ll learn from Lilligant about soil and plant care while I step out for a bit." "Na?" Cultivating soil? But isn''t soil just¡­ soil? Turtwig was confused. Hikaru chuckled. "Of course! High-quality soil grows better crops. But great soil isn''t just naturally good¡ªit''s the result of many factors. If you don''t maintain it, it degrades over time. That''s called soil degradation." "You might not understand all that yet, but don''t worry. After working with Lilligant for a while, it''ll make sense. It''s just like your shell¡ªyou find the best soil to fill in gaps and drink water to harden it, right? If the soil quality is poor, it won''t be good for planting or defense." "But before that, let''s eat something. Then, we''ll refresh the soil on your shell." Turtwig hesitated. It didn''t usually need food¡ªmost of its energy came from photosynthesis and water absorption. That was common for Grass-type Pok¨¦mon. Food was just a supplement, not a necessity. But when Hikaru offered Mossy Treats, Turtwig curiously took a bite¡­ Its eyes widened! "Na?!" A surge of energy flooded its body! Turtwig immediately lowered its head and devoured the food. It wasn''t just delicious¡ªit was powerful! "These are my special Mineral Energy Cakes¡ªeat as much as you like!" Hikaru grinned. Typically, he made these for Petilil''s absorption, but unlike Turtwig, Petilil didn''t need solid food. It only required juices and liquid nutrients to survive, making it incredibly easy to care for. Even after evolving into Hisuian Lilligant, its diet hadn''t changed much. That was because Hisuian Lilligant belonged to the Plant Egg Group¡ªfundamentally, it was still a plant. Turtwig, on the other hand, was different. It belonged to both Plant and Monster Egg Groups. "Ever since Celebi left, I''ve been the only one here who actually eats." Doublade didn''t have a mouth. Petilil didn''t have a mouth. Unown didn''t have a mouth. Even Regirock¡ªdespite being a customer¡ªdidn''t have a mouth! At least meal prep was easy. Turtwig finished its meal, feeling invigorated. Its body felt larger. Its leaves spread wide¡ªalmost like it was trying to sprout a third leaf! Its Grass energy had skyrocketed! Turtwig happily shook its head and shell. Hikaru then placed Turtwig on the workbench and took out some soil maintenance tools. [Tool: Mini Spade] [Forged through flame refinement +15% excavation and soil-clearing efficiency Can efficiently clean and transplant plants without damaging roots] "I''m going to refresh the soil on your shell." Hikaru sought Turtwig''s approval. Turtwig hesitated but then nodded. After all, it had been caught yesterday, and it had finally been recognized¡ªit should be more important than a few plants. "Na!" Its soil shell was incredibly hard. Turtwig had nurtured it for a long time. The quality was good, sourced from soil near Black Apricorn trees¡ªbetter than normal dirt, but not as rich as the soil in the Chilan Berry Grove or the workshop''s orchard. Hikaru mixed fertilizers, soft sand, compost, orchard soil, and Diglett droppings to create a custom nutrient soil suited for Turtwig. Soil had rankings in the Pok¨¦mon world. Many Pok¨¦mon were known to fertilize and revitalize land, especially those with Plow moves. The strongest soil-enriching Pok¨¦mon was arguably Tapu Bulu from Alola, but the often-overlooked Landorus was actually the most soil-related legendary. After preparing the nutrient soil, Hikaru carefully replaced Turtwig''s old soil shell, replanting the Power Herbs onto its back. Turtwig could feel the energy in the soil! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Your crafting has enhanced Turtwig''s Ground-type abilities.] Hikaru smiled. "Let''s go! Today, you''ll learn about soil and crop cultivation with Lilligant while I run some errands in town." Hikaru led Turtwig outside the workshop. As they walked, he noticed that some Toadstool Mushrooms had sprouted again at the entrance. As expected, Turtwig was immediately drawn to them. Toadstool Mushrooms were a favorite food of Pok¨¦mon belonging to the Monster and Dragon Egg Groups¡ªand Turtwig was part of the Monster Egg Group! "If you evolve into Torterra, you''ll be able to eat both Mineral Energy Cakes and Mushroom Cakes. Double the enhancement effects." Hikaru had originally planned for Torterra to serve as a mobile garden, but seeing Turtwig''s battle potential, he realized that if trained properly, it might become much stronger than he had anticipated. He plucked a few Toadstool Mushrooms and handed one to Turtwig. Turtwig took a bite and instantly devoured it, letting out a satisfied sigh. Delicious! It crunched happily, its eyes glued to the mushrooms as its thoughts began to wander¡­ If I grow bigger¡­ maybe I can grow these mushrooms on my back, too! Hikaru glanced at it, unimpressed. "...Are you seriously thinking about planting mushrooms on your back?" Turtwig was truly helpless when it came to rare plants¡ªit simply couldn''t ignore them. Shaking his head, Hikaru waved over Lilligant. She had been watering plants with a watering can, but upon seeing him, she elegantly twirled forward with graceful steps. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was beaming with excitement. Then came her daily routine¡ªhugs! First, she hugged Hikaru. Then, she hugged Doublade. And finally, she hugged Turtwig! "Since evolving, she''s become really affectionate. Her ability changed from Own Tempo to Hustle after evolving." Hikaru thought for a moment. That explained why she had become so energetic and lively. But it was a good change! Turtwig gazed up in admiration at the beautiful Lilligant, imagining what it would look like when it evolved. It had never seen another Turtwig or its evolutions before¡ªso it had no idea what its future form would be like. "Lilligant, I''ll leave Turtwig''s soil and crop training to you. I need to head into the village." Hikaru gave his instructions while calling Doublade over to help carry supplies. He was heading into the village today to purchase some fabric, cotton, minerals, and other basic materials. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 80 - 80 The villagers continued their daily routines, working tirelessly on the ancient land of Shinto. Year after year, they repeated the same tasks, and no matter how much the world changed, the village remained untouched. Many Pok¨¦mon resided in the village, which made collecting materials easier. For example, Hikaru and Doublade gathered some Diglett droppings near the farmland. "Yooh..." Doublade made a sharp critique of the Digletts'' waste. Who would have thought that these things could actually enrich the soil? It was truly astonishing for a sword! Living long enough really meant seeing everything! Additionally, Ground-type Pok¨¦mon droppings had no particular smell¡­ though Doublade itself couldn''t smell anything to begin with! Hikaru and Doublade brought the materials back to the workshop and used them, along with other resources, to craft a new batch of elemental glass whistles. That was their morning task. "Lightning Glass Whistle," "Flying Glass Whistle," "Steel Glass Whistle," "Rock Glass Whistle," "Fear Glass Whistle," "Water Flow Glass Whistle." All of them shared the same effects: increasing attribute damage by 10%, enhancing Pok¨¦mon attribute training, and preventing critical hits while sensing energy. Additionally, the repetitive labor granted Hikaru new knowledge. ¡ºKnowledge Acquired: Glass Blower ¨C Increases glass crafting speed by 30%.¡» There was also a special request from a customer in Unova¡ªa "Psychic Glass Whistle," which was crafted with exceptional detail. ¡ºArtifact: Psychic Glass Whistle (Exquisite).¡» ¡ºDescription: A finely crafted glass whistle wrapped in intricately carved precious bones, fused with Light Clay, Soft Sand, fragments of Abra''s shoulder armor, and its fur. The craftsmanship and design embody an ancient ruin aesthetic, making it a top-tier product.¡» ¡ºEffect 1: When blown, it increases the move power of Ground- and Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon by 20% and Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon by 10%. It enhances perception of these three energy types, aiding in the cultivation of respective Pok¨¦mon.¡» ¡ºEffect 2: Psychic Artistry ¨C Increases precision of psychic abilities by 20%, removes fatigue from using Psychic-type moves, and restores mental energy.¡» ¡ºEffect 3: Emotional Resonance ¨C Enhances artistic quality by 20% and emotional depth by 10%, bringing a sense of joy and mental clarity, beneficial for creative endeavors.¡» "With these artistic and emotional effects, this seems more like a tool for an artist rather than a Psychic-type trainer," Hikaru mused. He carefully placed the finely crafted Psychic Glass Whistle in a safe spot. After finishing his glasswork, the next task was helping Regirock maintain its body. By now, it was almost noon. In a way, this kind of work was considered "rest." The legendary giant seemed to enjoy these moments. It murmured indistinct sounds like "shasha... shali," as if reminiscing. It was recalling the people of the past¡ªthose who once lived on the land of Shinto. Back then, Pok¨¦mon and humans lived together, worked together, and built together. They repaired its temple, and in return, it helped them construct their homes. However, for reasons unknown, the people of Shinto gradually dispersed, the temple fell into ruin, and their dwellings crumbled over time. The people of ancient times gained life from Pok¨¦mon and, in turn, entrusted their lives to them. Because of this, the bond between humans and Pok¨¦mon was far deeper than it is today. Every action of the people was intertwined with the power of Pok¨¦mon. This was an ancient legend passed down in Shinto, with scattered records found in Johto as well. "Regi¡­" Regirock murmured. The lifespan of humans was simply too short. By the time it awoke, so many people and events had already disappeared. And so, seeing Hikaru now, blessed by Shinto''s forest, filled it with joy. Just like the first girl who befriended it long ago. Hikaru gently patted Regirock, whose murmuring gradually softened. Its thoughts were drifting away. Finally, as if shutting down, the "H" pattern on its body dimmed, ceasing to glow. It had fallen asleep. Hikaru didn''t disturb Regirock and instead turned his gaze toward a short distance away. Lilligant was teaching Turtwig how to cultivate soil and plants, so Hikaru walked over. He possessed knowledge in cultivation and various planting techniques¡ªnot quite a master, but certainly an expert. "The key to cultivation lies in sunlight, humidity, and soil aeration. The quality of soil directly affects plant growth and yield. For example, most herbs prefer cool, dry climates and alkaline soil, which can be achieved by adding lime or eggshells. If you''re planting on your back, you''ll need alkaline soil. Peat soil would be even better, and you can enhance it using Ground-type energy..." Improving unfavorable soil conditions while adding beneficial elements would alter its fertility. Hikaru carefully explained everything to Turtwig, who listened in curiosity. It didn''t understand everything, but it grasped parts of it. Then, Hikaru brought some special materials and personally guided Turtwig through soil "cultivation." ¡ºTurtwig performed a cultivation task and gained experience and growth.¡» ¡ºMove Learned: Mud Shot.¡» ¡ºKnowledge Acquired: Soil Neutralization ¨C Turtwig can mix different types of soil, allowing crops to grow stronger and healthier in suitable soil. Turtwig itself can better absorb nutrients from the soil!¡» S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh?" Turtwig tilted its head in amazement. It had just learned a new move! And gained new strength! It also felt physically stronger¡ªwhat the Unown said was true! Excited, it tested its new ability, gathering Ground-type energy in its mouth before spitting out specialized mud clumps. ¡ºMaterial: Mixed Mud.¡» ¡ºDescription: Soil mixed with Ground-type energy that improves soil quality and enhances fertility.¡» "Such quick progress¡­" Hikaru was pleasantly surprised. This meant that Turtwig was a fast learner when it came to soil-related matters. After a busy morning, the sun began its descent. Hikaru had other plans for the afternoon. "Let''s make some sculptures. Besides fulfilling previous orders, we''ll also try crafting ''Icy Rock.''" He recalled that Lilligant had mastered a unique move called "Ice Spinner" after evolving. Its move description mentioned spinning with ice-covered feet to strike opponents and disrupt terrain. If there was ice, then wouldn''t that enable a special ice sculpture technique? Even thin ice contained Ice-type energy, and sometimes, ice sculptures didn''t need to be entirely made of ice. Hikaru reviewed the ice sculpting techniques in his memory. Creating an artificial Icy Rock didn''t require large ice blocks¡ªonly Ice-type energy. Hisuian Lilligant lifted her leg and performed a ballet-like pose. As she spun, snow and ice gathered, forming a small mound! However, the ice chunks were too small to be carved into full sculptures. "Lilli~" Lilligant frowned in disappointment. Hikaru comforted her, "It''s okay. These small ice pieces can still be used! Actually, I never planned on making large ice sculptures." In Johto, the most famous ice sculptor was Pryce, the Gym Leader of Mahogany Town. This world''s Pryce closely resembled his in-game counterpart, meaning he wasn''t the "Masked Man" from the Pok¨¦mon Special manga. As a sculptor, Pryce was unrivaled in Johto, standing alongside "Iron Master" Kurt as one of the region''s two master craftsmen. Hikaru didn''t expect his unique ice sculpture techniques to surpass Pryce''s work. So from the start, they weren''t even competing on the same level¡ªHikaru simply wanted to use Ice-type moves to create Icy Rock. Meanwhile, Turtwig, who had been tending to medicinal herbs, gaped in awe at Lilligant using an Ice-type move. A Grass-type Pok¨¦mon using Ice-type moves?! Just watching from a distance made it shiver uncontrollably¡ªit was so cold! With Lilligant''s help, Hikaru proceeded with crafting. And thus, another day of craftsmanship began. Under Lilligant''s watchful gaze, Hikaru swiftly began the crafting process. Combining Ancient Rock + Ice-type Energy + Ice Stone Fragments, he incorporated additional Pok¨¦mon materials to enhance the sculpture''s effectiveness. Hikaru had previously gathered Ice-type Pok¨¦mon materials during his time in Sinnoh. However, his last visit to the Ancient Peak yielded little in terms of Pok¨¦mon resources. "Chisel off a small piece of the Ice Stone, embed it into the ice, then set the ice into the Ancient Rock. Also, add Cloyster''s shell fragments, Delibird''s feathers, and Abomasnow''s fur." Hikaru meticulously carved and assembled the materials while Lilligant continuously generated ice with Ice Spinner to replenish the supply. Crack¡ª Hikaru embedded the Ice Stone, Pok¨¦mon materials, and the Ice-infused block into the Ancient Rock. By structuring them into a positive energy cycle, he sculpted the rock into a form that would allow energy to flow smoothly. Soon, a layer of frost formed on the surface of the Ancient Rock, with small patches of attached ice growing on it. ¡ºCrafting Complete!¡» ¡ºArtifact: Artificial Icy Rock.¡» ¡ºDescription: A crafted Icy Rock made using Ice Stone, Ancient Rock, Ice-type moves, and specific Ice-type Pok¨¦mon materials. If its Ice-type energy depletes, it requires Ice-type moves or a Pok¨¦mon to recharge it.¡» ¡ºEffect 1: When held by a Pok¨¦mon using Hail/Snowy Terrain/Frost Breath, the snowy weather duration extends longer than usual.¡» ¡ºEffect 2: By injecting Ice-type energy into the rock, it can actively trigger a small-scale snowfall, beneficial for the growth of Ice-type Pok¨¦mon.¡» ¡ºHisuian Lilligant helped complete a craft! She gained experience and growth!¡» ¡ºMove Learned: Defog!¡» ¡ºKnowledge Acquired: Elegant Dancer ¨C Increases the power, grace, and aesthetic appeal of dance-based moves by 25%.¡» Lilligant sensed a change within herself¡ªa new "dance" had taken root in her mind. Unlike Victory Dance, this one conjured a swirling gust of wind. She was so thrilled that she immediately started dancing in place! Whooosh¡ª A strong gust lifted all the fallen leaves nearby, swirling them into the air! This was Wind Dance! Meanwhile, Ice Spinner was an Ice-type dance move! In her mind, every move could become a dance! "Lilli~" Lilligant swayed her leafy arms, brimming with joy! "Defog¡­ A very useful move¡ªit clears all field effects. That''s quite fitting for Hisuian Lilligant." "So, Lilligant can integrate moves into her dancing? Rather than dance, this is martial arts¡ªa significant refinement!" With another task completed, Hikaru received a new material clue. ¡ºMaterial: Volcano Basalt.¡» ¡ºAcquisition Clue: Stark Mountain, Reversal Mountain, and various volcanoes.¡» ¡ºAssociated Craft: Volcano Forging Technique.¡» Volcano forging? However, locations like Sinnoh and Unova were quite far away, so this would have to be postponed. Besides, Volcano Basalt was associated with Heatran, meaning extreme caution was necessary to obtain it. "Alright, let''s move on to our next sculptures!" After evolving into Hisuian Lilligant, not only did her base stats change, but she also became more agile. However, one thing was lost¡ªher previous Lilligant leaves, which were commonly used in herbal medicine. Hikaru found this a bit unfortunate. At that moment, Lilligant''s arms began to glow green. Under the gaze of Doublade and Hikaru, the glow condensed into the shape of a blade! Leaf Blade! "Lilli~" Lilligant cheerfully signaled to Doublade, proudly showing that she could now help carve sculptures too! "Yo?" Doublade suddenly realized something was wrong. ¡­Wait. "Yooh?" "Yoop?" If you''re doing my job¡­ what am I supposed to do?! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 81 - 81 "No problem, let''s have Lilligant give it a try." Hikaru smiled. "Carving is a real test of a craftsman''s skill. If you can achieve meticulous detail in your carving, then you''re a qualified artisan. Just like when you sculpted the ancient relic slabs before." "Yoo-woo~ Yoop!" Doublade''s twin swords immediately responded with satisfaction! It was very pleased with Hikaru''s praise! That''s right! It was the chief knight under the king and a master sculptor. Even the kitchen knives had been retired in its presence¡ªno tool could compare to its precision in carving! "Next, Lilligant, since you are in your Hisuian form, your current ability is Hustle. Hustle greatly increases your power, but at the cost of lowering accuracy." "So, by practicing carving, we might be able to gradually correct or even eliminate the downside of this ability. That''s what I think." Hustle increases the user''s Attack by 1.5 times but reduces the accuracy of physical moves by 20%. For many, this is a rather disadvantageous ability. While moves become stronger, missing attacks makes them meaningless. Even moves with perfect accuracy could become unreliable due to this drawback. It''s common knowledge that a move with 90 accuracy is as good as zero accuracy. In reality, even moves with perfect accuracy could be dodged by the legendary "Just Dodge It" technique, but the real issue with Hustle is that even if the opponent doesn''t actively dodge, your attacks might still miss. That''s quite the hassle, which is why using detailed carving work to improve precision is crucial. Doublade itself had learned a lot from carving and even improved its move accuracy through this practice. "Lilli~!" Lilligant nodded and then focused all its attention on the rock that Regirock had carried over. Meanwhile, Hikaru started guiding Lilligant in carving. It didn''t matter if this rock was ruined¡ªthis was just practice. Previously, Hikaru and Regirock had moved a lot of rocks together, and having a strong partner really made the work easier. Before long, under the cutting edge of Leaf Blade, a rather rough and unimpressive sculpture was formed¡ªits model, of course, was Hikaru. However, upon seeing the disastrous sculpture it had made, Hisuian Lilligant became a little discouraged. This¡­ this is terrible! It had already pictured Hikaru''s handsome face in its mind, but its leaves refused to cooperate! "This is the drawback of Hustle¡ªstruggling to accurately control the placement of your attacks." Hikaru examined the sculpture and couldn''t help but laugh. "Haha, so this is me, huh?" "Lilli!" Lilligant covered its face, feeling too ashamed to look at anyone. Doublade, on the other hand, was brimming with pride. Hah, you''re nowhere near my level in carving! Hikaru comforted Lilligant. "Don''t worry. Practice makes perfect. You''ll improve next time. By repeating the process, you''ll overcome the flaws of your ability!" Lilligant nodded determinedly and encouraged itself. Next time, it would definitely do better! The work Hikaru assigned it¡ªit had to complete it perfectly! Its stubborn personality made it a bit of a perfectionist, but thankfully, with its trainer''s support, Lilligant quickly regained its confidence. As long as it was with its trainer, be it in life, battle, or work, nothing would ever be too difficult! Looking into Doublade''s eyes, Lilligant suddenly put its hands on its hips. Doublade-senpai was probably thinking something rude again! Ugh~! Meanwhile, Hikaru had found another stone and started carving. This was an order from Clay and Mustard. But how would they deliver it? The Pok¨¦mon Center in Smokespire City should have a way. If not, they could send more Dragon-type and Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon to transport it with Telekinesis. As Hikaru carved, both Hisuian Lilligant and Doublade watched intently. Although Doublade had mocked Lilligant''s poor carving skills, it still took the time to explain key techniques when watching Hikaru work. Unknowingly, Doublade was starting to show the demeanor of a true sculpting expert. Lilligant also listened attentively while letting its imagination run wild. Doublade senior always said some ridiculous things, but it was actually a very kind Pok¨¦mon. It was just too careless and easily got carried away. During the process, Hikaru even had Doublade help out, while Lilligant watched closely, preparing for its own training. At some point, Regirock had also woken up. It stood silently, making no sound, just watching Hikaru carve. After a long while, the first stone sculpture was completed. ¡ºCraftsmanship Completed!¡» ¡ºCrafted Item: Large [Ancient Statue]¡ªShinto Ruins Style.¡» ¡ºDescription: A stone sculpture imitating ancient artistic styles, modeled after Urshifu (Rapid Strike Style). It boasts an impressive level of realism and authenticity. Some collectors may be willing to pay a high price for it.¡» ¡ºEffect: Flowing Water''s Secret¡ªWater-type Pok¨¦mon''s offensive abilities see significant improvement, training efficiency +25%.¡» "Yoowoo~" Doublade examined the stone carving. This was the Pok¨¦mon it had seen in the photo on the computer the other day! Looking at the picture didn''t leave much of an impression, but now that it had been turned into a statue, it realized just how powerful this Pok¨¦mon looked! It seemed incredibly strong! As Hikaru finished his work, he noticed all the Pok¨¦mon gathering around the statue. Doublade and Lilligant were studying his carving technique, trying to learn, while Regirock seemed to be evaluating it, the "H" on its face flashing continuously. Turtwig, with its mouth slightly open, stared blankly at the lifelike stone statue. It felt as if the sculpture might come to life at any moment, and that thought terrified it a little. Beep Beep¡ª The computer in the room made a sound. Hikaru wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced around. Turtwig had begun mimicking soil cultivation techniques, Doublade had returned inside, and Lilligant was still examining the statue, determined to overcome its ability''s drawback. Meanwhile, Turtwig, sitting by the medicinal plants, was absorbing sunlight and tilting its head curiously while watching Lilligant carve the stone. Hikaru walked over to the computer and saw a new email. The sender''s ID read [Ice Sculptor]. Wait a minute, could this be¡­? ["I saw your sculpture. It''s so lifelike¡ªit perfectly captures the essence of Pok¨¦mon."] ["Allow me to introduce myself. I am Pryce from Mahogany Town. I am searching for an item that can enhance Ice-type Pok¨¦mon."] Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ["My training method involves meditating on ice, but lately, I''ve felt that just sitting still isn''t enough. I want to train under extreme snowfall conditions, and someone recommended you to me."] "Icy Rock, perhaps?" Hikaru quickly typed back. ["As expected, you do have what I need. Icy Rock extends the duration of Hail, which is extremely useful for me. These stones are hard to come by. Let''s discuss a price, shall we?"] ["Also, I am very interested in your sculpting skills. If you have the time, I''d like to invite you to Mahogany Town. We are holding an ice sculpture exhibition in mid-October. Your craftsmanship is truly exquisite, and I look forward to your work. Of course, there will be special prizes for the winner¡ªyou won''t leave empty-handed."] ["Consider this a formal invitation."] This was an order from Pryce! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 82 - 82 Hikaru added Pryce as a friend and engaged in an in-depth discussion about the art of sculpture. Pryce sighed with admiration, surprised that someone as young as Hikaru had already mastered such an impressive level of sculpting skill. Though it was a family craft, youth itself was an advantage. With further study and dedication, Hikaru''s future achievements would be limitless. ["Elite Four Grusha has been training at the Glaseado Path recently. He was the one who mentioned you, which led me to find you."] ["By the way, since I''m already here, why don''t I commission a sculpture as well? Let''s see¡­ I think I''d like one of Seel."] ["Heh, Seel reminds me of a mistake I made when I was younger. Long ago, due to my own immaturity, I once put a Seel in danger. On the Seafoam Islands in Kanto, I was supposed to save a fallen Seel¡­"] ["But I ended up collapsing as well. After that, I reflected on my own shortcomings and dedicated myself to teaching others about the harsh realities of the world."] ["Later, during a battle, I was badly burned by a Magmortar and was bedridden for a long time. During that time, my Piloswine left during a snowstorm and never returned. I thought it had abandoned me. So, I trained my Pok¨¦mon rigorously, keeping my distance from them and avoiding forming bonds."] ["But recently, someone taught me that the bond between Pok¨¦mon and humans is never truly broken. You have Pok¨¦mon too, don''t you? The time you''ve spent with them¡ªtreasure it."] ["Ah, sorry, I''m rambling again. If I can''t even follow my own advice, what right do I have to lecture others?"] Hikaru chatted with Pryce and learned about his past experiences. Wait a minute¡ªwas this a mix of the games, the anime, and the Special manga? This really was a blended world. It perfectly aligned with something Pryce had said himself¡ª"I have tasted all kinds of pain." If the Lapras incident was added to the mix, Pryce truly had an unfortunate life. At least this version of Pryce hadn''t gone to the extreme of becoming the Masked Man. After finishing the conversation with Pryce, another notification popped up. Hikaru soon realized it was a message from a previous customer who had bought one of his sculptures. [Avant-Garde Art]: "Apologies for messaging you out of the blue. If I am disturbing you, I sincerely apologize!" "However, your sculptures have truly captivated me¡ªthey are the epitome of avant-garde art!" "On September 15th, an art exhibition will be held in Zapapico, Paldea. I would love for you to participate. I will cover your travel expenses if you''re interested." Huh? Another invitation? Hikaru recalled that Morty from Ecruteak City had also mentioned inviting him there, Steel Master Byron was looking for him, and now there was Pryce and this client. Wait¡­ the way this person talked¡ªcould they actually be Brassius, the sculptor Gym Leader?! "Have my sculptures really amazed these master sculptors? Maybe it''s because of the Shinto Ruins style." Hikaru pondered for a moment and asked about the schedule. Fortunately, the ice sculpture exhibition was in November, meaning there was no conflict with the Paldea event. He agreed to attend. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Avant-Garde Art]: "Thank you so much for accepting! I will make the best preparations to welcome you!" "No need for anything fancy, I can make my own way there. My sculpting art¡ª" [Avant-Garde Art]: "That very traditional sculpting style is what fascinates me! The blend of ancient and modern artistry, its cultural value, and its ability to merge tradition with innovation¡ªit exudes a unique power!" "Oh, right! I have rudely disturbed you without introducing myself¡ªmy apologies. I am Brassius, the Gym Leader of Zapapico. I am also a somewhat well-known sculptor." "''Somewhat well-known''¡­ That''s an understatement. He''s actually very famous!" Hikaru: "...I''m just an ordinary craftsman." [Avant-Garde Art]: "Such humility! You don''t need to doubt yourself. As a craftsman, you already possess the eyes and instincts to discover beauty¡ªit''s just that you''ve been so immersed in sculpting that you haven''t noticed! Your work has been an enormous inspiration for me, especially since I''ve been stuck in a creative block. I will eagerly await your arrival in Zapapico!" Another invitation¡­ Before even leaving Shinto, he already had multiple events lined up. It was strangely overwhelming. But being recognized by so many people was a good thing, Hikaru thought. After all, his goal was to revive the workshop. If participating in these exhibitions could boost the workshop''s reputation, then of course, he had to go! "This is a good thing!" Hikaru smiled. "I have to keep working hard!" At the very least, he needed to get the Johto folks, who barely went online, to recognize his work! For now, Hikaru continued sculpting. With Doublade''s help, he completed the last two statues. ¡ºCraftsmanship Completed!¡» ¡ºCrafted Item: Large [Ancient Statue]¡ªShinto Ruins Style.¡» ¡ºDescription: A stone sculpture mimicking ancient artistic styles, modeled after Urshifu (Single Strike Style). It boasts an impressive level of realism and authenticity. Some collectors may be willing to pay a high price for it.¡» ¡ºEffect: Secrets of the Abyss¡ªDark-type Pok¨¦mon''s offensive capabilities increase significantly, training efficiency +25%.¡» ¡ºCraftsmanship Completed!¡» ¡ºCrafted Item: Large [Ancient Statue]¡ªShinto Ruins Style.¡» ¡ºDescription: A stone sculpture mimicking ancient artistic styles, modeled after Hydreigon. It boasts an impressive level of realism and authenticity. Some collectors may be willing to pay a high price for it.¡» ¡ºEffect: Ferocious Strength¡ªIncreases efficiency by 15% when breaking objects (including Rock Smash).¡» ¡ºDue to repeatedly completing similar work, knowledge has been gained.¡» ¡ºLarge-Scale Sculptor: Increases efficiency and technique for large-scale sculptures by 25%. Sculpted works become more aesthetically pleasing. Aesthetic quality +25%.¡» "Phew, done." Hikaru sat on the steps, clenched his fist, and reflected on his recent progress. With the improvement in various skills, his sculpting efficiency, speed, and even his own physical strength had all increased significantly. With Doublade''s assistance, his carving speed had reached an almost unnatural level. It felt as if the stones in his hands were no longer solid rocks. In fact¡­ under his tools, they even felt somewhat soft? His advancements in forging techniques had also made his tools much more effective¡ªa reinforcement in the right direction. The three Pok¨¦mon gathered around, examining the three large sculptures. Regirock, who had been in deep slumber, also woke up. After standing up, it approached the sculptures, the "H" symbol on its face flashing. It seemed quite satisfied with the sculpting techniques used¡ªan expert''s evaluation. Meanwhile, Hikaru started mumbling to himself again. In ancient craftsmanship, he had already created many ancient stone statues, but the awakening power of the Ancient Bracelet was proving difficult to obtain. "Maybe I should search online¡­ Perhaps the TM versions produced by Silph Co. might contain Hidden Power." While Hidden Power was generally considered a signature move of Unown, some Pok¨¦mon could naturally learn it through leveling up. And¡ªthere was even a certain human who could use it. In the games, an overweight man near the Lake of Rage had unlocked Hidden Power through meditation and psychic training. Hikaru also opened his Pok¨¦gear and checked the shipping status of his purchases. Items ordered from Unova and Galar were still in transit and would take about two more days to arrive. However, packages from Johto and Kanto had already reached Blackthorn City''s Pok¨¦mon Center. The reason for the delay in delivery was likely because Hikaru''s home was in a remote location. The Pok¨¦mon Center was probably waiting for all his shipments to arrive before making a single delivery. Looks like that Charizard was going to be busy again. At the same time, Hikaru started reconsidering the word arrangements on the Symbol Slab. "Hmm, I''ve already arranged the words for Celebi. If I rearrange them again, unexpected things might happen. To avoid causing trouble for Celebi, maybe I should try forming the words for ''Calyrex'' instead? It should have a similar effect on crops, right?" However, at this point in time, Calyrex was still in its weakened state. It couldn''t be called the King of Bounty¡ªrather, it was the King of Barrenness. "If I establish contact with it now, will I drain its remaining power? Or¡­ would I be able to provide it with a small amount of faith?" Just as Hikaru was thinking about this, he noticed something on the back of one of the sculptures¡ªa single black eye staring at him. Oh, It was Unown E, the laziest one of the bunch! "Annon." Unown E floated up! It was offering to help! "Help¡­? Wait, you heard what I was just saying?" Hikaru looked at Unown in surprise, and it immediately wobbled up and down. That''s right¡ªit was here to help with Hidden Power! Hikaru''s surprise quickly turned into excitement, and he started contemplating further. "But Hidden Power¡­ It''s said that Unown can manifest human thoughts into reality." Upon hearing Hikaru mutter this, Unown E suddenly looked guilty. This moment had finally come! The other Pok¨¦mon also noticed something suspicious about Unown. Their expressions turned curious, and they stared at it intensely. Doublade sensed that something wasn''t right. Lilligant also shot Unown a doubtful look. Even Turtwig had picked up on it. "Yowoo?" "Lilli." "Naa?" Unown E wobbled in the air, then decided to confess everything. It admitted that the strange dreams Hikaru had before were its doing. But¡ªit only did it to grant Hikaru''s wish! It meant no harm! After revealing the truth, Unown''s eye seemed to relax, as if it had been carrying a burden for a long time. Hikaru was stunned. "So¡­ the dream from before was connected to you? Ahh, now it all makes sense!" However, he wasn''t mad. Instead, he smiled. "Actually, I should be thanking you. Because of your power, I was able to form a connection with that mysterious Pok¨¦mon. You saw it in the dream too, didn''t you?" "It was only because of you that I had this amazing encounter." "Unown, our meeting is just another part of this incredible journey of life." Unown blinked in surprise, then suddenly beamed with joy. "Annon!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 83 - 83 Hikaru quickly carved a bracelet and, based on the information from the "Ancient Awakening Craft," engraved the corresponding move inscription on it. "This should do it." The Pok¨¦mon gathered curiously around him as Hikaru raised the bracelet high. Unown then began using Hidden Power. A mysterious light enveloped Unown, and soon, the inscriptions on the bracelet started to glow! Natural energy gathered and transformed into flames, which were then sealed into the Ancient Bracelet! The Ancient Bracelet was activated! Various thoughts surged into Hikaru''s mind, coalescing into information: [Artifact: Ancient Bracelet ¨C Move Armlet] [Description: An ancient tool once used by Pok¨¦mon to learn moves. It can slightly enhance the wearer''s mental strength. The bracelet can absorb a corresponding move and store it. Currently, this bracelet is empty.] [Corresponding Move: Encore.] Hikaru looked at Lilligant. "Use Encore on this bracelet." "Lilli~" Lilligant swayed its leaf-like arms on either side of its body. Two streaks of light appeared beside the bracelet, enveloping it. In the next moment, the light gradually dimmed until it vanished completely, while the inscriptions on the bracelet glowed before slowly returning to tranquility. The information about the Ancient Bracelet in Hikaru''s vision changed. [Move Teachable: Encore] "It worked! I''ve made a move tutor!" Although the Ancient Bracelet version of a move tutor isn''t as efficient as the move-learning discs produced by Silph Co., this bracelet also enhances the wearer''s mental strength. For Trainers who possess psychic abilities, spiritual power, or other special energies, such an item is invaluable! Coincidentally, a customer from Unova had previously inquired about Psychic Glass Whistles and had requested more artistic items to be stocked in Hikaru''s store. "If I carve the bracelet beautifully, it could also be considered an artwork. After all, it''s a Psychic Bracelet." "The selling point of the Ancient Bracelet, aside from its psychic-enhancing ability, is its ability to store rare moves. Even ordinary customers might find it appealing. As for pricing, it only requires a small amount of Ancient Rock, while the rest can be crafted from regular jade or stone. No need to price it too high. The key is to highlight the natural beauty of the jade while using the inscriptions to emphasize its mystique." In later Pok¨¦mon Generations, several unique moves were introduced. Only a few Pok¨¦mon could naturally learn these moves through leveling up, while most Pok¨¦mon required move tutors or move-learning discs. For example, the most famous among them¡ªBody Press! Even a powerful Pok¨¦mon like Zamazenta couldn''t learn Body Press in the Galar Region. Even when it reached its loyal Paldea Region, it still had to use a Move Tutor to learn it! Besides Body Press, other famous moves include: Dual Wingbeat, Psychic Noise, Dragon Cheer, Heavy Slam, even Draco Meteor! All of these moves cannot be learned by leveling up alone; they require move tutors or specialized learning methods! Among such moves, the first one that came to Hikaru''s mind was¡ª "Ice Spinner!" Hisui Lilligant had mastered Ice Spinner, which was also a rare move. In the wild, only Wailmer and Wailord could learn it naturally. Any other Pok¨¦mon that wanted to learn it had to invest in special training. To Hikaru, moves that Pok¨¦mon learn through leveling up are likely their innate abilities¡ªnatural instincts that require no additional effort to master. However, Pok¨¦mon lacking this innate talent must learn such moves through external means. Of course, exclusive moves are also extremely rare. For example, Victory Dance, which Lilligant had mastered, could only be learned by Hisuian Lilligant. Alternatively, there''s Smeargle, which, thanks to Sketch, can theoretically learn every move that any Pok¨¦mon can use! "Pollen Puff is another one. In the wild, only Ribombee can learn it. It was once considered an exclusive move." "Weather Ball is also a rare move, but because the Weather Institute in Hoenn has thoroughly studied Castform, a Move Tutor for Weather Ball has long been available." "Grass Knot and Grassy Terrain... Grass Knot was once considered an exclusive move for Carnivine, but a Move Tutor was later developed for it. As for Grassy Terrain, I don''t think there''s a Move Tutor for it yet!" "Oh, and Grassy Glide! This move tutor would definitely sell well in Galar!" Speaking of Grassy Glide, the Pok¨¦mon that benefits most from it is none other than Rillaboom, one of the "Five Emperors of Competitive Battles" (Rillaboom, Incineroar, Urshifu, Landorus, and Thundurus). It also requires a Move Tutor to learn this move! Hikaru reviewed the rare moves mastered by Lilligant before turning to Doublade. The two stared at each other. "Yoouuu~" Doublade voiced its opinion. "Of course, Psycho Cut, right?" "No, a Move Tutor for Psycho Cut already exists. But your version is quite unique¡­ maybe it would sell well?" Hikaru waved his hand dismissively. Doublade''s twin eyes darted around before suddenly changing its mind! There were already many of those on the market? Then forget it! Its Psycho Cut was a unique technique. If other Pok¨¦mon could learn it, what then? No way, not for sale! "Yooup~! (Shadow Sneak!)" "That''s a common move. Even mischievous Misdreavus in the wild can use it, and even Spinarak hiding in the forest knows it." "Yoouu~! (Night Slash!)" "You might not believe it, but even Dugtrio can learn that move." "Yoowoo! (Brick Break!)" "That''s a staple move for Fighting-type experts. Even human martial artists can use it." "Yoop!!! (Autotomize!!!)" "That one''s a bit rare, but many common Steel-type Pok¨¦mon across different regions can learn it. And in terms of effect, it''s basically a replacement for Agility, so it''s not particularly unique. Of course, your Autotomize is special because you literally discard your scabbard¡ªthat''s your own unique style." Doublade''s eyes narrowed! Could it be that Doublade had no true signature move to boast of? Hikaru was just picking on it! Hikaru sighed helplessly. Indeed, Doublade''s move pool didn''t have anything particularly exclusive, but it did have plenty of practical moves. However, in terms of high-powered STAB moves, there wasn''t much to hope for. The strongest move it could learn was Close Combat, and Hikaru had always thought that Doublade''s practiced technique of "Continuous Cancel Slashes" was already quite close to Close Combat. A normal Fury Cutter shouldn''t be that ridiculous! "Na?" Turtwig let out a small cry. Hikaru raised a finger. "Oh! Turtwig, your unique move is Shell Smash! There isn''t a Move Tutor for that on the market, but the learning pool is pretty limited since most Pok¨¦mon that learn it need to have a shell. But that doesn''t matter!" "What matters is¡ªif we make Shell Smash into a Move Tutor item, then other Turtwig, Grotle, and Torterra could learn it too! This would be an extremely valuable move for new Trainers in Sinnoh who choose Turtwig!" "And in Galar, there''s a Pok¨¦mon called Drednaw that also struggles to learn Shell Smash. So, this Move Tutor item would sell incredibly well in Galar too!" Upon hearing Hikaru''s words, Turtwig''s eyes sparkled! "Na~!" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even a small and weak Pok¨¦mon like itself possessed such an important and powerful move? To think that the Shell Smash it had instinctively known was such an incredible technique! "Yoowoo~?!" Doublade suddenly felt uneasy. It stared at Turtwig, and ghostly energy gathered around its hilt, forming an angry mark that startled the small turtle! Even this little Turtwig had a signature move?! Then why, as a starter Pok¨¦mon, did it have nothing unique?! Was it really that underestimated?! "Actually, you do have something unique," Hikaru reassured it. "If you learn Sacred Sword, that move is exclusive to only Honedge, Doublade, Aegislash, Gallade, and Samurott among regular Pok¨¦mon. All the other Pok¨¦mon that can learn it are legendary or mythical! Sacred Sword ignores stat changes and deals direct damage¡ªit''s an incredibly powerful move!" "And when you evolve, your King''s Shield will be an exclusive move that only you can use." Oh? Doublade''s spirits lifted. Sacred Sword, was it?! So, the legend about slaying a dragon and a sword transforming into a holy blade wasn''t just a story¡ªit was a real move! "That''s right. A thousand years ago, probably no one even knew about this move." Hikaru pondered. "So, do you want to learn it using an Arceus Statue? Just so you know, Sacred Sword is a Fighting-type move." Doublade''s eyes sharpened but then hesitated. "Yoowoo~" If it successfully learned the move, that would be great. But what if it didn''t and ended up learning something else instead? That would be a waste! The Arceus Statue was too precious, and now didn''t seem like the best time to use it. Doublade decided to wait a few days¡ªor maybe even until evolution¡ªbefore making a final decision! "Yoop!" Right, Sacred Sword is a Fighting-type move, isn''t it?! Then, if it kept practicing Brick Break, wouldn''t it eventually master the essence of Sacred Sword?! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 84 - 84 "Learning Sacred Sword from Brick Break? I hadn''t thought about that, but it does make sense. For you, both involve channeling Fighting-type energy to strike with your blade, so it''s definitely possible to learn it." "That works too. Although some moves can be learned after evolution, the move pool of Doublade and Aegislash is nearly identical. As long as I become strong enough, I''ll definitely be able to learn Sacred Sword." Regarding move learning, according to the game''s mechanics, Sacred Sword can only be learned at level 56. However, Doublade had its own little plan. What if, by some stroke of luck, instead of learning Sacred Sword, it managed to learn Behemoth Blade instead? Wouldn''t that be even better? The effects of the Arceus statue were so powerful that it had to be saved for critical moments! Doublade decided it needed to intensify its Brick Break training over the next few days! As Hikaru prepared to carve more unique move-imbued bracelets, Regirock, who had been silently observing everyone''s work, suddenly let out a series of strange sounds: "Sha-li, sha-sha, sha-li." Regirock was communicating with Hikaru, seemingly making a request. The bracelet looked a lot like something ancient people used to wear. Noticing Regirock''s reaction, Hikaru''s Crystal Heart sensed the Pok¨¦mon''s emotional state and realized that this legendary titan had fallen into deep reminiscence. "You want me to make more of them and seal your moves inside as well? You''re saying that ancient people used to do the same?" Hikaru suddenly understood. "I see now. It''s not just about moves¡ªyou''re sealing your memories into the bracelet as well. You want these moves to continue to be passed down in this era, don''t you?" "In that case, show me what moves you have!" "Regi." Regirock affirmed, stepping onto an open field nearby. It wanted to demonstrate its moves! "Oh, hold on a second!" Hikaru put down the carving tools and bracelets, ran back inside, and retrieved a notebook. First, sharp stone fragments began to gather around Regirock, created by pure Rock-type energy before being launched into the sky with great force! Stone Edge¡ªone of the most powerful Rock-type moves, attacking the opponent with sharp-edged stones and having a high critical-hit ratio. Immediately after, Regirock swung its arms down at the distant field, causing large slabs of rock to crash down from above! Rock Slide¡ªa move that hurls massive boulders at opponents, with a chance to make them flinch. Regirock then proceeded to showcase Stomping Tantrum, Thunder Wave, Charge Beam, Iron Defense, Hammer Arm, Hyper Beam, and even the Elemental Punches¡ªIce Punch, Fire Punch, and Thunder Punch! It even demonstrated the high-powered Thunder and Zap Cannon! For a Rock-type Pok¨¦mon, Regirock sure had an oddly extensive pool of Electric-type special attacks. Hikaru couldn''t help but think how peculiar the movepool of these ancient Rock Titans was. However, Regirock didn''t seem to have any truly unique moves. Previously, Superpower had been its signature move, but it eventually became widely learnable by other Pok¨¦mon. Just as Hikaru was pondering this, Regirock suddenly raised its arm. A powerful burst of psychic energy surged outward from its body, instantly pulling Doublade and Unown, who had been floating mid-air, down to the ground! "Yowuu!" "Annon!" The two airborne Pok¨¦mon were forcefully yanked down, while Hikaru also felt an overwhelming force pressing down on the entire area. No¡ªthis was¡­ Gravity! A field of intense gravity had formed! Pok¨¦mon with Levitate or the Flying-type were now susceptible to Ground-type moves, and airborne attacks were completely disabled! "This is a rare move! But hurry up and disable it¡ªI can''t breathe properly!" Hikaru hurriedly reached out, while Regirock stood there blankly, watching everyone struggle under the crushing force. Realizing something was wrong, it quickly carried them out of the affected zone. It could activate Gravity¡ªbut had no idea how to turn it off! "Phew, that was close." Hikaru collapsed onto the ground, while Doublade and Unown floated back into the air. Regirock looked slightly embarrassed, the H-shaped marking on its face flashing rapidly. Back when it lived alongside humans, it used this move whenever Flying-type Pok¨¦mon tried to harass it¡ªsimply pulling them down and beating them up afterward. It was incredibly useful! If it couldn''t fly, then no one should be able to fly! "This is indeed a rare and highly practical move," Hikaru commented. In real battles, Gravity could restrict not only Pok¨¦mon with the Levitate ability and Flying-types, but also Pok¨¦mon like Doublade and Unown, which used psychic energy or mystic power to float. In the games, it also negated moves like Telekinesis and Magnet Rise, while significantly increasing the accuracy of all moves! Hikaru took notes and recorded the move. Regirock¡ªThe Pok¨¦mon from the Rock Peak Ruins. Ability: Clear Body. Mild Nature. Encountered in the field outside the workshop. Often lost in thought. With that done, Hikaru began crafting even more bracelets¡ªespecially the Gravity Bracelet with Regirock''s help! By the time Hikaru finished everything, the sky had already darkened. After hastily making some Mushroom Cakes to restore the Pok¨¦mon''s stamina, Hikaru ate some berries and rations to satisfy hunger. Then, sitting with the Pok¨¦mon in the open field, they watched the setting sun in quiet repose, enjoying a brief moment of rest. Regirock, unlike the others, didn''t need to eat. It could replenish its energy simply by standing still, which was quite a peculiar ability. Turtwig approached Regirock, attempting to strike up a conversation with the giant. Although their languages were somewhat difficult to understand for one another, Pok¨¦mon had their own way of communicating¡ªwhen their intentions were sincere, their hearts could connect. Seeing Regirock and Turtwig chatting, Doublade immediately joined in on the conversation between companions! Doublade considered Regirock to be a Pok¨¦mon of a similar kind to itself, so it proactively engaged in conversation with the titan while also helping translate for Turtwig! Turtwig''s eyes lit up as it curiously looked at Doublade. "Nah?" Hikaru had a mysterious ability that allowed communication with Pok¨¦mon, but why was Doublade able to converse so naturally with the stone giant as well? Doublade proudly declared that it was simply because Turtwig was still too young and hadn''t seen many ancient things¡ªit, on the other hand, had lived for a thousand years! "Living for a thousand years is impressive," Hikaru interjected, joining the conversation, "but you spent most of that time sleeping, didn''t you? Besides, it''s said that Torterra can also live for a long time." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Both Doublade and Turtwig froze for a moment at Hikaru''s words, while Hikaru continued with a smile: "It''s said that Torterra lives deep within forests in groups and roams across mountains in search of pure water. Some migrating forests are actually groups of Torterra moving together to find water sources." "A long time ago, humans imagined that beneath the earth lay a massive Torterra, and that some Pok¨¦mon were even born on its back and spent their entire lives there." "Torterra is Turtwig''s final evolution. It''s huge and can live for a very long time." Doublade''s twin eyes widened in shock! What?! This silly little turtle could one day grow to be as massive as the land itself? "Nah!" Turtwig, too, had never seen a Torterra before. It was born in an area where there were no others of its kind, so after hearing Hikaru''s description, it suddenly felt a deep sense of yearning! If it could grow to be as big as the land¡ªor at least as large as a hillside¡ªthen it could plant so many rare plants! And surely, no Pok¨¦mon would dare to mess with it then! The small Turtwig, at that moment, was filled with hope for the future! Doublade gently nudged Turtwig with its ribbon-like arms, still finding it hard to believe that the tiny turtle could one day grow so massive. Turtwig looked down at its own body¡ªit was also a bit doubtful but¡­ Dreaming about the future was never a bad thing! Turtwig began to imagine all the possibilities. Not long after, Hisuian Lilligant gracefully made her way over, cheerfully pacing about. She glanced at the sunset, then at her Trainer, and after a while, she trotted over to the three Pok¨¦mon, listening in on their conversation about the past. It was a story from a thousand years ago. Before she knew it, Lilligant began to feel a bit sentimental and asked Regirock whether it had ever had a Trainer. Regirock pondered for a moment before nodding. If "someone who commanded it" counted as a Trainer, then yes, it did have one¡ªa girl. She was a very dear friend to it, and it was she who had taught it the custom of giving beautiful flowers as a way of making friends. Curious, Lilligant then asked if Regirock had a tribe. The H-shaped markings on Regirock''s face flickered as it processed the question. A tribe? Did she mean others that looked like it or were similar to it? If she meant Regice and Registeel, then perhaps it did have a tribe. Regirock explained to Lilligant that there were two other titans similar to itself¡ªone was the Ice Titan, and the other was the Steel Titan. However, when it unexpectedly awoke in its temple, it discovered that the other two were still asleep. "Yowuu~!" Doublade immediately jumped into the conversation! As expected, it was just like itself! It, too, had awoken by accident, and if that hadn''t happened, it would still be collecting dust inside some warehouse! As the Pok¨¦mon continued their conversation, Hikaru, having rested enough, returned to the workshop. While passing by the engraved stone tablet, Hikaru suddenly paused for a moment. After some thought, he took apart the letters in Regirock''s name and rearranged them into a new word. Budrex¡ªCalyrex. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 85 - 85 The moment the word arrangement was completed, the surrounding environment remained unchanged. Hikaru glanced at the glowing moss in the flowerpot, then opened the window to check the nearby land. The sunlit earth still looked the same¡ªthere was no sudden, premature harvest. A gentle breeze swept through the window, carrying a white herb into the room. Hikaru caught it between his fingers, momentarily speechless. He couldn''t even tell whether this herb had been brought in by his own knowledge and skill or by Calyrex''s power. "Figures... still powerless as ever." Calyrex was once the legendary king of ancient Galar, classified as the King Pok¨¦mon. It possessed extraordinary intelligence and was said to see through the past, present, and future. It was also known as the King of Bountiful Harvests, with the power to heal hearts and make plants flourish. It was said that when it raised its right hand, flowers would bloom and lush greenery would spread, and when it raised its left hand, the land would become fertile and crops would yield abundant harvests. However, unlike many other Legendary Pok¨¦mon, Calyrex drew its strength from faith. If it lost the belief of its followers, its power would diminish drastically. As for its appearance¡ªlike a bipedal rabbit with a giant broccoli crown? Of course, Calyrex wasn''t the only Pok¨¦mon with such nature-based powers. For example, in Johto, Celebi was revered as the Guardian of the Forest, and in Sinnoh, the Mythical Pok¨¦mon Shaymin could turn barren lands into flower fields. However, when it came to agriculture and harvests, Calyrex was the true specialist. Yet, over centuries, the people of Crown Tundra forgot their legendary king. The disappearance of faith caused Calyrex''s power to fade, leaving it so weak that it could no longer command its two steeds, let alone bless the land with prosperity. Moreover, the wooden effigy of Calyrex in Crown Tundra was missing its head. The statue was worshipped incorrectly, treated as a local tourist attraction, and because no one noticed the flaw, it played a significant role in Calyrex''s loss of power. "In Johto, Celebi''s power would probably be more effective¡­ but since I''ve already assembled Calyrex''s name, I should at least do something." Muttering to himself, Hikaru sincerely made a prayer: S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "O King of Bountiful Harvests, please bless the land of Shint¨­!" Perhaps this could provide Calyrex with some faith. However, Hikaru believed that the power Calyrex required wasn''t just faith in the traditional sense, but rather remembrance. It needed people to know it exists, to recognize its form, to speak its name, to believe in its power, and to remember its legacy. But one person''s belief wasn''t enough¡ªso Hikaru came up with another idea. Previously, a customer had suggested creating merchandise like plush dolls, even placing a no-time-limit pre-order for a Lapras doll. That customer had also inquired about Ice-type items. Unfortunately, items like Never-Melt Ice weren''t something Hikaru could easily obtain. Perhaps the traveling merchant, Volo, might have some in stock. However, making plush dolls? That was no problem at all. After securing a batch of supplies from the village, the workshop now had plenty of materials to craft a whole series of plush dolls. Now, it was time to put "Advanced Textile Crafting" to good use. Although Hikaru usually used this skill to create Focus Sashes, this crafting method could also be applied to make power-infused textile artifacts! "Making a standard Substitute or Clefairy doll would be too dull¡­ The customer requested a Lapras doll, but before I make that, I have a bold idea." "Why not make a Calyrex doll first?" Hikaru gathered needle, thread, cotton stuffing, and durable fabric, then took out paper and a pen to sketch out Calyrex''s basic design. By following the drawing''s outline, he could reduce the chances of making mistakes. "My memory is still sharp¡­ and done!" The sketch was simple¡ªnothing particularly artistic¡ªbut Hikaru realized that his drawing style had a distinct ancient aesthetic. Perhaps it was as he suspected¡ªhis carving skills, influenced by the ruins of Shin''¨­, weren''t limited to sculpture; they also enhanced his ability to draw. Next, Hikaru cut the fabric according to the sketch. The village didn''t have a wide variety of fabric colors, but thankfully, Calyrex''s color palette wasn''t too complex. Green, blue, gray, and white. Hikaru cut these fabrics into specific shapes, stuffing them with cotton and Pok¨¦mon materials before sewing them together. Since Calyrex was a Psychic/Grass-type, Hikaru carefully selected the right materials to fill the doll, including: Abra''s fur (for Psychic-type energy) Hisuian Lilligant''s leaves (for Grass-type resonance) Other botanical elements tied to Grass Pok¨¦mon As the sun set and the sky darkened, the Pok¨¦mon outside watched the cycle of day and night, cheering as they grew closer as companions. And inside the workshop, Hikaru finally completed the Calyrex doll! "Done! The stuffing is in place, and the final stitches are finished!" Hikaru examined the finished product. The doll stood at roughly 20 centimeters tall, making it a small plush figure. Since he had used durable fabric instead of plush material, its surface felt slightly firm to the touch. But the craftsmanship was flawless. Suddenly, a surge of information flooded Hikaru''s mind: [Crafted Item: Pok¨¦mon Doll ¨C Calyrex Design] [Description: A plush doll sewn in the image of the legendary King of Bountiful Harvests. Using unique crafting techniques and infused with materials from Pok¨¦mon of matching attributes, this doll has developed a spiritual resonance, granting it unique abilities.] [Effect 1: Mental Restoration] ¨C The Calyrex Doll can heal wounded hearts, relieve mental distress, and enhance spiritual strength. [Effect 2: Faith of Abundance] ¨C The Calyrex Doll can cause plants to sprout and flowers to bloom. The more someone believes in its power, the faster plant life will grow. However, if one does not believe, the effect will not activate. [Effect 3: Pok¨¦mon Magnet] ¨C This doll attracts Pok¨¦mon''s attention and may help escape from battles with wild Pok¨¦mon. Hikaru looked at the doll in his hands and smiled. This was no ordinary toy¡ªit was an artifact infused with the power of legend. And perhaps, through this creation, Calyrex''s name would once again be remembered. "Belief makes it work, disbelief renders it useless¡ªwhat a fitting trait for a Calyrex-themed doll. Now that I think about it, the first two abilities are just Calyrex''s own powers." "But honestly, making the doll out of firm fabric doesn''t look great. A plush material would be much better. Since my shipment of goods hasn''t arrived yet, I should buy some plush fabric. I still have some funds left." As for the third ability, wasn''t that just a common trait among dolls? After all, most plush-based items could be thrown to distract wild Pok¨¦mon, allowing for an easy escape. With that settled, Hikaru decided to send a message to his client from Unova. The "Psy-Glass Whistle," "Gravity Bracelet," and "Calyrex Doll"¡ªthese three products should be enough to meet the customer''s request! At the same time, by promoting the Calyrex Doll, Hikaru could spread awareness of Calyrex''s legend, gradually restoring its power. The reason Hikaru wanted to help Calyrex was simple¡ªto establish a connection with the legendary Pok¨¦mon and reap the benefits. More importantly¡­ Calyrex had the ability to make a rare plant known as the "Glowing Bloom" flourish. And fabric woven from Glowing Bloom petals and the mane hairs of Calyrex''s two steeds was said to be a mystical textile that shimmered under sunlight. This extraordinary material was the key ingredient in crafting the "Reins of Unity", an essential artifact. "I really want to see that material with my own eyes!" Hikaru''s gaze sparkled with rare excitement. ... Crown Tundra, Southernmost Galar Just as Hikaru remembered, deep within the frozen expanse, a small, rabbit-like Pok¨¦mon with a massive crown-like bud on its head slowly opened its eyes from its weakened slumber. A faint trace of faith had reached it from a distant land¡ªan energy that was clear and precise. Without a doubt¡­ someone in this world still remembered its form. And perhaps¡­ even its story. How astonishing! Even the descendants of the humans it once protected, the villagers of Freezington, could no longer accurately recall its appearance or name. The fairy tale of the King of Bountiful Harvests was still passed down among the ancient lands, but the names¡­ What kind of ridiculous names were those?! It was completely wrong¡ªfar beyond acceptable! Now, stripped of faith, stripped of power, and abandoned by its two beloved steeds, how long would this sorrowful existence continue? Feeling the distant pulse of belief, Calyrex was overwhelmed by a sense of melancholy. ¡ºI¡­ I miss my steed¡­ my faith¡­ my reins¡­¡» Lost in its emotions, Calyrex mustered what little power it had left to trace the source of this newfound faith. Through the fabric of space and time, it managed to catch a faint glimpse of something¡­ It was¡­ Its own forehead? ¡­A doll? Calyrex''s gaze lingered across the vast distance, locking onto the plush representation of itself. For some reason, as it stared at the doll, the gloom in its heart faded. Its spirit lightened. Its mind grew clearer. There was no doubt about it. Even from such a great distance, something within it had changed¡ªjust from seeing that doll! ¡ºWho¡­ are you?¡» ¡ºThis power¡­ it feels like mine, yet it is different¡­¡» ¡ºEven if I ask¡­ you cannot hear my voice¡­ If only¡­ we could meet somewhere¡­¡» ¡ºIt''s too far¡­ If only you were in Galar¡­¡» With a lingering sense of regret, Calyrex closed its eyes once more. It was still weak and would need more time to rest. And as it drifted into slumber once again, its dreams¡­ turned a soft shade of pink. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 86 - 86 The moment the Calyrex plush was created, far away in Unova, Caitlin suddenly opened her eyes. She had foreseen something¡ªsomething related to that workshop she had been paying close attention to. As a powerful Psychic, the ability to predict the future was fundamental. In the past, her powers had been too strong for her to control, making it difficult to use her foresight. However, ever since her butler, Darach, sent her a Snorlax sculpture, her psychic abilities had become more refined and stable. "The workshop must have released a new item." Caitlin gazed at the brightening sky. The workshop was located in the Johto region, which was far from Unova. When night fell there, it was dawn here. She yawned, stretched lazily, revealing her now more mature and graceful figure, and used her telekinesis to pull over her Pok¨¦gear, taking the initiative to message Hikaru. ["Hmm? How did you¡­ Oh, right, you asked me about Psychic-type items before. Could it be that you''re also a powerful Psychic?"] ["Ah, I see, precognition, huh? Psychic abilities sure are convenient!"] "Heh, if the shopkeeper can craft items related to Psychic-types, then he must possess some psychic abilities himself, right?" ["I''m just someone with strong mental power; I''m far from having actual psychic abilities. Anyway, the reason I contacted you is that I have some new products that might interest you."] ["The Gravity Bracelet, and this [image]¡ªthe effect of the Psychic Glass Whistle. Here''s the item you were looking for [image], and¡­"] As Hikaru''s messages kept coming in, Caitlin''s eyes lit up the moment she saw the Gravity Bracelet and Psychic Glass Whistle! Unlike the previous items, these had been meticulously crafted with intricate and mysterious patterns, making them not just functional but also exquisite works of art. As for Gravity itself, while rare, it wasn''t impossible to obtain a TM for it in Unova. After all, one of Unova''s iconic Pok¨¦mon, Sigilyph, could naturally learn it. "A reusable TM? This is different from the usual ones¡­ It''s more like an HM." "Gravity is indeed a useful move. I was just planning on purchasing a TM for it." ["Right? And the combination of Gravity and Hypnosis is incredibly powerful! If paired with a Prankster ability Spiritomb, the effect is even more outstanding!"] ["However, for Spiritomb''s held item, I can''t craft the best one for it yet. So for now, you could consider options like Chesto Berry, Focus Sash, or Light Clay¡­"] "Gravity Hypnosis?" Caitlin muttered in curiosity. It wasn''t that she hadn''t heard of this strategy before¡­ Well, actually, she hadn''t seen many people use it. Mainly because Gravity TMs were rare, and most trainers struggled to bond with Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon. "Wait¡­ This is a strategy I had been thinking about. I didn''t expect the shopkeeper to come up with the same idea? This is oddly coincidental¡­" "The shopkeeper seems to have quite a deep understanding of Pok¨¦mon battles." ["I just know a little here and there. Besides, I''m not a League-registered trainer, so if you ever want battle advice, I can offer some suggestions now and then. But this time, I''m just here to promote my products."] Some suggestions? Caitlin shook her head slightly. That was a great recommendation. She had been considering which Pok¨¦mon to teach Gravity to, and Hikaru had suggested Spiritomb. The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Since Spiritomb was a Ghost-type, it wouldn''t be affected by moves like Taunt that could shut down support strategies. And with Prankster, it would always go first when using status moves. In Double and Triple Battles, this strategy would be extremely effective! Spiritomb was actually the perfect user for Gravity! Wait, could Spiritomb even learn Gravity? She had never realized that before. Probably because Gravity TMs were too rare, and current TMs broke after a single use¡­ But¡­ she didn''t have a Spiritomb. She needed to catch one! "Shopkeeper, thank you for your advice. It''s very helpful. Looks like I''ll be bothering you more in the future." Caitlin''s gratitude was sincere. At the same time, Hikaru''s shop felt even more mysterious to her. Johto¡­ No, it should be called Shinto. The Mysterious Shop of Shinto? Although she had already foreseen Hikaru''s appearance, Psychic abilities could only reveal external details or read thoughts. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t see through this person''s true abilities! Then, Caitlin carefully examined the picture of a certain rabbit-like Pok¨¦mon. "What Pok¨¦mon is this? This is what I foresaw¡­ Its name is¡­" As she thought about it, her Pok¨¦gear automatically transcribed her words into a message. ["Calyrex. It''s a Legendary Pok¨¦mon from the Galar region, though not very well-known yet."] "Hmm, has its legend been lost?" ["Ah, yeah, that''s what I meant. The effect of its plush is¡­"] "Able to heal the mind and cure psychological ailments?" Caitlin''s eyes gleamed even brighter, though old childhood memories suddenly surfaced in her mind. "If¡­ If it''s an old, painful memory¡­ can it heal that too?" ["Perhaps. As long as you believe in its power, it will have that power. That''s the magic of this Pok¨¦mon¡ªit''s a Psychic-type, after all."] A Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon tied to lost legends? Caitlin tilted her head slightly as she gazed at the image of Calyrex. It looked like a rabbit with a broccoli head. Somewhat ridiculous-looking, yet oddly¡­ adorable? The more she stared at it, the more she found it cute. Unknowingly, she let out a small chuckle. Why was it getting cuter the more she looked at it?! ["The idea to make a plush of it actually came from another customer. But since the plush enhances psychic abilities, I decided to¡ªAh, wait a second, someone''s here."] Caitlin: "?" With her Psychic intuition, Caitlin immediately sensed something unfavorable to her¡ªa competitor for the plush! "Shopkeeper, I also want to purchase future batches of the plush. No matter who''s competing with me, I''ll pay double the price." She sent the message immediately! ¡­ "Precognition is really¡­!" Hikaru was still chatting with his Unovan customer when suddenly, another notification popped up. Checking the sender¡ª It was none other than the Elite Four member, Shauntal! ["I foresaw the creation of an important item¡ªthe plush of a Pok¨¦mon called Calyrex. Shopkeeper, please reserve some for me!"] Another competitor?! Hikaru hadn''t expected the Calyrex plush to be this popular¡­ Were all these Psychics¡­ Oh! Now that he thought about it, while the games never explicitly stated it, the anime and manga hinted at it¡ªPsychics had different mental states from normal people, making them more socially withdrawn. In a way, they all struggled with psychological barriers. The stronger they were, the lonelier they became. The lonelier they were, the stronger they became? But as they grew older, met more people, and gained more experiences, their personality issues and mental blocks would gradually resolve. After all, the Pok¨¦mon world was filled with extraordinary individuals. Even random NPCs could be ridiculously powerful¡ªlike the guy who swam from Kalos to Hoenn! Even ordinary people in the Pok¨¦mon world defied logic! So the root of Psychic-types'' isolation was their belief that they were different. But once they met others, they would realize¡ª When everyone was abnormal, then society itself was normal! "Sorry, Shauntal, but¡­ You''ll have to wait in line. I only made one for now¡­" ["I foresaw its creation. It wasn''t pre-ordered, but rather, something you decided to promote. And if I don''t order it now, I won''t be able to get one later!"] At first, Hikaru was confused by Shauntal''s message, but when he saw Caitlin''s message, he fell into silence. After a few deep breaths, Hikaru finally replied. "I think¡­ precognition shouldn''t be used like this. So, she foresaw your future and bought everything, then you foresaw her future and came to compete, and in the end, this is what happened." Trying to prevent a prophecy from happening only to end up being a part of its fulfillment¡ªit was a classic paradox. Hikaru sent Caitlin a message, and at the same time, he realized that while he knew she was a wealthy lady, he had never actually asked for her name. "This Calyrex plush is just a prototype. I''m planning to make a new version with plush fabric, so there''s no need to fight over it..." ["This is a very important item to me. I have psychological barriers, and I really like the look of this plush. For any future similar products, I will pay double the price. Please sell it to me first."] ["And besides, shouldn''t later buyers wait in line? I''m not trying to compete, but I know the Psychic-type trainer you''re talking to. Let me speak to him directly."] Hikaru: "?" Wait¡­ Psychic abilities could be used like this? Communicating across different regions through Psychic powers¡ªwas that really possible? Caitlin: ["Of course not! I just foresaw his account and ID¡­ Oh, now I''ve added him as a friend!"] Hikaru: "¡­" So he was overthinking it! On the other end, Caitlin and Shauntal''s conversation was much more straightforward. Caitlin: "Miss Shauntal, I''ve heard of you. I didn''t expect your Psychic powers to be so refined that even I would be foreseen." Shauntal, who had also foreseen her identity, was surprised: "Miss Caitlin¡­ I didn''t expect it to be you. But aren''t you supposed to be in Unova¡­?" "I am in Unova. Through training, I''ve gradually gained full control over my Psychic abilities. So, I''m not going to give up on the Calyrex plush." Caitlin was determined. "This is quite difficult¡­ Young lady, you shouldn''t be so willful¡­ At least let me buy a few." Shauntal sighed. She had heard of Caitlin before. Back when she wasn''t even part of the Elite Four, Caitlin already owned her Battle Castle in Johto. This wealthy young lady had a lot of money! "¡­If you''re willing to pay double, I might consider letting you have a few." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Caitlin didn''t seem willing to lose out. Shauntal immediately understood why and sent a bitter smile emoji. "Ahh, my precognition didn''t work out so well this time. I guess I still need more training." Caitlin replied with a smiling emoji: "Well, that''s what you get for suddenly trying to snatch my item. If you hadn''t used precognition, none of this would''ve happened. The shopkeeper was chatting with me, after all." Shauntal was clearly embarrassed: "Apologies, it really was my fault." But before they could continue, a system notification popped up¡ªboth of their accounts had been added to a new group chat. Hikaru had created a customer group and added the two of them. Hikaru: "This is a customer group. If you want to pre-order Calyrex plushies, you can make reservations here¡­ Oh, and I should add the person who suggested making the plush in the first place." Caitlin: "Oh, I know who that is." She used her precognition and immediately realized the person''s identity. "I see¡­ She really loves plushies. Thanks to her, I was able to get one. If it''s her, I don''t mind giving up some of my pre-order spots." Shauntal: "Oh, it''s her? Yeah, she''s really into plushies. We owe this new product to her!" Hikaru: "?" Stop speaking in riddles, you psychics! Were they just casually using precognition all the time?! Though¡­ overusing Psychic abilities could cause fatigue, right? As Hikaru was organizing the group, another notification popped up. [Psychic Girl has joined the chat.] ["I foresaw that this store has a unique Psychic-type plush, so I found this customer group¡­ I want to buy one."] Another one using precognition¡­ Just as Hikaru was about to type a response, the Psychic Girl preemptively sent another message: ["Those two already foresaw who I am, so it''s fine. They''ll give up some of their spots for me."] Shauntal: ["That''s true. Compared to us, you should be the one getting a Calyrex plush."] Caitlin: ["Oh, it''s you! How have you been feeling lately? The Calyrex plush should be perfect for you!"] Hikaru stared at the chat, feeling like he was the one with psychological issues here. Why did it feel like he was the outsider in this Psychic club?! Silently, he added the Ice-type trainer to the group, hoping that at least they wouldn''t start speaking in riddles. [Ice Plushie]: ["So this is the plushie group¡­ Hey, you''re here too! @Psychic Girl"] Hikaru: "?!" ... Saffron City, Kanto ¨C Saffron Gym A girl with short black hair and an emotionless expression sat inside the Saffron Gym, staring at the customer group chat. Looking at her two fellow Psychic-types and at Lorelei, the former Ice-type Elite Four member, she couldn''t help but let a faint smile creep onto her face. Though she wasn''t great at expressing emotions, sometimes¡ªjust sometimes¡ªwhen she was happy, she smiled. Ever since she received an invitation from Unova, the future seemed to be changing unpredictably. Even this strange plushie¡­ She had tried using precognition on the shopkeeper, but his future kept shifting. Occasionally, she encountered people like that¡ªindividuals whose fates were constantly changing because of the infinite possibilities they held. How many such people had she met? One from Pallet Town, another from New Bark Town¡­ and now, this one. "If I accept the invitation, will my progress as a Pok¨¦mon Trainer stagnate? Before leaving Saffron Gym, I should appoint a temporary Gym Leader¡­ There are many Psychic-related items in the shop, perhaps they could benefit the other Psychic trainers in the gym." "¡­I should face the future with a new mindset. Lorelei is no longer an Elite Four member, and Red has gone to Mt. Silver. Time passes so quickly." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 87 - 87 [1000PS REACHED!!] Pallet Town, Professor Oak''s Laboratory. Professor Oak was studying the various items made by Hikaru, including an ancient statue he had purchased. Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle. "This is truly fascinating. While some artificially crafted tools can provide incredible boosts for Pok¨¦mon, the fact that handmade items can achieve similar effects is astonishing. Just what era did this mysterious craft originate from?" "The Focus Sash, for example¡ªit''s clear that it was sewn together using materials from Pok¨¦mon and common durable fabric. But does its effect stem from an inherent property of the sash itself, or does it bind with the Pok¨¦mon, triggering some latent power within?" "The other items are equally intriguing." "The Pickled Veggies¡ªa doubled portion¡ªcan put a Pok¨¦mon into a heightened state, increasing both Attack and Special Attack while also boosting some defenses. Is this some kind of specialized food? Regular Pok¨¦mon meals don''t have this kind of effect." "Charcoal, an excellent choice for training Fire-type Pok¨¦mon. Protective Pads, which enhance Steel-type energy and prevent contact-based damage¡ªalso quite impressive." "The King''s Rock and the Clear Amulet¡­ This King''s Rock is different from the naturally occurring ones found in the wild, and I''ve never even heard of the Clear Amulet before." Driven by his curiosity and his profession as a researcher, Professor Oak had an urge to purchase all of these items for further study. Even though his primary field of research was the relationship between Pok¨¦mon and humans, maintaining a strong curiosity was a fundamental trait of a good professor. Buying these items wasn''t just about analyzing their "composition"¡ªProfessor Oak was actually quite knowledgeable about natural items. However, things like Evolutionary Stones had long been studied and held little mystery for him. "These sculptures also have a rather interesting design." As Professor Oak pondered, someone entered his laboratory. "Oh! Blue, you''re finally here. Take a look at these fascinating tools I just bought. They should be useful for a Gym Leader like you, right?" The person Professor Oak called over had wild brown hair, a pendant around his neck, a dark jacket, and yellow work pants. "Fascinating tools? Don''t tell me they''re just Evolutionary Stones or something. You called me back just for these?" Blue glanced at the statues near the workbench, as well as some strange-looking cloth strips and charms, looking rather puzzled. "Grandpa, what exactly are you up to? This whole setup is giving me an unsettling feeling." Blue seemed exasperated, and only then did Professor Oak realize how odd the arrangement looked. He chuckled awkwardly. "Ah, my apologies. I didn''t consider that putting these items together might create an eerie atmosphere. They don''t actually have any particular connection to each other." "Anyway, let''s not dwell on that. You''re always traveling¡ªhow are things at the Viridian Gym?" "It''s fine, I guess," Blue shrugged. "Most challengers don''t have much skill. There''s no way they could beat me. I barely even need to give commands¡ªmy Pok¨¦mon can handle them on their own." "Besides, trainers need to collect seven Gym Badges before they can challenge me. Not many can manage that." "Trainers these days just aren''t that strong." Professor Oak laughed. "Come on, you were once a Champion yourself. Don''t be too hard on the rookie trainers." Blue scratched his head, then turned his attention to the various items. "So, what exactly do these do?" Professor Oak pointed to three statues. "First, these sculptures of Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle." "The Charmander statue makes the air noticeably warmer. The Bulbasaur statue promotes plant growth. And the Squirtle statue maintains humidity in the surrounding area." "Huh? They just look like ordinary statues to me," Blue said skeptically. Professor Oak remained silent and simply moved the Squirtle statue aside. Almost immediately, Blue noticed a change¡ªthe air grew warmer and drier. "It actually works?" Blue''s skepticism deepened. "Indeed. These are their effects. But despite appearing ancient, these sculptures are actually modern replicas crafted by an artisan. I only used the statues to introduce you to these other tools." "Now, this¡ªthis is the Focus Sash," Professor Oak said, holding up the orange-red cloth band and explaining its function. Blue''s expression turned odd. "You''re telling me¡­ that this sash can keep a Pok¨¦mon standing through sheer determination? I''ve trained so many Pok¨¦mon, and sure, sometimes, the bond between a Pok¨¦mon and its trainer allows them to push through in a crucial moment¡ªbut that''s the result of years of careful training." "And yet, this sash can do the same thing? That sounds impossible." "But it''s true. I''ve tested it myself," Professor Oak replied seriously. "It''s made from Pok¨¦mon materials and crafted with an extraordinary technique. I''m currently researching how it works." "And then there''s this¡­" Professor Oak introduced Blue to Hikaru''s store. "What?! These items¡ª" Blue furrowed his brows, his eyes filled with astonishment. "Yes, all of these tools were made by the same artisan who runs this shop. Everything I purchased matches the descriptions on the website perfectly. This craftsman seems to have mastered an unknown technique for creating Pok¨¦mon gear. To be honest, I rarely saw trainers using specialized items in battles before now." Professor Oak pondered aloud, "Of course, major corporations have long been developing items for Pok¨¦mon. They''ve produced things like Zoom Lens and Scope Lens, along with unique Pok¨¦ Balls and stat-boosting medicines. But all of those rely on technology to enhance their effects, and they''re quite expensive." "However, if we look at the development of Pok¨¦ Balls, we can see an important pattern. Before modern Pok¨¦ Balls existed, trainers used Apricorn-made Pok¨¦ Balls. Likewise, there must be ancient crafting techniques that remain unknown to us." "And now, those techniques are finally being rediscovered." Blue carefully examined the Focus Sash in his hands, contemplating its function. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Grandpa, I''m taking this Focus Sash with me." "Hah! Go ahead, that''s why I called you over in the first place. I actually have another one here." Professor Oak pulled out another Focus Sash from seemingly nowhere. "Interesting¡­ Pok¨¦mon items, huh? These might have a significant impact on Pok¨¦mon training." Blue opened his Pok¨¦gear and browsed the store''s item descriptions, a smirk forming on his lips. Trainers in the Kanto region were about to have a rough time. If this Focus Sash really worked as described, just imagine their faces when they thought they had defeated his Pok¨¦mon, only for it to endure the hit and keep fighting. The despair on their faces would be priceless. The final Gym Badge wasn''t something a trainer could earn so easily! And even more importantly¡­ if he could get his hands on these items, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe could finally beat Red! "Blue, why are you smiling like that?" Professor Oak asked, puzzled. Blue chuckled. "Oh, nothing. Just thought of something amusing. Grandpa, thanks for calling me over! I can''t wait to test this sash out." "How about a battle right now? Oh, by the way, have you told Red about this yet?" Blue asked while subscribing to Traveler''s Workshop¡ªthe store selling these items. Professor Oak stroked his chin. "No, I haven''t. I haven''t been able to reach him. Are you planning to¡ª" "No! Don''t tell him yet!" Blue''s eyes gleamed. "And don''t tell Leaf either!" If there were incredible new tools to be used, he was going to be the first to enjoy them! But before Blue could continue speaking, the laboratory door swung open once more. A woman with yellow hair and dressed in purple robes stepped inside. "Uh¡­?!" Blue instantly stiffened. He glanced at Professor Oak, then back at the elderly woman, unsure of what to say. "Oh, Oak''s grandson? What are you doing here instead of running Viridian Gym? The challengers have been complaining that their Gym Leader is never around!" "Don''t tell me¡­ you got called here to test out some gadgets?" "Ah, Granny Agatha¡­ yeah, well, I mean¡ªGrandpa did call me back." Blue scratched his head awkwardly, then shot Professor Oak a mischievous grin. "Well then, I''ll leave you two to talk! I''m heading out now!" And with that, Blue bolted from the lab like a fleeing Rattata. Agatha turned to look at Professor Oak. "It''s been a while, Agatha. I didn''t expect you to actually accept my invitation," Oak greeted with a smile. Agatha, however, remained indifferent. "Hmph. You old fool, always cooped up in this place. And you didn''t even invite me for a battle¡ªhow disappointing." "You claim to be all about Pok¨¦mon research, and now you''re suddenly interested in items?" Professor Oak laughed awkwardly. "Haha¡­ Well, these are things I''ve never seen before, so I got curious. Besides, they are closely related to Pok¨¦mon research." Agatha sighed. "Enough talk. Where''s the stuff?" Professor Oak quickly pointed at the charms on the table. "These. I figured that, as a former member of the Elite Four, you might be able to help me analyze them." "Elite Four? I''m not part of them anymore. Quit dragging up old news," Agatha scoffed. "You really don''t keep up with information, do you, you old coot?" Professor Oak scratched his head in embarrassment. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Agatha picked up the two charms and examined them briefly. "Hah! These? They''re just basic spiritual talismans¡ªa Purifying Charm and a Cursed Charm." "But¡­ the way the spiritual energy is applied¡­" She frowned. "This is highly unusual. No, I''ve never seen anything like it before." "Huh? My Gengar is trembling?" Agatha sensed an unusual reaction from the Pok¨¦ Ball at her waist. Her eyes immediately lit up with intrigue. Perhaps¡­ being called here wasn''t such a bad idea after all. But as she continued observing, her expression grew more serious. "Hey, old man. I don''t recognize the technique used for these charms, but I have a bad feeling about this. The spiritual energy inscribed on them is basic, yet it doesn''t seem to follow any known human summoning methods." "This is just my speculation, but¡­ the knowledge used in these charms might be related to the Spirit World." "And that raises an important question¡ªjust who exactly created these?!" Professor Oak smiled. "Oh, just a rather unusual craftsman. Here, I''ll send you the link to his shop." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 88 - 88 "So, what the hell is going on? I didn''t manage to get any of the charms again!" Deep within some ruins in the Paldea Region, Raifort looked at her Pok¨¦dex with frustration. Displayed on the screen was Hikaru''s shop, and once again, the Cleanse Tag and Spell Tag were completely sold out! She had barely managed to snag a dozen before they were all gone! "Who the hell keeps buying these charms? I finally found a treasure trove of a shop, and now I have to fight off hordes of other buyers for these useful charms! Can''t those psychics just make their own?" "Charms like these should be used properly! People like me, who frequently venture into ruins to claim valuable treasures, constantly face the risk of curses. Tomb raiding is a life-threatening profession¡ªwho else could possibly need these charms more than me?" Beside her, Gengar and Zoroark were snickering. They were Raifort''s Pok¨¦mon, having accompanied her on countless ruin expeditions, but this was the first time they had seen her this frustrated. "Gengaa!" Gengar patted Raifort on the shoulder, as if to say, This happens all the time! Not being able to grab a popular item was just how things worked¡­ Wait, hold on! She did manage to get some! "I only got a dozen! That''s nowhere near enough! These charms are single-use consumables! Of course, I need to stock up on a few hundred of them¡ªsome ruins are absolutely crawling with curses!" ... Celestic Town Cynthia held a Pure Incense in her hands and handed it to an elderly woman¡ªher grandmother, Professor Carolina. "Oh my, this does indeed resemble the craftsmanship of ancient charms! The carving style, the way the outer shell and the core form a complete amulet... Could this be the true nature of ancient protective charms?" Professor Carolina carefully examined the amulet before looking up at Cynthia. "So, you''re planning to head to the Johto Region for further investigation?" "Yes¡­ but I need to handle a few matters first. It''ll take some time," Cynthia said seriously. "And it''s not just the Johto Region¡ªI ultimately aim to reach Shinto." "The forgotten ancient land¡­ It shares remarkable similarities with the ancient Sinnoh. I confirmed this through discussions with Professor Rowan." "But before that, I need to conduct research on this amulet. So far, we''ve discovered that it''s made from an unidentified stone and a strange crystal. The amulet emits a constant, faint energy signature¡ªone that closely resembles the ability Clear Body in certain Pok¨¦mon." "Additionally, the peculiar engravings on the amulet seem to be channeling a mysterious energy." "If I do go to Shinto, I''ll return as soon as possible. Team Galactic appears to be up to something. Though they haven''t made any obvious moves yet, I have a feeling they''re plotting something major¡­ Not to mention, the organization itself has always been strange." "I came across records in ancient texts¡ªthere once existed a group also called ''Team Galactic'' in the past. I wonder if there''s any connection between them and the current organization." "Is that so? If you''re planning to go, then take this with you," Professor Carolina said, retrieving another amulet. It bore some resemblance to ancient protective charms, but there was something distinctly different about it. "This is a Safety Charm, an artifact passed down from ancient Sinnoh. It was crafted as an offering to a deity, and the materials used include the now-rare Sky Blue Jade." "In terms of carving techniques, it also shares similarities with this Pure Incense." "If possible, invite the owner of that shop to Celestic Town. Perhaps they can help restore the lost craftsmanship of our ancient protective charms." Cynthia nodded with a smile. "Understood, I''ll extend the invitation." Professor Carolina suddenly recalled something and added, "Oh, and one more thing!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I saw an item called ''Double-Pickled Vegetables'' in his shop, but it''s sold out! If possible, could you bring some back for me? And if you can get the recipe, even better!" ... Veilstone City, Sinnoh "Ohhh! Charcoal that burns hotter than Oak Woods'' charcoal?!" "A special item that enhances Fire-type moves? Every Fire-type expert is after this!" In Veilstone City, a man with a bright red afro and a yellow jacket was staring at Hikaru''s shop interface. He was none other than Flint, one of Sinnoh''s Elite Four and a Fire-type specialist. While he was somewhat interested in items like Shell Bell and Focus Sash, what truly caught his eye was an item called Scorching Charcoal! "A tool that boosts Fire-type moves, and if carried long-term, even strengthens Fire-type Pok¨¦mon themselves?! This is practically tailor-made for me!" Beside him stood Volkner, the Gym Leader of Sunyshore City. He had yellow hair, wore a blue jacket, and was both Flint''s close friend and a powerful trainer in his own right. "Where did you even find this shop?" Volkner asked, eyeing Flint skeptically. Flint grinned broadly. "I found it myself! I heard that Johto''s Oak Charcoal was famous, so I did some searching on my own!" "Pretty good find, huh? Don''t feel too bad¡ªthis shop''s owner regularly restocks strange and amazing items. Just look at these Glass Whistles! I had only ever heard about the Hoenn Region''s Glass Whistles, but those don''t have all these unique effects!" "If my whole team equips this Scorching Charcoal, I''ll finally move up the Elite Four rankings! Maybe I''ll even get the chance to challenge Cynthia! Just thinking about it gets me all fired up!" Volkner rubbed his chin thoughtfully before quickly clicking the purchase button. These unusual items were definitely worth getting. While Magnet was still the best pure damage booster for Electric moves, this Lightning Glass Whistle had two additional effects. "Lightning Glass Whistle¡ªwhen blown by a Trainer or Pok¨¦mon, it enhances electrical energy perception, making it easier to train Electric-type Pok¨¦mon. While in this heightened state, the user is immune to critical hits." "Electrical energy¡­ Could this be referring to free electrons in the natural environment? If this whistle helps concentrate and harness electrical power, then it really might surpass the Magnet in certain ways." "This could be great for training Electric Pok¨¦mon." Just as Flint dreamed of challenging Cynthia and becoming Sinnoh''s new Champion, Volkner had his own ambition¡ªto take down an Elite Four member and rise in the rankings. Unfortunately, recent challengers had been too weak, leaving him feeling uninspired. But now, with this new equipment¡­ things might get interesting again. But that didn''t matter¡ªrecently, a few young challengers had arrived, and with their battles, Volkner had found new motivation. As a Gym Leader, he had to accept the reality that challengers would have varying levels of skill. He needed to set his sights on greater goals! ... Galar Region, Outside Motostoke City, Second Mine A slightly graying man was breathing heavily, standing beside a Pok¨¦mon with a long, centipede-like body that blazed with flames. He was Kabu, the Gym Leader of Motostoke City, and the Pok¨¦mon at his side was his partner, Centiskorch. Centiskorch, a Fire/Bug-type Pok¨¦mon, had a body segmented into twelve parts, glowing red with a dark brown dorsal side. Flames burned from both ends of its body, and its underbelly housed yellow heating elements. It had ten pairs of legs that gave it a formidable appearance. Since the Second Mine was home to many Water-type Pok¨¦mon, Kabu often trained his team here. However, lately, he had been experiencing too many losses in battles, leading to a shift in his mindset. Despite undergoing intense training, he continued to lose to challengers. While part of it was due to him holding back on purpose, his Pok¨¦mon shouldn''t have been this weak, even with that consideration. "Ku..." Beside him, Centiskorch also seemed to be feeling down, which Kabu immediately noticed. He comforted it at once. "It''s alright, my friend. We will continue to grow stronger. This defeat is only temporary. Next time, we''ll work even harder." "Ku!" Centiskorch nodded firmly. It would keep going, always believing in Kabu. However, after reassuring his Pok¨¦mon, Kabu himself felt uncertain. Could it be that his training methods were flawed? Maybe the problem wasn''t his Pok¨¦mon, but himself? "Training Fire-type Pok¨¦mon..." Holding onto a glimmer of hope, Kabu opened his Pok¨¦dex and searched for training resources. Back when he was a trainer in the Hoenn Region, he had learned many Fire-type Pok¨¦mon training techniques from a Fire-type Elite Four member who had mentored him. Later, in pursuit of becoming stronger, he had left Hoenn and traveled to the distant Galar Region for intensive training. Eventually, he became the Motostoke Gym Leader¡ªbut many years had passed since then. Had he grown too old? Were his training methods outdated? Kabu chuckled bitterly as he browsed through Fire-type training items on his Pok¨¦dex. Maybe he should start purchasing more Charcoal to strengthen his Pok¨¦mon. "Hm? What''s this?" "Scorching Charcoal?" He had stumbled upon an unusual online shop. The number of products wasn''t vast, but the descriptions were strange¡ªso much so that they almost felt unreal. One particular item, Scorching Charcoal, caught Kabu''s attention. "Charcoal from Oak Woods? Right, now that I think about it, the most famous charcoal comes from the Johto Region''s Oak Woods." "Hoenn''s Lavaridge Town also has a well-known charcoal-making technique, but due to differences in materials, the effectiveness varies significantly." "Boosts the power of Fire-type moves significantly. When held for long periods, it increases the Fire-type energy of Pok¨¦mon and enhances their potential...?" "Is Oak Woods'' Charcoal really this powerful?" Kabu hesitated and searched for more information about Oak Woods'' Charcoal, but unfortunately, the charcoal shop there didn''t offer online purchases, only selling in physical stores. After careful consideration, Kabu placed an order, deciding to test it out. The price was a bit steep, but if it truly had the effects described, it might be exactly what he needed. ... Johto Region ¨C Blackthorn City, Dragon''s Den Deep inside Dragon''s Den, a red-haired youth was also browsing through Hikaru''s shop on his Pok¨¦dex. He had been training alongside his Pok¨¦mon when, by chance, he came across this battle equipment shop during a search. After scanning through the inventory, he made a thoughtful decision and purchased the "Double-Pickled Vegetables." ... Unova Region ¨C Mistralton City, Fashion Street High-Rise Battle Company, 55th Floor A man, dressed like a janitor, was scrolling through his Pok¨¦dex. He was no ordinary janitor¡ªhe was actually the CEO of Battle Company, known as Geoff. Initially, he had only intended to look up battle-related data to gather public feedback for updating a virtual battle simulator. However, instead, he had stumbled upon something far more interesting. "What a fascinating discovery..." This online shop''s items¡­ what exactly are they?! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 89 - 89 Shinto ¨C Traveler''s Workshop As the sun set, all Pok¨¦mon¡ªexcept Regirock¡ªhad gathered inside the house. Due to its massive body width and the protruding stone pillars on its back, Regirock couldn''t fit through the front entrance of the workshop and had to enter through the forge''s back door instead. It then settled inside the forge to rest. Meanwhile, Hikaru and the Pok¨¦mon worked together to transport stone materials into the supernatural room. The stock of Spirit Cloth placed here was nearly depleted, and the high-quality cloth ordered online had yet to arrive. Hikaru would have to restock from the village in the meantime. Carefully unwrapping a tightly bundled Spirit Cloth, he revealed several stacks of blank paper, two thin notebooks, ink, and a fountain pen. Over the past few days, wrapped in the Spirit Cloth, these items had gradually absorbed spiritual energy. Additionally, Hikaru had placed Spell Tags around the room to enhance its supernatural energy. As a result, from the outside, this fourth room now looked eerie and ominous. Recalling a recent custom order from a Unova client requesting a Chandelure crystal sculpture, Hikaru decided to work on it here. After finishing the stone transport, Hikaru also placed a wooden table inside the room to serve as a workbench. Then, he picked up the stack of spiritual paper¡ªonly for them to suddenly start flying on their own! There was no one controlling them. It was as if they had become possessed, resembling the haunted locations in games where books would start flying by themselves! "Yoooo~" Doublade let out an excited cry, floating up into the air to join the dancing papers. Was this¡­ Swords Dance? No, wait¡ªits blades hadn''t even been drawn! Hikaru sighed in relief and quickly shouted, "Don''t cut up the paper!" Also¡­ why did it suddenly start dancing?! "Yoop~" Doublade responded affirmatively, while Lilligant appeared intrigued by the unexpected dance. Without hesitation, she stepped into the center of the room. Since the room was spacious and mostly empty, she could twirl freely without knocking anything over. Amid the fluttering spiritual papers, Lilligant performed an elegant dance, while Doublade spun in the air, seemingly accompanying her. The spectacle left Turtwig and Unown-E utterly mesmerized! Turtwig, in particular, gazed in awe. Then, it began fantasizing about itself dancing¡­ Smack! Dream failed. Turtwig quickly realized that its sturdy body made dancing look ridiculous. Its expression fell into utter disappointment (¨i©n¨i). "I swear I just heard the sound of a dream shattering," Hikaru muttered, noticing Turtwig''s dejected mood. "Nah..." Turtwig sighed, disheartened. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Unown-E had a brilliant idea¡ªperhaps it could use Hidden Power to help Turtwig achieve its fantasy? ¡­but after thinking it through, it decided against it. Yeah¡­ that''d be a little too absurd. Instead, Unown-E joined the floating spiritual papers, spinning in midair alongside Doublade, making itself part of the unexpected spectral dance party. Watching the crestfallen Turtwig, Hikaru suddenly had an idea. "Lilligant, could you teach Turtwig ''Grass Knot''?" "Nah?" Turtwig looked at Hikaru in confusion. Hikaru smiled and explained, "Grass Knot is a move you can learn, and it involves light and nimble footwork to boost your speed. If you master it, your dancing will look much more graceful!" "The key to dancing isn''t speed¡ªit''s footwork." Lilligant elegantly stepped forward, demonstrating precise rhythmic foot movements. The tap-tap of her graceful steps intertwined with her fluid body movements, creating an almost hypnotic visual harmony. At the same time, a stat-boosting aura surrounded her¡ªGrass Knot was activating! "Nah!" Turtwig''s eyes sparkled like twinkling stars. It was completely enchanted and immediately started mimicking Lilligant''s footwork. Though Turtwig had four legs, making the movement slightly awkward at times, it quickly found joy in the process. Before long, it was dancing alongside the others, fully immersed in the rhythm. Then¡ª Hikaru suddenly noticed something happening to Doublade! A stat-boosting aura surrounded it as well! ¡ºDoublade learned Swords Dance!¡» "¡­Huh?" While accompanying Lilligant''s dance, Doublade had unknowingly learned Swords Dance! Even Doublade itself seemed surprised. However, it continued spinning even faster, now surrounded by glowing blue swords. Its Attack stat had skyrocketed! Finally, under Lilligant''s lead, the impromptu "Spectral Dance Party" came to a graceful end. The Pok¨¦mon gathered around, laughing and chatting excitedly¡ªclearly not ready for the fun to be over. Turtwig, after this experience, had grown closer to everyone. It had also mastered a more fluid movement style! At that moment, a notification appeared in Hikaru''s mind. ¡ºTurtwig learned Grass Knot!¡» It actually worked! "Learning moves through dance¡­ Lilligant''s teaching method is extremely effective¡ªinstant results!" Hikaru mused. Which meant¡­ "Lilligant¡­" ¡ºLilligant learned Coaching!¡» "So that''s how it works!" Hikaru smiled knowingly. Lilligant had an innate talent for teaching, which allowed her to learn Coaching¡ªa move that boosted the Attack and Defense stats of all allies through proper and effective guidance. Looks like she''ll be "Coach Lilligant" from now on! Despite being the one usually teaching Lilligant in matters of sculpting, it seemed that Doublade had somehow ended up learning Coaching from being guided instead. Now that Hikaru thought about it, Lilligant''s dancing skills were probably good enough to win prizes in Contests or Performance Tournaments. Hikaru gave it some thought before clapping his hands. "Alright! Now that the dance party is over, let''s get to work." Since he had knowledge of spiritual energy, Hikaru used his spiritual control to recall all the floating papers back into his hands. If anyone saw him manipulating papers midair, they would be shocked¡ªafter all, people with spiritual abilities weren''t common! As he pondered this, a system notification appeared in his mind. [Rare Material: Spirit Paper] [Description: While originally just ordinary paper, it has been infused with an immense amount of supernatural energy, transforming into a unique spirit-infused item. It may sometimes float around randomly, but ultimately, nothing significant will happen.] Looking at the floating notebooks, another notification appeared. [Crafted Item: Spirit Notebook] [Description: Once an ordinary notebook, now imbued with spiritual energy. Effect ¨C Burst of Inspiration: While holding this notebook, one may uncontrollably experience creative visions. It could stimulate inspiration, but writing those visions down will slightly drain one''s life force.] "As expected¡­ Anything related to Ghost-types always drains life force." Hikaru couldn''t help but recall when he first obtained Honedge, back when it was still categorized as a crafted item¡ªit, too, had a life-draining effect. Even the fountain pen and ink left in the room had been transformed into spiritual items, their effects causing written words or drawings to create mild illusions or instill fear. That was simply the nature of supernatural artifacts! "So that''s what that customer meant¡­ Spending too much time with Ghost Pok¨¦mon had caused their manuscripts to become ''possessed''... No wonder they''re a novelist!" "A spirit-infused notebook that sparks inspiration, huh? The side effects make it unsuitable for most people, though." Hikaru retrieved some dark-colored bookbinding materials. Since these items needed to be shipped safely, he used ordinary materials for the outer book covers. Otherwise, if the books started floating mid-shipment, he could already imagine a delivery Charizard filing a complaint against him. Then, he began binding some of the spirit-infused papers into books. There were many binding styles, but Hikaru chose a hardcover design¡ªusing cardboard, fabric, and leather for reinforcement. The spine was squared, making it suitable for books up to 20mm thick. A new system notification appeared. [Crafted Item: Square-Spine Spirit Tome (Hardcover Edition)] [Description: A spirit-infused tome capable of recording anything. Through precise bookbinding techniques, the nature of the Spirit Paper has been altered, granting it unique properties.] [Special Effect ¨C Soul Affinity: Writing or drawing the name or image of a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon increases friendship with that Pok¨¦mon. The holder becomes more attuned to ghostly energy, making it easier to remain calm in eerie environments.] [For those with weak constitutions or susceptible to ghostly influences, holding this tome can improve their spiritual and physical well-being.] "A book that benefits both spirit-sensitive people and those affected by ghosts¡­" Hikaru placed the freshly bound Spirit Tome on the workbench. Immediately, Doublade was the first to float over, drawn to the tome''s gentle and soothing spiritual energy. Unlike the usual restless and eerie ghostly energy, the power emanating from this book felt serene and stable. "This is the power of books¡­ refining the heart and soul." Hikaru murmured, then suddenly realized¡ªperhaps the tome''s ability to calm spirits stemmed from its "idealistic" nature? After all, the Pok¨¦mon world was full of phenomena driven by belief. Changing the form of an object could alter how its power flowed, producing entirely new effects. "Well¡­ At least I didn''t accidentally create something like a Death Note." Hikaru chuckled to himself, then turned his focus to his next task¡ªsculpting the Chandelure crystal statue. "Yoouuu~!" Doublade''s blades gleamed¡ªit was ready! "Yoouuu~!" Now that it had just learned Swords Dance, it wanted to combine Swords Dance with Psycho Cut to see if it could enhance carving precision and efficiency! Seeing its enthusiasm, Hikaru glanced at the stone slabs¡ªthere were plenty of extra materials. "If you want to give it a shot¡­ then go ahead." "Doublade, use Swords Dance, then carefully execute Psycho Cut to carve this design." Hikaru showed it a reference image of Chandelure. After staring at the picture for a moment, Doublade froze. Then, it suddenly spoke up in exasperation. "Wait a second¡ªChandelure is a Ghost-type too¡­ But it also looks like a household item! That means it''s my kind of doppelg?nger!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 90 - 90 "How is that possible? You''re not a household item." "Y¨­wu~ (But a thousand years ago, I was a household item.)" Hikaru couldn''t refute that. A thousand years ago, people indeed carried weapons with them at all times! Doublade let out a joyful sound, humming a work tune. Hikaru had no idea where it had picked up such a melody. At that moment, Doublade first performed Swords Dance, and then its eyes glowed with psychic energy. Countless strands of psychic threads began to materialize, spreading out like a web around the stone materials! Doublade manipulated these sharp psychic threads to efficiently cut and shape the stone. It had already practiced well when cutting fabric last time. Even when Hikaru wasn''t watching, it would practice its Psycho Cut, trying to refine its psychic abilities. There was actually a simple method to enhance psychic power¡ªmeditation. However, Doublade''s form couldn''t learn the move Calm Mind. But perhaps, through long-term work, it could eventually learn the move? Doublade had once entertained this fantasy. Under Doublade''s control, the stone was quickly being sculpted into the shape of a Pok¨¦mon. Watching this process, Hikaru was reminded of laser cutting. Maybe if Psycho Cut was refined well enough, it could even achieve "laser engraving" in the future? Psychic abilities were truly convenient! Hikaru had thought this more than once. "Y¨­wu~" Doublade''s eyes gradually dimmed as its psychic energy waned. The threads formed by Psycho Cut could no longer maintain their solid form, rapidly diminishing before vanishing completely. This was the most precise level of control it could manage with its psychic power for now. "You did an amazing job¡ªI''m not just saying that. I''ll take it from here." Hikaru picked up the carving tools just as Lilligant''s gaze fell upon him. She had wanted to learn carving for a while, but her attempts using Leaf Blade had resulted in rough, unrefined sculptures. And she couldn''t use Doublade''s Psycho Cut technique either. So, Lilligant watched Hikaru''s carving process intently. She might not be able to learn it completely, but at least she could pick up some skills. "Oh? You want to learn my carving technique? Feel free to watch." Hikaru noticed Lilligant''s focused gaze and deliberately slowed his carving speed. Bit by bit, the shape of a Pok¨¦mon gradually emerged from the sculpture, radiating an ancient aura. Finally, embedding an Ancient Rock into the sculpture completed the piece. The gemstone was placed in the eye sockets, resembling Chandelure''s two round, yellow eyes. [Artifact: Small ''Ancient Statue''¡ªShinto Ruins Style] [Description: A replica styled after ancient craftsmanship. The figure is that of Chandelure.] [Effect: Spirit Lantern¡ªWhen infused with Ghost-type energy, it ignites a Will-O-Wisp, providing illumination while enhancing the activity of surrounding Ghost-type energy and spirits.] Who would use Will-O-Wisp for lighting? And from a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, no less! "So, it really is a lamp. Just a rather eerie one. Infusing Ghost-type energy to ignite it¡­ isn''t that basically ''absorbing'' and ''burning'' souls?" "At least it can be manually turned on and off. Otherwise, this would be way too dangerous to sell as a regular product." Hikaru opened his Pok¨¦gear and sent a message to his client in Unova. ["The eerie books, notebooks, and sculpture are all completed."] S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After sending the message, Hikaru had another thought. He opened one of his chat accounts and once again found the "Create Business Group" option. His last group was full of Psychic-types specialists. Aside from those precognitive-obsessed folks, without a doubt, the next most well-informed group of clients would be the spiritualists. Morty had been helping him advertise his products while also seemingly acting as a large-scale buyer, purchasing many talismans himself. "Many spiritualists have a high demand for talismans. Since that''s the case, I might as well create another business group and invite all my clients interested in Ghost-type items." Hikaru quickly recommended the group to his Unovan client, who seemed surprised: ["The shopkeeper finished so quickly?! Also, what''s this group about?"] "This is a business group. Since there are many buyers of Ghost-type items, I added you all here. That way, when I have new Ghost-related products, you can reserve them in advance." "Honestly, I didn''t expect Ghost-type items to be my best-selling products." Hikaru invited several frequent buyers of Ghost-type goods, including Morty and Ancient Explorer, as well as a client in Hoenn, who seemed to be Phoebe. This client didn''t appear to be online often, and their username was [Wandering Night Spirit]. In addition, several new customers, recommended by Matsuba, were also invited. Hikaru believed that the more customers, the better. [Clairvoyant]: "Oh! With this group, I can immediately know when new Ghost-type products are available. The talismans I bought last time are still working great!" [Ancient Explorer]: "So you''re the one who bought all the talismans¡­ Using the word ''procurement''¡ªare you bulk-buying them like wholesale goods?" [Soul Novelist]: "No wonder the items were out of stock! Leave some for the rest of us!" [Clairvoyant]: "Ah¡­ I didn''t expect my bulk purchases to cause trouble for everyone. Next time, I''ll buy fewer. But more importantly, the shopkeeper should make more! Oh, and I''ll send you some Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon materials. I''ve confirmed with my unique spiritual sense that you have a Ghost Pok¨¦mon, right?" [Traveler]: "Oh, thank you! And thanks for recommending my shop to other spiritualists. But honestly¡­ your ability feels a lot like precognition." [Clairvoyant]: "Well, spiritual power is just another form of psychic power, after all!" [Ancient Explorer]: "Hmph, so you''re using that method to secure first dibs? Well, I have even better items¡ªa collection of cursed antiques tainted with ominous and terrifying curses, overflowing with Ghost energy. Shopkeeper, are you interested in buying them?" [Traveler]: "That sounds like a straight-up hazardous item¡­ But now that you mention it, I''m kind of interested." [Ancient Explorer]: "Dangerous antiques are the most intriguing, don''t you think? Also, speaking of recommendations, I won''t lose. You remember that Bourgeois guy who bought from you? I casually mentioned your craftsmanship to him, and he was instantly fascinated." So, Mr. Bourgeois was introduced by Ancient Explorer! Hikaru had just uncovered the source of yet another client. [Wandering Night Spirit]: "Trainers from Mt. Pyre, paranormal enthusiasts, and even spirits love your talismans. But, uh¡­ my internet connection here is terrible. Mt. Pyre is quite a remote place." [Soul Novelist]: "Wait, did you say spirits?!" [Wandering Night Spirit]: "Yes, after purchasing your talismans recently, many wandering spirits have gathered around Mt. Pyre. Thanks to the shopkeeper''s Purification Talisman, they have been able to pass on. The spirits spread the word to one another, which is why they''ve gathered here. Your talismans function very similarly to the Spirit Realm Cloth!" [Soul Novelist]: "Whoa, whoa! This sounds just like something out of a novel! Are you saying you can actually see spirits?!" [Clairvoyant]: "Not just communing with spirits but actually seeing them? A natural-born medium? And Mt. Pyre... could it be that you''re Phoebe, the Hoenn Elite Four member? This is the first time I''ve seen you with this account!" [Wandering Night Spirit]: "Hehe, well, even the League needs communication channels when summoning its members. You must be Morty, from Ecruteak City! I''ve heard a lot about you." [Ancient Explorer]: "Hoenn''s Elite Four? Someone with strong spiritual powers¡­ sounds like you''d be useful for dispelling curses and vengeful spirits from antiques." It seemed that a powerful medium naturally attracted attention. Once Morty exposed Phoebe''s identity, the group chat suddenly became lively with people chiming in! Some even used their profession as their username¡ªprayer masters, shamans, spirit mediums, and exorcists¡ªall excitedly bombarding Wandering Night Spirit with questions about her training methods! Hikaru couldn''t help but think that his business group had turned into a paranormal study forum. Then, a user with the ID [Prayer Master Mukae (Official)] spoke up: "I''ve heard the shopkeeper is also a natural-born medium. How do you train your abilities? Is it because of your strong spiritual energy that you''re able to craft such unique talismans? Your spirit power seems different from others." Prayer Master Mukae¡­ Hikaru found the name somewhat familiar. Prayer masters were rare among trainers, and this one had a distinct name, so he had remembered it. If he recalled correctly, Mukae was a female trainer from Saffron City Gym in Kanto. Wait¡ªwhy would a Ghost-type trainer be working at a Psychic-type Gym? Hikaru thought for a moment before replying: "I died once. Or rather, I had a near-death experience. The place I live in now also has a haunted room. Maybe that''s why my spiritual energy is unique." And that was the truth. He had, in fact, died once. Well, if he counted both his past and present selves, that would make it twice, actually. His response sent shockwaves through the group. [Prayer Master Mukae]: "I''ve heard of people gaining spirit-world powers after a near-death experience, but¡­ are you saying that''s how you got yours?!!!" Three exclamation marks emphasized her shock. Soon, other mediums flooded the chat with messages¡ªexclamations of "resurrected from death", "unrepeatable phenomenon", "living with ghosts", "I want to try it", "Would that count as suicide?", and "A new urban legend about mysterious deaths?" Hikaru started sweating nervously. If Officer Jenny or Interpol saw this conversation, they might think it was some kind of murder cult discussion group. [Wandering Night Spirit]: "Ah, so you should be able to see spirits as well. Your soul must be incredibly strong if even the spirit world couldn''t take you. If you ever visit Hoenn, please come to Mt. Pyre! I''d love to witness your unique spiritual power firsthand!" [Soul Novelist]: "Hold on¡ªwasn''t this supposed to be a business group? Why is it turning into a paranormal studies forum?!" Finally, someone had steered the conversation back on track, and Hikaru felt relieved. [Traveler]: "If any of you have Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon materials, feel free to send them to me. I''ll craft them into special products. For example, my newest item, the ''Fear Glass Whistle,'' is excellent for training Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon. I''ll offer a discount on these since you''re supplying the materials¡ªjust a small processing fee." "I''ll be adding more unique items in the future, so stay tuned!" "@Soul Novelist, regarding the eerie notebook you requested, I''ve also made a special paranormal journal. If you''d like me to illustrate it with spirit-infused craftsmanship, the effect is¡­ well, let''s just say it might be unsettling for the reader." [Soul Novelist]: "Whoa! That sounds like the perfect prop for me! And it can create ghostly hallucinations? My current notebook doesn''t have that feature!" Meanwhile, in Unova, Shauntal was no longer at Caitlin''s villa¡ªafter all, that massive Snorlax statue had completely smothered her creative inspiration. Seeing Hikaru''s message, she excitedly tossed her old notebook into the air. A novel that could immerse readers in ghostly hallucinations? This was a revolutionary breakthrough in the literary world! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 91 - 91 On July 4th, the weather was clear. Hikaru woke up early, grabbed his tools, and headed to the open area outside. Regirock stood there, staring blankly at the wildflowers by the roadside. It remained motionless until Hikaru appeared, at which point it happily made a sound and raised its arm. Was it greeting him? Its voice was distinctly mechanical, yet this time, it clearly expressed joy. Was it happy because it could help humans again? Or was it because it had found a new friend? Hikaru wasn''t sure, nor did he particularly care. The bond between him and his Pok¨¦mon would develop over time. Even with all his knowledge, emotions couldn''t be nurtured overnight. Lilligant tended to the berries, and when she looked up and saw a green berry, she excitedly ran over to inform Hikaru. The Micle Berries had ripened! "Oh, I can make a Rare Candy now!" Hikaru picked the Micle Berries, and perhaps due to the knowledge he had gained about berries, these ones had grown exceptionally large and plump, with quite a generous yield! Before Daigo arrived, Hikaru decided to prepare the Rare Candy. But before that¡­ He had Regirock help transport some stones, assigned Lilligant to continue tending to the herbs, sent Doublade to collect firewood, and then returned to his house to turn on the computer. As expected, the Ancient Bracelets had sold well. Other items like Charcoal, Focus Sash, Cleanse Tag, Spell Tag, Old Wooden Sculpture, Twice-Pickled Vegetables, and Glass Whistle had also received a decent number of orders. The sheer number of customer IDs made Hikaru''s eyes blur. [Burning Passion], [Lightning Expert], [Riddle Master]; [Fiery Enthusiasm], [Endless Flames], [Heart of Fear]¡­ A lot of them seemed to be Fire-type trainers, huh? It looked like his Charcoal was a particularly successful product, attracting many trainers skilled in Fire-type moves. Some customers even left unique messages and emails. [The Awakened]: "...Did you know? The move Hidden Power can actually be discovered through meditation. In other words, everyone has the potential to possess Hidden Power. I awakened mine at the Lake of Rage through meditation, and now, I''m sharing this with you." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Your product is incredibly useful to me. I foresaw this through Future Sight, so I''ve already purchased it. Consider this my advance gratitude¡ªjust accept it." "Comprehension and Application of Hidden Power".PDF Hikaru was stunned. After downloading the file, he realized it was an actual guide on how to train psychic abilities! No¡ªit wasn''t just about psychic abilities. The first step was to grasp the corresponding mental energy through meditation, and only then could one begin learning Hidden Power. Hikaru recalled something. At the Lake of Rage in the Johto region, there was a strange, chubby man who could be found in the upper left corner of the lake during high tide by using Surf. He would give out the TM for Hidden Power and tell the player that this power could be unlocked through meditation! Yes¡ªHidden Power was actually a move humans could use! Like Aura or Psychic powers, it wasn''t exclusive to Pok¨¦mon; humans could learn it as well. However, across the entire Pok¨¦mon game series, that one chubby man was the only person who had ever demonstrated mastering Hidden Power through meditation. "This ''Awakened'' person is incredibly generous¡­ I haven''t even shipped his order yet." Hikaru muttered, feeling increasingly numb to how often psychics casually used Future Sight in daily life. He added the person as a friend, intending to invite them into the Doll Collectors'' Group, only to realize they were already in it! Seriously? Just like that ''Psychic Girl''? Or had someone else invited him in? Hikaru checked the group''s total members¡ªone more than before! Even though he hadn''t sent an invite, these people had somehow found the group number and joined through unknown means. Psychic powers sure were convenient¡­ A new ID caught his eye¡ª[Meaning of Existence]. Just from the name alone, it seemed like this person had some kind of psychological burden. Hikaru messaged him: "You also want a Calyrex plushie? Another case of Future Sight?" After a brief silence, the other person replied with a simple: "Mm." However, within the group chat, the other psychics seemed curious about these two newcomers. Unsurprisingly, the habitual abuser of Future Sight, Elite Four Grimsley, was the first to speak up: [@Meaning of Existence]: "I sense that your psychic abilities are extremely powerful¡­ The future is difficult to foresee when it comes to you. Your strength far surpasses mine. How exactly did you train?" [Meaning of Existence]: "¡­Don''t use Future Sight to pry into others. That''s a terrible habit. My psychic abilities are innate. Unless necessary, I don''t plan on interacting with you all much. Please understand." [Grimsley]: "No, no¡ªsorry, I didn''t directly pry." [Caitlin]: "Hah~ This is troublesome. Grimsley, you really should try to curb your habit of overusing Future Sight every once in a while." [Grimsley]: "¡­I just suddenly had a strange feeling." [Meaning of Existence]: "It''s probably because my presence unsettled you. The internet can transmit not just spiritual energy but also psychic power. Since you''re actively training Future Sight, you instinctively sought me out. In reality, the problem lies with me. Now that you understand this, the misunderstanding should be resolved. But as I said before, unless absolutely necessary, I''d rather not interact with you all." [Caitlin]: "So even among psychics, there are people like you. It''s fine. This is just a shopping group, after all. Everyone is here just to buy things." [The Awakened]: "Hoohoo¡­ For psychics, meditation is far more important than chatting in groups¡­ Today, I shall meditate once more¡­ Hoohoo¡­" [Psychic Girl]: "I understand your feelings. I also used to dislike social interactions, but some things in life can''t be avoided. If you ever have any mental struggles, you can talk to me." [Meaning of Existence]: "Thank you for your kindness. Let''s end today''s conversation here." The conversation between the psychics wrapped up quickly. However, there was still one non-psychic in the group. [Ice Doll]: "¡­Why are there so many psychics in this group? Isn''t this supposed to be a plushie collection group?" At this moment, Hikaru completely agreed with that sentiment. The second message he received was from Dragon''s Messenger. [Dragon''s Messenger]: "Thank you so much for the Focus Sash last time! I apologize for not sending a message sooner¡ªI was too focused on my training. It wasn''t until my Focus Sash wore out that I remembered I hadn''t left a review. As expected, my bond with my Pok¨¦mon is unbreakable. Your item not only reinforced that realization but also helped me defeat one of the most important rivals in my life!" "Your items are truly useful, so I plan to recommend them to other Dragon-type trainers. It''s only right for a loyal customer like me to help others overcome their struggles with Ice-types!" "One more thing¡ªI''m not sure if you have any Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon, but extra knowledge never hurts. If you ever catch one in the future, this will be useful. Take it as a token of my gratitude. I''ve finally broken through my mental barriers and can now climb to even greater heights!" "Raising and Training Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon".PDF Hikaru knew that Dragon''s Messenger was none other than Lance. But in his message¡­ who exactly had he defeated? A lifelong rival¡­ could it be Lorelei? "This is useful too. Knowledge is something you can never have too much of¡­ though, honestly, no one has the time to master everything. But I do have professional knowledge on Dragon Tamers." "Oh, right¡­" (Sends a message) "Do you have any Dragon-type materials? I''d like to purchase some from you." Lance quickly replied: [Dragon''s Messenger]: "When it comes to Dragon-type materials, the best ones are scales, fangs, claws, hides, and whiskers! But¡­ they''re incredibly rare! Alright, since you asked, it would be too distant to talk about ''purchasing.'' You''ve helped me a lot¡ªI''ll send you some good stuff!" "Also, please keep developing items that can enhance Dragon Pok¨¦mon¡ªespecially those that help against Ice-types!" Ice-types weren''t the only problem¡ªFairy-types were also a major issue. But then again, neither Kanto nor Johto had Fairy-type trainers¡­ "The rest of my packages have also arrived in Blackthorn City and should be shipped out soon." The next message came from an old customer, Ancient Explorer. Unlike before, this time, she didn''t send a message in the Ghost-type Trainer Group but rather sent a private email. "I''ll let you in on a little secret. Paldea has some mysterious legends, and since you''re a craftsman, how about taking a trip here sometime? I might have found something valuable." "Oh, and this document is quite interesting¡ªyou should take a look. It supposedly leads to mysterious treasures. If you''re interested, let me know." "The Fall of the Paldean Empire".PDF Treasures of the Paldean Empire? The Treasures of Ruin, perhaps? Hikaru downloaded the file and read through it carefully. Sure enough, it detailed the legends of the Treasures of Ruin¡ªPaldea''s four Ruinous Legendary Pok¨¦mon: Chien-Pao (The Sword of Ruin) Ting-Lu (The Vessel of Ruin) Wo-Chien (The Tablets of Ruin) Chi-Yu (The Beads of Ruin) During the ancient Paldean Empire, a merchant brought four artifacts from the Far East¡ªa vessel, tablets, a sword, and beads¡ªand sold them to the Paldean king. That very night, the treasures transformed into Pok¨¦mon and wreaked havoc, destroying the royal city! It turned out that the artifacts had absorbed countless desires and curses, and once they fell into the king''s hands, his overwhelming greed immediately awakened them. In the end, the king summoned a Pok¨¦mon trainer to subdue the four Pok¨¦mon, sealing them within four shrines using a total of 32 sacred stakes¡ªeight for each. Only those free of worldly desires could break the seals. Before a certain "tomb-raiding lady" unearthed these records, the Treasures of Ruin had been mostly unknown. Hikaru now had a pretty good guess about Ancient Explorer''s true identity. "This level of hinting is way too obvious¡­" "Raifort?" Hikaru muttered to himself. But still, those vessel, tablets, sword, and beads¡ªfor a craftsman like him, these artifacts were extremely appealing. Just as the Regi trio were treasures to sculptors, these artifacts were practically irresistible to a craftsman. And then there were the sacred stakes used to seal Legendary Pok¨¦mon¡­ those were fascinating in their own right! ... This one came from a new customer. [World Without Heart]: "Does your King''s Rock really make Pok¨¦mon obey?" "Not ''obey.'' It''s about ''recognition.''" Hikaru corrected him while analyzing this suspicious username, adding the person as a friend. [World Without Heart]: "¡­Regardless of the wording, the outcome is the same. These meaningless disputes over terminology only make the world worse." "Let me ask you¡ªhave you heard of the Red Chain?" Hikaru: "¡­" Alright. No need for further analysis. This guy was Cyrus. The Red Chain could be made in two ways: Using the power of the Lake Guardians combined with a meteorite. The traditional method, where special tools granted by the Lake Guardians could be forged into a Red Chain. And the sole purpose of this item? To bind Dialga and Palkia. "No, I don''t know about such an item. Apologies. Is there anything else you''d like to purchase?" Hikaru responded. [World Without Heart]: "I see¡­ If you ever discover a power strongly tied to the legends of Sinnoh, I hope you''ll inform me. That power is necessary for creating a new world." "You might not take my words seriously, but gathering information isn''t something I expect for free." "If you''re a craftsman, then this document should be of use to you. Consider it a fair exchange." "The Deconstruction and Assembly of Machinery".PDF "This document covers the structure and assembly of various modern technological devices, including Exp. Shares, Power Amplifiers, and more. These aren''t particularly complex designs." "If my technology interests you, the Galactic Foundation welcomes you. You might want to think about it." "I''ll purchase your King''s Rock. As for the rest, I''ll take one wooden sculpture for now." "Rotom¡ªyou''re aware of this Pok¨¦mon, right?" "Of course," Hikaru replied. "Do you have one? My wooden sculpture can be customized for it." [World Without Heart]: "No, I don''t own a Rotom. I just need a simple sculpture." Hikaru responded: "I see. So you two were separated. But don''t worry, my friend¡ªlife will always bring different souls together, and new possibilities will be born. One day, you''ll meet that Pok¨¦mon again." Cyrus remained silent for a long time. Just as Hikaru was about to move on to processing other orders, a new message popped up. [World Without Heart]: "¡­Thank you, unknown craftsman." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!] [[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 92 - 92 "Unknown¡­ craftsman." Hikaru scratched his head. Why was Cyrus so good at rubbing salt into wounds? Why was he always so blunt? A "world without spirit"? Please. It was just because he was obsessed with machinery to the point where his emotional intelligence was practically nonexistent. He had no social skills, so he figured the best solution was to destroy the world. For a moment, Hikaru didn''t know how to respond. He typed several messages, only to delete them all in the end. Eventually, he just sent a simple: "You''re welcome." Whatever. At least Cyrus had sent over a mechanical manual¡ªthat was good stuff! After all, the highest level of craftsmanship was building machines with one''s bare hands. In the Pok¨¦mon world, there weren''t many who could do that. The only ones Hikaru could think of were Cyrus and Colress. ¡­Well, if Pok¨¦mon counted, then Mewtwo from the movies seemed to have a knack for creating strange devices out of thin air. Though, whether the technology on that island was built by Mewtwo or just leftover Team Rocket equipment was unclear. As for his own abilities, Hikaru was following six different crafting paths from an old game, with mechanical crafting being the last to unlock. It required a vast amount of knowledge because precision machinery relied on an immense foundation of theoretical learning. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So during his inactive period, Cyrus must have been collecting and studying various machines. Was it all in preparation for the Red Chain? If so, then many of Team Galactic''s devices were probably built by Cyrus himself." Cyrus had always been fascinated by machinery. In the games, an old woman in Sunyshore City would talk about how Cyrus was a brilliant student who loved tinkering with machines as a child. And in the Battle Frontier, his grandfather¡ªfound in a small house in the desert¡ªmentioned that he had placed too many expectations on Cyrus, leading him down the wrong path and neglecting his emotional growth. During this time, the only thing that brought Cyrus any comfort was the Rotom that suddenly appeared from within a machine. In Rotom''s Room, there was a journal detailing Rotom''s forms and another logbook recording the moment Cyrus first met Rotom. If Cyrus still had any attachments to the world, it wasn''t to his parents or his grandfather. It was to Rotom. "This is another form of bond between Pok¨¦mon and humans¡­ in its own strange way." Hikaru sighed. Across the games, anime, and Pok¨¦mon Special manga, only the manga version of Cyrus got a happy ending, where he finally understood the concept of ''heart''. In the games and anime? One disappeared into the Distortion World, presumably never to return. The other was obliterated along with his "new world" by Dialga and Palkia. "What is a heart¡­? The combination of emotions, will, and knowledge. That is the essence of the human spirit." After bidding farewell to his peculiar customer, Hikaru moved on to his next order¡ªthis one from a user named [Obsidian Miner]. A Request from Obsidian Miner [Obsidian Miner]: "I saw that your shop sells something called Destruction Gloves. They supposedly allow high-efficiency excavation and can even use Pok¨¦mon moves? Could you tell me the price and production time for a custom order?" Oh? A custom tool request? Obsidian Miner¡­ Was he a worker from Oreburgh Mine in Sinnoh? Hikaru quoted a price and immediately began pitching the product''s benefits¡ªexplaining how Destruction Gloves could be invaluable for exploring the wilderness or dealing with emergencies in caves. [Obsidian Miner]: "Sounds great! I''ll place an order right now. This will really help!" "Help?" Hikaru was a little puzzled. But thinking about it, maybe it was for dealing with large rocks or other obstacles in the mines. "If you need to break stones, would you be interested in a sculpture that enhances destructive power?" Hikaru proactively upsold. Previously, he had carved a Hydreigon statue for Colress, and it increased efficiency in destruction-based tasks. If he shrunk the design, it would be even more portable. [Obsidian Miner]: "Ah! No, no¡ªit''s not about breaking things!" The miner seemed a little embarrassed: "I''m actually buying these gloves to increase my digging speed¡ªI use excavation as a form of training!" "I have a dream, you see. I''ve been refining my digging skills in the coal mines, and in the future, I want to create a vast underground tunnel network¡ªone that connects different places all over the world, just like the Underground in Sinnoh!" "I also want to collect tons of fossils and establish a fossil museum! And that museum will be located in the underground city that I''ll dig out myself!" ¡­Wait. If this guy dug tunnels everywhere, wouldn''t the foundations of buildings collapse?! Hikaru had always wanted to complain about Sinnoh''s Underground¡ªthe entire region was practically hollow underneath! How did no one ever worry about their houses sinking into the ground?! And in the Diamond & Pearl remakes, there were even more massive caverns added underground. Sinnoh''s entire subsoil structure was a disaster waiting to happen. "Do you need any other excavation tools? I can make custom ones," Hikaru asked, taking the chance to sell more. [Obsidian Miner]: "You do custom tools?! That''s awesome! I saw that option on your page, but I was so focused on the Destruction Gloves that I didn''t look further. If you can custom-make more efficient excavation tools, I''d love that!" "I''ll order an Exploration Kit then! Oh¡ªsorry, you might not be familiar with the term. An Exploration Kit includes a hammer, pickaxe, shovel, and safety helmet." "No problem. The estimated delivery time will be one to two weeks," Hikaru responded. He deliberately extended the timeline¡ªthere were too many orders coming in, and he didn''t want to burn himself out. Sure, gaining knowledge through work was exciting, but constant high-intensity labor wasn''t sustainable. ... The next message came from [Verdant Brilliance]¡ªa contact that Hikaru didn''t even remember adding. Wait¡­ This name seemed familiar? After a moment, Hikaru realized¡ªthis was Gardenia''s ID! Back in Eterna City, the original shop owner had worked on a custom Gym statue for her, so they were pretty familiar. Gardenia was the Eterna Gym Leader, an expert in Grass-type Pok¨¦mon, with short orange hair styled in a bob. [Verdant Brilliance]: "Hey! How''ve you been? How''s life in Johto? I saw your online shop¡ªit looks like your sales are doing great! Are you adjusting well to the new region? More importantly¡­ how''s your mental health?" Since their ages were similar, the original owner had gotten along well with Gardenia. She was practically a longtime customer. Hikaru replied: "I''m doing alright. The workshop is stabilizing, and living far from the city has helped me find some peace." "Mental health recovery takes time. I''ll probably be in Johto for a few more months. Technically, I''m not even in a city¡ªI''m in a small village deep in the mountains." [Verdant Brilliance]: "I see! Well, I hope you recover soon. By the way, I saw that you do custom tools now. Does that mean you''ve learned some forging techniques?" "Yep. Did you want something custom?" Hikaru asked. [Verdant Brilliance]: "Hmm¡­ Grass-type tools? A watering can, gardening shears, a shovel? A hoe? A cultivator? There are too many choices!" Hikaru chuckled. "You have a lot of trees in your Gym. A garden tool set would be perfect. How about a full custom order?" Hikaru began his sales pitch: "If you buy the full set, I''ll give you a 20% discount. The total price will be somewhere between 100,000 to 200,000 Pok¨¦dollars. These tools all come with special abilities!" [Verdant Brilliance]: "Really?! Then I''ll take the whole set! Since you''re pushing it so hard, I can tell you''ve mastered some incredible forging techniques! That''s great¡ªif your business keeps growing, your mood will improve too, right?" "Oh, and I also want to buy a Grassy Glass Whistle and a Focus Sash!" "Alright then! Hope everything goes well for you in Johto!" Gardenia completed her purchase for the custom tool set, along with a Grassy Glass Whistle and a Focus Sash. Hikaru marked her order as a gardening tool kit. Just as he was about to process it, another message arrived. A Mysterious Message from Heart of Fear [Heart of Fear]: "Kid¡­ your spiritual knowledge is quite unusual. I''ve carefully studied your charms¡ªare you connected to the spirit world in some way? ¡­You''re not a ghost yourself, are you?" Dealing with strange customers required patience and politeness. Once you got to know some of them, they often turned out to be interesting people. Hikaru recalled that someone had once said the same thing in the merchant group chat¡ªthat his spiritual energy might be tied to the spirit world. But¡­ he still didn''t really understand it himself. Did the "basic spiritual knowledge" he had learned actually contain "fundamentals of spirit world communication"? "Maybe it''s because I once had a near-death experience." That was the only explanation Hikaru could give. [Heart of Fear]: "Oh? A near-death experience, huh? That doesn''t sound like a lie¡­ When you say ''near death,'' do you mean you were literally dead? Your body had already perished, and your soul had entered the spirit world?" "Did you know that some people gain mystical spirit-related powers after coming back from the brink of death? It''s believed that those who cross the barrier of the spirit world might receive a gift from it. That might explain why your spiritual abilities are so unique." "I''ve always thought that true Ghost-type experts are those who have experienced death firsthand. Even I don''t fully qualify¡­ But not everyone who dies gets the spirit world''s blessing. Some just die for real." "Here, take this. It might be useful to you." "The Nature of Ghost Pok¨¦mon and Souls".PDF "I sensed the aura of a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon from your charms. Perhaps it was a Ghost Pok¨¦mon that saved your life. You should be grateful to it. Sometimes, the bonds of the soul are invisible, but they are real. This document contains some of my personal insights on training Ghost Pok¨¦mon, as well as information on soul cultivation. It''s nothing extravagant, just some knowledge I''ve gathered over the years." Hikaru was stunned. Such valuable information¡ªjust given away for free?! He checked the author of the document. ¡­Agatha?! The former Elite Four of Kanto?! "So it was Agatha! No wonder the tone sounded so weird. That old lady has always been like this!" Speaking of Agatha, Hikaru couldn''t help but think of Professor Oak. Agatha wasn''t part of the Elite Four anymore. Where was she living now? Regardless, Hikaru sincerely appreciated the gift. "Thank you." [Heart of Fear]: "No need to thank me. I''ll be keeping an eye on your Ghost-type items in the future. And you¡­ you should properly train your Ghost Pok¨¦mon! If you''re up for it, consider switching careers and becoming a battler. A craftsman is such a waste of your potential!" Hikaru knew that Agatha was obsessed with battling, so he didn''t know how to respond. Then an idea struck him¡ª "Oh! Right. How about I add you to the group chat?" "This is my merchant group. It''s full of Ghost-type specialists from different regions." [Heart of Fear]: "A group chat¡­? Hmm¡­ sounds interesting. There must be quite a few strong trainers in there, right?" Hikaru sent the invite. [Heart of Fear has joined the group chat!] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!] [[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 97 - 97 Shinto, the Traveler''s Workshop. After Hikaru finished a few test matches, he saw his account suddenly gained several new followers. He nodded to himself. Bullying people really does net you followers fast. Fortunately, no one had managed to track him down for a rant, thanks to the software having no stranger message function. Gaining attention is a victory in itself¡ªthat''s the start of marketing! After that, Hikaru went back to his usual work. Using the lumber Doublade chopped and the stones Regirock carried, Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon started constructing a small shed near the workshop. This small shed was built behind the forging area, as a temporary expansion. Hikaru plans to convert it into a greenhouse later, for growing some rare crops. After all, winters in Shinto can be harsh. While he might leave in autumn and winter, there''s still a lot of cultivated stuff that can''t be abandoned. He can hire the forest Pok¨¦mon to help care for it. For now, the shed''s main function is to give Regirock some shelter. You can''t just let your client sleep outside all the time. Later, he could add more rooms or standalone buildings¡­ Hikaru weighed his options. While Hikaru hammered the shed together, Lilligant helped, Regirock carried materials, and Doublade and Turtwig handled the cutting of wood. Doublade was teaching Turtwig how to use Razor Leaf precisely for woodworking. Unown, meanwhile, couldn''t really help and just stayed stuck to Regirock, adding extra burden. Once the wooden structure took shape, Regirock raised both arms in delight, clearly pleased. Its emotional range now matched Brandon''s Regirock from the anime. Even these ancient Pok¨¦mon have feelings; it''s just that normal Pok¨¦mon can''t understand them. In the Tree of Beginning, the three Regis definitely showed emotions. What did Regigigas feel when creating them? Why give them life in the first place? After finishing up work, Hikaru did routine maintenance and repairs on Regirock. He also transplanted some special "Light Moss" onto its body. The Light Moss grants a boost in Sp. Def when the wearer is hit by Water moves, helping them handle rain. A good outer layer for a Rock-type. Hikaru observed the moss-clad Regirock. It now looks a bit like a miniature Regigigas. With no new consults popping up, he returned to working on crafting Rare Candies. "Lilligant, can you carve some stone for me?" "Lilli?" Lilligant gestured at herself with a leaf. You want me to carve? Great! Lilligant was excited. She stopped Regirock from carrying the stones away. Originally, she''d wanted to sculpt a human figure for her Trainer, but she botched it last time and was too embarrassed. This time, she wanted to try sculpting Regirock instead. Making Pok¨¦mon statues is simpler than sculpting humans. Recalling Hikaru''s masterful carving, the way he can replicate humans so vividly, Lilligant couldn''t help but admire him. "Lilli!" Regirock willingly agreed to stand still. Turtwig had nothing else to do, so it watched curiously from the side. Doublade floated around Lilligant, letting out a "Yo~oo" sound. This time, I''ll teach you how to carve. "Lilli!" Lilligant was thrilled, nodding before settling into a serious posture. She activated Leaf Blade with her arms. Grass-type Leaf Blade is super effective on "stone!" "Yo¡ªoop!!" Doublade suddenly called out, stopping her from swinging. Its ribbons tapped a point on the rock. No, no. Don''t carve with that much force. "Yooop¡ª" Look carefully at Regirock''s face before cutting. "Lilli?" Lilligant turned to Regirock''s face. The big "H" on that flat face didn''t show any expression at all. "Lilli~?" Isn''t it basically one slash for a flat surface? Doublade, like a proper teacher, hovered to Regirock, waving its ribbons in front of Regirock''s "face." "Yoo~oo¡ªYoop!" Pay attention! Regirock''s eyes are lit up, right? The "H" shape is brighter than usual! "Yo~oo." Plus, the face isn''t totally flat. If you look closely, there''s a ridge in the middle, giving the sides a slope. The rocky texture too¡ªif you just carve out a stone shape, that''s not a statue, it''s just leftover rock. Doublade explained while grabbing Unown off Regirock''s body and pressing it to Regirock''s face! "Lilli!" Lilligant was startled to see that the sides of Regirock''s face did have a slight incline! "Anown¡­" Unown sighed, floating off Regirock to find a comfy spot on the half-built shed. Lilligant jogged back to examine Regirock''s face up close, nodding here and there. After observing thoroughly, she returned to the stone block and carefully resumed Leaf Blade. This time, she eased up. The green glow around her leaves was just a faint outline as she carved. Doublade stood by, watching carefully. If she pushed too hard, Doublade would step in to guide her. Precision and elegance¡ªthat''s the essence of stone carving! You must carve with a steady hand. Doublade had ample experience shaping rock. Acting like a stone-carving instructor, it directed Lilligant. In a short time, they''d produced a decent half-bust of Regirock. "Nah?!" Turtwig blinked in surprise. It''s way better than her last attempt! "Yo¡ªoo!" Doublade, quite proud, boasted that with a master like itself guiding the process, of course there''d be immediate results! "Re-gi." Regirock examined the statue, the H glowing repeatedly. Contemplating¡­That''s my face¡­ "Re-gi!" Suddenly, Regirock raised both arms, which meant it approved of Lilligant''s sculpture. Maybe we can put that in the temple. "Lilli!" Lilligant squealed with joy. Yes! If it can be placed in the temple, that''s the ultimate recognition! One of a sculptor''s greatest achievements is to have their work displayed in a temple. And Regirock''s the temple guardian¡ªearning its approval meant success! "Yo¡ªoo." However, Doublade poured a little cold water on her excitement, letting out a sound like "Not so fast." You''ve only been approved by Regirock. Without my pointers, you''d have messed up countless times. You have to thoroughly learn all the carving techniques, know when to cut precisely, and control your power. Only then are you truly qualified as a sculptor! Lilligant carves partly to help out, partly because she enjoys it, and partly for the same reason her Trainer values it: to offset the drawbacks of her "Chlorophyll" or "Hustle"-like ability, improving accuracy and precision. So this skill level isn''t enough yet. There''s a long way to go! Still, Lilligant didn''t give up. She warmly hugged Regirock, then Doublade, and even lifted Turtwig up high, proclaiming she''d work even harder! Thank you, Doublade-senpai! "Yo~oo." Doublade had zero resistance to her hugs. Whatever scolding it planned to do melted away. It remembered back when Lilligant was just a Petilil¡ªshe put in great effort, training and working for her goals. What Doublade admires, what it looks up to, what it loves, what it recognizes, is exactly that side of Lilligant. That hardworking spirit is so beautiful! "Yo¡ªoo!" Indeed¡ªkeep it up. One day you''ll be a magnificent Pok¨¦mon! Doublade encouraged her. Turtwig and Regirock cheered along. Yes! In our new kingdom, I appoint you Minister of the Garden. Turtwig is still too young, so it can stay as a potted plant for now. As for the watery illusions from dreams, they''ll be the perfect rides or something¡­ Doublade crossed its ribbon-arms, as if folding them, and the eyes on both blades closed¡ªlost in daydreams. Hearing Doublade''s talk about "kingdom," Lilligant shook her leaves in exasperation: "Lilli~!" Doublade-senpai, you''re daydreaming again! "Yo~oo¡­" Doublade responded sulkily: daydreaming? That''s called having a dream. A Trainer needs ambition, and so do Pok¨¦mon. Even though I''ve been let down a few times, I''ll never give up on building my ideal realm! "Nah?" Turtwig uttered an enthusiastic cry. Its dream is to gather loads of rare plants and grow them on its shell, collecting every exotic flora until it''s as big as the Torterra that Hikaru once mentioned! S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It wants to grow huge! Watching the two ancient Pok¨¦mon excitedly chat, Lilligant waved a leaf in resignation. Then again, if she can always stay with her Trainer and everyone else¡­ even building a kingdom like that wouldn''t be so bad. Including the ones who left, like Celebi¡­ If a place like that truly existed¡­ She began to imagine it, but soon refocused on the unfinished lower half of the statue. Her leaves once again glowed with that sharp green edge. Time to keep carving. Sculpture is a way to express feelings and memories. Leaving everyone''s statues in this land, so that far in the future, we''ll still be together¡­ Lilligant stared at the half-finished statue, her leaves glowing with renewed vigor. Meanwhile¡­ Hikaru, busy working on Rare Candy, felt a sudden feedback from Lilligant''s progress. ["Hisuian Lilligant gained repeated experience from her task and grew."] ["Move learned: Close Combat!"] ["Lilligant gained +1 Knowledge."] ["Precision Blade: +10% to Accuracy and Move Power, +25% to carving accuracy!"] Crack! A noise of stone shattering echoed from outside? (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 98 - 98 Micle Berry, high-grade Pecha Berries, Dazzling Honey, and a selection of powdered berries. Following the knowledge in his mind, Hikaru processed them step by step. First, he dried many of the berries, ground them up, and mixed them together to form berry powder, then stir-fried it. Then he took the Micle Berry and Pecha Berries, cutting them open and blending them into juice with his Kingdra-brand juicer, combining the juices. Meanwhile, he prepared molds, put the mixture in a pot, added Dazzling Honey, and heated it, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Once it became thick, he kept flipping it. When it reached the consistency of steamed buns, he scooped out the thickened fruit mix, placed it in molds, sprinkled the fried berry powder on top, let it cool completely, and cut it into pieces. Cooling it is easy¡ªjust set an Icy Rock nearby, and the cold gradually seeps in, solidifying the mix in no time. By the time Hikaru finished, the sky had grown dark. Sunset was upon them. ["You''ve completed a craft!"] ["Crafted Item: Rare Candy."] ["Effect: A candy brimming with energy. Give it to a Pok¨¦mon, and all its stats will grow."] ["Unique Effect: Slightly raises three random Effort Values. +10% chance to learn a new move."] In the games, Rare Candy is sometimes found lying around. It''s known for boosting levels. In the anime, it scarcely appears. Here in reality, its "level-up" effect takes the form of "overall stat growth." Since a Pok¨¦mon''s stats naturally rise with level-ups, it''s essentially the same idea. An indirect way of "leveling." A long-time, highly trained Pok¨¦mon in the games is simply a higher-level Pok¨¦mon in reality. Hikaru happily took the freshly made Rare Candies outside. Lilligant was still practicing her carving under Doublade''s guidance. Regirock was busy hauling stones and timber and creating ancient rock.Unown was dozing on the wall. "Come have a taste of these!" Hikaru beckoned, and Lilligant hopped over first, Doublade floated second, Turtwig plodded over third, followed by Regirock and Unown. "How''s the sculpting?" Hikaru asked Lilligant and Doublade with a smile. "Lilli~!" Lilligant was thrilled. She described how her sculpting had improved drastically. Doublade still felt it wasn''t quite enough, but she''d keep working even harder. Doublade was extremely strict¡ªcompletely different from its usual "whatever" attitude. Regirock also helped a ton! It said they could put her statue in its temple. Turtwig, well¡­ it was an excellent spectator for the carving show. "Yo-yo¡ªoo!" Doublade seemed a bit smug, narrowing both eyes in satisfaction. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not bad. Under my guidance, Lilligant''s carving skills have improved, though still not there yet! Next, Regirock came over with an armful of ancient rock, showing its day''s work. "Thanks. Just leave them there. Now, let''s have some candy¡­" Hikaru paused awkwardly. Regirock can''t exactly eat candy. This isn''t like in the games, where no mouth is no problem. And come to think of it, none of the Regis have mouths¡ªthey''re eternal Pok¨¦mon. But looking at the other Pok¨¦mon, Hikaru realized something: Most of the Pok¨¦mon he knows¡ªapart from Celebi and Turtwig¡ªdon''t have mouths either! "Huh. I''ve got it. Hold on a sec!" He rushed back with the finished Rare Candies, dried them further, and ground them into powder. ["Crafted Item: Rare Candy Powder."] ["Effect: A powder brimming with energy. Sprinkle it on a Pok¨¦mon, and all its stats will grow."] ["Unique Effect: Slightly increases Pok¨¦mon''s vitality. +10% chance to learn a new move."] "All right, this works!" He then realized: if you can powder it, you can also dissolve it into juice¡­ So he tried that next. ["Crafted Item: Rare Berry Juice."] ["Effect: Juice brimming with energy. Let a Pok¨¦mon absorb it, and all its stats will grow."] ["Unique Effect: Slightly boosts all base stats. +10% chance to learn a new move."] Yes, each version has minor differences but basically retains the Rare Candy effect! And each unique effect is excellent. Although Hikaru''s Rare Candy craftsmanship isn''t super advanced, the finished product is still impressive. He brought out the candy, juice, and powder. The Pok¨¦mon all gathered around curiously. "These contain special energy that can strengthen you all. They''re about the same, so pick whichever you prefer." Hikaru slid the tray forward. Lilligant used one leafy arm to hold the juice, sipping it with her other hand. Turtwig just went straight for the solid candy. Doublade picked up a candy too, absorbing it with its ghostly ribbons, same as always. Regirock chose the powder. Hikaru helped sprinkle it evenly over its body. Unown went with the candy, tapping it lightly¡ªinstantly absorbing it, leaving Doublade astonished. Wait, how''d you do that? Aren''t you a Psychic-type? Unown E: Indeed. That is the power of Psychic! You silly Ghost sword! You have to absorb it slowly¡­ All of them felt stronger after ingesting the Rare Candy in its various forms! Incredible candy! "Alright, Rare Candy¡ªsuccess!" Hikaru was delighted. "We''ve got a bunch of Micle Berries, so now we can make these every day!" Anyway, these Pok¨¦mon can''t get cavities if they don''t have mouths. No problem for them. He''s the only one who needs to worry about a sweet tooth¡­ With the new item complete, of course he''d consider selling it. Though it''s not too difficult to craft, the bottleneck is getting enough Micle Berries and other ingredients. Some berries have very long growth times, and some are quite rare. Plus, high-quality Pecha Berries. In the games, the top-tier ones are sometimes called "Miracle Pecha Berries," rumored to bloom once every few years. They say on a carefully cultivated Pecha tree, you might get one such fruit that looks noticeably different. Without Celebi''s help, obtaining top-grade Pecha Berries would take a while. Even with some gardening knowledge, he wouldn''t get many at once. "Which makes me wonder how far off my ''high-grade Pecha Berries'' are from actual ''Miracle Pecha Berries.'' Still, even standard high-quality fruit is rare in the world." "In any case, if I list Rare Candy in my shop, I''ll set the quantity at 100 pieces. Each customer can only buy 10 max¡­" In the games, you might buy Rare Candy from some shops for 10,000. But in reality, given the limited supply of Micle Berries and top Pecha Berries, 10,000 seems too cheap. Besides, the store''s popularity has risen. No need to rely on ultra-cheap products to lure people in. While fair pricing is nice for attracting customers, collecting materials is no easy job. Of course, Hikaru would add a note: If your Pok¨¦mon doesn''t have a mouth, you can swap it for an equivalent amount of candy powder or berry juice. The effect is the same. If possible, he''d love to set the quantity to x999. But he doesn''t have enough Micle Berries or other ingredients for that! Making 999 Rare Candies would consume half his berry stock. "Come to think of it, because my Pok¨¦mon don''t eat normal food, my supply consumption is pretty low. And the stuff I do make also has subtle beneficial effects." "Maybe next time I''ll gather more rare cooking ingredients, like some ''Herba Mystica?''" While Hikaru pondered, he felt a swirl of consciousness merging in his mind. It was from the Pok¨¦mon harnessing the Rare Candy''s power, letting them learn new moves! ["Congratulations, Hisuian Lilligant gained experience and grew."] ["Move learned: Solar Blade!"] ["Congratulations, Turtwig gained experience and grew."] ["Move learned: Protect!"] ["Congratulations, Regirock gained experience and grew."] ["Move learned: Body Press!"] ["Congratulations, Doublade gained experience and grew."] ["Move learned: Destiny Bond!"] All the Pok¨¦mon cheered, amazed at their new powers! A peculiar Ghost aura floated around Doublade. Regirock swung its arms, feeling that its usual defensive strength had transformed into raw offense.Turtwig sensed energy flow, generating a pale-green see-through barrier in front of itself¡ªthat''s Protect! And Lilligant underwent the greatest change! Swoosh¡ª!Both of Lilligant''s leafy arms glowed brilliantly, absorbing the evening light and transforming it in an incredible way. "Dore¡­!" Similar to the feeling of gathering sunlight for Solar Beam, but Lilligant channeled it into her leaves and used a Leaf Blade style. The edges flared into a giant blade of light! Solar Blade?! Hikaru was stunned. Solar Blade is basically the physical version of Solar Beam, needing a turn to gather sunlight and the next turn to slash. But storing it without firing¡­ is that some new technique? Solar Leaf Blade? Now the entire blade is basically Lilligant''s arms. She swung them excitedly, the giant glowing blade slicing the air, startling the others into scattering! "Dancing while using dual solar blades¡­ maybe I''ll call it ''Sun Dance?''" Hikaru gave a name to her new dance routine! Also, Regirock''s Body Press is an excellent, rare move. He''ll have to craft more move tutors for that. Amid the excitement¡­ Unown floated up to Hikaru''s face, stared, then looked at the other Pok¨¦mon. Huh? What are you guys happy about? Did something happen? Why''d you all start using new moves? Hikaru scratched his chin: "Oh right, Unown only knows Hidden Power, so these extra learning effects don''t apply to you." Unown E widened its eye. Huh? The candy does that? And how come it always happens to me¡­ Watching the four excited Pok¨¦mon, Unown sank into sorrow, sticking itself to the wall. Pok¨¦mon can''t truly share each other''s highs and lows. Unown only felt they were too noisy. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 99 - 99 Among all the Pok¨¦mon present, the one most surprised by its own condition was Turtwig. Although it had been staying with Hikaru for many days, this was its first time eating such a peculiar food like Rare Candy. It clearly felt its body growing, as if many powers were surging forth from within! However, it did not evolve. Turtwig was very curious about Rare Candy. Hikaru noticed Turtwig had eaten quite a few Rare Candies, but there were no signs of evolution. Still, the plants on Turtwig''s shell seemed to be growing better than ever! Hikaru showed a thoughtful expression. Those herbs growing on Turtwig''s back had gradually formed a perfect symbiotic relationship with it. So, once it evolves, it won''t literally turn into some kind of "Powerful Shrub," right? During a break, Hikaru went to the fields again to check on the fruit trees. In truth, the main focus was examining the leaves. Before long, with meticulous searching, Hikaru found several "Golden Leaves" and "Silver Leaves" on the Lum Berry trees. Driven by excitement, Hikaru continued hunting among the fruit trees. Just then, Lilligant''s voice sounded. It turned out Lilligant had somehow found three Golden Leaves and three Silver Leaves! "Now that we have enough Golden Leaves and Silver Leaves, we can try making the ''Blunder Policy'' and ''Weakness Policy!''" Hikaru felt a surge of energy throughout his body. All the previous fatigue vanished, and Lilligant happily danced in response. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lilligant gestured toward the tall oak tree on the nearby hillside. That was the oak tree Hikaru and Celebi had planted earlier. Those Golden and Silver Leaves had come from that very tree! "Trees I cultivate have a 10% chance of growing Golden Leaves and Silver Leaves. So even the saplings we planted before can produce them?" Because this oak tree carried Celebi''s power, it indeed brought good fortune. However, 10% is still too low for Hikaru''s liking. He thought of the Relic Berry Forest, or rather, the entire Shinto Forest. Perhaps, whenever he has free time, he should volunteer in the forest to cultivate more seeds, so that more Golden and Silver Leaves might grow! Ideally, there would be an entire tree covered in golden and silver leaves! But that would essentially mean cultivating a new variety of tree. Which tree would serve as the best base stock for nurturing leaves of gold and silver...? Maybe there are tree experts in other regions who could provide insight... Hikaru mulled it over carefully. Night fell. In the forge, flames blazed intensely as Hikaru began crafting a variety of custom-ordered items. He left the back door open. Inside the forge, Lilligant used Weather Ball to raise fire. The huge bubble of energy was compressed down to a very small size¡ªa sign of her improved mastery of the Weather Ball technique. However, for Hikaru...the sunshine and elevated temperature inside the room seemed a bit...over the top. "Next time, maybe I''ll toss Sunny Day into the furnace... Let''s try a little indoor sunshine experiment..." It''s a good thing Shinto''s climate isn''t very hot. If this were somewhere warm like Hoenn, it''d be a real headache. Doublade wasn''t too pleased about this either! Confronted by those roaring flames, Doublade was still rather uneasy. Its Special Defense is too low, and it has a double weakness to Fire. Whenever it sees Lilligant producing flames, Doublade can''t help but think, "She doesn''t seem like a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon at all!" None of these tools were difficult to craft. With the advantage of forging expertise and refined forging knowledge, Hikaru quickly produced both the "exploration kit" and the "gardening set," having made similar items before. Exploration Kit: Shovel, Pickaxe, Hammer.Gardening Set: Watering can, Pruning shears, Small spade, Hoe, Soil loosener. [Tool: Crushing Hammer] [Craft Effect: +15% Destruction Speed] [Tool: Pruning Shears] [Craft Effect: +15% Pruning Speed, comes with Precision Pruning] [Tool: Small Cultivator] [Craft Effect: +15% Soil Loosening Speed, unique effect "Rototiller."] "Huh, this is pretty useful." Hikaru looked at the newly forged cultivator head. This cultivator can use Rototiller? Is that the move "Rototiller"?If so, even if the Diglett aren''t around, he can speed up plowing using this tool!And Rototiller as a move differs from simple plowing¡ªusing Rototiller makes it easier for plants to grow, and it increases Grass-type Pok¨¦mon''s Attack and Sp. Atk. After placing these finished tools aside, Hikaru realized that scrap iron and iron ore quantities had dropped sharply, so he''d have to ask Regirock to dig up more minerals for him soon. During the forging process, Hikaru also unlocked a new craftable item. [Crafted Item: Metal Coat] [Effect: A special metallic coating. When held, the power of Steel-type moves is boosted. Certain Pok¨¦mon can evolve when it''s used on them.] In the Pok¨¦mon world, Metal Coat isn''t the same as a high-grade metal film in the conventional sense; it''s more like the shed iron plating from Steel-type Pok¨¦mon. In the games, the item icon is basically just a metal container. Inside is the real film¡ªa metallic, viscous material resembling a facial mask. Such an odd substance originates from Steel-type Pok¨¦mon. All Hikaru did was a simple smelting of Steel-type Pok¨¦mon materials to produce it. It was made using bits of steel shed by a Steelix during mining, along with fragments of Forretress''s shell. [By repeating certain tasks, you have gained knowledge.] [Forge Expert: +20% forging efficiency, and your strength has increased.] Once the crafting session was complete, Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon took a short break. They returned to the house to begin some sewing work. At this moment, Doublade also floated in, swaying lightly, as though it sensed something. "Yoo-woo~!" Are we sewing something today too? Coming straight from the forge¡ªwhat a busy life! "That''s how work is¡ªbusy every day, but fulfilling. However, I''ve been thinking: after autumn, we might close shop for a while." "Yoo-woo?" Doublade was quite surprised. Wasn''t Hikaru''s dream to revitalize the workshop and dominate the Johto region''s market? Why close now? "There''ve been too many invitations. Besides, it''ll be a temporary closure. Also, once autumn and winter set in here, the mountains get snowed in. Even a Charizard might not get through." Such is this ancient land of Shinto. In autumn and winter, snowstorms rage. During autumn, the temperature drops, and it starts to snow lightly. Although the original owner of this place never lived here long, the villagers, the old man in the mountains, and Wangluo all said so. Come winter, there''s simply no way to ship packages out. Which means business must shut down. Therefore, we have to earn as much money as possible during summer. "Yoo-poo." Doublade sank into thought. Travel? It rarely considered that. Its previous "journeys" were forced by that strange traveling merchant. Now it''s leaving on its own, just as this new home was finally looking promising... A wave of sorrow abruptly welled up in Doublade''s heart! "You''re overthinking it. We''re only leaving temporarily. We''ll be back next spring or summer." Seeing Doublade''s reaction, Hikaru couldn''t help but think of one particular item. Hoopa''s golden rings can traverse space. If we had that, we could come back to the workshop anytime, even if we traveled to another region or opened a branch shop. But that kind of item is a power inherent to the Pok¨¦mon itself¡ªand crossing space is just too over-the-top. What materials would be required to forge something like that...? Hikaru shook off this line of thought, pushing some sturdy fabric forward. "Here, do some cutting." Certificates are generally on paper, but in ancient times, cloth certificates were used. Paper certificates can degrade easily in tough environments. Cloth ones, though, are much more durable. The embroidery-based approach also fits the concept of ''crafting an item.'' With Doublade''s Double Hit cutting technique, the fabric was quickly sliced neatly. Meanwhile, Hikaru began sewing both the front and back of the certificates, weaving the Golden Leaves into them. To be honest, in the real world, it would be impossible for an item to "boost your strength after you miss an attack," or to "act like a certificate yet enhance your abilities." But thanks to marvelous crafting techniques and special knowledge, Hikaru could create this unique item¡ªsomething nobody else knew about. Using tough cloth, materials from Pok¨¦mon with the Vital Spirit Ability, Golden Leaves, mysterious incantations, and most crucially spiritual energy and mental power: Originally, the "vitality" material was Delibird''s feathers. But now that Hisuian Lilligant also has Vital Spirit, her pollen and petals can be used as well. Hikaru and Doublade tinkered in the room for three hours, nearly until midnight, and finally completed these two unique items! They bore strange writing, stamped with an inexplicable red seal, radiating spiritual energy much like a Cleanse Tag¡ªas if bridging communication with the outside world for "judgment." [Crafting complete!] [Crafted Item: Blunder Policy!] [Description: An item made from Pok¨¦mon materials and Golden Leaves, woven with special incantations and a mysterious certificate process.] [Effect: If a move misses due to accuracy, Speed is greatly increased!] [Crafted Item: Weakness Policy!] [Description: An item made from Pok¨¦mon materials and Golden Leaves, woven with special incantations and a mysterious certificate process.] [Effect: If hit by a super-effective move, Attack and Sp. Atk are greatly increased!] [Knowledge +2] [Growth Insight: Through training, Pok¨¦mon can effectively heighten their awareness of the outside world, aiding accuracy, critical-hit ratio, and reaction speed!] [Weakness Resistance: Through targeted training, they can better overcome unfavorable type matchups, boosting endurance and stamina!] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 100 - 100 Early the next morning, Hikaru woke up bright and early. Though he had done a lot of work yesterday, his body actually felt stronger, and his mind was exceptionally clear. Perhaps this was the result of the knowledge improving his body. People with spiritual power or Psychic abilities often differ from ordinary folk in both body and mind. July 5th, cloudy weather. Hikaru followed his routine and gave Turtwig some water. Then he received a message from Steven, who estimated he would arrive in the afternoon. While making breakfast, Hikaru suddenly recalled something. He took Plump Beans, Dazzling Honey, Smoke Tubers, and Cake-Lure Base, boiled them in a pot, poured the mixture into a mold, then placed an Ice Stone on top. The chilly Ice-type energy cooled the mixture. Afterward, he took it out to slice. [Obtained "Old Gateau!"] [Description: A hidden specialty of Eterna, it can cure all status conditions of a single Pok¨¦mon.] [You have created an extra dish and gained a crafting reward!] [Cooking (C+): You can now prepare various hot meals. Thanks to your cooking, dishes can possess special effects that grant Pok¨¦mon boosts and improvements.] [Unique Benefit: Stamina LV1¡ªconsuming this dish slightly increases stamina and reduces fatigue.] "Turns out making just one unique snack can unlock the hot foods craft. Though Old Gateau is made by simmering, it''s actually eaten cold." Hikaru eyed the Old Gateau he had made and tasted a bit himself. His energy really did feel higher¡ªvery noticeable! If a Pok¨¦mon were to consume it, the effect should be even better! Afterward, Hikaru opened his Pok¨¦gear to look up the recipe for Pok¨¦blocks. He had completely mastered how to make Cake-Lure foods, and now with cooking at C+ rank, it''s already quite advanced. Meanwhile, Pok¨¦blocks are famously associated with Hoenn. Perhaps the Pok¨¦block craft might be B-rank. In the Hoenn region, Pok¨¦blocks are very popular. That''s largely thanks to Hoenn''s fertile soil, which can grow many rare Berries that other regions cannot. Typically, 2¨C4 Berries are mixed to form Pok¨¦blocks, either using a Berry Blender, a Pok¨¦block Kit, or a Berry Processor. Hikaru doesn''t have a Berry Blender, so he can only try making them by hand. Pok¨¦blocks provide essential nutrients for Pok¨¦mon. A Berry''s smoothness rating affects the Pok¨¦block''s texture, which then influences a Pok¨¦mon''s luster. A well-made block also enhances a Pok¨¦mon''s "Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Toughness, and Cleverness"¡ªa fifth type of trait beyond base stats, EVs, IVs, and physical stamina. There are many videos online from Contest Coordinators. Soon, Hikaru found a highly upvoted tutorial by someone wearing a blue outfit, displaying elegant manners, with a white, silk-scarf-like hairstyle, a small handlebar mustache, and a square jaw. "That''s Juan, Wallace''s mentor!" Juan was once the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City, also known as the ''second Champion'' of Hoenn, teacher to the Coordinator Master Wallace. When Steven sneaks off to dig for stones, Wallace often takes over as Champion, at which time Juan resumes his role as Sootopolis Gym Leader. He specializes in Water-type Pok¨¦mon and is a well-known Coordinator as well. Hikaru followed Juan''s account. Juan''s video was extremely detailed: "¡­The flavor and color of Pok¨¦blocks depend on the kinds and numbers of Berries used. The resulting number of Pok¨¦blocks equals the number of Berries. For hand-made blocks, grind the Berries into powder, then add Moomoo Milk and sugar¡­" "If you have the equipment, you can use a Berry Processor or a Pok¨¦block machine. During machine processing, Berries are densely compressed and blended, with a certain chance of producing ''high-level Pok¨¦blocks.'' When eaten, these give higher boosts to the relevant Contest stat¡­" "You can still produce high-level Pok¨¦blocks by hand, but the rarer the Berry, the better the potential for top-quality blocks. Feel free to try. Different block colors also correspond to different flavors." As Juan explained in the video, he also demonstrated a hand-made approach, while Hikaru carefully watched. "Got it. Hand-making them is basically like making chocolate squares. Anyone who can make chocolate can do this. And the process is similar to Rare Candy." "However, hand-made blocks are generally inferior to those made with specialized machines. Still, the regular-quality Pok¨¦blocks are fine for home use and not expensive. For instance, Orange Berry Pok¨¦blocks are very cheap." Following the video, Hikaru began his own attempts. But apparently, you can''t just pick up all of Juan''s tips directly from a video. Perhaps because the footage was edited and not complete? In any case, the grinding and simmering steps need no further explanation. As for cooling, he frequently used the Ice Stone. That stone turned out to be extremely convenient¡ªno fridge needed. The Ice Stone he bought from Volo is highly effective, probably chipped from some naturally occurring block of ice or an Eternal Ice deposit. "Sorry for calling you a swindler, Volo. At least the Ice Stone is incredible!" With Lum Berries now harvested, Hikaru naturally decided to include them in his next batch of Pok¨¦blocks! [Obtained: Lum Berry Pok¨¦block (High-Level Pok¨¦block)!] [Description: A Pok¨¦block made by mixing Lum Berries and various Berry powders. It contains multiple flavors, but is predominantly bitter.] [Effect: Increases a Pok¨¦mon''s Toughness and Cleverness, adds luster, boosts growth, restores some HP, and is rich in nutrients and energy for a Pok¨¦mon''s development.] [Note: Eating too many may cause bloating.] [You have created an extra dish and gained a crafting reward!] [High-Level Pok¨¦block Craft (B+): You can craft high-quality Pok¨¦blocks. You fully grasp the Berry mixing ratio, enabling your Pok¨¦blocks to have fairly advanced effects.] Normally, a yellow-green color block should be mostly sour in taste, but if you add Lum Berries, it becomes bitter. "Huh?" Right then, Turtwig came over. It had been peeking in from the flowerpot for a while, so Hikaru handed the new Lum Berry Pok¨¦block to Turtwig. "Want to try?" Turtwig tilted its head, recalling the lure cakes and mushrooms it had eaten before. Its eyes sparkled. Another yummy treat! If it were in the wild, it would be much more cautious about random foods. But now that it has been captured, that worry is gone. Turtwig chomped down on the Pok¨¦block, chewing carefully. With its careful nature, it likes bitter flavors and dislikes astringent ones. Turtwig really enjoyed this taste, happily munching away! A strange sound came from its shell and the leaves on its head. Hikaru noticed the strong herbs on its back and the bud-like leaf on its head all expanding, looking even glossier and smoother! "Increasing luster, huh? It''s working on its head leaf and those herbs on its back? Maybe that''s because it''s part of the ''plant'' group?" Hikaru chuckled, observing Turtwig''s leaves and the plants on its shell. After scarfing down a few more Pok¨¦blocks, Turtwig was too full to eat regular food. Its cheeks bulged, and its belly puffed out as it exhaled heavily! "Tuur¡ªhic¡ªtwig!" "Oops, that''s enough! You can''t overeat!" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Turtwig''s eyes squeezed shut contentedly as it sprawled on the kitchen floor. Doublade drifted in and saw Hikaru secretly slicing Berries without involving it¡ªand got mad. Wasn''t it the official "kitchen knife" around here? Then it glanced at Turtwig collapsed on the floor, looking plump and round... Which family''s grass pig got in here? Doublade wrapped Turtwig gently in its ribbons and lifted it high. "Yoo-woo~" Child, when you''re this full, the entire kitchen calls your name. "Ah, Doublade, mind absorbing a bit of Turtwig''s excess nutrition? Seems like it overate!" Hikaru remembered Doublade''s "lore" about draining life force from living things. Maybe it could help digestion? This sword is so multi-purpose...the "Digestive Aid Sword"? "Yoo-woo~" Doublade blinked both eyes, a sudden idea sparking in its mind. It muttered softly¡ªthough it''s a knightly sword, perhaps the workshop could add a ''weight-loss service,'' sure to attract many customers? It seems it has so many functions after all! Doublade turned its eyes around in deep thought, holding Turtwig as it floated out. Turtwig was still hiccupping all the while. "I''ve learned two new food-prep techniques. That should expand the customer base again¡ªbreeders can buy food items from me. But the limitation is the raw materials..." The Lum Berries in Hikaru''s orchard alone clearly won''t be enough. He''ll need to cultivate Lum Berry and other Berries in the Relic Berry Forest as well. Berries grown by Hikaru''s hand are higher quality. But until then, buying ordinary Berries from other regions is also an option. However, Hikaru recalled that to legally sell Pok¨¦blocks, you need a Breeder''s or Caretaker''s license. A quick online search confirmed it''s true¡ªyou have to pass an exam. He doesn''t have that certification¡­ "Making them at home is fine, but to sell them, you need a license. It''s to prevent criminals from selling substandard or counterfeit Pok¨¦blocks." Since his Lum Berries were now harvested, Hikaru packed some up and delivered them to the village. "These really are Lum Berries... Didn''t expect you to actually find them. In terms of Berries, these are pretty rare. Thanks to you, I can now formulate more medicines in the herbal shop." The old herbalist was grateful for the Lum Berries Hikaru brought. While the village does have some network access, the villagers don''t have Pok¨¦gears. Typically, they barter with traveling ruin explorers. Otherwise, they live an isolated, traditional lifestyle. The herbalist began mixing a new remedy, crushing Lum Berries together with some Vital Sprouts, while Hikaru watched closely. As he observed the herbalist''s proportions, he saw new details pop into his mind: [You have actively studied a craft!] [Acquired: High-Potency Herbal Craft (B)!] [Potions you mix now have +50% effect. By combining certain Berries and herbs, you can create unique, high-potency herbal medicines!] [Recipes unlocked: Full Restore, Revive, Max Revive, Potent Herbal Tonic.] Hikaru was happy to see that he''d unlocked the method for making the "Revive" series, as well as Full Restore. The herbalist finished preparing the medicine and handed a portion to Hikaru. "Think of this as my thanks¡ªthis is a special secret medicine of Shinto. If you take it, it''ll boost your stamina and cure illnesses. Long ago, an epidemic struck our Berries here, wiping out much of my stock." A fruit tree infection? Hikaru didn''t expect to hear that in the Pok¨¦mon world, but thinking back, the Kalos region did have an event where orchard trees got sick. Hikaru accepted the medicine¡ªcrushed Lum Berries and dried herbs kneaded into small pill-shaped forms. [Crafted Item: Shinto Secret Medicine] [Description: A secret remedy passed down in ancient Shinto, it strengthens the body and dispels disease. If given to a Pok¨¦mon, all of its physical stats increase slightly, letting it surpass its usual limits!] [By using High-Potency Herbal Craft, Shinto Secret Medicine can be made.] "Physical stats!" Once again, he''d encountered an item that boosts physical stats across the board¡ªmeaning Speed, Strength, Skill, Stamina, and Jumping all get a boost, though it doesn''t enhance elemental powers. This and Rare Candy both rely on Lum Berries as a core component, so it looks like Hikaru definitely needs a dedicated Lum Berry orchard. In Johto, potions that improve physical stats include "Apricorn Juice" and the special concoction brewed by an old Shuckle caretaker. But Apricorn Juice only grants a temporary boost and can''t exceed a Pok¨¦mon''s maximum potential stats. Bidding the herbalist farewell, Hikaru returned to his workshop. Overhead, Charizard roars echoed across the sky¡ªsomewhere in the distance, a large group of Charizard was gathered like a legion of dragons! And¡­a gigantic hot-air balloon?! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 101 - 101 All the Pok¨¦mon gathered together, gazing at the dark silhouettes appearing in the sky. First came nearly a dozen Charizard, and behind them were several Dragonite. This time, it was truly a legion of dragons! "Roar!" Leading the group was that particularly large Charizard that Hikaru was most familiar with. Since it had already used a wood sculpture technique, it was flying at the front with the greatest speed. Following behind it were other Charizard of various sizes, all generally quite large. Among the two Dragonite, one was the same Dragonite that had come over last time. As the dragon legion landed, that familiar Charizard took the initiative to greet everyone. "Roar~!" It let out a call upon seeing an old friend, then started rummaging through the box on its chest. It pulled out some gold and silver leaves. It had found these rare leaves again and brought them over as a gift! "Ah, thank you, Charizard!" The Dragonite behind also flapped its little wings as it landed. The first thing it did was give everyone a hug, including all the other Pok¨¦mon. Upon seeing Turtwig, the Dragonite lifted it high above its head, apparently finding this little one quite adorable! "Woo~" Dragonite lifted Turtwig high overhead! "Nah!" Turtwig, who had only just digested its meal, was dumbfounded at being held up. It was a bit nervous at the sight of so many powerful Pok¨¦mon around, but the Dragonite soon put it down. Turtwig then scurried behind Hikaru, poking out its little head and cautiously observing the Dragonite. Meanwhile, the other Pok¨¦mon who got hugged were all happy¡ªonly Regirock remained unmoved. Dragonite looked a little puzzled at Regirock. Wait, is this rock figure actually a Pok¨¦mon? Could it be that it just hugged a boulder? Noticing the Dragonite''s confusion, Regirock raised its arm: "Re-gi¡ª" That was its greeting. It had just zoned out for a moment, looking like it had a slow startup. Sigh! It''s all inherited from its father (Regigigas)! "Don''t worry about it. Regirock sometimes drifts into memories. It''s quite old, so it does that now and then. It''s my friend," Hikaru explained to Charizard and Dragonite. Dragonite flapped its little wings in curiosity as it looked at Regirock. It was the first time it had seen a Pok¨¦mon like this. Indeed, when you fly all over and meet different people, you encounter all sorts of strange, interesting things! This made Dragonite even happier, so it enthusiastically introduced itself to Regirock! "I''m Dragonite, the Pok¨¦mon courier from Blackthorn City!" "Re-gi¡ª" Regirock responded, though Dragonite did not understand. That did not matter; it was still delighted! As long as the other side could understand its words, that was enough! "Dragonite is as enthusiastic as ever," Hikaru said with a smile, but then noticed Charizard giving him a slightly annoyed look, making things a bit awkward. "Roar! Roar!" Charizard, somewhat displeased, urged everyone to get to work. The other Charizard and Dragonite that had arrived with it roared in response. They began unloading the cargo, taking out all the merchandise Hikaru had purchased. The hot-air balloon they had been towing was a special balloon used for transporting goods in remote areas¡ªsturdy and durable. Along with the Charizard using Sunny Day to keep the weather favorable, they could overcome just about any bad conditions! Hikaru''s Pok¨¦mon quickly moved to help. Doublade used its ribbons to float and carry items, Lilligant used its leaves to hold things, Regirock carried things normally, while Turtwig could only bite down on some small items with its mouth. "Nah!" Turtwig''s tender sprout on its head drooped as it felt disappointed in its own limited ability to help, but seeing the Unown (specifically the letter E form) with no hands at all made it feel a bit better. Unown E: "?" Turtwig, why are you looking at me like that, as if I''m some poor helpless Pok¨¦mon? All was bustling with the transportation of goods on Hikaru''s end! Many were Pok¨¦mon materials, common ores, sands, fabrics, plush materials... [Uncommon Material: Whimsicott''s Cotton (High Quality)!] S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Acquired Knowledge: "Cotton Spinner": +35% efficiency and quality when processing cotton!] ... [Uncommon Material: Smeargle''s Paint (High Quality)!] [Acquired Knowledge: "Art Aficionado": +35% to your painting technique and aesthetics!] ... [Uncommon Material: Galar Copperajah Brass (High Quality)!] [Acquired Knowledge: "Artistic Coppersmith": +35% to quality and artistry of copper products!] ... [Uncommon Material: Shimmer Thread (High Quality).] [Description: High-grade cotton thread made from fluffy white cotton, a famous product of the Galar region.] [Acquired Knowledge: "Cloth Weaver": +35% to the quality of woven textiles.] ... [Rare Material: Galar''s Premium Fabric and Yarn (Top Quality)!] [Description: A top-grade fabric woven from Wigglytuff and Dubwool fur, along with various other high-quality textile materials. Extremely expensive, it can be used to create mysterious items. It''s the raw material for making the Silk Scarf.] [Acquired Knowledge: "Sewing Expert": +35% to sewing techniques, aesthetics, and quality] [Acquired Craft: "Refined Craftsmanship (B+)" ¡ª allows you to make somewhat refined items. When combined with mysterious inscriptions and drawing techniques, it can stimulate part of a Pok¨¦mon''s power, greatly increasing Attack/Speed/Sp. Atk!] ... [Rare Material: Volcanic Ash from the Hoenn region!] [Description: Although it''s volcanic ash found everywhere in Hoenn, because Hoenn''s volcanic activity is caused by Groudon, the ash is imbued with Groudon''s energy and some sort of vermilion mineral, making the soil fertile. It''s a very important material for soil cultivation!] [Acquired Craft: "Volcanic Ash Glasswork (B)"¡ªusing volcanic ash from Hoenn and various other regions to make unique volcanic ash glass products.] "Refined Series!" This was the most important craft Hikaru obtained from these items, and he was delighted. It was worth purchasing such expensive fabrics! Only high-grade materials can create certain specialized items! There were also some Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon materials sent over by Lance! Dragon whiskers, claws, scales, skin...! [Rare Material: Dragon Fang (Ancient)!] [Effect: When held by a Pok¨¦mon, it boosts the power of Dragon-type moves.] [Acquired Craft: "Dragon Clan Craft (B+)" ¡ª allows advanced processing of materials from Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon and the fusion of those materials with others, producing items that better nurture Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon. This includes food.] [Can Craft: Indigo Chiffon, Dragon Powder, Dragon Scarf, Heavenly Raiment, Phantom Cloak, Tornado Ribbon.] All at once, Hikaru''s mind was filled with a vast amount of knowledge related to Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon! However, these items felt very unfamiliar! It looked like¡­ stuff from a "Dungeon World"? [Dragon Tamer''s professional knowledge has been strengthened: Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon you raise will develop even better! This includes knowledge on how to nurture dragons more effectively!] ... [Rare Material: Dragon Scale] [Description: A hard, sturdy scale. Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon sometimes carry it. If given to a Seadra for a trade evolution, it becomes Kingdra.] [Acquired Craft: "Dragon Clan Craft" (Already Acquired).] After moving all these materials, there were also various precious artworks. They included art paintings and stained glass from Alto Mare, some instruments and musical scores from Baiyang Town, and retro-style clothing from Rota! Hikaru planned to use these crafts as reference while studying their unique effects to learn corresponding arts and techniques. "These artworks'' effects¡­ The stained glass enhances luck and willpower, the paintings enhance artistry and emotion, and the instruments and scores eliminate mental fatigue and negative emotions. The retro-style outfits slightly improve perception." These art pieces all come from special cities. The artisans passing down these skills for generations never realized that their craft contained something extraordinary. Most people can''t detect anything unusual, but for Hikaru, simply displaying these items brings him considerable boosts and gains! The artwork from Alto Mare is themed around the guardians of the Water Capital, Latias and Latios, and Eterna City''s crafts are closely related to the two deities of time and space. "Still, Eterna City''s musical scores don''t contain ''Oraci¨®n''¡ªthat hasn''t been discovered yet. Its meaning is ''prayer.'' And look at this: a commemorative item sold by Eterna City, the Lunar Wing." [Craftwork: Lunar Wing (Replica)] [Effect: A commemorative item made by artisans in Eterna City, imitating the real Lunar Wing. It seems to prevent nightmares, but stands no chance against strong external nightmares.] [Hint: By using Clefairy fur + Xatu feathers + a Moon Stone / wood from the Dream World, you can create a high-grade replica Lunar Wing.] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 102 - 102 [Bonus Chapter] The Lunar Wing itself is not a battle item. It is used to summon the Lunar Pok¨¦mon, Cresselia, and can also be used to dispel someone''s nightmares. For people plagued by nightmares, possessing a Lunar Wing could save their life. Aside from that, there were also some rare breeding items. Hikaru purchased a small batch first to try out their effects. [Uncommon Material: Refined Iron Powder] [Description: A high-purity iron powder produced artificially. Feeding it to Steel-type Pok¨¦mon can strengthen Steel-type energy.] [Acquired Knowledge: "Steel Breeder"¡ªSteel-type Pok¨¦mon breeding +20%.] [Uncommon Material: Ghost Tea Leaves] [Description: A very refined black tea infused with Ghost-type power, difficult to obtain. The Pok¨¦mon called Sinistea may inhabit these tea leaves.] [Acquired Knowledge: "Tea Culture Expert"¡ªyou''ve mastered the "art of tea." +30% deliciousness when brewing tea.] [Uncommon Material: Soul Sand] [Description: Sand filled with Ghost-type energy. When placed in water, it bubbles. Excessive contact may drain one''s spirit. The Pok¨¦mon called Palossand is the source of such sand.][Acquired Knowledge: "Spirit-Sand Nurturing"¡ªusing Soul Sand to raise Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon grants +25% growth.] [Uncommon Material: Pompom Seeds] [Description: Seeds from the fluffy head of a Whimsicott. Rich in nutrients, beneficial to both humans and Pok¨¦mon for nourishment and strengthening.] [Acquired Knowledge: "Grass Growth"¡ª+25% growth to Grass-type Pok¨¦mon.] [Rare Material: Miracle Seed] [Description: A rather rare seed of life that does not grow. When held, it boosts the power of Grass-type moves.] [Acquired Craft: "Seed Mutation Craft (B)"¡ªusing this breeding technique, any crops you plant may produce "special seeds." Combined with specialized seed mutation knowledge, you can produce seeds beneficial to Grass-, Ground-, Fairy-, and other types of Pok¨¦mon. However, these special seeds cannot sprout and may affect the yield of plants.] Apart from these, there were also some breeding-related books. Once Charizard and the Dragonite finished unloading their deliveries, they pulled out some Rage Candy Bars from the box and started eating. However, Charizard recommended Hikaru''s Berry Juice service to its kin, prompting Hikaru to have an idea and take out Rare Candy and Pok¨¦blocks. "Roar?!"Charizard blinked a few times, then ate the Rare Candy without much hesitation. It tasted great, making it lick its tongue all over. Then it took a bite of the Pok¨¦block! Ugh, bitter! Charizard stuck out its tongue, but being diligent by nature, it could accept any flavor. Once it finished those two items, Charizard felt multiple surges of energy erupt inside its body! S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Grr! Charizard''s arms suddenly flexed with muscle! "Roar~!!" A blast of Flamethrower shot straight into the sky. The other Charizard, also finished with their share, did the same pose¡ªbulging veins on their arms, muscles swelling, excitedly spewing fire skyward! For a moment, it was like a grand fiery festival, making the temperature rise! Hikaru was somewhat puzzled at the effect of the Pok¨¦blocks he made. When Turtwig ate them, all the nutrients got absorbed by its Grass-type energy, leaving it with a bloated belly. Yet these Charizard turned into muscle heads right on the spot! So it boosted "Tough" and "Smart"¡­?! Awesome! Charizard felt its body had never been so strong. Indeed, each time they delivered goods to this odd craftsman, they always got some weird form of enhancement! This feeling was great! Dragonite looked at the flexing, fire-breathing Charizard, breaking out in invisible cold sweat, and eyed the Pok¨¦block and Rare Candy for a while. Finally, it decided to eat both at once. Then its eyes widened, joining the muscle-flexing party! Roar, roar! Dragonite felt its mind becoming more active, mood elated, power rising¡ªit felt like it could fly from Johto to Unova in one go without stopping! "Since I only have one Pok¨¦mon who really tastes anything, I didn''t expect this stuff to be so effective. So this is powerful Pok¨¦block, huh?" Hikaru stroked his chin thoughtfully. This might sell really well after I get my Breeder or Pok¨¦mon Nurturer certification! It''s all thanks to watching that video by Adam from Lilycove! From now on, if there are any questions about Pok¨¦mon breeding, just check his videos! Although the editing means I can''t glean the crafting techniques for free, I''m no slouch at craftsmanship either. As long as I can replicate them once, I''ll fully master the corresponding craft! Taking a glance at his own Pok¨¦mon¡­ Doublade and Hisuian Lilligant were studying the Pok¨¦blocks, while Turtwig warned them not to overeat or they''d get a stomachache. As for Regirock, it had no mouth and did not need to eat. However, after helping Hikaru move everything, Regirock seemed deep in thought. The H-shaped pattern on its face kept flashing, making Hikaru curious. He asked, and discovered¡ª "What? You''re saying you want to copy my workshop setup, turning the Rocky Mountain Ruins into a place for Pok¨¦mon to trade goods with each other?" A¡­ Rocky Mountain Ruins snack shop?! But your only goods are basically rocks, right? Selling¡­ Evolution Stones, maybe? Hikaru stared blankly at Regirock. Regirock, for its part, was mumbling about whether it should awaken the other two giant guardians of the Iceberg Ruins and Black Gold Ruins; it had been a long time since they''d seen one another. Wait¡­ Something interesting crossed Hikaru''s mind. Regirock selling rocks, Regice selling ice blocks, Registeel selling iron? Those three guys are basically gatherers of natural resources? Exactly what did they learn from the ancient Shinto civilization? "If the Shinto Forest ends up turning into something bizarre because the Three Regis become material merchants, I guess that traveling merchant Volo not showing up anymore won''t matter¡­" Hikaru mumbled. "Oh, right. That Gracidea Flower you gave me last time¡ªthere''s a field of them somewhere in the forest, right?" Hikaru asked about that flower, and the H on Regirock''s face flashed mysteriously. It mumbled in a low voice. Not only are there special flowers, but also some new things near the old Shinto cemetery, where an incredible vein of stones left by ancient people remains. If Hikaru wants them, it can take him there. But there is a wandering presence in that area, always lurking and refusing to leave. So better wait until the official start of the Rocky Mountain Ruins'' restoration before going! Hikaru helplessly turned again to the horde of Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon: "Stop flexing and hurry up to load the goods!" After unloading the items Hikaru bought, there was also a shipment of his own to be sent out. Charizard finally remembered its proper job and gave a mighty roar; the other Charizard and Dragonite all responded enthusiastically! The place immediately bustled with excitement, as if hosting a rave. "Careful not to damage my goods!" Seeing this energetic group of dragons, Hikaru realized for the first time how tough it could be dealing with them at full excitement. No wonder dragons are said to be so powerful¡ªone or two might be no big deal, but if there are many gathered, the destructive potential is immense. Fortunately, they did not forget their real job. They packed and sealed everything carefully, placing the large items into hot-air balloons. Once done, they all regarded Hikaru with friendly expressions. [Your friendship with the Charizard and Dragonite hordes has greatly increased!] Charizard patted its chest and roared twice at Hikaru! If you ever run into anything, come find us! In the Johto region, the dragon flock of Blackthorn City has influence! Next time we come by, we''ll gather more special materials for you on the way! Watching them fly off, Hikaru wiped the sweat from his brow. Now that a large batch of materials had arrived, many items could officially start production! There were also those Dragon-type materials, those suspected "Dungeon World" items that intrigued Hikaru. But first, he had to work on creating that new "Shinto Secret Medicine" he had just obtained! The primary goal in making this medicine wasn''t to sell for profit, but to raise his own Pok¨¦mon. After sorting the delivered materials, Hikaru began preparing the secret medicine. In a sense, this concoction could be considered a type of "secret remedy." The world''s oldest pharmacy is said to be the herbal shop in Cianwood City, Johto, famous in the games for its "Secret Potion" that cures any ailment but is extremely potent. After a while, the pills were shaped. Hikaru was initially planning to have Turtwig test one, but given that Turtwig had just been "forced" to digest all those Pok¨¦blocks, feeding it a strong tonic might cause issues. So Hikaru took one himself first. It definitely did not taste good¡ªtrue medicine tastes bitter but is beneficial. Shortly after, a powerful force surged through Hikaru''s body, making him shiver momentarily! Immediately, it was as if he could move more freely! Strength, jumping ability, and mental speed all seemed slightly enhanced. Even minor health issues he normally overlooked vanished without a trace! This feeling was incredible!"So it works on humans too, though all it really does is strengthen the body and eliminate ailments. Only when Pok¨¦mon eat it can they fully absorb its nutrients and enhance their physical limits." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 103 - 103 Meanwhile¡­ Outside the workshop, the Pok¨¦mon gathered around to examine the pile of breeding items. "Yooh?" Doublade lifted two jars, one containing refined iron powder and the other Soul Sand, and a pair of imaginary bubbles popped up near its two sword handles at the same time. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So the way to use these might be¡­ grinding them down! For a Pok¨¦mon without a mouth, simply absorbing the Steel- and Ghost-type energy in these materials would be a huge waste. After that absorption, the iron powder and sand would just become regular stuff, making this a one-time huge expense. The workshop had only just started to turn a profit, so it could not afford such reckless usage. As a craftsman, one must consider how to maximize the effect of these two jars of breeding materials! Doublade started pondering! Although generally speaking, sand can''t be used to sharpen blades, this is Soul Sand, which differs from normal sand. Using a grinding technique should yield impressive results! Doublade set down the iron powder, then waved its ribbon at Hisuian Lilligant. "Lilli?" Lilligant held two bags of seeds: the Miracle Seed and the Pompom Seeds. She and Turtwig had been inspecting them but turned around when Doublade called. She saw Doublade shaking the jar of sand in front of its blade and understood right away! So that''s it, you want to get polished! Lilligant set down the seeds, came over to Doublade, and raised a leafy arm to pour out some Soul Sand. Upon opening the jar, the Ghost-type energy began to diffuse. However, items sold online as breeding aids wouldn''t be dangerously cursed. Though imbued with Ghost energy, they contained no harmful curses. Doublade''s two blades both emerged from the sheath. One of them drifted in front of Lilligant, lying horizontally. Lilligant looked around, found a roll of cloth, spread it on the ground, and set the sand on top of it to catch any spillage. Mixing Ghost-infused sand into the soil or grass might cause unpredictable plant growth¡ªif it mutated badly, that would be a problem. "Lilli~"For some reason, Lilligant felt a surge of excitement. She had wanted to try polishing for a while. Back when she was still a Petilil, she had demonstrated some skills with her leaves, gaining strange knowledge and abilities. Now that she had evolved, she could use her arms to carry out the polishing. So¡­ Green light glowed on Lilligant''s leaf arm! This was a Leaf Blade grind! Swish¡ªThe soft Soul Sand spread across Doublade''s blade. Lilligant used her Leaf Blade move to polish Doublade. It was just a simple test, of course, so not all the sand would be used up. She understood only a Trainer could produce the highest-level creations. She was just an apprentice after all. "Yooh~"Doublade found it quite enjoyable. The sand''s Ghost power seeped into its blade bit by bit, and the sand on top was gradually diminishing, causing Lilligant to watch in curiosity. When the first sword was polished, the second sword''s turn came quickly. Lilligant was moving swiftly now, and after both blades had been polished, Doublade felt significantly better! Indeed, using Soul Sand for polishing had a tremendous effect. The Ghost energy in the sand was almost fully drained, leaving the Soul Sand material itself to vanish completely without a trace! But¡­ that refined iron powder¡­ Doublade looked at the other jar. The best use for iron powder would be smelting, but Doublade, a Steel-type Pok¨¦mon, would take damage from fire! Is it really time to do a "forge-the-blade" special? Meanwhile, Lilligant sensed a slight boost to her Fighting-type energy. The polishing work itself was also a test of strength¡ªa form of training? [Hisuian Lilligant has trained, and its Fighting-type energy has risen.] "Oh, you''re already studying those items?" Hikaru came out after finishing the Shinto Secret Medicine and saw the scene, prompting a notification in his mind. Not far from his feet, Turtwig was staring at the two seed pouches, periodically shaking its shell and turning its head to peek at its back. Once it saw Hikaru, its eyes lit up, and it came over with the seeds in its mouth, apparently wanting Hikaru to see if there was a place on its back to plant them. "Those seeds can''t sprout. They''re nutrient items and battle gear. Plus, the Miracle Seed is way too big for you to carry on your shell." Turtwig sure wants to try planting everything on its back! The Pompom Seeds are meant for making powerful Grass-type food, and there are only two Miracle Seeds. Perfect for Lilligant and Turtwig. Lilligant nestled the Miracle Seed among the floral crown on her head, letting the Grass-type energy fill her up, making her quite happy! Hikaru watered Lilligant, causing her flower crown to bloom more vibrantly as life energy nourished her. [You have nurtured Hisuian Lilligant. Her Grass-type energy has increased.] For Turtwig, Hikaru reconditioned the soil on its back. Turtwig''s shell was too small to bury the Miracle Seed inside, since that seed was about half a palm in size. So Turtwig could only bite down on it. In the soil on Turtwig''s back, Hikaru mixed in volcanic ash from the Hoenn region, said to contain traces of the Earth God''s power, making the soil more fertile. However, to the people of Hoenn, volcanic ash can also lead to certain illnesses¡ªit has pros and cons. Turtwig felt this trickle of energy, perking up considerably. [You have nurtured Turtwig. It has gained experience and growth, storing nutrients for future development. Its Ground- and Grass-type energies have risen.] Doublade floated over, holding the jar of iron powder, asking Hikaru how to use it. "Refined iron powder is indeed best used as a forging material, but I also have another use for it." Doublade stared at Hikaru, suddenly thinking of something¡ª Could¡­ Could it be¡­ "Steel Power Foods"?! Wait, can you really treat it as a cooking ingredient? "It can be used as food, yes. Iron powder can also be considered medicinal." Hikaru gave Doublade a quick lesson, picking up a dictionary from the pile of books on the ground: "Here''s a modern language study book called a dictionary. You can write ancient text, so I bought you this. If you can figure out modern script¡ª" "Yooh~"Before Hikaru could finish, Doublade got excited! If it can understand modern script, it can go online and curse those scammers! Hikaru: "¡­" Is there a chance you''re learning to read so I can better train you, not so you can verbally assault people online? Doublade took the dictionary, forgetting about the iron powder and Soul Sand altogether, and began studying intently. It had learned ancient writing in the old kingdom, so it understood the basics of how to learn a new script. It was all the same principle! Even though the modern written system is different, as a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, Doublade''s memory and learning capacity are formidable! "Actually, aside from these specialized breeding materials, many other Pok¨¦mon materials I''ve purchased can also be used for breeding¡­" Hikaru murmured, but Doublade was fully absorbed in the dictionary by then. Speaking of Steel types, one can''t overlook Metal Coat. Hikaru had already produced that item: a sticky gray metallic substance that can be applied to Steel-type Pok¨¦mon to enhance their power. Iron powder can also be used to make Metal Coat. Additionally, there are items shed by various Steel-type Pok¨¦mon¡ªfeathers from Skarmory or Corviknight; fragments from Magnezone, Metagross, Steelix, and Forretress; brass chunks from Copperajah; even the liquefied iron of the Mythical Pok¨¦mon Melmetal. Long ago, that Pok¨¦mon was worshipped for its ability to produce iron. "But I couldn''t find a Steel Gem online. If I had one, it would be even better for breeding." Hikaru muttered. At that moment, the H pattern on Regirock''s face flashed. It made a mysterious sound, indicating that while it didn''t have a Steel Gem, a friend of its might have something better. Once the Rocky Mountain Ruins are restored¡­ shall we go look for the legendary ''Black Gold''? Hikaru blinked. "Registeel''s Black Gold Ruins?" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 104 - 104 <[New Fanfic Is Coming Tomorrow: [Naruto: I Have A Gravity Training Room]> There''s always something good inside the Three Regis'' ruins¡ªRegirock personally confirmed this. The so-called "Black Gold" is the metal forming Registeel''s body, and there''s still some in the Black Gold Ruins, just like the embedded stone in the Rocky Mountain Ruins. "I always wondered if such a material existed, but never thought it would be so close at hand." Hikaru rubbed his chin. He had to obtain Black Gold. It seemed Regirock truly intended to awaken its two siblings in this era, so the three pillars could open a shop together¡­ Regice could serve as a fridge (for sure). For the rest of the day, Hikaru did not do more work. Though orders had been increasing lately, handmade goods inherently take a long time to ship, and some items aren''t urgent. He had already arranged the necessary tasks. Over the next week, those tasks would be gradually completed. He had also gained some breeding insights from many of his clients. Hikaru decided to use a few free hours now to read. First¡­ he picked up Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon and the Nature of Souls. All those books scattered on the ground were taken inside. Doublade carried some with one ribbon while still clutching the dictionary in the other, fully immersed in study. After finishing the move, it turned its back on everyone in the corner of the room, occasionally letting out low "yooh-yooh" murmurs¡­ Lilligant and Turtwig exchanged glances and shrugged. They could not read, so they couldn''t learn from those books. Lilligant decided to go hone her carving skills. Through carving and polishing, she could overcome the negative aspects of her own Ability. Turtwig looked left and right, then trotted to the door to meet Regirock''s gaze. "Nah?" Will you help me train? Turtwig felt it was lacking in strength. Everyone was busy trying to get stronger, but it had no clear path to improvement. It couldn''t read the books or do carving; it was simply relying on the soil on its back and its Trainer''s nutritional care. This felt a bit shaky. Regirock gave Turtwig a thumbs-up. Your thinking is correct! If you only keep boosting energy without practical training, you won''t optimize your move usage. Though your Trainer focuses on crafting rather than combat, if you want to get stronger, battle training is essential! Since you''ve asked me so sincerely, I must help you out! "Re-gi¡ª"Regirock glanced at the Unown E on the wall: You want to train with us too? "Annon?"Unown E looked puzzled. Me, train? What would that accomplish? I only know Hidden Power¡­ I¡­ can''t do much. Password correct? After muttering to itself, it suddenly seemed to recall something. It lowered its voice toward Regirock and Turtwig. Though I''m just a single Unown that can''t do much¡­ if many Unown gather, we can accomplish something incredible! Like¡­ creating Pok¨¦mon! "Re-gi!"Regirock waved an arm, startled. You guys are the same type as my dad? Do you have Slow Start? Unown E stared speechlessly at Regirock. You''re not too polite, are you? It knew Regirock had no malice¡ªits personality was gentle. But Unown was certainly aware of Regigigas''s existence! That was the Pok¨¦mon once entrusted by the Original One to keep the elemental plates. It created five kinds of giants, comparable in some sense to Arceus. "Annon¡­"Unown E denied Regirock''s statement. "Annon!" The Pok¨¦mon we create are illusions of the heart without the power of the Creator. We can project our inner visions into reality. Not long ago, we even helped a certain Pok¨¦mon get "born," bringing it from an ancient time into today''s world. "Nah!" Turtwig perked up. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It knew about that: the dream dragon Doublade, the Trainer, and Lilligant often mentioned, right? "Annon." Yes, you catch on quickly. Looks like you do pay attention to other Pok¨¦mon''s conversations. By the way, in order of capture, that dragon was number three, and you are number four. Unown E wiggled its body. Turtwig mumbled about never having seen it. So¡­ was it strong? Unown E got excited, eagerly recounting the story of that night''s "battle between the Medicinal Elite Four member, the canceled straight sword, and the ancient dragon." Even Regirock became fascinated! Whether or not the story was exaggerated, the moves and destructive power were indeed formidable. After all, it was a Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon, a mythical creature of great strength. That shouldn''t be surprising. "Nah?" Turtwig asked, so¡­ do you plan to create it here? Unown E remembered Hikaru''s words and shook its head. That big dragon is already somewhere in this world, waiting for the Trainer to bring it home. Out of courtesy, I can''t recreate it, and it might lead to unexpected problems! In fact, that one was accidentally created in the first place. We originally wanted to make Suicune in a dream! Sure enough, creating the Three Legendary Beasts can be a bit dangerous, so we ended up with something else. "Annon~"Unown E added one more comment: Even if many Unown do gather, creating powerful Pok¨¦mon might risk losing control.Hence, if we do create something, it cannot be too strong; we must ensure it can be defeated. Also, we can''t practice near the workshop; it might be too dangerous. "Re-gi¡ª"Regirock''s H pattern flashed. It gently touched Turtwig, suggesting Turtwig train with it first. Once Turtwig gets a good feel for battle, then Unown can create a Pok¨¦mon for the next step. Anyway, as for a training area, it knew just the place! "Nah nah~"Turtwig scurried over to Lilligant, telling her it was leaving with Regirock and Unown for training. Lilligant was a bit puzzled looking at the three Pok¨¦mon, but simply patted Turtwig''s leaf. "Lilli!" Come back soon, I''ll make soup for you tonight! And so the three Pok¨¦mon ventured into the Shinto Forest. Regirock led them to a patch of woodland, where all the surrounding trees were scarred by cuts. Quite a few had broken or toppled, forming a natural arena. "Nah?" Turtwig sensed the powerful aura left behind by some Pok¨¦mon. Regirock pointed at a dented spot in the ground. Previously, there was a Scyther here¡ªthe same one causing trouble at the Rocky Mountain Ruins. That hollow in the big tree was formed when Regirock punched Scyther and sent it flying. Actually, Regirock had only come to gather stone, but Scyther rushed over to challenge it, babbling who-knows-what. Regirock didn''t understand, but after one punch, Scyther never came around again. Turtwig: "¡­" It realized Regirock wasn''t actually that mild. One punch likely knocked the previous day''s meal right out of that Scyther. I hope I won''t get punched into the sky next¡­ "Re-gi¡ª"Since there were no wild Pok¨¦mon here, it was the perfect natural arena for sparring. The surrounding forest dwellers largely disliked fighting, which was why that strong Scyther had tried to claim this spot. Turtwig perked up, and Regirock moved to the other side of the clearing. Unown E floated overhead to referee, having seen humans do this many times, so it was used to the process. "Annon~"Before the match began, Unown E laid out the rules for the "village." One was that Turtwig could not use the powerful herb on its back since it was precious. Also, no Solar Beam. "Nah!" Turtwig nodded seriously! Of course it knew that. Besides, banning Solar Beam could train its other abilities! I''m really weak. Even though everyone says I''m strong, I can''t do much at all. So I want to grow under limitations! That''s the plan! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 105 - 105 Doublade stayed in the corner, diligently flipping through the dictionary. Why the corner? Because that''s its personal little nook, giving it a sense of security and ambience for reading! "Yooh-yooh~" Mm-hmm, got it. Another word memorized. If it''s going to be the most reliable right-hand sword of the king, mastering modern script is essential! Setting aside the important task of cursing scammers online after it learns to read, this also lets Doublade consult breeding books anytime. That will further polish its moves and skills, using what it learns to help Hikaru even more effectively! It had been too busy to study until now, so it turned out this timing was perfect! The sound of pages flipping drew Hikaru''s attention from his computer. He glanced over toward the corner. Flipping pages so fast¡ªdid it really memorize anything? Some Ghost-type quantum wave reading method? "Yooh¡­" But yeah, a dictionary is quite dull¡ªthere are no pictures, just dense text. Doublade, being a Ghost-type, wasn''t bothered by that. A human might get drowsy pretty quickly looking at such tiny words. Besides, the dictionary said modern writing has multiple forms, mentioned in the foreword¡­ Doublade''s two eyes met each other. Yes, that''s hardly surprising. Back in the ancient kingdom, writing systems were messy. Some small kingdoms even liked inventing their own characters. Doublade remembered seeing scholars who walked around carrying two or three scrolls each day, mumbling as if reading divine scripts. Messy writing systems aren''t good. The modern era is much better, after a thousand years of evolution, it''s more mature. Doublade muttered to itself, soon reaching the dictionary''s final page. The thick volume plopped to the floor; it had only taken an hour to finish. Hikaru was stunned. He was still carefully studying the nature of souls, cross-referencing spiritual knowledge in his head, analyzing every sentence¡­ He had barely made a dent in it, and Doublade was already done? S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Clack."Doublade picked up another book nearby: The Universal Handbook for Breeding Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, a common reference sold at the market. There are many Trainers across the world, raising all sorts of Pok¨¦mon. For better guidance on training Ghost-types, a variety of how-to manuals exist¡ªoften compiled by breeding houses or professional Breeders from different regions. Doublade opened the book. It had memorized most of the dictionary''s text by rote, so now it was time for a practical test! "Yooh~" Using its soul to match up the words'' meanings, it could piece together entire sentences and grasp the text''s significance.It was a highly educated knight in ancient times¡ªthis was nothing! [Preface¡ªBreeding Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon is relatively uncommon. Usually, it''s done by people with spiritual abilities, so typical, everyday Ghost breeding methods are limited. The purpose of this book is to help normal Trainers raise Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon.] The author''s signature identified them as a "top-tier Pok¨¦mon Breeder"? "Yooh?" Seems the writer is pretty skilled? Doublade felt a bit confused. "That''s by an Evaluator," Hikaru explained when he saw Doublade puzzling over the text. "In every region, the best Pok¨¦mon breeders take the Evaluator exam. Those who pass become ''Pok¨¦mon Evaluators,'' also known as top-tier Pok¨¦mon Breeders." "They can gauge some of your stats just by looking, stuff like ''fairly decent ability,'' ''outstanding potential,'' ''average power''¡ªthat sort of thing." Doublade paused, wiggling its blade as if wanting to say something but then falling silent. It did sound amazing, but so what? There were already plenty of strange humans in this world. Its own Trainer was one. "Yooh~" The text mentioned that Ghost-types absorb energy from matter, something observed in many Ghost Pok¨¦mon. So using materials rich in energy can enhance a Ghost-type''s power. At the same time, items tainted by curses and resentment are excellent for Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, though not recommended for normal Trainers to gather. Nor is it recommended to explore ruins or graveyards without proper credentials¡ªone might risk death or legal trouble¡­ A normal Ghost-type Trainer can buy safe amulets or standard spooky items from spiritual specialists, or eat Berries and crops grown near graves. It''s best to have someone accompany you, and stay away from places of ancient legends or seals. Keep in mind, these foods are suitable for Ghost Pok¨¦mon but cause adverse effects in humans. To avoid having one''s energy drained by Ghost Pok¨¦mon, it''s important to have items and food that boost friendliness. But some Ghost-types grow so attached they want to share life and death with their Trainer forever, such as certain Yamask¡­ Doublade: "¡­" A sword can be speechless, and Doublade was exactly that. It stole a glance at Hikaru, who was absorbed in Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon and the Nature of Souls. This twisted love scenario relies on the Trainer being weaker than the Pok¨¦mon. If the Trainer is way stronger, then what? The book doesn''t say! Oh well, I''m not a knight who would betray my monarch¡­ Next page! Hikaru noticed Doublade peeking over but didn''t find it odd. Reading a book and having questions is natural. "¡­Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon and the Nature of Souls. Human souls can also give rise to Ghost Pok¨¦mon. Sometimes, a Pok¨¦mon''s death can spur the birth of new Ghost-types. Intense emotions may also lead to the emergence of Ghost-types. All of these connect closely to the human soul." "If there is a strong bond between you and your Ghost Pok¨¦mon, the emotional link in your soul will affect them. In this sense, the soul of a Ghost-type is like a blank canvas. Through training and intimacy, it becomes more and more like its owner. ''My'' Pok¨¦mon may give others an eerie feeling for that reason¡­" Hikaru read from the notes given by Agatha (in some translations, or possibly another Ghost-type specialist) or perhaps an Elite Four who specialized in Ghost. He found it very enlightening. The parts about emotions and willpower opened his eyes¡ªmany Ghost Trainers do not realize that Ghost-types are fundamentally about "souls," and focus only on tangible items and closeness, overlooking the deeper truth. [You''ve read a file on soul research. The author reveals the link between Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon and the soul!] [Your psychic knowledge has increased! You''ve gained a new comprehension!] [Advanced Psychic Knowledge: You can fully understand Ghost-type speech and transcribe it. Your soul''s resilience has greatly increased, as has your spiritual power, which can empower Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon. You can summon wild Ghost Pok¨¦mon via spiritual sensing, and have mastered "Spiritual Script." You can also nurture a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon''s "soul!"] A deep purple phantom flame flickered in front of Hikaru''s eyes. Within the corners of the room, that purple flame seemed to burn. It was Doublade, but Hikaru realized what he was truly seeing! That was the "Pok¨¦mon''s soul"! Almost immediately, the advanced psychic knowledge twisted Hikaru''s field of vision. The once-normal workshop appeared ancient and decayed, as if centuries old, full of eerie cold. The ceiling warped unnaturally, and Doublade vanished. Hikaru "stood up" and walked to the corner, looking around, then pushed the door open. A heavy gaze spanned the vast distance between heaven and earth, falling upon him. The "workshop" exterior looked nothing like reality¡ªsilence and void reigned. Tornadoes raged in the vacuum, with countless floating islands of varying sizes twisted in space. Distorted, upended buildings stood on them, and enormous crystalline pillars pierced the sky. A Pok¨¦mon shaped like a giant dragon or a gargantuan centipede floated in the near distance, seemingly having noticed the workshop long ago. Its eyes were fixed directly on Hikaru, meeting his gaze! Damn it! Did I accidentally summon a wild Pok¨¦mon with my soul resonance? Who¡­ is it calling?! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 106 - 106 <[New Fanfic Is UP: [Naruto: I Have A Gravity Training Room]> "I can''t believe I forgot¡ªthis is Shinto!" The land of Shinto is the true place of worship for Arceus. On this ancient land, there exists a Triadic Stage capable of creating all things in existence! That stage is precisely where three Legendary Pok¨¦mon were born! So, without a doubt, the "spirit" that can be summoned with advanced spiritual knowledge is not some ancient local soul of Shinto, nor that wandering Dusknoir, but rather the master of the Distortion World¡ªGiratina! The Distortion World! It mirrors the real world and is also called the World of Destruction. It''s the reverse side of the Pok¨¦mon world, where gravity is chaotic and the terrain and structures appear in mirrored forms. It has a corresponding relationship with the matter of the real world. That large, gray, floating Pok¨¦mon, shaped part dragon and part centipede, bears a gold half-ring encircling its neck from its back. Black and red stripes run across the front of its neck in horizontal bands. Six ghostly, ribbon-like wings float behind it, each wing-tipped with red, and in total, ten golden spikes jut from both sides of its body! Giratina¡ªOrigin Forme! Hikaru felt a faint heat on the back of his hand. Looking down, he noticed a strange black and red crest had appeared on it¡ªthe very crest belonging to Giratina on the Triadic Stage! "Graaah!" "You!" In the ears of ordinary people, that sound would simply be a sharp, tremulous roar¡ªGiratina''s furious bellow. But to Hikaru, it was clearly "a language humans could understand!" Advanced spiritual knowledge can interpret more forms of mystical communication, even that of Pok¨¦mon referred to as gods! In Hikaru''s eyes, Giratina''s spiritual power was like a sun in the Distortion World! Suddenly, a fierce golden lightning bolt streaked through the void! "A violent duplicate, capable of calling down the Thunder of Rage¡­" Hikaru muttered. In the next instant, Giratina''s roar, carrying a raging storm, twisted its own form and vanished from this world! Back at the computer, Hikaru jolted awake. For just a moment, his eyes had lost focus, and his soul seemed to drift away from his body. Filled with surprise, he reflected on the advanced summoning knowledge he had just acquired. Mumbling a short incantation to call upon Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, he reduced the output of his spiritual power. In the next moment, Hikaru once again appeared in the Distortion World! Meanwhile, in that very Distortion World: Giratina was eyeing the spot from which Hikaru had just disappeared, annoyed. A human had suddenly and inexplicably intruded into its realm and stepped out from one of the houses here! Truth be told, this wasn''t the first time something like this had happened. Some years ago, there was a researcher who somehow leapt into its world. Giratina chased him for a while, but since he didn''t cause any real damage or disruption and was well-hidden, Giratina eventually gave up the pursuit. But this human was different! He dared to appear right in front of Giratina, invading so brazenly, as if guided straight to its face. That was outright provocation! Unbearable! Fortunately, Giratina''s single roar was enough to drive him away¡ªthat is the power of the Distortion World''s master! Giratina felt a bit smug about that. Although it was banished to this world, it had long since gained the ability to enter and exit freely. Apart from Giratina itself, no other life form should be here unless it received Giratina''s permission! Entering someone else''s domain requires manners¡ªno manners, no welcome.Hence, that sudden human intruder had been driven away with no mercy. This realm does not welcome unwanted guests! Smack! The door of the "Reverse Workshop" opened once again. Hikaru reappeared, looking baffled as he stood before Giratina! "You were¡­banishing me, right? And I was indeed banished." "How dare you invade my domain¡­yet still return!" "Graaaah!" This time, Giratina was truly enraged. Without a second thought, two golden, spiked armor plates on its jaws split open. Within its mouth, a massive, eerie-blue Will-O-Wisp formed! A single Will-O-Wisp blasted toward Hikaru! The overwhelming type energy hammered his soul; once more, Hikaru felt his spirit spinning, and he was forcibly driven out of this world yet again! "Hmph!" Giratina watched coldly as that Will-O-Wisp burned Hikaru''s soul into nothing, letting out a disdainful growl. "Who does that feeble spiritual medium think he is? Trying to enter this world? At least he''ll learn a lesson this time. If he dares come back, I''ll make sure his defeat is even worse. That must''ve been painful!" "Eh?!" Inside the workshop, Hikaru''s eyes refocused, and he felt dizzy. Giratina truly had a violent temper. But the key point was¡­why did my second attempt also summon Giratina? I weakened my spiritual power usage this time¡­ No, this doesn''t seem like I summoned it. It''s more like it pulled me in! There''s too big a gap in spiritual power and domain authority¡ªGiratina, practically a godlike Pok¨¦mon, could yank my soul into its domain whenever I tried to connect. I''m just an ordinary human, so my soul is forcibly dragged into the Distortion World! "Should I¡­try once more?" That reckless thought flickered through Hikaru''s mind. He once again chanted the incantation! His vision warped, and once again, Hikaru appeared in front of Giratina. Giratina: "¡­" Encountering an unkillable wandering soul in the backyard of the Distortion World that regenerates after being destroyed thrice¡ªthat''s monstrous. No matter how much force is used, it can''t truly be annihilated! "Wait! Didn''t you notice you''re actually pulling me in?!" Before Giratina could attack again, Hikaru hastily tried to stop it. "Graah?" Fury still seethed within Giratina, but Hikaru''s voice nonetheless reached its mind. Giratina realized there seemed to be a faint connection between the other''s spirit and its own. How could that be possible? As one of the first Pok¨¦mon created by Arceus, Giratina is the master of the Distortion World. It''s inconceivable for a mortal''s spirit to be connected to it in any way. A mere spiritual medium forming a link with Giratina¡ªunthinkable from any angle. Yet the subtle pull on Giratina''s soul told it otherwise. The other party truly had some kind of connection with it. The red glow in Giratina''s eyes sharpened as it fixed them on Hikaru. Its massive body twisted through the void, coming closer to the workshop. "How did you do this? Break off that link at once!" Giratina used some form of telepathy to communicate with Hikaru. At that moment, it spotted the crest on the back of Hikaru''s hand. Giratina hesitated, then was utterly shocked¡ªits two draconic eyes widening. "Why do you have that crest?!" "I don''t know," Hikaru replied honestly. Giratina: "¡­?" The huge Ghost-Dragon coiled in the emptiness, looming over the mirror-image workshop. Finally, it demanded: "Where did you come from?" It held back on attacking this time, restraining its fury solely because that impossible crest had appeared before its eyes. "Shinto," Hikaru answered. Giratina''s pupils constricted slightly. After staring at Hikaru for a long moment, it let out a low rumble: "The Call of Shinto¡­you know where this place is?" Before Hikaru could respond, Giratina itself answered, "This is the World of Destruction, the reverse supporting pillar of the real world¡ªmy place of exile. And the crest on your hand proves your identity." "I am the ruler of the Distortion World, the shadow under the brilliant light, the dragon of the world''s other side¡ªGiratina!" "I never imagined that after a thousand years, someone descended from Shinto''s old bloodline would appear here. But you''re not supposed to be in this world." From ancient Sinnoh, the people of Shinto migrated away, establishing the earliest temples to the gods. Even before that ancient legendary hero led ten Pok¨¦mon to challenge Arceus, sculptures of the Creation Trio already stood in the ancient pathways of Shinto. That site was called the Temple of Shinto, which in the era of Hisui had become a ruin. Of its three giant statues, one was completely destroyed¡­ In Giratina''s eyes, its usual hostility was suddenly subdued. Back in the Hisui era, after Giratina caused trouble and was defeated by a certain someone, it decided to protect the world. Even a century of quiet didn''t ease Giratina''s temper toward the creatures living happily in the real world, but there were exceptions¡ªnamely, the people of Shinto. Long ago, they built a statue in Giratina''s honor, placing it together with Dialga and Palkia in one place of worship. Even after they migrated to Shinto, they never forgot Giratina''s image and still left a space for it on the Stage of Light. Even though the creator god, Arceus, didn''t like Giratina and exiled it, that group of people never forgot it. That alone was enough to move Giratina! Aside from the Shinto people, only the Michina people remembered it; Giratina preferred not to comment on them. Recalling how it had just attacked Hikaru, Giratina now felt a trace of regret. It had been careless; next time, it should ask for someone''s identity before attacking! Hikaru was equally surprised by Giratina''s shift in attitude. The perpetually furious Ghost-Dragon, Giratina¡ªonly the game''s protagonist could usually quell its wrath. Now Hikaru had somehow done the same. Then again, in the lore, the protagonist is a descendant of "Kou/Light," so perhaps Giratina recognizes something similar here¡­ "Your spirit¡­seems to be thinking about something related to me," Giratina suddenly spoke up, seeing Hikaru''s confused look. It offered a short explanation: "Because of our faint spiritual connection, I can sense portions of your thoughts. Why did you come here? What do you want?" Hikaru: "What do I want¡­ I don''t know. You attacked me just now¡­" Giratina immediately denied it: "That was just a reflex¡ªpretend it never happened!" "You humans should be aware that powerful creatures or deities like me are very protective of our domains. You invaded my territory, so I attacked you. In other words, it''s your fault! But I''ll overlook it this time because you''re of Shinto''s bloodline. Forget about it!" Hikaru: "¡­" Giratina: "Anyway, you''re not hurt. Let''s say nothing happened!" After those words, Giratina glanced around and paused slightly."Although I''d like to speak more with a descendant of Shinto, there''s really nothing here in the Distortion World to serve as hospitality." Hikaru was speechless. Was Giratina planning to host him? Does that crest really carry that much weight? It practically tried to welcome me with Will-O-Wisp¡­ "Uh, never mind." Since Giratina clearly wanted to gloss over its earlier aggression, Hikaru couldn''t keep dwelling on it. "I was studying spiritual knowledge, and I accidentally wandered in here. I never expected to connect with you¡­ After all, you''re a Legendary Pok¨¦mon." Hikaru looked around. "So is my body here, or just my spirit?" "Your spirit," Giratina answered, its crimson eyes glinting in the gloom. "If you remain away from your body for too long, your soul will have nowhere to return. Even a medium like you isn''t exempt." It paused, then lowered its huge form closer to the workshop: "By the way, descendant of Shinto, since you have arrived here, I have a request!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Giratina¡­making a request? This fierce fellow actually wants help? Refusing a Legendary Pok¨¦mon''s request is usually unwise. It''s a rare chance to be on good terms with it, and maybe I can gather some materials from this world in the future¡­ "Go ahead. I''m a craftsman, so if you need something made, I can help." "You''re a craftsman? That''s perfect!" Giratina was visibly pleased. A spark of excitement flickered in its red eyes¡ªan emotion it hadn''t felt in ages! "Do you know about the Temple of Shinto?" Hikaru nodded. "Yes, though I believe that ruin no longer exists?" There''s hardly any news about the Temple of Shinto in modern-day Sinnoh. It might have been excavated and protected or maybe collapsed entirely over the past century. "Indeed, the ruins have completely vanished. The people of Sinnoh have forgotten it. So I want you to carve a new statue¡­" That was Giratina''s request! It was still upset about its old statue being destroyed and removed from the shrine of the Creation Trio. Later, only a person named Volo ever showed sympathy toward it, which is why Giratina once worked with him. Huh? As Giratina spoke, it suddenly felt something off. It stared at Hikaru, feeling he looked vaguely familiar¡ªlike they had met in the distant past, though it couldn''t recall when. Giratina had heard of phenomena like this: if reality had been altered at some point in time, one might experience familiarity without actual memory. Could it be¡­ Hikaru, unaware of Giratina''s sudden thoughts, said, "Oh, a statue? No problem! That''s exactly my specialty. Do you have any specific requirements for the material?" "¡­''Stone of Gratitude.''" Giratina replied. "If you can''t find that stone, then any ordinary rock will do." "In return, I will give you this." Giratina opened its jaws, spitting out a golden, irregular orb. From a bit of a distance, it looked to Hikaru like the Griseous Orb! "You are currently here in spirit form, so you can''t take it now. Once you finish the statue and place a mirror beside it, I will hand this orb over." "Remember to look in the mirror often!" Through mirrors¡ªor reflective surfaces¡ªGiratina can observe the real world. A mirror is a gateway connecting these two worlds. Hikaru suddenly wondered if this was related to space distortion as well? And that Griseous Orb, well¡­it''s certainly valuable. It''s Giratina''s exclusive item, but I''m not sure what I can craft from it¡­ Watching Giratina swallow the orb back down, Hikaru nodded, then began inspecting the soil and water around him. [Rare Material: Distortion Soil] Description: Soil found in the Distortion World, distinct from normal soil. It can be used as material for Distortion crafts. [Rare Material: Inversion Water] Description: Water found in the Distortion World, distinct from normal water. It can be used as material for Distortion crafts. [You have obtained the craft: Distortion Craft (B+)!] Description: Allows creation of objects that defy the normal logic of the real world¡ªitems of the Distortion World. By acquiring the Griseous Orb, you can unlock "Ruined Craft" to produce "Distortion Blocks." Distortion Blocks? Crackle¡ª All of a sudden, Hikaru noticed a cluster of black clouds nearby. "In this world, it''s my job to correct distortions. Whenever there''s distortion in the real world, these black clouds appear," Giratina explained. "They''re highly toxic to creatures with physical bodies, but as a spirit, you need not fear them!" Hikaru recalled that in the movie Giratina and the Sky Warrior, a researcher explained these black clouds, produced by distortions between the real and Distortion Worlds. While toxic, contact alone wasn''t fatal as long as you didn''t inhale them. Testing that theory, Hikaru touched the dark clouds in spirit form. The surrounding space rippled like a shock wave, mirroring the crackling lightning that heralded the clouds'' appearance. The clouds disappeared in an instant. [Precious Material: Black Cloud] Description: Created when the real world becomes distorted and manifests in the Distortion World. Considered a pollutant here. Can be used for Distortion Crafts and is excellent for training Ghost-, Poison-, and Dark-type Pok¨¦mon! [You have obtained the knowledge: Collector of Space-Time¡ªYou can store space-time-related materials in a special dimensional space!] Hikaru was startled.What kind of knowledge is this? A personal storage dimension? Giratina had been watching the black cloud vanish and now stared in surprise.Hey, where did that pollution go? "Aren''t you supposed to be a sculptor? Are you also a cleaning service?" "I¡ª" Hikaru started to reply, but his soul suddenly quivered as though someone were calling him. His form grew dim in the Distortion World, then dissolved at the workshop entrance! Back in the real world¡­ "Wah!" Hikaru gasped, regaining consciousness. Something slapped against his body, and upon focusing, he saw that the leaves belonged to Lilligant! "Lilli-lilli!" At some point, he''d been dragged away from his workshop desk, and now all his Pok¨¦mon were trying to save him. Apparently, Lilligant had been pressing on his chest for CPR! So Lilligant had used "Close Combat!" And it was¡­super effective! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 107 - 107 Hikaru looked around at the Pok¨¦mon gathered around him. "Yoo!" Doublade floated in front, its two ribbons covered in Cleanse Tags. "What¡­what are you doing?" Hikaru asked weakly. He realized his mouth felt stuffed with something. Spitting it out, he discovered a pile of Revival Herbs and Pok¨¦blocks. Turning his head, he saw Lilligant eyeing him with concern. Doublade scratched its hilt with its ribbon. You suddenly fainted at your computer. Your body was giving off an eerie chill, as if your soul had vanished. So I grabbed a bunch of talismans from the fourth room to drive out evil spirits! Doublade gestured flamboyantly, as though performing a ghost-banishing ritual. As for using Close Combat to¡­um, do CPR¡­ I once saw an ancient doctor do it, and it seemed to work. Looks effective now! "Thanks for the CPR. Very effective indeed¡ªyou even revived the dead!" My ribs feel like they might be broken, but a quick check shows I''m okay. Gotta love that robust body¡­ sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "My body''s basically on par with a Fighting-type master¡­ I''m a super Shinto human!" Hikaru felt exasperated, but Lilligant had clearly held back. Still, Close Combat is no joke. Good thing my constitution has been reinforced by all these experiences; otherwise, I''d be meeting in a ghost Giratina again already! "That was unexpected. My spiritual power is too weak, and I accidentally summoned a powerful Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon. I got pulled into its realm." "Yoo?" Doublade''s eyes lit with curiosity. A powerful Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon?! Could it be that giant black specter wandering the forest? "No, it was Giratina." Hikaru pointed in the direction of the Shinto Ruins. "Remember when we first visited those ruins? We saw that stage with three crests. One of them represents Giratina." "Yoo?!" Doublade''s eyes went wide. That stage at the Shinto Ruins? Weren''t those three crests said to worship the gods that created this world? In other words, those three crests correspond to three Pok¨¦mon created by the God of Creation¡­ and you actually met one of them?! "Yoo!" Doublade suddenly grew excited, while Lilligant looked puzzled. Doublade began explaining: Indeed, the king I''ve chosen is the same person favored by the gods! We heard from that traveling merchant that if we show our strength before the gods, we might be acknowledged. Now it has actually happened! The "divine right of kings" that ancient nations all claimed, except they were fake. Ours is real! "Giratina really is one of the first Pok¨¦mon created by the god Arceus. It governs the Distortion World¡ªalso called the World of Destruction¡ªsupporting the real world behind the scenes," Hikaru explained. "By the way, I should''ve brought something back¡­" He concentrated, and a small portion of black clouds materialized in the palm of his hand. Lilligant curiously moved closer, but Hikaru jumped, exclaiming, "Don''t inhale it!" "Lilli?" Lilligant motioned to herself. Right¡­she doesn''t actually have a nose. Hikaru remembered that in the movie, Shaymin could absorb those black clouds and purify them for energy. Shaymin is also a Grass-type. "Then again, in our household, there''s little need to worry about poison. Turtwig¡ª Wait, huh?" He realized only Doublade and Lilligant were here. "Lilli¡­" Lilligant pointed toward the Shinto forest, indicating that Turtwig, Unown, and Regirock had gone into the woods to train their moves. So, they''re not home. Hikaru was impressed that Turtwig and the others are now motivated enough to train on their own. "These black clouds come from space-time distortion. They''re great for Ghost-, Poison-, and Dark-type Pok¨¦mon. Doublade, give it a try." Doublade, intrigued, extended its ribbon into the cloud. At once, it felt a surge of intense negative energy! "Yoo?!" While not purely Ghost energy, negative energy is similar enough. Doublade felt its power increasing, swiftly absorbing the black cloud entirely. The accumulated power churned inside Doublade. Hikaru then recalled his advanced summoning knowledge and channeled spiritual power into Doublade: [You used spiritual power to nurture Doublade!] [Doublade''s Ghost energy rose, powering up its Ghost-type moves!] [Doublade activated the black cloud''s energy! It has grown!] [Space-time distortion caused a slight attribute shift. Through your spiritual infusion, that shift is temporarily triggered!] [You obtained the knowledge: Ghost Resistance!] Is the old-type resistance back?!Hikaru was astonished at Doublade''s transformation. Not only did its Ghost power rise, but as an ancient sword, its steel itself underwent some kind of reversion¡ªlike the days when Steel still resisted Ghost moves in earlier generations. It may not be exactly the same, but close enough for Doublade! Deep in the Shinto Forest, near a valley filled with ancient tombstones, a massive black figure wandered: Dusknoir, the Gripper Pok¨¦mon. It suddenly heard a signal from the spirit realm telling it that someone nearby had died and instructing it to retrieve the soul. Moments later, however, the spirit realm''s signal changed¡ªnever mind, the person came back to life. Dusknoir: "¡­?" As a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon and an agent of the spirit realm, it was well aware that the dead cannot return¡ªunless they become a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon. So what is this "came back to life" nonsense? Utterly confused, Dusknoir drifted among the tombstones until it paused at a white headstone. Strange inscriptions in an ancient language were carved there, and a dormant soul lay beneath. What do these letters say? What does that soul need before it awakens and comes with me back to the spirit realm? And what are these white stones that let souls linger inside them? Who left these words, and for whom? Meanwhile, in the sky above Shinto, a deep-blue, disc-shaped Steel-type Pok¨¦mon soared like a UFO, scanning the ground. It was a Metagross with four huge steel claws. On its back rode a young man with short, pale-blue hair, dressed in a crisp suit. He was following the directions Hikaru had sent. Finally, peering down, he spotted a small village and, in the distance, a solitary workshop with figures moving below. "That must be it, according to the route from Blackthorn City. Metagross, let''s land!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 108 - 108 "What''s that?" Hikaru, still studying the black clouds, suddenly noticed a huge shape rushing toward his workshop through the sky. Under the sunlight, it sped closer and was soon discernible. It was Metagross! Metagross is entirely blue-gray and disk-shaped, with four sturdy legs branching from its body. Two red eyes peer out, and a metallic "X" spans its face. Which means the refined young nobleman riding it must be the Champion from the Hoenn region, heir to the Devon Corporation, an avid stone collector¡ªSteven! "Steven is here!" Hikaru exclaimed. Lilligant glanced up curiously; Doublade suddenly realized something. Wait, that wealthy customer is here? Does that mean¡­ Metagross gradually slowed, then landed smoothly on the ground. Steven dismounted, his expression brimming with curiosity and excitement. "This place is really remote. I never expected anyone to be living here!" Although Hikaru had sent him the coordinates, Shinto lay in the far north of Johto. Steven had asked around, but no one had heard of such a place. It took some effort to confirm the correct path! As for Metagross, it was currently a standard blue one, not the signature silver shiny Metagross that Steven would acquire later. Presumably, the shiny one hadn''t yet been captured at this point. Still, this Metagross had been with Steven for quite a while. Once Metagross landed, Steven took a look around. This was unfamiliar territory¡ªsomewhat chilly climate, a lone workshop, and¡­Steven straightened his coat. Hikaru, for his part, felt a subtle surge of excitement. After all, Pok¨¦mon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald were Hikaru''s first dive into the series, and Steven was the very first Champion he faced. From personality to style and the strength of his Pok¨¦mon, Steven was truly iconic. There''s also that amusing bit about his team containing multiple Rock-type Pok¨¦mon, leading fans to joke that he''s actually a Rock Champion rather than Steel. Then there''s Lance¡ªChampion of both Kanto and Johto¡ªwho ended up being called a Flying-type master, since early generations had few Dragons. Lance responded in later games with a famous line: "It''s not only Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon that can be considered dragon-like," valiantly defending his roster. "Pleased to meet you, Hikaru. I''m Steven, a gem collector from the Hoenn region." Steven and Hikaru exchanged a friendly handshake. The next moment, Steven''s gaze locked onto Doublade. Doublade''s ribbons were covered in all sorts of purple talismans, radiating a powerful Ghost aura. Yet Steven instantly recognized its Steel attribute. "This Doublade¡­ It''s been raised extremely well!" Steven, an expert in Steel types, could see at a glance how far Doublade had come, even though its blade was concealed within a sheath. Just as Steven was about to examine Doublade more closely, he suddenly noticed a pale-purple stone inlaid on Doublade''s shield-like guard. [!] It was as though an exclamation mark popped above Steven''s head. He stared at Hikaru in disbelief. Doublade''s inner monologue: Perfect! That was deliberate so you''d notice the stone and be intrigued. "That''s an Eviolite. I recently discovered a second one," Hikaru said, seizing the moment. "Of course, I''ve already polished it, and its effect is identical to the first one." He had always planned to sell this piece to Steven. And Steven, well, he''d surely name a good price. "I''m so grateful!" Steven''s expression lit up with excitement, the smile on his face reflecting genuine joy. "I didn''t expect you would find another so soon!" "To be honest, after I learned of this remarkable stone, I went to Azalea Town''s Gym to ask around," Steven explained. "I''m quite the enthusiast for rare stones, so I often travel in search of them." "I also asked a friend to do some excavations in the Sinnoh Underground. I thought if neither of us could find another, I might have to go to Sinnoh myself¡ª" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why go to Sinnoh?" Hikaru interjected, surprised. Steven replied with equal puzzlement, "Well¡­I heard that you used to work in Sinnoh, so I assumed that first stone was found there¡­" Ah, that explains it! Hikaru gave a wry smile and clarified, "I did live in Sinnoh for a time, but I didn''t get the Eviolite there. I discovered it in a ruin before coming to Shinto. Actually, Doublade here was an ancient sword found with that stone." Hikaru gestured to the Pok¨¦mon, which waved its ribbons in greeting to Steven. "Yoo~" Then Doublade turned to converse with Metagross. Both being Steel types, they had plenty in common. Doublade circled the Metagross, wondering if it could snag some extra steel from those limbs¡­ Metagross found Doublade''s circling suspicious. What is this Pok¨¦mon plotting? Steven chuckled. "Haha, it seems they''re getting along quite well." Hikaru wiped a bit of sweat. "Not¡­exactly." "Ahem!" Hoping to redirect Steven''s focus, Hikaru said, "Anyway, as for the Eviolite¡ªthis kind of stone appears in many places, not just Sinnoh or that ruin. Hoenn definitely has them too. There''s no need to rely solely on traveling to Sinnoh." "Eviolite often forms where many Pok¨¦mon live for long periods¡ªwhether forest, lake, mountain, or cave. It might even appear in fishing spots. Possibly, some fishermen or mountain climbers have picked one up without recognizing it, merely keeping it as a precious gem or selling it as a random trinket." "In certain ancient kingdoms, this stone was set into equipment as a natural gemstone. So searching old ruins might yield a find as well." "I''ve heard that near the famous berry master''s home in Hoenn, the soil is rich, featuring both mountains and lakes. Many Magikarp also gather there. Who''s to say Eviolite won''t appear there? And there''s always the Lake of Rage in Johto." "My guess is Eviolite is tied to Pok¨¦mon evolution. Where large numbers of Pok¨¦mon evolve, residual evolution energy seeps into the environment, fusing with certain minerals and forming Eviolite. That''s just my theory, though." Steven mulled it over."Indeed, Hoenn''s geological diversity can rival anywhere." "As for mining knowledge, you seem to know as much as I do. You truly are a person after my own heart!" Steven smiled. "Actually, I want to talk about the price of this second Eviolite, and¡­here''s what you asked for!" He took out a stone from his pouch. It was pitch black¡ªlike the darkness of a moonless night. This was the Dusk Stone! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum][+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 109 - 109 The Dusk Stone, as dark as the night itself, is a mystical stone capable of evolving certain Pok¨¦mon. Hikaru took the Dusk Stone. [Rare Material: Dusk Stone] [Effect: A mystical stone that allows certain Pok¨¦mon to evolve. It is as dark as the night itself.] [Acquired Craft: 1] [Soul Forging Craft (C+): The ability to incorporate Ghost energy into forging, creating items with supernatural properties. The Dusk Stone is one of the primary materials used for this craft.] [By using this craft and collecting the corresponding Pok¨¦mon materials, one can create the "Cursed Armor" or "Cursed Shovel."] Cursed armor and tools! The Cursed Armor is an evolution item for Charcadet, allowing it to evolve into Ceruledge. The Cursed Shovel, on the other hand, is an item from the Pok¨¦mon Trading Card Game. It is a red, ominous-looking iron shovel imbued with eerie supernatural energy, resembling the small shovel carried by Palossand. In the TCG, when a Pok¨¦mon with this item attached is knocked out by an opponent''s attack, the top two cards of the opponent''s deck are discarded. "Hmm, its effect seems similar to moves like Destiny Bond or Grudge," Hikaru mused. Destiny Bond causes both the user and the opponent to faint if the user is knocked out by an attack. However, using it repeatedly will result in failure. Grudge curses the opponent when the user faints due to their attack, reducing the move''s PP to 0. However, this particular Dusk Stone couldn''t be used as forging material just yet! "Yooooooh¡ª!" Doublade''s eyes gleamed with excitement upon seeing the Dusk Stone! This was it¡ªthe stone that would allow it to evolve into its final form! "Oh? So, this stone is for your Pok¨¦mon, then?" Steven turned his gaze to Doublade. "I''ve seen this Pok¨¦mon before in the Kalos region. If I recall correctly, it''s called Doublade, a Ghost- and Steel-type Pok¨¦mon." "This one has been raised exceptionally well! Far superior to any Doublade I''ve encountered before!" Steven did not hold back his praise. Now that he had laid eyes on a second Evolution Stone, his mood had visibly brightened. He finally took the time to carefully examine Doublade. Doublade, in turn, unsheathed its blades, proudly allowing Steven to inspect it. The more he examined the gleam on Doublade''s blade, the more astonished he became. For Steel-type Pok¨¦mon, their condition could be judged at a glance by their luster. A well-raised Steel-type should be smooth, free of rust, undamaged, and without noticeable warping or deformations. The blade was polished to a mirror-like shine. The scabbard was sturdy and elegant. Its twin eyes gleamed like gemstones! Even though it was part Ghost-type, its ribbon-like appendages lacked the usual tattered appearance of Ghost Pok¨¦mon. Instead, they were pristine, ornate, and elegant! Steven nodded in admiration. As expected of a mysterious craftsman living in Shinto, even his Pok¨¦mon-raising skills were extraordinary! Before arriving in Shinto, Steven had been curious about Hikaru. After all, Hikaru''s presence was enigmatic¡ªhis existence seemed almost out of place. Living in a hidden location further fueled speculation that he was a descendant of an ancient lineage. If this were a game, Hikaru would probably be the "Hidden Blacksmith" who upgrades equipment, a secret NPC that could only be unlocked by completing special quests before crafting unique items! Since Devon Corporation had some involvement in the gaming industry, Steven had played his fair share of RPGs. He couldn''t help but make such an association. To raise a Steel-type Pok¨¦mon to this level¡­ Hikaru''s breeding techniques were definitely superior to his own! Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although Steven specialized in Steel-types, he wasn''t an expert in Pok¨¦mon breeding. His close friends Wallace and Adam, the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City, often helped him train his Pok¨¦mon, as their breeding expertise was remarkable. Unlike most Trainers who focused solely on battles, professional Pok¨¦mon Breeders and Professors had their own systematic methods for raising Pok¨¦mon. They prioritized body maintenance, dietary balance, and training tools while also ensuring Pok¨¦mon were raised in suitable environments to optimize their growth. In many places, breeders maintained large farms with multiple Pok¨¦mon species or even ran Pok¨¦mon Ranches. Top-tier breeders could even customize enhancement programs for Pok¨¦mon based on their type and species. Their knowledge far exceeded that of the average Trainer. In fact, some of the world''s greatest breeders were also Pok¨¦mon Professors, such as Professor Oak from Kanto and Professor Elm from Johto. As for Professor Birch from Hoenn, his research focused on Pok¨¦mon habitats, distribution, and ecology rather than breeding. Compared to Oak and Elm, Birch wasn''t as specialized in raising Pok¨¦mon. However, in terms of Pok¨¦mon natural habitats and ecological studies, he was one of the most respected experts in academia. Steven then shifted the conversation: "I recently saw some Pok¨¦mon breeding items in a store, and I was planning to purchase a few special products¡ªespecially ones related to Steel-types!" At this point, Steven''s expression subtly changed, his smile carrying a trace of bitterness. "Two years ago, Hoenn experienced a major crisis¡ªyou may have heard of it. The Magma Team and Aqua Team, driven by their own ambitions, tried to expand the land and sea, respectively. This ultimately led to the awakening of the Ancient Pok¨¦mon. Fortunately, the situation was resolved thanks to two exceptionally strong Trainers. That incident made me realize my shortcomings. "As a Trainer, I had been too complacent. I neglected certain aspects of Pok¨¦mon battle training. So, after that event, I began purchasing high-quality minerals to feed my Pok¨¦mon." "But simply consuming these minerals isn''t enough to convert them into real strength. If it were, then Pok¨¦mon Breeders wouldn''t even need to exist." "Food is just one part of the breeding process. After seeing your Doublade''s condition, I''m convinced that your breeding skills rival those of Wallace!" Contest Trainers often possessed breeding knowledge, as making a Pok¨¦mon strong, beautiful, and intelligent required understanding their habits, diet, training, and even psychological well-being. Hikaru was caught off guard. His breeding skills were on par with Wallace''s?! "That''s quite the compliment! I''ll take it as recognition of my craftsmanship!" "You need Steel-type breeding tools? Perfect timing! Come inside with me." "My workshop just received a fresh batch of materials, and I was preparing to craft some items. Also, I''ve got the Ancient Rock you requested ready for you." The Secret Workshop of Shinto¡­ Steven gazed at the ancient building with curiosity. What kind of mysterious items awaited him inside? (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 110 - 110 [Bonus Chapter] Upon entering the workshop, Steven was immediately drawn to the array of tools and crafts on display. The craftsmanship was exquisite, but what truly caught his attention was a peculiar-looking stone resting on a workbench. Hikaru picked up the stone and handed it to Steven. "This is an Ancient Rock." To an untrained eye, it might seem like an ordinary stone, albeit with slightly unusual coloration and texture. However, to a rock expert of Steven''s caliber, the stone appeared almost alive, radiating a powerful and strange energy. "It''s a crystallization of Rock-type energy!" Steven immediately identified it. Hikaru nodded. "That''s right. Ancient Rock is a crystallized form of Rock-type energy that forms under specific conditions. Structurally, it is quite similar to the ''Rock Gem'' found in Unova. Furthermore, the Pok¨¦mon capable of producing Ancient Rock aren''t limited to Regirock¡ªUnova''s Gigalith, Galar''s Stonjourner, and Kalos'' Binacle can also act as catalysts for its formation under the right circumstances." As Steven became engrossed in examining the stone, his peripheral vision caught sight of some Symbolic Tablets placed at the edge of the workbench. Curious, he picked one up and studied it. Since the Hoenn region lacked Unown, Steven couldn''t decipher the markings. However, he had a keen interest in ancient ruins¡ªafter all, many valuable stones were often discovered within them. Though he couldn''t read the text, he recalled having seen something similar in a research paper. "These tablets resemble the ones found in the Ruins of Alph in Johto." "Ah, yes, they''re modeled after those," Hikaru answered candidly, making no effort to hide the truth from Steven, as the Symbolic Tablets only reacted to their creator. "These tablets are inspired by ancient Pok¨¦mon, Unown, which are found in Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh. Professor Hale from Johto has researched whether written language or Unown came first, but so far, there are no conclusive results." Professor Hale, from Pok¨¦mon: Spell of the Unown: Entei, was a Pok¨¦mon researcher whose daughter was central to the movie''s plot. The events were heavily tied to Unown''s ability to materialize thoughts into reality. The movie also contained an intriguing historical record¡ªancient ruins depicted one of Ho-Oh''s three legendary guardians, Entei! This raised a major question: Was the Pok¨¦mon recorded in those ancient ruins truly Entei? Or was it actually Eternatus? "I crafted these tablets using a special technique. Did you feel a boost in your mental energy while staring at them?" Hikaru asked. Steven snapped out of his daze, startled. He had unknowingly been staring at the tablets, completely entranced! Clink. One of the Pok¨¦ Balls at Steven''s waist shook as if reacting to the tablets. It was Metang''s Pok¨¦ Ball. Since Metagross had been left outside, Metang was the only Psychic-type Pok¨¦mon Steven had on him at the moment. "Your Pok¨¦mon reacted to the tablets. However, these aren''t designed to enhance Psychic Pok¨¦mon''s mental power. If you''re looking for such an item, I can craft something for you¡ªperhaps a Light Pottery or a Psychic Glass Whistle." "And also, a Calyrex Doll." "Calyrex?" This was the first time Steven had heard that name. "Is it a Pok¨¦mon?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hikaru nodded. "Yes, a lost legend¡ªalso known as the King of Bountiful Harvests. It possesses the power to heal minds and make plants flourish, as well as formidable psychic abilities." "My Calyrex Doll enhances the holder''s mental strength and helps heal emotional wounds." As Hikaru explained, he noticed a peculiar look in Steven''s eyes. Someone like Steven¡ªan elegant and composed gentleman¡ªprobably didn''t have much need for emotional healing. "Interesting. I''ll take one," Steven said with a subtle gleam in his eyes. While he wasn''t emotionally troubled, anything from the Traveler''s Workshop was bound to be exceptional. "Traveler''s Workshop-made, quality guaranteed! No questions, just buy!" Hikaru chuckled. "Then I''ll add you to the buyers'' group chat. Most of the people in it are Psychic users." "By the way, I should thank you¡ªPhoebe from the Hoenn Elite Four was introduced to me by you, wasn''t she?" "Oh, that was nothing!" Steven smiled warmly. "When you find something good, of course, you have to share it with your friends. It''s only natural as a customer!" The Elite Four and the two Hoenn Champions were all close friends who often shared interesting finds. Judging by the messages Phoebe had sent later, the charms she bought from the workshop were exceptionally effective. "Apparently, ever since she used your charms, Mt. Pyre has been flooded with restless spirits," Steven said with a slight chuckle. "It sounds a bit eerie, but Phoebe says it''s actually a good thing. Those souls, guided by your charms, can now find peace. The world of Spirit Channelers is truly fascinating." "Oh, that''s right, you''re also a Spirit Channeler, aren''t you?" Hikaru recalled Phoebe mentioning this in the group chat. If his charms could directly guide spirits to the afterlife, then if there were clerks managing the afterlife, his KPI must be skyrocketing. He pondered for a moment before shifting the topic. "Now, let''s talk about Pok¨¦mon moves. Steel-type Pok¨¦mon are known for their exceptional defenses, so I have a particularly useful TM suited for them." "And it''s an exclusive product¡ªsomething obtained from a legendary giant. It''s called Body Press!" "It works best with Skarmory!" Steven''s Skarmory was one of the rare, well-trained NPC Pok¨¦mon, known for using Toxic and Spikes in battles. Unfortunately, it lacked Whirlwind, which made it less effective against Elite Four Glacia''s stall tactics. "The principle behind this move is that it calculates damage using Defense instead of Attack. The higher the Defense, the greater the damage dealt. Since Skarmory excels in Defense as a Steel-type Pok¨¦mon, it''s a perfect match for this move!" Steven was taken aback. "A move from a legendary giant...?" That didn''t sound quite right. Even Mr. Brandon had a Regirock, but Steven had never heard of it using a move like Body Press before! "If such a move really exists¡ªone that replaces Attack with Defense for damage calculation¡ªthen every Pok¨¦mon with high Defense would..." "Exactly! This move is a game-changer for defensive Pok¨¦mon!" Hikaru smiled as he pulled out an Ancient Bracelet inscribed with the technique for Body Press. "Before TMs existed, Pok¨¦mon used these bracelets to learn moves through repeated practice. And yes, it can be reused¡ªit won''t break after a single use." "5,000,000 Pok¨¦dollars!" Steven immediately made an offer! "There''s no doubt about it¡ªthis move is as valuable as an Eviolite in battles! Its existence could completely revolutionize the way defensive Pok¨¦mon are used!" More importantly, Steven had never heard of this move before, meaning it was an exclusive item¡ªjust like Eviolite. And he was the first buyer! At this point, money was no longer the concern¡ªwhat mattered was forming a valuable friendship! An unusual, almost excessive, emotion flickered in Steven''s eyes, making Hikaru pause in silence. Being rich is really nice... While 5 million Pok¨¦dollars might not mean much to Steven, for Hikaru, it was a huge sum! "Thank you for your purchase, Mr. Steven!" "Not at all¡ªI should be thanking you for crafting this!" The two shook hands firmly, their palms clasping together in a mutual exchange of wealth and sincerity. Steven had paid an incredibly generous amount¡ªthis friendship was set in stone! "Here, take this as well." Hikaru handed Steven a silver-glass whistle. "This is a Steel Glass Whistle, and its effects are..." Steven was stunned. Hoenn was famous for its Glass Whistles, handcrafted from Mt. Chimney''s volcanic ash. To think he would find a similar product all the way in Sinnoh¡ªbut with completely different properties! This Steel Glass Whistle enhanced the power of Steel-type moves, activated Steel Sense, prevented critical hits, and boosted a Pok¨¦mon''s growth. It sounded like some specialized training tool¡ªsomething straight out of a fantasy. Yet, it was real, right in front of him! "Wait a moment." Hikaru walked into the kitchen and quickly prepared something before returning with a special bait for Steel-type Pok¨¦mon. [Crafted Food: Mineral Bait] [Effect: A unique blend of special minerals, soft sand, iron-shell materials, berries, refined iron powder, and bait base. Strongly attracts Steel-, Grass-, and Rock-type Pok¨¦mon.] [Additional Effect 1: Steel Surge Food ¨C Greatly enhances Steel-type energy for a set duration, aiding in Steel-type Pok¨¦mon growth.] [Additional Effect 2: Steel''s Might ¨C When consumed, Steel-type Pok¨¦mon enter an energy surge state, increasing durability, strengthening resistance to unfavorable attributes, and significantly improving the chance of learning new moves.] "...What is this?" Steven was momentarily dazed by the Mineral Bait. Hikaru smirked. "A newly developed Steel Surge Food! If given to Steel-type Pok¨¦mon, it can lead to unexpected growth. It''s perfect for breeders!" "Why not let Metagross try it?" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 111 - 111 Lilligant, Doublade, and Metagross were outside the workshop, getting acquainted with each other while discussing their respective trainers. Doublade still had a bunch of Cleanse Tags hanging on its body and occasionally used its ribbon-like arms to touch Metagross''s claws, causing the latter to shudder. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Metto! (What exactly are you trying to do?!)" "Yowoo~ (I just want to take a closer look at your metal plating~ You''ve developed so well~)" Doublade''s somewhat unsettling words immediately annoyed Metagross. Looking over at Lilligant, she was staring intently at Doublade, seemingly lost in thought after hearing its peculiar remarks. Her face even turned slightly red! "Metto! (Stop imagining weird things!)" Metagross spoke out righteously, clarifying that it had no such thoughts. Besides, it was genderless! Doublade''s eyes widened. Wait, you''re genderless? Then why do I have a gender? Metagross: "Metto. (That''s something you don''t need to understand about Pok¨¦mon.)" Doublade, though puzzled, quickly dismissed the matter. After all, it didn''t have a brain to think too deeply about such things! "Yowoo~ (I really think you''ve developed well. Can you tell me how you train?)" Metagross suddenly relaxed. So it wasn''t a weirdo after all¡ªjust a normal Steel-type Pok¨¦mon looking to exchange training tips! As for how it trained¡­ Its trainer was rich! "Metto~!" Metagross said cheerfully. Since its trainer had abundant financial resources, it regularly received all kinds of high-quality minerals to eat. Sometimes, there were even premium-grade Steel Gems imported from Unova. For Steel-type Pok¨¦mon, growth primarily depended on consuming various minerals! However, as Metagross glanced at Doublade''s form¡­ Hmm. This guy doesn''t have a mouth. That means it can''t just chow down on minerals like I do! Absorbing them must be way more troublesome. "Yowoo~" Doublade''s mood suddenly sank. Hey, the real issue here isn''t about minerals¡ªit''s about whether our trainers are rich or not! Our trainer isn''t exactly wealthy! Buying high-quality minerals from stores was far too expensive, so they had to scavenge for them in the wild instead. Doublade then turned to look at Lilligant and let out a sigh of envy. Grass-type Pok¨¦mon sure have it easy! If they need high-quality berries, they can just grow them themselves! At most, they only need special soil, whereas Steel-type Pok¨¦mon have an enormous demand for minerals! Creak¡ª Steven pushed open the workshop door, drawing the attention of all three Pok¨¦mon. "Metagross, try this food and see how it is." Steven carried a plate of Iron Might food and placed it in front of Metagross. Just as Metagross was still processing what was happening, Doublade had already widened its eyes and let out a strange Yowoo sound! Hey! Isn''t that Iron Might food?! And the first one to try it isn''t me?! "Metto?" Metagross glanced at the somewhat distressed Doublade and realized that this was probably something valuable. Steel-type Pok¨¦mon didn''t have noses, nor did they need to rely on smell. Even if it ate something not suited for Steel-types, it wouldn''t matter¡ªSteel-type Pok¨¦mon didn''t get poisoned, so they weren''t afraid of eating the wrong thing. Metagross opened its huge mouth and swallowed the Iron Might food whole. Chewing... Its massive steel jaws moved slightly, but no one knew what exactly was happening inside its body. A sound akin to a blender whirred from its mouth. Then suddenly, after fully consuming the food, Metagross felt a surge of intense energy rapidly flooding out from its core! The energy was rising! And not just a little¡ªit was a massive increase! Steel-type energy manifested in various forms, and magnetism was one of them. At that moment, Metagross could feel the magnetism of the Sinnoh region''s earth surging toward it. It was utterly shocked¡ªnot only was its energy increasing, but it could also perceive the Earth''s magnetic field much more clearly! For Metagross and its evolutionary line, blood didn''t flow through their bodies¡ªmagnetism did! The stronger the surrounding magnetic field, the stronger a Metagross could become! Steven, however, was focused on something else. "Its sheen has changed!" This was an evident transformation¡ªone that could be seen with the naked eye. Steven found it incredible that just eating a single type of food had triggered such a dramatic internal and external change in Metagross. The fluctuations of the Earth''s magnetic field were so strong that even he, a human, could faintly sense them! Was this the power of Metagross? Steven: "What did you experience? How do you feel?" "Metto?" Metagross let out a puzzled sound. It had no idea what had just happened¡ªonly that an intense wave of magnetism had surged into its body. How did it feel? Absolutely fantastic! So Metagross turned to Doublade and asked what exactly it had just eaten. "Yopuu~" Doublade finally had a chance to flaunt itself in front of Metagross! Hah! Your trainer may be able to buy you high-quality minerals, but he doesn''t know how to properly prepare and refine Pok¨¦mon food for better growth! So, aside from being rich, was there really nothing else to it? Of course, that wasn''t something Doublade could say outright! As a righteous little knight, Doublade understood very well what Hikaru meant to Steven. He wasn''t just a generous sponsor; in the past, he would have been a powerful feudal lord or a special figure¡ªsomeone who must be recruited to accomplish great things! "Yowoo~!" So, Doublade explained to Metagross that this was its trainer''s unique skill, a mysterious and unparalleled craft that could create items and tools capable of granting Pok¨¦mon immense growth. The food Metagross had eaten today was an extremely rare delicacy that couldn''t be bought anywhere on the market. It was incredibly difficult to produce, and so... "You owe us a favor!" "Metto." Metagross was stunned. The power of this food was indeed immense¡ªit could clearly feel the surge in its growth. To be honest, its progress had stagnated for a long time. Since its trainer was the Champion, nurturing Metagross further at this level had become incredibly difficult. But now... For the first time in ages, Metagross felt the possibility of breaking past its limits! Did this mean¡­ "Metto!" Metagross suddenly looked at Doublade with excitement, its voice ringing with determination. This favor¡ªI, Metagross, will remember it! "Yowoo?" Doublade and Lilligant exchanged glances, unsure why Metagross had such a drastic change in attitude. Metagross let out a sigh and began explaining its inner struggles. It turned out that its growth potential had reached its limit. No matter how much it trained, it could no longer become stronger. For a trainer, this was a normal occurrence. High-level trainers would often raise new, stronger Pok¨¦mon to add to their team. This was natural. And in Steven''s team, there was indeed a Pok¨¦mon that had surpassed it. In terms of seniority, Metagross had been with Steven the longest. Since it was a little Beldum, it had been by his side. But later on, Steven caught a silver-colored Beldum. Over the years, that Beldum evolved into Metagross as well. And in terms of strength, it had become stronger than the first Metagross. As the Champion, Steven had to deal with all sorts of crises, so choosing the stronger partner for everyday battles was the logical choice. Metagross had no resentment about this¡ªit only blamed its own strength for reaching its limit. It had silently accepted its fate as a secondary replacement, no longer Steven''s ace. But now... This strange food had given it a chance to reclaim its place! At the very least, it could be his second ace! So, it had to express its gratitude! Doublade''s eyes suddenly lit up. It patted Metagross several times, its eyes burning with the fire of justice! So you''re also a Pok¨¦mon with great ambitions! At first, I thought you were just aloof, but I misjudged you! As a righteous little knight, Doublade had sworn to help all Pok¨¦mon achieve their dreams. Your dream¡ªI acknowledge it! "Why do they suddenly seem to be getting along so well?" Steven stared blankly at the three Pok¨¦mon, now happily bonding. Could Iron Might food really boost friendship this quickly? Without hesitation, he turned and walked back into the workshop, where Hikaru was already bringing out more tools for nurturing Pok¨¦mon. "Lord Hikaru, just as you predicted, Metagross has undergone an unbelievable transformation!" "Right? And I have even more supplementary products!" Hikaru laid out an impressive array of items¡ªPowerful Pok¨¦blocks, Sinnoh Secret Potions, and even Rare Candies! The ultimate collection of Pok¨¦mon growth supplements had arrived! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 112 - 112 Steven had lost count of how many times he had been surprised. This small workshop seemed to hide an endless supply of miraculous tools. Every time he discovered one, more would come flooding toward him like an unstoppable tide! "This Pok¨¦block¡­ was this handmade?" Steven couldn''t believe his eyes. The quality and precision of the Pok¨¦block before him were so refined that they looked like they had been produced by a high-end machine¡ªone of those expensive, advanced models. Yet, when Hikaru, looking somewhat embarrassed, admitted, "Of course, it''s handmade," Steven was at a loss for words. So, because he couldn''t afford a machine, he had perfected his handcrafting skills to this level? "Even Gym Leader Juan of Sootopolis rarely handcrafts Pok¨¦blocks of this quality! These are Powerful Pok¨¦blocks¡ªthere''s no mistaking it!" Steven was genuinely amazed at Hikaru''s abilities. Others relied on machines to make Pok¨¦blocks, but you''re making them by hand?! This wasn''t something an ordinary breeder could pull off! Out of curiosity, Steven tasted one. Without a doubt! The texture and flavor were both top-notch. Even in terms of sheer "deliciousness," it was on par with those made by renowned breeders. Different colors of Pok¨¦blocks had different dominant flavors, and while Pok¨¦mon would reject flavors they disliked, humans could appreciate all flavors and discern their subtle qualities¡ªthis was what was referred to as "deliciousness." Of course, May''s Pok¨¦blocks were an exception¡­ Meanwhile, what Hikaru heard was: "As expected, the Gym Leader of Sootopolis can handcraft Powerful Pok¨¦blocks as well. No wonder he''s a top-tier Coordinator! I still have a lot to learn. There must be even higher-quality Pok¨¦blocks out there! When I visit Hoenn for certification, I should seek out these top Coordinators!" That made sense. After all, Hoenn was known for its fertile land and warm climate, producing more Berries than any other region. Lilycove City even had a dedicated Berry Market, where you could find virtually any kind of Berry imaginable. However, many of Hoenn''s Berries didn''t adapt well to other regions, which was why they weren''t widely cultivated outside of Hoenn. "This is a Rare Candy! Eating it will increase all of a Pok¨¦mon''s abilities!" Hikaru continued showcasing his exclusive products. Maybe Steven would only give a nod of approval to his Pok¨¦blocks¡ªafter all, there were other top Coordinators who could make high-quality ones by hand, even if most found it too time-consuming and relied on machines. But! Rare Candies¡ªnow that was something no machine or person could replicate! In the Pok¨¦mon anime, Rare Candies had never been shown, except for a failed attempt by a Team Rocket scientist who tried to develop a similar product. However, instead of enhancing a Pok¨¦mon''s abilities, it caused them to grow enormous and lose control! "And this one¡ªSinnoh Secret Potion! It provides a slight boost to all five of a Pok¨¦mon''s base stats, and it works even better when taken with a Rare Candy!" Listening to the descriptions of these miraculous items, Steven took a deep breath, falling into deep thought. He wasn''t doubting the effectiveness of these items. There was nothing to doubt! Instead, he was thinking about something else entirely. His gaze toward Hikaru grew more intense, and he finally came to a firm decision. Ever since witnessing the wonders of this workshop firsthand, an idea had slowly taken shape in Steven''s mind. "Hikaru¡­ Have you ever considered leaving Sinnoh?" Steven finally voiced his thoughts! It wasn''t just about mining¡ªhe and Hikaru shared a common passion for excavation¡ªbut Hikaru was also highly skilled in Pok¨¦mon breeding. Plus, his workshop could create miraculous tools. Steven was certain that these items would become highly sought-after in battles and competitions in the future! It was only a matter of time! "You mean¡­?" Hikaru was puzzled. Steven got straight to the point. "I''ll be frank¡ªHikaru, I believe your breeding techniques and crafting skills are truly unique. If you''re interested, have you ever considered coming to Hoenn to work for Devon Corporation?" "Of course, I''m not asking you to abandon your current identity and become a researcher. What I''m proposing is for you to lead the development of some specialized products at Devon!" Devon Corporation, headquartered in Rustboro City, Hoenn, had started as a small company focused on mining iron and refining steel. But over the years, it had grown into a world-renowned enterprise, rivaling even Silph Co. of Kanto! As Devon expanded, its research shifted beyond steel and energy, extending into Pok¨¦mon and trainer-related technologies. Items such as the Pok¨¦Nav, Devon Scope, Dive Gear, Luxury Ball, Cherish Ball, Net Ball, and Timer Ball were all Devon products. They had even begun researching Pok¨¦mon''s Dream World long ago, though their progress had been slow. In the end, Professor Fennel of Unova had beaten them to it by developing the C-Gear. That was to be expected¡ªafter all, the Entralink, the main gateway to the Dream World, was located in Unova. Hoenn was simply too far away, and the signal reception was poor. For Hoenn residents, Devon products were already deeply integrated into their daily lives. Steven rarely recruited talent himself¡ªthat was usually his father, Mr. Stone''s, responsibility. After all, Mr. Stone was the company president, while Steven was just the heir. However, the potential of Hikaru''s tools made Steven think¡ªif Devon didn''t recruit him, other major corporations from different regions would surely come knocking! Since that was inevitable, why shouldn''t he secure the opportunity first? Although the thought felt a bit opportunistic, Steven believed that in the face of technological advancement, traditional craftsmanship would eventually be overshadowed by mass production. He initially wanted to explain this to Hikaru, but then he hesitated¡ªif Hikaru''s dream was to become a legendary craftsman, like the renowned Iron Master, relying on his reputation and exclusive craftsmanship, then saying such things would be disrespectful. Even the Iron Master''s son worked at Silph Co. in a key development role! In fact, modern Pok¨¦ Balls were developed using the traditional Apricorn Ball crafting methods that the Iron Master''s son had helped refine. That same research even led to the creation of the most powerful Pok¨¦ Ball¡ªthe Master Ball! S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Steven''s gaze burned with sincerity as he looked at Hikaru. Sinnoh''s craftsmanship held many secrets, and he was certain Hikaru had even more hidden talents. If these techniques could be integrated into modern technological development¡­! Devon Corporation would become the pride of Hoenn, surpassing all other major companies! Faced with Steven''s proposal, Hikaru fell into contemplation¡ªbut he didn''t take long before shaking his head. "Craftsmanship carries the wisdom of past generations. Some things cannot simply be replicated through technology! While it might seem unconvincing coming from a craftsman like me, you must know that every region has top-tier artisans who would never sell their techniques to corporations." "The power of science is undeniable, but I believe some handcrafted items must be personally made by skilled artisans. If they were mass-produced by machines, their effects would be greatly diminished¡ªor even lost entirely. That''s just how this world works!" Steven''s enthusiasm slowly subsided, and he let out a soft sigh with a smile. "I knew it¡­ Top-tier craftsmen always have this unshakable dedication. They''re not easy to recruit." "But¡­ I still want to try." "Even if Devon doesn''t pursue this, other companies will eventually take notice of your products and attempt to replicate them. Whoever gets there first will have the advantage in the market!" "So, my second proposal is¡ªif you''re willing, Devon Corporation would like to collaborate with you!" "We could develop new Pok¨¦mon-related items together! Whether for battles or training, we can explore all possibilities! The key would be to establish product copyrights, and we could create lower-tier versions for mass production. You wouldn''t need to move to Hoenn¡ªjust serve as a technical consultant!" Hikaru understood everything Steven was saying. He had known from the moment he arrived in this world. So, selling his techniques outright? Not an option. But collaboration? That was something worth considering. "I knew this day would come the moment I became a craftsman. But¡­ if it''s Devon, I think I could consider it." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 113 - 113 Having successfully recruited a top-tier talent as a collaborator, Steven''s mood grew even brighter. However, he soon noticed Hikaru looking at him strangely. "I''ll personally draft the contract once I return, and¡ªhmm? Is there something on my face?" "No." Hikaru chuckled. "It''s just that I''ve always heard that the young heir of Devon Corp. is a stone enthusiast who rarely concerns himself with the company''s internal affairs. Not to mention, you''re also the Champion of Hoenn. Do you plan on inheriting Devon in the future?" Steven smiled. "My father is getting on in years. To allow me the freedom to collect rare stones, he has taken on all the company''s responsibilities. If possible, I do intend to return and inherit the company someday. As for the Champion title, I already have someone in mind as my successor." "However, I don''t plan to retire just yet." Hikaru nodded in understanding. Mr. Stone, Steven''s father, was one of the most respected and hardworking corporate leaders. From a humble sailor to the founder of a massive mining corporation, his life was a true inspirational story. What was even more admirable was that despite Devon''s enormous success, Mr. Stone still adhered to his original principles. On certain critical research projects, he had the wisdom and courage to halt operations when necessary¡ªa rare quality in business. Of course, during its competition with the giant Mauve Holding Company in Hoenn, Devon might have used some underhanded tactics, but such things were commonplace in corporate rivalries. Compared to Silph Co., which also appeared in the games, Devon had a much stronger presence. The only two questionable things Devon had done were attempting to capture Rayquaza and researching infinite energy. But compared to later organizations like the Aether Foundation and Macro Cosmos, Devon was relatively benign. Hikaru contemplated the idea that even if Devon replicated his tools, the final products would likely be weakened versions¡ªessentially what would be considered "normal" items in the games. After all, his own tools were enhanced versions refined through special craftsmanship. As he and Steven had discussed earlier¡ª Some things simply couldn''t be replicated through technology! Modern science still had only a shallow understanding of elemental energy, natural energy, and various mystical forces in the Pok¨¦mon world. Hikaru asked, "So, what''s the first thing you plan to replicate? Many of these items aren''t easy to study, or¡­ do you plan on buying all of them and taking them back?" Steven gave a confident smile. "Since I''m here at your workshop, of course, I plan on taking everything back with me¡ªas long as you have enough stock." Hikaru wasn''t about to let such a wealthy client walk away empty-handed. Since he had decided to collaborate with Devon, he needed to show them what he was capable of! "I mentioned this earlier¡ªI recently acquired a batch of new materials and was planning to craft some new tools. If you''re willing to wait a little while, you can buy those as well." Steven nodded immediately. "Of course! Before coming to Sinnoh, I had already delegated my responsibilities in Hoenn. I also attended a Fossil Research Conference in Pewter City, Kanto. Now that the conference is over, I have no pressing matters¡ªactually, I''d say my time here in Sinnoh is the most important thing right now." Before Hikaru could reply, a beeping sound came from his computer. He opened the Pok¨¦Net software to check the message. ["If you don''t mind, I''d like to visit your workshop soon. Allow me to introduce myself¡ªI''m Cynthia, a mythology researcher from Sinnoh. Through certain channels, I''ve learned that archaeological teams occasionally visit Johto''s ruins from Sinnoh."] Hikaru''s mind went blank for a moment. Cynthia! He had already suspected it before¡ªher team''s Pok¨¦mon lineup was way too familiar¡ªbut he hadn''t expected his guess to be confirmed so soon! The Champion of Sinnoh¡­ it made sense! S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Johto protagonist encountered Cynthia while investigating the Ruins of Alph with an event-distributed Arceus. That event had led to a special cutscene at Sinjoh Ruins. Based on Steven''s comments about Hoenn''s timeline, Hikaru could infer that the events of HeartGold/SoulSilver had just ended, meaning Sinnoh''s main story was now in its mid-stage. If so, Cynthia arriving in Sinnoh at this time was perfectly aligned with the story''s timeline! But unlike in the games, there wouldn''t be any "event-distributed Arceus" in real life. Which meant Johto''s protagonist, Ethan (Hibiki in the Japanese version), wouldn''t be bringing Arceus to Sinjoh Ruins. "So, according to the storyline, the person meeting Cynthia at Sinjoh Ruins should be¡­ me, Lance, Grandpa of the Mountain, and his Alakazam?" Before arriving in Sinnoh, Cynthia had already gathered information about the Three Mythical Stages from ancient records. However, she hadn''t yet confirmed Arceus'' existence. In the games, she only deduced the truth after Ethan brought Arceus to Sinjoh Ruins and recited an ancient inscription¡ª "On the Stage of Light, only Arceus shall be worshiped!" But this time, it looked like he would be the one explaining things to Cynthia. ¡­But Wataru must never find out about this! After all, when they were at the Three Mythical Stages, Hikaru had vehemently denied knowing anything about them. Steven, noticing Hikaru''s silence, asked, "Did you just get another order?" "No." Hikaru chuckled. "More like another client¡ªjust like you. She wants to visit my workshop to research mythology. She introduced herself as Cynthia¡­ I think that name sounds familiar." Steven laughed. "No way! The Champion of Sinnoh?! Your workshop is really popular! Even in Johto and Kanto, scholars are paying close attention to your sculptures. "When I passed through New Bark Town on my way here, Professor Elm specifically mentioned how grateful he was for your sculptures! They''ve helped him significantly in his Pok¨¦mon Egg research." Professor Elm''s egg research? Hikaru''s mind clicked. So that Arceus sculpture he sold earlier¡ªone of the buyers was Professor Elm? And based on Steven''s comments, other researchers from different regions had also bought them? Well, that made sense! Arceus sculptures had the special effect of Radiant Birth! Professor Elm was the leading expert on Pok¨¦mon breeding¡ªof course, he wouldn''t pass up an item like that! "So, did his research succeed?" Steven nodded. "Yes. And one of the Pok¨¦mon hatched was a Shiny Chikorita! It''s also much larger than normal." A Shiny Alpha Pok¨¦mon! That was incredible luck! Hikaru stroked his chin, looking impressed. "I didn''t expect him to hatch a Shiny Alpha Pok¨¦mon on his first try. No wonder he''s the leading expert in Pok¨¦mon breeding and Egg research!" New trainers must be thrilled! Most starter Pok¨¦mon were Shiny-locked, and getting an Alpha Pok¨¦mon as a starter was nearly impossible. Even though Chikorita wasn''t the easiest choice for Johto''s Gyms, a Shiny Alpha would definitely make up for it. This was the definition of pain and joy! "Alpha Pok¨¦mon?" Steven caught onto Hikaru''s phrasing. Hikaru realized he had used an unfamiliar term and quickly explained. "Oh, right. Alpha Pok¨¦mon aren''t common in the modern world. They''re essentially larger, stronger versions of their species. Sometimes, their eyes glow red, and they tend to be more aggressive due to the immense energy they carry." Hikaru pointed outside. "The Ilex Forest is one of the most ancient and pristine forests in the world. It might be home to Alpha Pok¨¦mon, though I haven''t confirmed it yet." "Encounters with Alpha Pok¨¦mon are dangerous, so I always carry a Celebi Sculpture when entering the forest. Not long ago, I met Celebi itself and received its blessing, which allows me to move freely through the area." Steven''s expression became serious. "You''ve met Celebi?" "Wait¡­ have you?" Hikaru asked curiously. Steven hesitated. "Perhaps." Hikaru''s eyes sparkled. Wait¡ªcould it be that this fusion world incorporated elements from Pok¨¦mon Adventures?! Before he could dwell on it, Hikaru changed the topic. "Speaking of which, before you arrived, I received an unusual order. Steven, as Hoenn''s Champion and a renowned gem collector, have you ever heard of a ''White Stone of Gratitude''?" Steven frowned. "I''ve never heard of such a stone. But Mossdeep City does have a Wishing Stone¡ªa white stone placed there to pray for the success of space launches." (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 114 - 114 Even Steven, a renowned gem collector, had never heard of this "White Stone of Gratitude." Hikaru found this somewhat troubling. Though Giratina had mentioned that an ordinary stone could work as a substitute, Hikaru still wanted to fulfill the client''s request properly¡ªespecially since the client was Giratina itself! If he could build a good relationship with Giratina, he might get unlimited access to the Distortion World for rare materials. Moreover, as a descendant of the Shinto Ruins, he shared a psychic link with Giratina. By extension, they could be considered friends, right? sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Steven murmured thoughtfully, still unconvinced about the stone''s supposed significance. However, he pointed out that wishing stones might be considered a form of gratitude. "Looks like I''ll have to ask Regirock about this. I''ve heard of the white stone in Mossdeep City, and it''s said to be a strange rock, but I don''t think it''s the White Stone of Gratitude." With that decision, Hikaru planned to consult another "rock excavator." "Regirock..." Steven''s expression shifted slightly as he hesitantly asked, "Speaking of which, I''ve been wondering for a while now¡ªhow exactly do you obtain ancient rocks from Regirock? And where did you learn its exclusive moves? Even my friend has never seen those techniques before. Just what kind of Regirock is this...?" "Oh, well, due to some unexpected circumstances, Regirock woke up from its slumber in the Rock Peak Ruins. Its temple was severely damaged, so it sought me out for help with repairs. Actually, I was planning to leave and start fixing it right after meeting with you." "Who knows, you and Regirock might have a lot to talk about. The one I met is quite skilled at digging up rare stones¡ªit even unearthed a second Eviolite." Hikaru''s eyes suddenly lit up. "Steven, you also study ruins, don''t you?" While Cynthia would have been the best expert on ruins, Steven frequently excavated minerals in the wild, often coming across various ancient sites. Perhaps he would have useful advice for restoring ruins. Though Hikaru had mastered three major restoration techniques, he had never actually used them. Getting Steven''s input could prove valuable. "Rock Peak Ruins...!" Steven''s eyes glowed with curiosity and intrigue. A Regirock actively communicating with humans? That was entirely different from the ones he knew! Somewhere deep in his memory, he vaguely recalled encountering the Regis before. But the recollection was blurry¡ªso much so that he wondered if it was just an illusion formed after meeting Brandon and his Regirock. In the past, he had never imagined that Regirock could provide such useful ancient minerals. Even Brandon hadn''t mentioned anything about it¡ªperhaps he didn''t know either? And this Regirock... it could dig up rare stones?! Another Evolutionary Stone! Steven''s eyes burned with excitement. "I''d love to meet this Regirock!" "And please¡ªlet me help with the ruin restoration as well!" As expected, the moment rare stones were involved, Steven couldn''t contain himself. He and Hikaru dove into an intense discussion about the formation of Evolutionary Stones. Since Hikaru often excavated minerals in the wild, his experience could almost categorize him as a Hiker. While talking with Steven, he felt his knowledge rapidly expanding, branching into new insights. ¡ºYou have received guidance from a professional rock collector and have obtained Advanced Knowledge of Rocks!¡» ¡ºAdvanced Knowledge of Rocks enhances your craftsmanship skills, improving all rock-related techniques!¡» Hikaru''s eyes sparkled! He had obtained Steven''s knowledge! By engaging in deep discussions with experts, he could fully grasp their expertise and even build upon it! As their conversation continued, night began to fall. Suddenly, Hikaru remembered something important and quickly asked¡ª "Even if we don''t have any clues about the White Stone of Gratitude, Steven, do you know any Berry experts?" "I''ve been struggling to find a particular material and was wondering if there''s a master in tree cultivation who could help." As he spoke, Hikaru took out a Golden Leaf and a Silver Leaf. Steven examined the two shimmering leaves and once again fell into deep thought. Yet another thing he had never seen before! Even with all his field experience, he had never encountered materials like these. "These leaves are beautiful¡­ So, are you looking for the tree that produces them?" Steven took the leaves into his hands, his expression becoming more serious. Their texture wasn''t like regular leaves¡ªthey were soft yet durable, feeling more like fabric, while their sheen resembled metal. Hikaru explained, "These leaves can be found in Kanto and Johto. You can occasionally find them among fallen leaves from various trees, but the exact tree that produces them remains a mystery." "That''s why I wanted to consult experts in tree cultivation. Maybe they have insights on growing special trees. I''ve even found these leaves among my own Berry trees, so I''m wondering¡ªwhat kind of tree could be the best base for cultivating them?" Steven smiled and handed the leaves back. "They may not be stones, but rare materials intrigue me all the same. These leaves must be important crafting components, right? As your collaborator, I''ll do everything I can to help you." "That''s right! These two leaves are the key ingredients for two powerful items." Hikaru handed over two blueprints¡ªWeakness Policy and Assault Vest. After hearing about their effects, Steven''s smile immediately vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "These items¡­ they''re incredibly powerful! In that case, I must ask the best Berry experts to focus their efforts on cultivating these leaves. Devon Corporation will also allocate resources to research alternative methods of cultivation!" At first, he thought the leaves were just rare collectibles, but now he realized they could be turned into mysterious battle-enhancing tools! If Hoenn could be the first region to cultivate these trees¡­! With exclusive access to these crafting materials, Hoenn would become a premier competitive battling hub, attracting investments from companies and the League itself! This would be huge for the Hoenn League, which was often seen as a more rural, less influential region. "Hoenn has the best climate and the most fertile land¡ªno region is better suited for cultivating special plants!" Steven was already formulating plans. He wasn''t an expert in tree cultivation, but he knew the right people for the job! "Regi¡ª" A deep, booming voice echoed from outside the workshop. The moment Steven heard it, he immediately recognized it¡ªhe had heard the same call before at Brandon''s training site. There was no doubt¡ªit was Regirock! Outside the workshop, Steven''s Metagross was staring at the towering golem in confusion. A Legendary Giant! Metagross had encountered one before, but to see another one here¡­ Wait¡ªwhat was it doing? Regirock reached out and patted Metagross''s body, its H-shaped face glowing brightly. Yo, you''ve developed quite well! Almost as strong as my brother, Registeel! Metagross: "¡­" Metagross stood still, staring blankly. Are all the Pok¨¦mon in this workshop absolute weirdos? "Regirock! You and Turtwig are back!" Hikaru and Steven walked out of the workshop, just as Unown floated over, shaking its body indignantly since it hadn''t been called. "Alright, alright, Unown, you''re back too." Hikaru chuckled, and Unown E finally looked satisfied. Exactly! You can''t just focus on those two¡ªI did a lot today too! "You''re both covered in injuries. Weren''t you supposed to be training?" Hikaru asked, frowning at Lilligant, who also shook her head, indicating she had no idea what had happened. Regirock had multiple cracks across its body, with chunks of stone missing, though it didn''t seem to care much. Meanwhile, Turtwig was covered in bruises and scratches¡ªbut the medicinal herbs on its back were completely intact. "Turtwig!" Turtwig and Regirock exchanged looks and then laughed together. That was some intense training today! Good thing Unown created such a strong Pok¨¦mon to help us¡­ and thankfully, it didn''t go out of control, right? "Look at all these wounds¡ªlet''s get you patched up right away!" Hikaru quickly pulled out herbal potions, repair tools, and recovery items, including Revitalizing Blocks and healing salves. The Pok¨¦mon stood patiently as he treated them, while Steven observed the unfamiliar medicine with great interest. "What is that¡­?" Hikaru explained, "A special herbal potion I made. It restores a Pok¨¦mon''s stamina while also healing hidden internal injuries and illnesses. The Unova Champion once bought some from me. If you''re interested, I have plenty in stock." Under Steven''s watchful gaze, Turtwig drank the herbal potion, and its injuries began fading almost immediately. The recovery speed was faster than a Hyper Potion¡ªpractically on par with a Full Restore! However, unlike a Full Restore, this potion could also heal old, lingering injuries¡ªsomething regular medicines couldn''t do. Steven''s gaze instinctively drifted to Metagross. His Metagross had been by his side since he was a child, enduring countless battles. Though his close friend, Wallace, was a top-tier Pok¨¦mon breeder and had helped it recover, Metagross had still accumulated many hidden scars over the years. Thinking about that now¡­ Steven suddenly felt guilty. "I''m sorry, Metagross." "Metto?" Metagross tilted its head, confused by Steven''s sudden words, but then noticed something in his eyes. It was the same look Steven had given it many years ago. "Metto." Metagross understood. There''s no need to apologize. As the Champion, you have your responsibilities. Seeking strength is part of your nature¡ªit''s what you must do. Steven''s expression was complicated as he reached out to pat Metagross''s claw. The two old friends silently reaffirmed their bond. Then, Steven turned to look at the injured Regirock. Regirock stared back, its H-shaped face glowing faintly. So this is the one Hikaru was waiting for? Hmm¡­ but he carries the aura of rare stones¡­ "Reeegi?" Regirock suddenly spoke up. Steven blinked in surprise, and Hikaru listened for a moment before translating: "Regirock is asking if you''re also someone who enjoys digging up rare stones¡ªit senses an intense mineral aura from you." "You can understand Pok¨¦mon?!" Steven exclaimed. Until now, Hikaru had never shown such an ability! And Regirock''s language wasn''t like that of normal Pok¨¦mon¡ªBrandon''s Regirock, for instance, was barely understood by others. Hikaru smiled. "I have psychic abilities. I can understand the language of Ghost Pok¨¦mon, and due to certain circumstances, I can also comprehend the speech of ancient Pok¨¦mon. "Regirock''s language is like human dialects¡ªPok¨¦mon from different regions may struggle to understand it, just as people sometimes have trouble with unfamiliar accents." Steven was still reeling from this revelation when Regirock spoke again. Hikaru''s expression turned amused. "Oh, this is interesting¡­" Regirock had not forgotten one of its earlier ideas. Now that it had seen Steven, it was getting excited. So it''s true¡ªstand users- I mean, rare stone diggers are drawn to one another! "It''s asking if you have any special stones. It also has some stones and wants to trade with you." Hikaru sighed. "Previously, Regirock mentioned that after repairing Rock Peak Ruins, it wanted to turn the site into a place where Pok¨¦mon could trade items with one another¡ªkind of like my workshop. "Maybe because it once lived alongside the ancient people of Johto, its behavior is closer to that of humans." Steven''s face lit up in delight. This Regirock was completely different from the ones in his vague memories, or even the one Brandon owned! It was like¡­ a kindred spirit. Steven and Regirock locked eyes, their shared passion for rare stones forming an unspoken bond. Then Hikaru suddenly asked, "By the way, do you know anything about the White Stone of Gratitude?" Regirock''s H-symbol flashed. "Shasha-lili¡ª" It responded that it had never heard of a ''Stone of Gratitude'' specifically, but it had seen white stones before¡ªnear the Gracidea Flower Garden, in an ancient Johto burial site! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 115 - 115 <> Normally, one shouldn''t enter the Shinto Forest as night approaches¡ªit''s extremely dangerous. However, upon hearing a lead about the whereabouts of Shiraishi''s gratitude, Steven couldn''t hold back! Digging up rare stones was more important than anything else, and with Steven as a companion, Hikaru also felt more confident. Within the Shinto Forest, the strongest Pok¨¦mon in the outer areas were a leader Scyther and what seemed to be an Ursaring, but in the presence of a Champion, these Pok¨¦mon were hardly a threat! Hikaru performed a simple restoration on Regirock''s body, a display of craftsmanship that left Steven marveling. Following this, Steven and Regirock began chatting, with Hikaru acting as a translator. The more they talked, the more they got along! Steven was utterly shocked to discover that Regirock could accurately identify the formation process and locations of various stones¡ªthis was knowledge only possessed by truly skilled mineralogists! "Incredible! Rock-type Pok¨¦mon usually only know which stones are beneficial to their bodies and will stay near mineral veins to keep intruders out, but Regirock is different¡­ Is this because it learned from humans? Or do the giants inherently possess such knowledge?" If Regirock weren''t Hikaru''s friend¡ªpractically his Pok¨¦mon at this point¡ªSteven would have been tempted to convince it to join him! After all, a Pok¨¦mon that could provide excavation advice and even help dig up stones manually¡ªhow could a gemstone collector resist? It was a perfect match, a dream come true! The setting sun cast golden beams through the gaps in the treetops, illuminating the soil of the Shinto Forest. Leading the way was the giant, followed by Hikaru and Steven, alongside Doublade, Lilligant, Turtwig, and Metagross. Their destination was the Rock Mountain Ruins. After reaching it, they continued deeper into the forest, eventually arriving at a deep valley. The surrounding trees bore signs of having been cut down. "Hmm?" Hikaru noticed the tree stumps and cut marks, but what caught his attention most were the ruined structures and numerous ancient tombstones scattered throughout the valley. "Reji... Regi..." Regirock let out a strange sound, seemingly in mourning. Although its voice didn''t sound much different from usual, Hikaru could sense an undercurrent of sadness in its heart. "It''s saying that when it awoke, it saw the tombs left behind by the ancient people of Shinto. After the gods disappeared, it fell into slumber, and upon waking again, found these graves." Everyone quietly observed the ancient cemetery. Regirock suddenly raised an arm, halting their progress. Because¡ª That thing had appeared! Whoosh¡ª! A shadowy fist suddenly shot out from the depths of the valley, slamming into the ground before Hikaru and Steven. Moments later, from the void itself, a massive, pitch-black figure materialized like a ghost! A Ghost-type giant¡ªDusknoir! The black fist that had just struck the ground was none other than the Ghost-type move Shadow Punch¡ªa warning! "Dusk!" Dusknoir ignored Hikaru and Steven, its gaze locking onto Regirock! A legendary giant¡­ What business do you have here? Dusknoir was the guardian of this ancient graveyard and was responsible for guiding wandering spirits around Shinto. Among these tombs was an ancient soul that refused to leave, and until that soul was properly guided away, Dusknoir wouldn''t allow anyone to desecrate this place! "Reji¡ª" Regirock didn''t hesitate to call out Dusknoir, directly accusing it of trespassing into its own shrine in the past. Dusknoir quickly explained, saying that it hadn''t entered intentionally! It was because that Scyther had disturbed the graveyard''s peace and even used Thief to steal an important artifact from here, forcing Dusknoir to chase it down! "Dusk!" So, if there was nothing urgent, they should leave immediately! "Reji¡ª" Regirock stated that it was here to retrieve the white stones. White stones¡­? Dusknoir hesitated, glancing toward the most prominent white monument among the tombstones. Indeed, there were white stones similar to that monument scattered around the area. However, those were sacred items of the graveyard. Aside from some peculiar flowers, nothing else should be taken! Those white stones contained mysterious power, and disturbing them might prevent the slumbering soul from awakening. If that happened, Dusknoir''s duty would be left unfulfilled! "Looks like negotiations failed." Steven assessed the situation, his Metagross standing beside him, its sharp eyes locked onto Dusknoir. Feeling the immense strength of the steel behemoth, Dusknoir immediately grew tense. Could it truly protect this graveyard with its strength alone? "We have no intention of fighting you." Hikaru stepped forward and used his advanced spiritual knowledge to communicate with Dusknoir. Dusknoir could feel the intense spiritual energy radiating from Hikaru. It carefully extended its senses, attempting to establish a soul connection¡ª But in the next moment¡ª Its soul was forcefully dragged into another world! A void storm, distorted structures, an inverted sky, massive crystalline pillars¡ª And a shadowy, centipede-like black-winged dragon looming above! "Gah¡ª!" A gaze from the ruler of shadows fell upon Dusknoir. Giratina had sensed Dusknoir''s presence through Hikaru''s soul and was extremely displeased by its intrusion! This was Shinto. How dare a mere spirit-world guardian attempt to establish a connection with a descendant of the gods? In the next moment, Giratina suddenly sensed something on Dusknoir''s body. It paused briefly before pouring all of its ghostly energy into its soul link with Hikaru! Overwhelmed by this surge of immense energy, Dusknoir recoiled in fear, its single eye shrinking in shock, frantically waving its hands in surrender! sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The spiritual power of this psychic was far too overwhelming! What it had just witnessed through the soul link... Was that truly the Ruler of the Distorted World?! A cold sweat formed on Dusknoir''s spectral body. It no longer had any idea who this human before it really was. At first, it had planned to use force to drive these intruders away¡ªbut now, that was clearly impossible. Wait! Dusknoir suddenly realized something, its single eye widening in astonishment. Could this psychic before it be¡­ the one spoken of in the spirit world''s transmissions¡ª The human who died and returned to life?! The one who won the resurrection battle?! ["That Dusknoir has something valuable on it!"] Giratina''s soul-bound voice echoed in Hikaru''s mind, making him pause in surprise. He hadn''t expected Giratina, all the way in the Distorted World, to be able to communicate with him like this. "¡­Perhaps I can help you guide that lingering soul to the afterlife," Hikaru suggested. "In exchange, allow us to take some of the white stones." "Dusk¡­" Dusknoir''s hostility faded. The sheer power of the human before it was beyond imagination¡ªa psychic who had a direct connection with a colossal ghostly dragon that ruled an entire world¡­ This was a first for Dusknoir! And more than that¡ªhe had returned from the dead, a feat even Dusknoir itself had never accomplished! Perhaps¡­ this human truly could complete its duty. After a moment of silence, Dusknoir gave a nod and turned, leading Hikaru toward the white tombstone. Hikaru crouched down and wiped the dust from the white stone monument, carefully examining its inscriptions. Then, he called for Doublade and retrieved several Pure Incense Talismans from its sheath. Elite Four Phoebe had once said that her talismans could guide lost souls to the afterlife, making them incredibly useful spiritual tools. Hikaru himself didn''t fully understand how to use spiritual energy to help lost souls pass on, but his craftsmanship could achieve the same effect! With that in mind, Hikaru placed the Pure Incense Talismans onto the white tombstone, then observed the stone''s description: [Precious Material: Gratitude White Stone (Tombstone, Unusable).] [Description: An ancient white stone, polished to a mirror-like sheen, shaped into a tombstone. It is said that inscribing words of gratitude upon this stone will allow one''s feelings to be perfectly conveyed to their friends.] This stone is¡­! Hikaru''s eyes widened as a realization struck him! So that''s what the Gratitude White Stone was! In Pok¨¦mon Platinum, if a Trainer obtains a letter from Professor Rowan, they can travel to Seabreak Path. At the start of the path, there is a large white boulder. By writing words of gratitude on the stone, the Trainer will encounter the Gratitude Pok¨¦mon, Shaymin, and be able to follow it into Flower Paradise. The once-barren land at the path''s end would immediately transform into a field of vibrant flowers upon Shaymin''s arrival! For a brief moment, Hikaru saw visions in his mind¡ª A scene from the past, when this ruin was still intact¡ª A city-state, its buildings made of stone and mud, where people lived peacefully. Children laughed and played in the streets. Then, a girl appeared¡ªa girl whose face was blurred and indistinct. She grew from a child to a young woman, from youth to middle age, and finally to old age. Her surroundings, though vague, continued to shift and change. Eventually, the vision faded. The settlement disappeared, leaving only a single final tombstone behind. Upon it, ancient letters were inscribed in Unown script. The golden rays of the setting sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting a dappled glow over the ancient inscription. "Here, I shall rest for eternity." "I pray to the gods." "Forever, I shall wait." "I only hope¡­ that one day, we shall meet again." "The one I am most grateful to¡­ is Hikaru." "Thank you¡­ for giving me life." At the bottom, the name was signed¡ª Vessa. (End of Chapter) Chapter 116 - 116 A feeling of gratitude emanated from the stone tablet, and when Hikaru saw the signature, his eyes widened slightly. This name¡­ it felt familiar. It should be from the game. Fragments of strange, scattered memories flashed through his mind, but they vanished as quickly as they appeared. Suddenly, Hikaru felt a headache, and at the same time, Giratina''s ghostly energy took over the core of his spiritual power, stabilizing his mental state. He never expected that the hot-tempered Giratina would actually help him stabilize his mind! ["Your soul is unstable. Memories that shouldn''t exist have surfaced. But don''t worry, this should be a normal phenomenon."] Giratina''s whisper echoed within his soul, yet Hikaru didn''t quite understand what it meant. What did it mean by "things that shouldn''t exist"? And why was that considered normal? As expected of the ruler of the Reverse World¡ªits words made no sense. ["If I put it this way¡­"] Sensing Hikaru''s confusion, Giratina carefully chose its words before continuing. It didn''t want to be a cryptic "mystery dragon." ["When the past is rewritten, these kinds of things happen. The timeline is out of sync. But this isn''t my area of expertise, so I won''t say too much."] Giratina left half of its explanation unsaid. If it spoke recklessly about time-related matters and got it wrong, it would be a huge embarrassment! That wouldn''t do. It was the ruler of the Reverse World, the great shadow lurking behind the real world. If it lost face in front of its soul-bound partner, how many excuses would it take to recover its dignity? It was all Dialga''s fault! Messing around with time travel again. That guy was always doing this kind of thing! Hikaru thought of something¡ªthe events in Pok¨¦mon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life. In that movie, when Arceus, enraged, was about to destroy the world, Dialga had sent Ash and his friends back in time a thousand years to rewrite the history of Michina and thus change the future. At that moment, the white stone tablet before Hikaru emitted a faint glow. He instinctively took a step back as the Pok¨¦mon around him, along with Steven, kept their eyes fixed on the changing tablet. "Yooonuuun!" Dusknoir suddenly grew excited! The soul was about to awaken! Its mission was finally complete! It grasped Hikaru''s small hand with its large one and shook it vigorously, expressing its gratitude. As a wisp of ghostly blue fire emerged from the tablet, it transformed into the indistinct shape of a young girl. A soul had materialized, though her appearance remained somewhat unclear. She wore ancient clothing, its colors resembling those of Celebi. Seeing Hikaru, the girl first looked surprised before breaking into a delighted smile. ["When you write words on a white stone, you can precisely convey your gratitude to a friend."] ["The person I want to thank the most is Hikaru."] At that moment, Hikaru''s memories returned! Vessa¡ªwasn''t she the soul sealed within the Odd Keystone in Pok¨¦mon Legends: Arceus? The Odd Keystone was the object used to seal Spiritomb, a Pok¨¦mon formed by the fusion of 108 souls. It was believed that some of these souls were particularly malicious, making Spiritomb a sinister entity created from evil thoughts. Having committed numerous misdeeds, it was eventually bound to the Odd Keystone by a mysterious spell to prevent further harm. In the Pok¨¦mon world, all Spiritomb were suspected to have been sealed by a legendary traveler skilled in mystical arts! In the anime, that traveler was an Aura Guardian accompanied by a Pikachu. However, not all the souls within the Odd Keystone were evil. Vessa was one such soul¡ªa normal girl. In the Hisui era, a massive Spiritomb had escaped from the giant Odd Keystone at Cloudcap Pass. To reseal it, Vessa sought help from the protagonist in Jubilife Village, gathering 108 ghostly flames to subdue Spiritomb once again. But that happened in Hisui! Why was one of Spiritomb''s 108 souls, Vessa, appearing in Sinnoh? And why was her attire different from what it was in the game? "Do you know me? Why are you thanking me?" Hikaru asked the ghostly girl in disbelief, and Vessa tilted her head slightly, as if realizing something. ["Ah, I see. While I have met you, the current you does not yet know me."] ["But even so, you are still you. I must thank you. Thank you for giving me new life."] ["You must be wondering why I am here."] ["Because I was originally from Sinnoh."] According to the game''s lore, Vessa had mentioned that the Spiritomb binding her had once caused disasters in Hisui centuries ago before being sealed away by the spell of a mysterious traveler. And now, she was saying she was originally from Sinnoh¡ªmeaning that Vessa was one of the people of Shindo! "The People of Shinto Dispersed, Returned to Hisui, and Then Perished¡­" Hikaru realized something. Between 1,000 and 700 years ago, the people of Shinto gradually disappeared¡ªsome integrating into Johto, while others returned to Hisui. Some of those who crossed the sea back to Hisui founded the Diamond Clan and the Pearl Clan, shifting their faith toward Dialga and Palkia, losing their original belief in Arceus. "I Have Been Waiting Here¡­ Just to Thank You. Just to See You One More Time." Vessa turned toward Dusknoir. ["That object¡­ is it in your hands? Thank you for keeping it safe for me. Now, it is time to return it."] "Yooonuun?!" Dusknoir suddenly realized something. It reached into the mouth on its belly and pulled out a red orb! "That''s¡ª!" The moment Steven saw the orb, he immediately recognized it. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was an extremely rare mineral found in nature. Its formation process remained a mystery, and even Devon Corporation had attempted to manufacture it artificially¡ªbut with little success. Steven exclaimed, "That''s a Life Orb! A very precious stone!" Dusknoir handed the red orb to Hikaru and explained to Regirock that the Scizor from before had heard rumors about a mystical orb in this place, which was why it had tried to steal it. The item it had been guarding all along was this red orb discovered near the tombstone. [Precious Material: Life Orb] [Description: A gem infused with immense life energy, rumored to be crystallized from the souls of humans or Pok¨¦mon. Similar crystals occasionally appear in nature. When held, it slightly drains HP with each attack but significantly boosts the power of moves!] [Acquired Knowledge: +1] [Bond of Life: Your and your trained Pok¨¦mon''s HP and strength increase by 30%!] [Acquired Crafting Skill: +1] [Orb Crafting (A+): Allows the creation of unique orbs using corresponding natural energy crystals and materials from Pok¨¦mon. (Requires Spirit Forging Technique and Awakening Power.)] Hikaru could sense an extraordinary pulse of life energy within the orb, while Vessa simply smiled at him. ["It''s time for me to go. This life you once gave me, I now return it to you."] ["Thank you, Hikaru."] Vessa embraced Hikaru briefly before waving farewell. As Hikaru stood in a daze, Dusknoir grasped her hand and emitted a signal indicating the completion of its task. At the same time, Dusknoir turned toward Hikaru with a reminder. "Yooonuun! Yoo¡­ nuuun!" Although you''re powerful, there''s something that needs to be said. Whether it''s appropriate or not, well¡­ I''ll just say it! Dusknoir''s eyes flickered with an eerie red glow. "Yooonuun~" Your soul is deeply connected to the ruler of the Reverse World, but your spiritual energy is too similar in nature to the Distortion World. Because of this, you must be cautious¡ªthe Distortion World has an inherent pull. As a guardian of the spirit realm, Dusknoir knew well that the Distortion World harbored a certain hostility toward the real world. Life and death were naturally opposing forces. Malicious Pok¨¦mon and wayward spirits that had escaped from the spirit realm often lurked around those with unusual soul abilities. Hikaru needed to be extremely careful! Do not be swayed by the power of the Distortion World and fall into its grasp! And there was something else! Dusknoir reached into the mouth on its belly and pulled out a piece of Reaper Cloth, though something seemed to be wrapped inside. "Yooonuun~" As a token of gratitude, Dusknoir decided to gift Hikaru something it had once found in this cemetery¡ªa mysterious stone tablet. After all, this artifact was a relic of ancient Sinnoh. Now that its task was complete, and Hikaru had proven to be the one the spirits here had been waiting for, Dusknoir no longer had a reason to hold onto the tablet. Additionally, the Reaper Cloth was another token of appreciation. However, Dusknoir wanted to trade these materials for Hikaru''s charms! It then pointed toward Doublade, which stood beside them, looking utterly confused. Dusknoir had seen the Purity Charm Hikaru used earlier and realized its effectiveness! If it could obtain those charms, its efficiency in guiding spirits would skyrocket! So, trading some ghostly materials for those precious charms¡ªwasn''t that a fair deal? Hikaru accepted the cloth-wrapped object. [Mythical Artifact: Spooky Plate!] [Description: A Ghost-type plate that enhances the power of Ghost-type moves when held.] [Acquired Vocational Knowledge: +1] [Spirit Mastery: Increases friendship with Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon.] [Acquired Unique Crafting Insight: +1] [Discovered a Clue to the Crafting of a Mysterious Artifact: +1] [Ghostly Crafting (B Rank)] [Description: A secret crafting technique passed down in the Distortion World. It is said that only those who tread the path of no return can master it.] [Effect: Items crafted using Ghostly Crafting will possess the special property of being "spirit-bound."] [Requirements: Reaper Cloth / Tattered Cloth / Suspicious Powder / Ghost Gem / Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon materials Mysterious Crafting Clue: [Shinto Flute] Relevant Locations: Sinnoh Graveyard / Path of Ruin / Spear Pillar Required Material: White Stone of Gratitude] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 117 - 117 [Goodbye, Friend] Vessa''s soul gradually faded, eventually transforming into a familiar form in Hikaru''s memory¡ªa cluster of violet ghostly flames. Dusknoir opened its belly, absorbing Vessa''s spirit flame inside, and waved toward Hikaru. "Farewell, powerful human! Next time, I''ll bring some materials from the spirit world to exchange for your talismans!" "Yo~no!" Dusknoir cast a glance at Regirock. Now that it could leave this place freely, the legendary giant likely wouldn''t be keeping an eye on it anymore! "These stones around the graveyard are yours to handle as you wish. The spirits that needed rest have all found peace. Now, this place is just an ordinary cemetery!" "Yo~woo!" Doublade removed the talismans from its body and handed them over to Dusknoir in one go, making the ghost Pok¨¦mon overjoyed! "With these talismans that guide spirits to the afterlife, I''ll be way ahead of my peers in terms of job efficiency! When I get promoted and earn a raise, I''ll be sure to take care of you all! If you ever die, I''ll open a VIP passage for you to reincarnate quickly!" Doublade (expressionless): "..." What are you even talking about?! That''s not the kind of ''care'' we need! Behind Dusknoir, a hazy vortex of time and space emerged¡ªan entrance to the spirit world. As a civil servant of the spirit world, Dusknoir could freely open these portals. Its figure gradually dimmed and disappeared into the vortex. ... "What an incredible sight," Steven stepped forward, sighing as he watched the spot where Dusknoir vanished. Though the Elite Four''s Phoebe often talked about ghosts being around, Steven had never actually seen one before. This experience was an eye-opener for him. And then there was the Gratitude Stone, capable of preserving a soul and conveying one''s will across the ages. How exactly was such a stone formed? Steven''s heart was filled with excitement as he gazed at the tombstone and the surrounding white stones. As for why the ghost girl, Vessa, had expressed gratitude toward Hikaru, Steven didn''t feel the need to probe too much¡ªit was Hikaru''s personal matter. Besides, he hadn''t heard Vessa''s words just now, as he lacked spiritual power. Instead, he pondered internally: "Hikaru truly must have a rich past. Some people can''t be judged solely by their age. Sacred places like Shinto hold secrets beyond the comprehension of the outside world." With that, Steven gained a bit more insight into why Hikaru possessed so many extraordinary abilities. Honestly, this felt like encountering a hidden NPC in a game! A secretive craftsman from Shinto, whose goods even messengers of the spirit world sought to purchase. Not to mention, every Pok¨¦mon Steven had encountered since arriving here seemed vastly different from those outside. They were all... incredibly intelligent! As for the Life Orb, a gem of extraordinary rarity, its formation had long been a mystery. But now, Steven had essentially figured it out. It was a crystallization of soul and life. Perhaps not only human souls, but also those of Pok¨¦mon, could form something similar. That would explain why these gemstones were so precious. Now that he thought about it¡­ similar orbs had been discovered before. "So, the Life Orb has a composition similar to the mysterious crystal..." Back when Steven attended the Fossil Conference in Pewter City, he had gone there because of the discovery of a peculiar crystal. After analysis by Pewter''s top rock experts, it turned out that the beautiful, elegant crystal was none other than the Soul Dew¡ªa special crystallization formed from the souls of Latias or Latios! The Soul Dew could awaken their latent powers, and their spirits resonated with it! "That''s another mystery of stones solved¡ªno, actually two!" Besides the Life Orb and Gratitude Stone, Steven''s gaze landed on a deep-colored Tablet. Come to think of it, he had seen a similar deep red plate before, tucked beneath a computer at Hikaru''s workshop. But since it didn''t seem particularly special at the time, he had assumed it was just an ordinary stone artifact and hadn''t paid much attention to it. Now that he looked at it again, he realized¡ªback when he was excavating rocks, he had seen similar objects in the collections of certain stone fanatics. Meanwhile, Hikaru examined the Life Orb and the Dread Plate, lost in thought. If things had played out differently, maybe he would have acquired certain knowledge that allowed him to free Vessa from Spiritomb''s grasp. Or perhaps, in some way, he had traveled even further back in time. Time travel was nothing unusual in the Pok¨¦mon world. In many historical incidents, time travel wasn''t just an accident¡ªit was an inevitable part of history itself. From the altered timeline in the Hoenn region''s Pok¨¦mon Adventures, to Eagun traversing through time fragments, and even Professor Oak and Ash experiencing their own time-traveling events in the anime¡ªsuch occurrences were commonplace. And then, there was the true purpose of the Gratitude Stone¡ªto craft the Azure Flute! The divine statues along Mount Coronet''s ancient pathways in the Hisui era¡ªif Giratina''s words were to be believed, they had likely been sculpted using the Gratitude Stone. In that case, it made sense why the Azure Flute, an ancient mystical artifact, could summon the descendants of the ten hero Pok¨¦mon. "Let''s meet again in the future." Hikaru murmured as he stepped away from the tombstone, heading toward a large white stone nearby. This was an unused Gratitude Stone. The ancient people of Shinto had built cemeteries around these stones, hoping for something beyond words. Regirock stepped forward, lifting the Gratitude Stone, then led the group toward the cemetery''s garden. The garden was enclosed by carefully arranged stones. Sparse trees surrounded the area, and it was located atop a small hill. Sunlight reached the flowers within, and it almost seemed as if the trees had intentionally avoided shading this sacred space. "This is the Gracidea Flower," Steven recognized them instantly. They were sold in some flower shops in the Hoenn region. Though rare and precious, Gracidea Flowers were not difficult to cultivate artificially. [Unlocked: ''Shinto Cemetery'' & ''Ancient Garden''!] As night approached, Hikaru had Lilligant collect some of the flowers and dug up some soil from the garden before the group left the Shinto Forest. Steven was particularly pleased with this trip. Not only had he uncovered the secret of the Life Orb, but he had also obtained an unknown type of Gratitude Stone. He also took the opportunity to inquire about the mysterious plates. Hikaru responded simply, explaining that they were special artifacts that could enhance Pok¨¦mon abilities. However, their method of creation was unique¡ªeven he couldn''t replicate them. If Steven wanted to learn more, Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion, would have better insights. Steven understood. Devon Corporation wasn''t the kind of company to recklessly claim such relics for research. He knew better than to force the issue when it came to items with clear mystical origins. As for accommodations that night, although the workshop was small, it could still fit two people. However, the only empty space was the fourth ghost room. Steven simply chuckled. "No need to worry about my sleeping arrangements. I often work in the wild, and I have a certain move that can help with this. If you don''t mind, I''d like to stay there." Steven turned his gaze toward a massive oak tree near the workshop. Hikaru was puzzled. Was Steven planning to set up a tent under the tree? "What are you going to do?" "It''s simple! Metagross, use Secret Power!" At Steven''s command, Metagross''s eyes shone with a powerful energy. The Normal-type move ''Secret Power'' altered depending on the environment, and when used on special trees, bushes, or caves, it triggered a unique effect! Steven smiled. "Have you heard of Super Secret Bases? I can even teach your Pok¨¦mon this move!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 118 - 118 In the games, Secret Bases are special spaces that can only be built in specific locations in Hoenn and Sinnoh. Across Hoenn, players can find various large trees, grass patches, and walls with small holes¡ªthese secret spots can be dug open using the move Secret Power to create a Super Secret Base. However, in reality, Secret Power can be used in any outdoor location, whether it be mountains, caves, bushes, large trees, or even underground! Metagross used its move to alter the massive oak tree. Hikaru noticed that a new hollow had appeared in the tree, large enough to enter. Steven had Metagross carry both him and Hikaru inside the hollow, which formed a special space. Branches automatically gathered together to form the floor, while surrounding leaves converged into walls! At the same time, the interior space was significantly larger than it appeared from the outside! "What an incredible move!" Hikaru recalled how, while playing Pok¨¦mon Emerald, he often searched for suitable locations to build a Secret Base. It was one of the most enjoyable mechanics in the game. For people who frequently explored the wild, Secret Power was an essential move to carry! "What do you think? This is a unique move from Hoenn. It allows the creation of a space that blends into nature. You''re probably wondering why the inside is larger than it looks from the outside¡ªthat''s the peculiar aspect of this move." In the games, Secret Power is taught by the Secret Base expert Aarune, a traveler from Unova. Meanwhile, in Pok¨¦mon Emerald, it is gifted by a boy in the game alongside the corresponding TM. Metagross couldn''t fit through the entrance, so it remained floating outside. Meanwhile, Doublade also hovered in the air, repeatedly flying in and out of the hollow, its two eyes spinning in confusion. It couldn''t understand why the outside looked like a small hole, but the inside was so spacious! "Mehdo!" Metagross communicated with Doublade, recommending that it try using the move itself. From the entrance, Steven and Hikaru peeked inside. Steven stretched out a hand, gesturing as he explained: "Secret Power''s attributes and effects change depending on the environment. The first key to learning this move is for a Pok¨¦mon to familiarize itself with its surroundings." "Rocks, trees, bushes, and the ground¡ªthese are the primary surfaces where Secret Bases or hiding spots can be created. The Pok¨¦mon must synchronize its elemental energy with the natural energy of the environment, accumulate power in the target area, and finally expand outward. In essence, Secret Power can be seen as a spatial-type ability that all Pok¨¦mon can potentially master." Steven carefully taught the mechanics, and Hikaru quickly absorbed the knowledge about Secret Power and Secret Bases. Before long, new information had formed in his mind: ¡ºYou have learned knowledge about Secret Power and Secret Bases!¡» ¡ºYour understanding of Secret Bases enhances your ability to use Secret Power, allowing your Pok¨¦mon to utilize it in broader environments and with increased effectiveness.¡» Broader environments? Before Hikaru could ponder further, Doublade had already finished listening to Steven''s explanation. Metagross patiently continued guiding it, and Doublade excitedly waved its ribbon-like arms! Great! It had learned the theory¡ªnow it was time to put it into practice! Doublade descended from midair while the other Pok¨¦mon watched. Focusing its energy, it prepared to execute the move. "Mehdo." Metagross floated down beside it, providing further guidance. Since both were Steel-type Pok¨¦mon, they had similar techniques when using the same move, making the process much easier! Following Metagross'' instructions, Doublade drew its two swords and crossed them, gathering energy in its ribbons. It then performed a strange twisting motion before beginning to spin rapidly like a drill! Under the influence of Doublade''s energy, the ground started rippling like waves. As Doublade spun at high speed and made contact with the surface, its energy resonated with the natural forces of the surroundings! A new hollow opened up in the ground, forming an entrance! ¡ºDoublade has learned Secret Power!¡» "You learned so fast!" Steven observed Doublade''s performance with great interest and was impressed by its rapid learning speed. "Though¡­ the way you used it looked a bit strange, but that doesn''t really matter!" Mastering a move wasn''t an easy feat. It required repeated practice and refinement¡ªjust like how Ash''s Pikachu trained tirelessly to perfect Iron Tail, only mastering the technique after extensive effort. This was precisely why TMs existed as a shortcut for Pok¨¦mon to learn moves quickly. Metagross let out an approving sound. Even though Doublade was a bit¡­ eccentric, its learning ability was exceptional! "Youu~!" Doublade floated down into the underground space, discovering that the interior was quite large¡ªperfect for use as a basement! At the same time, Hikaru was asking Steven the same question. "Will the space created by Secret Power disappear? If we make a space underground, it seems like a great place for a basement." "Of course not," Steven shook his head. "These spaces are formed by natural energy. There are many places in the world with similarly strange spatial distortions, right? The principle behind this move is the same as how those spaces form." "However, you should be aware that Secret Spaces created in trees or bushes can still be burned down. If the supporting tree or bush disappears, then the space will naturally collapse as well." Immediately, various unique ideas about Secret Power began forming in Hikaru''s mind. He had a strong feeling that this move would become incredibly useful for him in the near future. With the move successfully taught, Steven decided to conduct a temporary study on the Gratitude Rock. Although he was curious about Hikaru''s crafting process, he felt it was inappropriate to peek at trade secrets, even with Hikaru''s permission. After all, Hikaru would naturally share any useful discoveries. But if Steven learned the full crafting process, he knew he''d be tempted to research it further himself. Meanwhile, Hikaru returned to the workshop with his Pok¨¦mon. The Gratitude Rock, which had been transported earlier, was placed inside the forge''s back shed. Hikaru then lit up the workspace and began carving. "All I need to do is embed a portion of the Gratitude Rock¡­" In Hikaru''s memory, the statue at the ruins of the Shinto Temple had been quite large, but the white stone that Regirock had brought back wasn''t as massive. Giratina, maintaining its spiritual connection with Hikaru, whispered softly, indicating that only a portion of the stone would be sufficient. The sound of chiseling quickly filled the air as the carving process began. Using additional stone materials to embed the Gratitude Stone, Hikaru sketched out Giratina''s form while Doublade assisted with Psycho Cut, and Lilligant carefully refined the details with a low-power Leaf Blade. After a period of focused work, the craftsmanship and skill came together to complete the sculpture of Giratina! In reality, when it came to sculpting speed, Bidoof was the true master. As mentioned in Professor Oak''s lectures, a Bidoof had once completed the sculpture Professor Oak''s Contemplation in mere moments. Compared to that, Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon''s pace was considerably slower. ¡ºArtifact: Large [Ancient Stone Statue] (Exquisite) ¡ª Styled after the Ruins of Shinto¡» ¡ºDescription: A statue carved in an ancient style, depicting Giratina in its Origin Forme. The craftsmanship is lifelike, achieving an imitation of ancient aesthetics. Due to its mythological nature, this sculpture is considered a masterpiece. By offering gratitude to the sculpture, one may receive a response from Giratina.¡» ¡ºArtifact Effect: Pillar of Heart and Matter ¡ª Eliminates negative emotions within one''s heart and brings order to chaotic lands.¡» [This sculpture looks nearly identical to the original at the Shinto Ruins¡­ Absolutely perfect.] Giratina''s mental link with Hikaru remained intact. As it viewed the sculpture through Hikaru''s soul, it felt the anger that had been festering within it for centuries gradually dissipate. The negative emotions that had plagued it for so long faded¡ªnot through suppression, but by allowing its thoughts to become clearer, granting it a newfound perspective of the world it resided in. A wave of gratitude surged within Giratina''s heart. It was a feeling it had not experienced for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Ever since the fall of Shinto, this emotion had never resurfaced within it. [The Gratitude Stone wishes to offer gratitude¡­ to you as well.] [Bring this sculpture to the Distortion World. Using a large reflective surface, simply call upon me, and I shall be by your side.] A large reflective surface¡ªGiratina was likely referring to something akin to a lake. However, the area near the workshop only had a small stream. But Hikaru quickly devised an alternative solution. Among the materials he had previously purchased, there was a thin film. By spreading it on the ground and pouring water over it, he could create an artificial reflective surface. With that, a simple gateway was completed. The water''s surface shimmered with a vortex of shadowy energy. With Regirock''s assistance, everyone leaped into the mirror-like portal. In an instant, they arrived at the abandoned workshop within the Distortion World. "Yuu~?" Doublade''s spirits lifted immediately. The abandoned workshop was brimming with ghostly energy¡ªfar richer than that of Room No. 4. It was a perfect dwelling place for it, like settling atop a grand tombstone! However, there was a problem¡­ Doublade suddenly turned its gaze toward Giratina''s sculpture. When Regirock placed the statue within the abandoned workshop, the chaotic ghostly energies that had been swirling erratically immediately calmed down. The energy became more orderly and easier for Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon to absorb. As the doors of the abandoned workshop creaked open, Giratina was already waiting. The Pok¨¦mon present¡ªaside from Regirock¡ªwere seeing the Renegade Pok¨¦mon for the first time. While curiosity filled their eyes, they couldn''t help but feel a hint of nervousness. [Fear not. We are all friends.] If this had been the past, Giratina would never have spoken such words. But now, only gratitude remained in its heart. The fury it had carried for so long was finally subsiding. Its joy at reconnecting with the descendants of Shinto extended even to the other Pok¨¦mon around it. As for Regirock, Giratina didn''t know it well, but it was still grateful for its efforts in transporting the sculpture. Hikaru''s expression was slightly odd. Ever since meeting him, this once-infamously violent dragon had been far less aggressive than it was in the games. But that was a good thing¡ªstaying angry all the time wasn''t healthy, after all. "This is your sculpture. My carved artifacts possess unique power¡ªthe effect of this one is to eliminate your negative emotions and bring stability to chaotic lands. For example¡­" Hikaru''s gaze shifted toward the sculpture. The Giratina Sculpture began to glow faintly! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From the statue at its center, waves of energy rippled outward. The chaotic forces surrounding the abandoned workshop and its floating island began to subside. Order was restored, and the area radiated a new vitality, as if life itself had returned to the once-withered land! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 119 - 119 The transformation of the Distortion World was something even Giratina hadn''t anticipated. This world represented the opposite of reality, a realm filled with dark matter and chaotic forces. Everything here was intrinsically linked to the real world¡ªwhere order prevailed, the Distortion World existed as its warped and destructive counterpart. But if this world could also become beautiful¡­ [Unbelievable¡­ You truly are a descendant of the Shinto lineage, possessing extraordinary power. However, if the Distortion World becomes a place of beauty, wouldn''t that mean the real world would start to distort?] Perhaps due to the fading of its anger and negativity, Giratina began to seriously consider the connection between the real world and the Distortion World. This shift in thought was something that was only supposed to happen in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, where Giratina actively worked to restore the Distortion World. Hikaru, reminded by Giratina''s concern, decided to return to the real world to verify the effects of the sculpture. Since the statue only influenced the abandoned workshop''s surroundings, if any imbalance occurred, then the Traveler''s Workshop¡ªits real-world counterpart¡ªshould exhibit signs of disorder as well. But nothing was amiss. Hikaru walked around the workshop after crossing back through the water''s surface, finding no abnormalities. Reassured, he returned to the Distortion World and shared his thoughts with Giratina: "The correspondence between matter and its counterpart may be governed by the fundamental logic of the world itself. The ancient world was vastly different from the modern one, yet humanity has continuously reshaped its environment to make it suitable for life. Perhaps the same principle applies to the Distortion World." "The sculpture hasn''t altered the underlying structure of this realm. It still supports the real world and maintains its connection, but instead of chaotic instability, it now presents a usable, harmonious space." [If that''s the case¡­ then this has been an immense help.] Hearing Hikaru''s reasoning, Giratina agreed. If the real world remained unchanged, then it was indeed possible to reshape the Distortion World using these sculptures! After all, Giratina had been banished here. Even though Arceus had never given it a direct command, and despite knowing that this world was meant to support reality, no Pok¨¦mon would willingly reside in such a twisted, chaotic, void-like existence. Even if that was the role forced upon it. But¡­ if it could transform this broken world into something of its own design, then maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªit would come to love this place after all. Through their soul connection, Giratina''s emotions and thoughts faintly resonated within Hikaru''s mind. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''re right. If this world becomes something better, you''ll be like a god ruling over it, won''t you? The Distortion World was once a realm of disorder, but now¡­ you have the chance to shape it however you wish." "For example¡­ cultivating land? Planting trees? I''m not sure what you''d enjoy doing, but these are just some ideas." [You speak the truth. For the first time, I am truly experiencing this world¡­ and it''s all thanks to you.] Giratina landed upon the floating island where the abandoned workshop stood, sensing the difference between this place and the other islands. In the past, it had never perceived that the Distortion World could possess a side of such beauty. Now, it could finally examine its true nature. If it placed sculptures on every floating island¡­ then it could transform the entire Distortion World into a paradise of its own design. But this world was vast¡ªfar larger than it had ever imagined. A sense of anticipation stirred within Giratina. Perhaps¡­ this world held advantages even over those of Dialga and Palkia. Unlike their domains, which were endless voids of temporal distortions and spatial flux, the Distortion World contained real matter. Could one even call those places "worlds" when they were so empty? [I have thought of a way to defy Arceus.] Giratina spoke, and Hikaru blinked in surprise. So¡­ it still hadn''t given up on resisting Arceus? [Heh¡­ Now that my mind is clear, I have realized that resistance doesn''t always have to mean direct combat.] [Back in the days of Hisui, I failed. I attempted to collaborate with humans, only to be thwarted at every turn. Thinking back, those mysterious figures who stood in my way¡­ perhaps they were Arceus'' doing.] [And maybe¡­ the same applies to you.] [But now, I understand something.] [If your sculptures truly have the power to reshape this world, then what if we worked together to make this realm even more beautiful than the real world? If the very place of my exile becomes greater than reality, then haven''t I already defied Arceus?] [It cast me away to this forsaken wasteland, yet I shall transform it into a paradise. At that moment, I can look upon Arceus and declare¡ªIt was wrong about me from the very beginning!] [If it bestowed upon me the domain of creation, then I shall prove that I am worthy of it. And when that day comes, perhaps even Arceus itself will feel shame for its judgment¡­ perhaps it may even apologize.] Hikaru: "¡­" That¡­ was actually a brilliant plan. Sure, outright punching Arceus would be immensely satisfying¡ªand would certainly require less thought¡ªbut proving it wrong through sheer accomplishment was just as gratifying! Everyone assumed this world was a barren wasteland, a realm of exile. But what if it became a thriving utopia instead? If the day came when humans and Pok¨¦mon recognized Giratina''s achievement, even the other legendary dragons would be forced to acknowledge its success! Dialga and Palkia, those two mindless brutes who only knew how to fight, would be utterly shamed! [So, I must thank you.] For the second time, Giratina expressed gratitude toward Hikaru. Though it understood that the Gratitude Stone had likely influenced its emotions, this feeling wasn''t unpleasant at all. [If you had not arrived in this world by chance, I never would have formed this spiritual connection with you. None of this would have happened.] [All life is destined to encounter others, and through those encounters, new possibilities are born. I am beginning to comprehend those words. Shinto''s wisdom has touched me in ways I never understood before.] [Now¡­ it is time for something new to be born. I extend to you a sincere invitation¡ªto become my soul-bound companion.] Giratina''s golden armor plates on its cheeks unfolded, revealing the Lustrous Platinum Orb, which floated into Hikaru''s hands, radiating a brilliant glow. ¡ºPrecious Material: Platinum Orb!¡» ¡ºDescription: When held by Giratina, this luminous orb enhances the power of its Dragon- and Ghost-type moves.¡» ¡ºNew Knowledge Acquired: Platinum Cultivation ¡ª Enhances your ability to train Dragon- and Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, significantly boosting their power.¡» ¡ºNew Crafting Ability: Ruin Craft (A) ¡ª Using materials from the Distortion World, you can create corresponding models. The environment within these models will shift according to your design, but specific materials are required for transformation.¡» ¡ºHint: When combined with Secret Power, Ruin Blocks can be used to construct "Maze Floors." Additionally, by using the Orb Crafting Technique to create the "Grand Chamber Orb," maze floors can be converted into designated rooms!¡» (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 120 - 120 <> Hi everyone, it''s Zaelum, the event will start Saturday! Now I will tell you how to participate on it so you can choose which fanfic you want to be translated! This time there will be 2 challengers! A Naruto and a Bleach fanfic, both I check them and they both looks promising. The event consist on 3 rounds of challenges: 1: The Likes Round: If the post gets 100 likes it will earn a point (Both can win that point) (Will start Saturday) (This is in Patreon) 2: The Power Stones Round: If the fanfic gets 1500 Power Stones in Webnovel gets a point! (Both can win that point) (Will start Sunday) 3: The Reviews Round: If the fanfic gets 50 reviews on Webnovel it will get a point! (Both can win that point) (Will start Sunday) Now what would happen if both reach the 3 points? I will pick both! The true both are fun so I kinda don''t care if both win, hahaha. So if you want, try to make me pick both by doing the event. Also as bonus... if any of the fics get into the top 10 in Webnovel I will make it a double chapter schedule for that fic! Anyway, I thought it was going to be fun to do an event where you all get to participate, and if the events its succesful I may do more of them, for more new fics or for currents ones. Thanks you all for reading this, and I will see you later! Ciao! ========== In the Pok¨¦mon world, the term "Maze" refers to the world of Mystery Dungeon¡ªa realm where humans have disappeared, leaving only Pok¨¦mon to inhabit it. This world is filled with various labyrinthine landscapes, akin to the dungeons commonly found in many games. Hikaru had long theorized that, given the existence of parallel worlds, the Mystery Dungeon world was likely one of them. Recently, he had been acquiring numerous crafting techniques related to that world, further solidifying his belief. The Ruin Craft technique he had just obtained mentioned the Grand Chamber Orb, a tool native to the Mystery Dungeon world. This mysterious orb could break down maze walls, converting them into independent rooms. There were many other orbs with strange effects, and if items from the Mystery Dungeon world were brought into the standard Pok¨¦mon world, they would likely cause drastic changes in battle and training dynamics. "Now that I''ve learned how to create mazes¡­ doesn''t that make me like a dungeon master?" Hikaru mused. This ability to artificially generate maze-like structures exceeded the scope of a normal craftsman''s skill. But then again, he had long since surpassed conventional craftsmanship, wielding spiritual energy and mystical inscriptions. This was no longer just a simple craft¡ªit was something far greater. Hikaru was growing more and more excited. [You seem¡­ eager.] Giratina, linked to Hikaru''s soul, sensed his excitement but couldn''t understand why. "I was just thinking about something interesting after receiving the Platinum Orb," Hikaru replied. "In fact, this power might even benefit you. Let''s test it out now." Scanning the surroundings, Hikaru selected a three-tiered floating island. "Can you take me around that floating island for a closer look?" This was a strange request, but Giratina had no reason to refuse. Hikaru climbed onto Giratina''s head, circling the island as he carefully memorized its terrain. He even collected some of the island''s soil before returning to the abandoned workshop. [What are you planning?] Giratina watched curiously as Hikaru began shaping the soil into a model. "I want to make that floating island more interesting. This is just an experiment." Thanks to the Ruin Craft ability, Hikaru''s sculpting skills had become even more refined. Combined with his existing expertise, he quickly crafted a detailed miniature replica of the floating island¡ªright down to its distorted structures. According to the knowledge from Ruin Craft, if this were the real world, altering an area would require extensive materials to reconstruct the environment. Hikaru even considered using this technique to create customized habitats for different Pok¨¦mon in the forest. But in the Distortion World, materials were abundant¡ªespecially Ghost-type materials, which were practically everywhere. There was no need to gather anything manually. Placing the floating island model beside a newly shaped terrain model, Hikaru proceeded to the next step. "Doublade, use Secret Power on the model." "Yuu?" Doublade was puzzled but had grown used to Hikaru''s unusual requests, which always led to remarkable results. Without hesitation, it drew its blades, crossing them before spinning like a windmill! Secret Power! Normally, Secret Power wouldn''t work on something as small as a dirt model. However, due to Hikaru''s craftsmanship, the model had established a close connection with the real floating island. Although it seemed like Secret Power was affecting the model, it was actually being used on the island itself! Rumble¡­! A miraculous transformation began! The model emitted a brilliant glow, and simultaneously, the actual floating island underwent a visible change. The dark green ground surged upward, forming an unusual hill with a cavern entrance. From within, an eerie, mystical light shone outward. Intrigued, Giratina floated toward the island, peering into the cave with its massive head¡ªonly to be stunned by what it saw. Inside the newly formed cave was a vast chamber illuminated by an unnatural light, resembling a hidden valley. However, since the Distortion World was inherently barren, there were only a few inverted plants present, making the valley appear somewhat desolate. But most importantly¡­ the interior was far larger than it appeared from the outside! [How did you do this?] "By using a special material to create a model. These models are directly linked to the area they represent. Secret Power restructures the internal space of the island, erasing the original cavern to form an entirely new space," Hikaru explained. "This is a unique craft that I can only use thanks to your Platinum Orb." Giratina was delighted. So it was a power granted by its blessing? The wisdom of the Shinto people truly was reliable! [This resembles Palkia''s ability.] The ability to compress and reshape space immediately brought Palkia to mind. However, Hikaru had considered that the Mystery Dungeon world''s mazes seemed to form naturally. Though Palkia had appeared in the storyline before, the creation of dungeons didn''t seem directly related to it. "I call these newly created internal spaces ''Mazes.'' Depending on the materials used, different types of maze sections can be made¡ªdirt paths, lava tunnels, chasms, walls, cliffs, grasslands, water zones, mountain trails, deserts¡­ This time, I only made a basic dirt-floor area." "Mazes can also randomly generate traps. With my crafting techniques, I can create and place them as needed. Additionally, special items can be used to convert maze areas into different types of rooms or Pok¨¦mon habitats." In the Distortion World, creating rooms might not seem particularly useful¡ªafter all, there were hardly any Pok¨¦mon here besides Giratina. But at that moment, Giratina''s thoughts began to shift¡­ If Giratina could govern this world, bringing order and beauty to its chaotic landscape, then perhaps other Pok¨¦mon could one day reside here¡ªjust as Arceus oversaw the real world. [I see¡­ I have now thought of a new way to reshape the Distortion World. Perhaps in the future, more Pok¨¦mon will come to live here. But before that can happen, I must make this world habitable.] [For the future transformation of this world, I shall rely on you as well.] Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, no problem. I''ll be visiting often anyway." Hikaru was genuinely interested in reshaping the Distortion World. The sheer abundance of raw materials here made it an ideal place for experimentation. "What about the statues? Should we place one on every floating island?" [If that is possible, it would be ideal! But there is no rush¡ªrebuilding a world takes time.] With that decision made, Hikaru turned his focus to the abandoned workshop. Given the intense presence of Ghost-type energy, the area was rich in spectral materials. He decided to craft a few special items related to Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon. Then, something else caught his attention. "Are you thinking of evolving?" Hikaru turned toward Doublade. "Yuu~" Doublade had initially planned to master Sacred Sword through Brick Break training. However, after several days of practice, it had made little progress. With so many other things happening, it had barely scratched the surface of understanding the technique. "In that case, keep practicing Sacred Sword first. Once you''ve mastered it, then we''ll consider evolving." Just then, an idea struck Hikaru¡ªso sudden that it felt like a lightbulb lit up above his head. His crafting techniques could create specialized training environments. If Pok¨¦mon trained in suitable conditions, they could grow and develop their moves more efficiently. So why not create a Fighting Maze? In the Pok¨¦mon world, such a place would likely be called a Dojo! Fighting-type moves were strong against Rock, Ice, Steel, Normal, and Dark types. While Ice and Steel were harder to acquire, large rocks were plentiful¡ªespecially with Regirock around. A Fighting Dojo filled with boulders would be the perfect training ground for Doublade to master Sacred Sword! Additionally, Lilligant would also benefit from training in such a place. [If you seek to train Ghost-type moves, this world is the best place for it. However¡­ for Fighting-type techniques, I do know of one method.] Giratina suddenly spoke. It turned its gaze toward Doublade, its crimson dragon eyes flickering with a peculiar blue energy. A ripple spread outward. Doublade tensed up, sensing something strange. It turned toward Giratina with a puzzled look. [Do you feel it? This is Aura¡ªthe energy of the Fighting type. Unlike physical strikes and blade techniques, it can be strengthened through the refinement of one''s spirit. By gathering Aura and releasing it, one can perform the move Aura Sphere.] [While all Pok¨¦mon and humans possess Aura, few can fully control its power. As a result, only a select number of Pok¨¦mon can naturally learn Aura Sphere. However, even if you cannot master the move itself, training your Aura perception can help you learn other Fighting-type moves. It is a manifestation of one''s spirit and determination.] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 121 - 121 <> Hi everyone, it''s Zaelum, the event will start tomorrow! Now I will tell you how to participate on it so you can choose which fanfic you want to be translated! This time there will be 2 challengers! A Naruto and a Bleach fanfic, both I check them and they both looks promising. The event consist on 3 rounds of challenges: 1: The Likes Round: If the post gets 100 likes it will earn a point (Both can win that point) (Will start Saturday) (This is in Patreon) S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 2: The Power Stones Round: If the fanfic gets 1500 Power Stones in Webnovel gets a point! (Both can win that point) (Will start Sunday) 3: The Reviews Round: If the fanfic gets 50 reviews on Webnovel it will get a point! (Both can win that point) (Will start Sunday) Now what would happen if both reach the 3 points? I will pick both! The true both are fun so I kinda don''t care if both win, hahaha. So if you want, try to make me pick both by doing the event. Also as bonus... if any of the fics get into the top 10 in Webnovel I will make it a double chapter schedule for that fic! Anyway, I thought it was going to be fun to do an event where you all get to participate, and if the events its succesful I may do more of them, for more new fics or for currents ones. Thanks you all for reading this, and I will see you later! Ciao! ========== Hikaru never expected that Giratina could actually use Aura Sphere. However, Giratina explained that all three of the Sinnoh Dragons could use this move, something Hikaru hadn''t noticed before in the games. But one thing was certain: neither Honedge, Doublade, nor Aegislash could learn Aura or Aura-based moves. This was rather strange, considering the description of Aegislash clearly stated, "It uses its powerful psychic power to manipulate people''s minds." Perhaps it was because its mind control originated from spiritual power rather than pure mental strength, which was why it was not given Aura-related moves. "Yoo~!" Doublade was somewhat excited. It hadn''t expected that such a special mental power could be used to learn Fighting-type moves. Following the method Giratina taught, it tried sensing the Aura, and a faint blue glow emerged around it. Hikaru pondered, "If it actually learns Aura Sphere, that would be a completely illegal move. But in the real Pok¨¦mon world, it''s not impossible. Maybe after training, it could become a special individual." A special individual is a unique Pok¨¦mon that differs from its regular kind. These Pok¨¦mon often possess moves considered "illegal" or have appearances that differ from their usual counterparts. For example, the "Crimson Moon" from the Ursaluna family, which emerged as a powerful variant with drastically altered base stats. "Lilli?" Lilligant pointed to herself. She had also sensed the power of Aura and showed interest in learning it. Of course, theoretically, she shouldn''t be able to learn Aura Sphere either. "Even if you can''t master Aura Sphere, learning part of the Aura''s power would still be beneficial for your growth." Hisuian Lilligant already had a Fighting-type attribute, so her grasp of Aura should progress even faster than Doublade''s, right? Thus, Doublade and Lilligant began attempting to master Aura, while Turtwig and Regirock, who had no interest in such training, roamed around the Ruined Workshop to search for rare materials. Turtwig circled around the strange plants near the Ruined Workshop. These plants were unique to the Distortion World, but they didn''t seem to have any special use ¡ª they were just ordinary plants. Regirock returned to its usual routine of digging up stones and examining them. Unown E, relying on its ability to fly, floated to the floating island where the dungeon had been set up and began to indulge in its own fantasies. It thought about how many Unown enjoyed living in ruins. But the distribution of ruins was uneven, and some of them were cursed. If it could create a dungeon made entirely of ruins without any curses, wouldn''t that be like a paradise for other Unown? Meanwhile, Hikaru began crafting some Ghost-type items. ¡ºCrafting Completed!¡» ¡ºCrafted Item: Purple Chiffon (Spirit Object)!¡» ¡ºDescription: An item made using Pok¨¦mon materials, Old Cloth, Reaper Cloth, and created through Ghost-type crafting, infused with powerful spiritual energy.¡» ¡ºEffect: When held by a Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, it increases its Attack and Defense by one level. It also enhances Ghost-type energy. When used for nurturing Ghost-type Pok¨¦mon, it helps them grow more easily.¡» Afterward, Hikaru discovered new material clues ¡ª the Cursed Cloth from Mismagius. While its spiritual level couldn''t compare to Reaper Cloth, it sometimes carried peculiar curses that could either bring bad luck or good fortune. It could be used to create a Cursed Hat. Items like "Purple Chiffon," "Ghastly Ring," and "Haunted Cape" were all eerie Ghost-type tools originating from the Mystery Dungeon world, each with different effects. Some only worked when held by specific Pok¨¦mon. "Ghost-type trainers would probably love these things. Their sales should be excellent." He didn''t know how long he had been working, but Hikaru eventually felt fatigued. Giratina, noticing this, timely reminded him: [Your soul''s energy has been excessively depleted.] At the same time, Giratina stared at the Ghost-type artifacts, realizing their extraordinary nature. Each one was imbued with powerful spiritual energy, something that ordinary spirit users could never produce. As expected, during that previous trade with the Spirit World, this human must have gained something valuable. Or perhaps, this human had been connected to the Spirit World from the very beginning. The warning from Darkrai was something worth taking seriously! Giratina pondered to itself. It couldn''t let the Spirit World steal away its helper. Moreover, was the Spirit World really a place for the living to visit? Thanks to Giratina''s reminder, Hikaru realized he should stop for now. Even though the Ruined World was filled with abundant Ghost-type energy, creating these unique "Spirit Objects" was not the same as crafting ordinary Ghost-type tools. The consumption for each item wasn''t much, but when added up, it couldn''t be ignored. "Time to head back, everyone!" Hikaru gathered his Pok¨¦mon. Doublade and Lilligant stopped their Aura training. From the faint blue ripples emanating from their bodies, it seemed like they had actually made some progress! "Lilli." Lilligant placed her leaf on Hikaru''s body, and strands of Aura energy seeped into him, gradually easing the fatigue within his soul. [Aura is mental energy, and so is the soul. Therefore, Aura can replenish damage to the soul. But if you overuse Aura, the user themselves can also be harmed. You need to remember that.] Giratina swayed its body, its own Aura far stronger. In an instant, it fully restored the fatigue within Hikaru''s soul. However, even so, the power consumed couldn''t be replenished, so he still needed proper rest. [You should rest well. The time in the real world is already approaching midnight. I must also patrol the Ruined World and re-experience this forsaken place.] After saying farewell to Giratina and watching it leave in the Ruined World, Hikaru and his Pok¨¦mon passed through the water mirror film and returned to the workshop in reality. Although he still felt a bit excited, that quickly faded. After placing the Ghost-type artifacts in Room 4, the Pok¨¦mon began to feel weary. Lilligant hugged Turtwig and slept next to the flower pots in the room. Doublade returned to its preferred corner. Regirock stood by the back door of the forge, the H symbol on its face gradually losing its glow. Unown E returned last, floating behind the old clock. The workshop, which had been bustling all day, finally quieted down. Hikaru returned to his bed and closed his eyes. Dreams began to turn pink. Hikaru opened his eyes and found himself waking up in the little house of the Dream World. Just after leaving the Ruined World, he found himself in the Dream World while dreaming! "Ah, this really doesn''t let a person rest..." Hikaru scratched his head, feeling somewhat helpless. Walking Wake didn''t seem to be in the house. It was probably out picking things up? He turned his head and looked at the items inside the Dream World''s house. The Light Stone was still sitting where it had always been, untouched. But soon, Hikaru''s expression stiffened. Next to the Light Stone was a pitch-black stone covered in bite marks. Without a doubt, this must also be part of Walking Wake''s "loot!" [Crafted Item (?): Dark Stone (Unable to be taken out)] [Description 1: The remains of Zekrom''s body after its destruction. It is said to be waiting for the arrival of a hero.] [Description 2: Its surface is covered in scars. Within the Dream World, the Dark Stone continues to replay the nightmare of destruction from 2500 years ago.] [Item Function: It may possibly serve as an electric power source.] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 122 - 122 <> Hi everyone, it''s Zaelum, the event will start tomorrow! Now I will tell you how to participate on it so you can choose which fanfic you want to be translated! This time there will be 2 challengers! A Naruto and a Bleach fanfic, both I check them and they both looks promising. The event consist on 3 rounds of challenges: 1: The Likes Round: If the post gets 100 likes it will earn a point (Both can win that point) (Will start Saturday) (This is in Patreon) 2: The Power Stones Round: If the fanfic gets 1500 Power Stones in Webnovel gets a point! (Both can win that point) (Will start Sunday) 3: The Reviews Round: If the fanfic gets 50 reviews on Webnovel it will get a point! (Both can win that point) (Will start Sunday) Now what would happen if both reach the 3 points? I will pick both! The true both are fun so I kinda don''t care if both win, hahaha. So if you want, try to make me pick both by doing the event. Also as bonus... if any of the fics get into the top 10 in Webnovel I will make it a double chapter schedule for that fic! Anyway, I thought it was going to be fun to do an event where you all get to participate, and if the events its succesful I may do more of them, for more new fics or for currents ones. Thanks you all for reading this, and I will see you later! Ciao! ========== Zekrom, one of the legendary Pok¨¦mon of the Unova region and one of the Three Dragons of Tao, is a mythical Pok¨¦mon said to burn the world to ashes with its lightning, aiding those who strive to create an ideal world. According to legends, if humans lose their sense of justice, Zekrom will destroy their kingdom with violent thunder. Hikaru opened the door and surveyed the surroundings. The Pecha Berry field was thriving. Theoretically, crops in the Dream World''s orchard should grow 50% slower than in reality. But now, many trees in the orchard were already bearing Pecha Berries! [The power of the Light Stone has filled this place with vibrant life. The growth rate of crops in the Dream World has increased by 100%.] "So that''s why." Upon touching one of the Pecha Berry trees, Hikaru understood why the berries were growing so quickly. It was due to the influence of the Light Stone he had brought back! Besides that, there didn''t seem to be any signs of damage. The information about the Dark Stone mentioned that it was still reliving the nightmares of the past. Based on the previous situation with the Light Stone, it should have triggered a large-scale disaster in the Dream World. Judging by the current state, it seemed the Dark Stone had only recently been brought back. He couldn''t allow it to ruin the crop production. Hikaru immediately gathered tools and began polishing the Dark Stone, following the same crafting process as he had done for the Light Stone. [Crafting Enhancement: Through your exquisite craftsmanship, the Dark Stone has undergone some changes. All the scars on its surface have disappeared, and the stone seems to have calmed down, no longer releasing anger. Its inherent energy has increased.] [The power of the Dark Stone will enhance the surrounding energy.] [New Enhancement: Due to your advanced knowledge of Petrology, all your rock-related crafts are enhanced¡ªeffectiveness and elegance of the stone are increased by 30%.] [With ''Platinum Nurturing,'' you can inject energy into the Dark Stone to accelerate its transformation.] "Huh?" Hikaru held the Dark Stone, carefully examining his "masterpiece." The energy emitted by the Dark Stone had indeed increased, something he could feel with his spiritual power. Its appearance had also become more beautiful and mysterious, exuding a subtle, captivating allure that made it hard to look away. Just staring at it felt like observing a piece of frozen history. The strange feeling even left Hikaru amazed. Ancient and modern coexist, history and future intertwine. If he could carve some reliefs and patterns on the surface of the Dark Stone as decorations, it might further enhance that mysterious feeling. But even with its current plain appearance, it was already impressive. [Acquired Knowledge: Art of the Stone ¨C Your artistic understanding of rocks has improved, increasing artistry by 25%.] Creating and observing his crafts could enhance his own knowledge? Hikaru placed the Dark Stone down, silently acknowledging the profound effect of his advanced petrology knowledge. Although artistic value couldn''t be applied to battles, the Pok¨¦mon world wasn''t just about fighting. In daily life and product sales, artistry was a crucial selling point. After all, people pursued beautiful things; no one would intentionally buy ugly items unless their functionality was overwhelmingly powerful. Hikaru then attempted to infuse his own power into the Dark Stone. Would spiritual power work? As his spiritual energy entered the Dark Stone, his knowledge as a Dragon Tamer activated, causing the hidden dragon energy within the Dark Stone to grow! Crack¡ª The Light Stone emitted some noises, drawing Hikaru''s attention. Faint flickers of firelight appeared around the white stone. When Hikaru touched it, he saw its status: [The mood of the Light Stone seems to be bad.] "Stones have moods now¡­ Is Reshiram about to awaken? But this is just a dream." Hikaru couldn''t figure out what was happening, so he tried injecting some of his own power. [The mood of the Light Stone has slightly improved.] Hikaru: "?" Unable to figure out what the stone was thinking, Hikaru placed the Light Stone down and, by imagining his backpack, pulled out some electrical devices and connected them to the Dark Stone. Immediately, a surge of electricity poured into the imaginary devices, causing the light bulbs installed on them to light up rapidly! The Dream Workshop was illuminated by the lamps, and when Hikaru tested it with electrical instruments, he found the power provided by the Dark Stone was exceptionally stable! "If it''s used as a power source, it''s really convenient. Compared to that, the fire source of the Light Stone is quite useless. After all, it can only be used in the forge, and I don''t seem to have anything to forge here in the Dream World." Hikaru muttered to himself. The Light Stone trembled slightly again. [The mood of the Light Stone has worsened.] What a joke! Saying it was less useful than that black dragon? Fire is the primal driving force of civilization! Even if there''s nothing to forge, couldn''t it at least be used for warmth?! The will of the Light Stone was utterly displeased! As its observation target and candidate for a hero, Hikaru had gone and praised the Dark Stone, which was simply a betrayal! But Hikaru didn''t notice this. Instead, because of his contact with the Dark Stone, he discovered new information: [The mood of the Dark Stone is very joyful.] "Collected Dark Stone Powder¡­" Hikaru gathered the powder that had fallen on the ground during the polishing process. He remembered he should have collected the Light Stone''s powder last time, but he had forgotten due to the dream ending too quickly. [Rare Material: Dark Stone Powder] [Description: Powder obtained by grinding the Dark Stone. It can be regarded as Zekrom''s leftover energy.] [Effect: Giving it to Dragon or Electric-type Pok¨¦mon can help them grow better and enhance the power of Dragon and Electric-type moves.] [Acquired Craft: Powder Processing (B+) ¨C Allows any special material to be processed into powder with unique effects. The powder can be incorporated into various tools, enhancing or altering their effects.] As expected, this powder was valuable. "Then, how about polishing the Light Stone now?" Hikaru muttered, but then the Light Stone made a cracking sound! It seemed to be saying, "Hurry up!" But unexpected events always happen ahead of time. Hikaru heard the sound of Pok¨¦mon calling outside the house¡ªit was Turtwig''s voice¡ªso he quickly rushed outside to find it. The Light Stone: "..." He¡­ just left like that?! Wasn''t it attractive enough? Fire lost to electricity? How could it be having such a dream? Wait, this is a dream! ¡ª Within the Dark Stone, Zekrom''s consciousness had fully awakened. It was somewhat puzzled. Its awakening should only occur when the hero of ideals appeared. Until then, its true body existed within Dragonspiral Tower in the real world, while its "body" in the Dream World was resting within the Ancient City, endlessly reliving the dream of destroying the Ancient City, locked in eternal combat with the imaginary Reshiram. Reality and dreams are opposites. During the ancient conflict, it had gained the upper hand slightly, and Reshiram''s real body resided within the Ancient City¡­ But not long ago, its consciousness had faintly stirred. A giant dragon it had never seen before had barged into the Ancient City, ignored its barrier of power, and pulled it from the Ancient City''s dream, bringing it to this strange wooden workshop. After that, the creature left, and just now, that human entered the dream. Was that human the hero of ideals? Who? Was it the water dragon that kept picking things up, or the human right before its eyes? The human''s skills were incredible. Its previously hazy consciousness had been fully awakened by his craftsmanship! Not only that, but its power and attribute energy had also grown, which was simply unbelievable! Even during the ancient kingdom era, when its first master, one of the original twin princes, was alive, there was no way for its power to grow so quickly! It was one of the most powerful Pok¨¦mon in the world! Making a legendary Pok¨¦mon at the peak of power grow even stronger was nearly impossible for ordinary humans! Precisely because they didn''t have such abilities, they couldn''t elevate ordinary Pok¨¦mon to the same power level as legendary Pok¨¦mon, which was why they sought the might of legendary Pok¨¦mon like itself to achieve their ideals! But this human was different! His abilities were incredibly strange, and not only did he enhance Zekrom''s power, but even its output efficiency had improved! Zekrom could clearly feel that if it returned to its original form now, the power of its Dragon and Electric-type moves would be entirely different from before. That was because the output efficiency had been modified! Ohhhh! This was an unprecedentedly beautiful beginning! Anger had dissipated, nightmares had subsided, power had grown, and energy had been enhanced! And most importantly, Zekrom''s will swept through the surroundings, quickly noticing the presence of the Light Stone ¡ª Reshiram! The Light Stone seemed to have arrived here earlier than itself. Although it was unclear what had happened, the polishing effect on that thing was clearly not as good as its own! The will of the Dark Stone transmitted directly into the Light Stone. Long time no see, Reshiram! The Light Stone immediately released a feeling of disgust. The relationship between the Black and White Dragon was complex ¡ª sometimes friends, sometimes enemies; sometimes they helped each other, and sometimes they fought. But at least for now, within the Light Stone, Reshiram''s consciousness was flooded with a feeling of jealousy. It was clearly the one polished first, yet the effect achieved by the Dark Stone was better. And it had poured so much energy into the growth of the workshop''s crops! Was it true that new things were always more favored than old ones? [Who is that human with such extraordinary skills?] The Dark Stone asked, wanting to find out Hikaru''s identity. But the Light Stone, not wanting the Dark Stone to claim its "observation target," chose to lie with a tone filled with annoyance and warning: [He is the ''True'' Hero!] [Receiving his polishing allows you to break free from the shackles of the mind faster and accelerate the recovery of your body. But you''ve already gained the benefits, so don''t get any other ideas!] The will of the Dark Stone was suddenly startled. So that''s it, the True Hero had already appeared, but within a dream... Hmm! That made sense! Dreams were false, and they corresponded to the truth of reality. Therefore, the True Hero appearing in a dream was perfectly fine. The concept of opposites and reflections ¡ª after all, this was the essence of the Unova region''s legacy! [I didn''t expect to be granted such great power by the True Hero. I feel somewhat ashamed.] Thinking about the abilities it had gained from the polishing, perhaps the True Hero didn''t even realize its true identity. And as the Dragon of Ideals, receiving power from the True Hero made it feel somewhat off-balance! After all, truth and ideals were destined to be in opposition. If it accepted the power of truth, how could it ever confront the other side? Moreover, if the True Hero had already been chosen by Reshiram... The Dark Stone: [But... Are you sure he has no grand ideals of his own?] Zekrom still wanted to make one last effort! The Light Stone remained silent for a moment before Reshiram''s consciousness suddenly came up with a brilliant plan: [If you admit that truth is more important than ideals, then perhaps he does have ideals of his own. Are you willing to accept that?] [This...] Now, it was Zekrom''s turn to fall into silence! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 123 - 123 Hikaru had no idea about the "Hero Snatching Game" going on within the Dream Workshop. Hearing Turtwig''s voice outside, Hikaru became certain of one thing. This time, the one who triggered the Dream World was Turtwig. Perhaps because Turtwig was not sleeping beside him, Hikaru didn''t see Turtwig when he entered the Dream Workshop. But the voice came from... Near the Dream Sky Island, there were paths connecting to other floating islands. Hikaru saw two roads: one led to the floating forest island where Dragonspiral Tower was located, and the other led to an ancient city and cave island. "Dragonspiral Tower and the Ancient City, huh? But there''s also a third road." Hikaru looked toward a small path on the left. A rainbow bridge extended to a third floating island, which featured mountains, snowy fields, and a dilapidated temple. Boom! From the distant snowy field of the third floating island, a blinding light beam erupted! That was "SolarBeam"! "Is it fighting a Pok¨¦mon from the dream?" ¡ªDreamy Snowfield¡ª Turtwig was shivering all over, unable to understand why it ended up in such a place! It was terribly afraid of ice and snow! "Tur? Tur!" Where was Doublade, Lilligant, Regirock, Unown, and its trainer? They were all missing! How did it suddenly get thrown into this place? Did that mean it was abandoned? Turtwig trembled, and the leaf on its head drooped down, its emotions hitting rock bottom as despair overwhelmed it. But even if it was abandoned, couldn''t it have been abandoned in a better place...? This place was really cold... Thud! Turtwig walked with its head down, emo and filled with self-doubt. Suddenly, it bumped into something, causing it to shake its head. It felt soft, then looked up. A Pok¨¦mon resembling a standing rabbit appeared before it. But... "Tur, Tur!!!" Such... such a big head! The silver-gray rabbit had a gigantic crowned head, resembling a dark green bud, staring at Turtwig with wide eyes! ¡ºWhy have you appeared in my dream? The plant on your back... Let me take a look.¡» "Tur! (SolarBeam!)" Without a second thought, Turtwig unleashed a SolarBeam, blasting the crown-wearing Pok¨¦mon away in an instant! Fortunately, this was the Dream World, and everyone here was a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon. Calyrex shook its head and floated back up, leaving Turtwig''s mouth wide open in shock, unable to make a sound! ¡ºAttacking with SolarBeam right away... Was it a reflex? But the power of that SolarBeam is remarkable. Are you carrying a Power Herb?¡» ¡ºWait, I''ve seen you before.¡» Calyrex''s gaze suddenly sharpened as it uttered the classic line from an RPG game. Indeed, it had seen this before! When Calyrex was feeling emo in Galar, it used its weak psychic power to peer into the distant sacred city and saw its doll, greatly improving its mental state. After that, to preserve its remaining strength and to rest better, Calyrex entered a secondary sleep while holding its lingering regrets. And then, something miraculous happened. Strange faith-based energy began gathering from all corners of the world. This faith energy came from people who possessed psychic powers, which greatly puzzled Calyrex. And as the King of Bountiful Harvests, it could clearly recognize that it was in a dream and could sense the sources of faith even while dreaming! ¡ºThe faith of those powerful psychics allowed me to recover my strength quickly. I wanted to end this dream, but the psychic power I regained allowed me to foresee that something I longed for might happen if I stayed in the dream. So, I continued to wait here.¡» ¡ºI saw you at that workshop.¡» Calyrex also attempted to observe its "followers" in the dream, but since most of them were psychics, its attempts were mostly ineffective as their mental barriers shielded them. This left Calyrex a bit frustrated. Its attempts at observation were not out of any weird curiosity or strange hobby. It was merely trying to see if its followers needed any help from it! If only they would ask, it could grant their wishes... well, maybe not right now, but it could at least make a promise to fulfill their desires once its power was fully restored! Moreover, rather than observation, it was more like sensing through psychic power. During its peak, it could perceive everything from the past, present, and future. But now... its power had weakened to the point where it could only watch from a distance. However, even if it couldn''t see the followers themselves, it could still see their Pok¨¦mon. And among its followers, the earliest one ¡ª the "Craftsman Follower" ¡ª had this Turtwig by its side! ¡ºYour master, is he a craftsman who can create miraculous dolls?¡» Calyrex asked with an excited tone. Turtwig looked surprised, asking how Calyrex knew. When Calyrex confirmed Hikaru''s existence, its gratitude and excitement could no longer be contained! ¡ºSo that''s the good thing my psychic power predicted... My wish has come true in the Dream World. If you made it here, that means the craftsman''s dream is nearby. Can you take me to him? I want to thank him.¡» ¡ºAlthough I am still a bit weak, thanks to the craftsman''s help, my power is gradually recovering. Waking up from deep slumber was all thanks to his efforts!¡» Turtwig looked puzzled. You''re related to us? But we''ve never seen you near the workshop! Are you like Giratina, living inside a mirror or something? ¡ºI am not near your workshop. I reside in Galar, a place far away from your land. Long ago, I was known as the King of Bountiful Harvests. Just a wave of my hand could make the earth fertile, soil rich, flowers bloom, and all Pok¨¦mon and humans would worship me with devotion. But due to certain events, I lost my power, my steed left me, and humans no longer believed in me. Fortunately, thanks to your master''s help, I could restore my power within the dream.¡» ¡ºAs for Giratina, I am unfamiliar with it.¡» Calyrex recounted its glorious past and current difficulties, but Turtwig didn''t hear any of that. It only realized one thing: this was a dream! Which meant it was not abandoned! Yes! The leaf on Turtwig''s head immediately perked up: "Tur!" After all that talking, can you help me find my trainer? ¡ºMy power can help you establish a mental connection with your master. All you need to do is let me touch you.¡» Turtwig''s eyes sparkled with excitement. But there was still one more thing. ¡ºWhat else do you want to ask?¡» Calyrex looked at the gleaming-eyed Turtwig with some confusion. And then, Turtwig asked the ultimate question it had wanted to ask all along. Calyrex, Calyrex, why is your head so big? S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡º...¡» Turtwig didn''t receive an answer. But it didn''t care. It only asked if that big head was some sort of precious plant. If that was the case... then could you... Calyrex: ¡º?¡» Moments later, when Hikaru entered the snowy floating island in search of Turtwig, he quickly saw this scene. A small turtle was running across the snowfield, with Calyrex riding on its back. Its giant head swayed back and forth in the snow, looking like a miniature version of Torterra. Calyrex ¡ª riding on Turtwig. Ability: Hare and Tortoise Combination? (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 124 - 124 <> <<[Bleach: Why Am I, Kurosaki Ichigo, Not the Harem King?]>> <<[Naruto Travel Between Worlds Of One Piece]>> <<[Use your Power Stones on it, and by reaching 1500PS and getting 50 reviews it will be picked up!]>> A rabbit riding a turtle!? Hikaru never expected to see such a rare scene, but upon second thought, this was the Dream World ¡ª anything absurd happening here was entirely possible. After all, this was a dream. The Light Stone and Dark Stone were sitting together, so what else was impossible? That Pok¨¦mon with a huge cauliflower-like head, looking like a rabbit and riding on Turtwig''s back, was undoubtedly Calyrex! "If its ability is Hare and Tortoise Combination... Overgrow + Unnerve doesn''t seem all that useful." Hey, even if you lost your beloved steed, that doesn''t mean you should go around riding any Pok¨¦mon you come across! Hikaru muttered to himself as he saw Calyrex''s tiny hand pointing in his direction. "Turtwig, I''m over here!" Hikaru quickly called out to the little turtle running aimlessly. As soon as Turtwig heard his voice, it immediately stopped. Calyrex pointed toward the direction of the voice. ¡ºOver there, over there! That''s your trainer!¡» Turtwig spotted Hikaru and rushed toward him, looking relieved and joyful! Finally, it had found its trainer! Hikaru stared dumbfoundedly at the "Hare and Tortoise" rushing toward him. As Turtwig leaped into his arms, it tossed Calyrex off its back! Splat. Calyrex lay flat on the snow. "Tur!" Turtwig immediately turned around, panicked, and hurriedly jumped back to prop Calyrex up. ¡º...It''s alright. I understand your feelings. After all, I am a benevolent king.¡» Calyrex floated back up, swaying unsteadily before gazing at Hikaru with eyes that seemed to pierce through everything. ¡ºAre you the one who has been assisting me?¡» ¡ºThe craftsman who creates miraculous dolls?¡» Calyrex''s emotions were filled with excitement. After all this time waiting, it was finally paying off. He had finally met the pious follower who had been supplying him with power! "You are Calyrex, right? So this place is your dream... Does that mean this floating island is the Crown Tundra?" Hikaru squatted down. Mostly because Calyrex''s head was so big that if he looked down from above, all he could see was a giant cauliflower. And Hikaru couldn''t help but think the same thing anyone would when meeting Calyrex for the first time: What a big head! "Hello, did the doll I made help you recover your strength? You seem to be doing pretty well." ¡ºYou... you really do know my legend!¡» Calyrex now fully believed it. Hikaru must have known his legend and made the doll to help him. Calyrex''s mood brightened significantly: ¡ºI once thought, if I could meet the one who helped me, it would be wonderful... Though I do not know who you truly are or why you know of my existence, it is thanks to your efforts that I have been able to wake from my slumber. Even though my strength is still weak, at least everything is getting better and better.¡» ¡ºOnce... my strength recovers a bit more, I will be able to seek out my beloved steed once again... But...¡» Calyrex''s mood suddenly dropped, and he looked somewhat embarrassed. But Hikaru quickly guessed the reason behind Calyrex''s hesitation. "You''re talking about the two steeds, Spectrier and Glastrier, right?" ¡ºPrecisely!¡» Calyrex nodded: ¡ºA long time ago, after I lost my power, my two beloved steeds abandoned me. If I could once again tame both of them, I could regain my full strength... or at least something close to it.¡» ¡ºHowever... miraculous doll-making craftsman, I have a request.¡» ¡ºCan you craft a "Reins of Unity"? To tame my two steeds, that is a necessary tool.¡» ¡ºNearby where I reside, there is a village where the descendants of those who once wove the reins still live. However, they have lost their faith in me. Even if I appeared before them, they likely wouldn''t believe in my existence. And perhaps they have already forgotten the method of weaving the reins.¡» ¡ºLong ago, the reins were woven with the power of human faith. With them, my power would be enhanced, allowing me to easily control my steeds. But starting several hundred years ago, no one has offered those reins to me again.¡» "I remember the materials needed to make the Reins of Unity, at least according to the games," Hikaru replied. "Perhaps you''ve forgotten, but the materials required are Spectrier''s or Glastrier''s mane hair, and the Glorious Flower that blooms from your power." ¡ºW-What?!¡» Calyrex''s eyes widened, looking a bit dazed. ¡ºYou say the Glorious Flower and the manes of my steeds... So... that''s how it is!¡» ¡ºNo wonder humans haven''t been offering the reins to me for so long... Flower, flower... So it wasn''t because humans forgot their faith in me, but because I failed to provide them with the necessary materials!¡» ¡ºIt seems I have been misunderstood by humanity for so long!¡» In the storyline, Calyrex appeared rather lazy when it came to the Glorious Flower. But based on its background, the reason why people forgot about it might not just be laziness. It could also be related to Eternatus. Legend has it that with its ability to see all events from the past and future, Calyrex once saved the creatures of the forest from the danger of a falling meteor. In a single night, it transferred the vast forest and its inhabitants to another place. In the Galar region, there was once a tale of a gigantic meteor, which was actually Eternatus before its full awakening. This massive poison dragon fell from the cosmos, causing the "Darkest Day" phenomenon throughout the Galar region. Two Pok¨¦mon rose to challenge Eternatus and save Galar ¡ª Zacian, the Sword King, and Zamazenta, the Shield King. Thus, many have speculated that the power of kings wielded by Zacian and Zamazenta may have been bestowed upon them by Calyrex. After all, Calyrex is known as the "King Pok¨¦mon." Kings and Heroes, the classic arrangement in stories. Calyrex looked a bit troubled. ¡ºTo make the Glorious Flower bloom, I must expend an enormous amount of power. That''s why it hasn''t bloomed for hundreds of years. However, with the faith of the psychics helping me now, even though it''s not a powerful force, perhaps it''s enough to make the Glorious Flower bloom again.¡» Calyrex was about to use its power but then suddenly stopped. ¡º...But this is the Dream World. Even if the Glorious Flower blooms here, it would be useless... By the way, how do you even know about the Reins of Unity?¡» ¡ºEven I had forgotten about them!¡» Though it felt a little shameful to admit it, Calyrex didn''t care. After all, in the eyes of a human follower, he was probably already labeled as the "Clumsy King." Hikaru certainly wouldn''t tell Calyrex that he knew all of this from a video game. Instead, he introduced himself properly: "This is my formal introduction. I am a craftsman from the Shinto region, possessing some secret crafting techniques and knowledge of various legends spread across different regions. As for why I know about these legends, well, that''s my little secret." "When I prayed to you, you must have heard me mention the Shinto region, right?" S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ºIndeed... But I have no idea where the Shinto region is. It seems to be protected by some powerful force, and I can only vaguely sense your existence. After all, my power is still too weak.¡» When Calyrex tried to sense the Shinto region, it always felt somewhat strained. Fortunately, the strange power over there didn''t actively repel its observation, which allowed it to glimpse Hikaru''s workshop and the Pok¨¦mon living there. "That power probably comes from the Creation God. Shinto is a place closely related to the Creator, Arceus. Time, space, and antimatter were all born from that land." Hikaru recounted the grand and ancient legend, and Calyrex''s eyes went blank for a moment. It had never heard of the Creator before. ¡ºThe Creator?¡» "Yes, the being who created this world. In the Galar region, there might not be much lore about it, which is understandable. Every region has its own legends. And the oldest lands in the world are Sinnoh and Shinto. It watches over everyone from beyond all time and space. But right now, it is in a deep slumber, just like you were before, because humans have lost their faith in it." Hikaru thought about Michina, the place where Arceus''s legend had been passed down. If Michina existed in this world, then it meant the storyline about the awakening of Arceus was real, and the rewriting of history hadn''t occurred yet. Upon hearing this story, Calyrex seemed to empathize deeply: ¡ºThis is the first time I''ve heard about the story of the Creator God. To think that it, too, was put to sleep due to the loss of human faith... I can somewhat understand the Creator''s predicament.¡» Even a being as noble as the Creator God could fall into slumber due to humanity''s loss of faith. Then it made sense for Calyrex to encounter such issues as well. So, there existed another being as unfortunate as itself in this world... Although thinking this way wasn''t particularly kind, Calyrex couldn''t help but feel a little comforted. If it ever had a chance to meet the Creator God, perhaps they would have many shared experiences to talk about. ¡ºYou and I seem to share many similar views...¡» Hikaru continued, "I also happen to know a bit about the Reins of Unity. If I can get the right materials, I may actually be able to recreate them." The Reins of Unity required advanced and delicate weaving techniques. In the game, the chief of Freezington Village couldn''t craft the reins, but the highly skilled Peony could. Also, during the process of weaving the reins, a peculiar song had to be sung: "The flower curls round and round~ Weave the mane, and offer to the King~" ¡ºY-Yes! That''s the song!¡» Calyrex''s eyes widened. ¡ºThat''s the song people used to sing when presenting the Reins of Unity to me! You even know this... Could it be that your ancestors had some connection to me?¡» "Well, who knows? King Calyrex, you''ve been ruling over the Crown Tundra for three thousand years, right? My ancestors lived in the Shinto region a thousand years ago. Perhaps, even further back in time, they really did have something to do with you." Hikaru didn''t deny it but gave a vague answer, leaving room for speculation. Calyrex brightened up at the thought: ¡ºIf that''s the case, it''s as if fate itself brought you to me.¡» ¡ºNo... This is a destined encounter!¡» This way, the fact that this mysterious craftsman possessed special abilities and knew all kinds of legends made perfect sense. Perhaps the ancestors of this craftsman had traveled all over the world and encountered many legendary Pok¨¦mon. ¡ºYou''re just like the mythical Wandering Mage mentioned in legends.¡» Calyrex suddenly recalled an ancient tale ¡ª it was said that a mage who wielded miraculous spells traveled around the world. Although Calyrex had never met this person, it was now imagining that the craftsman before him might be the descendant of that legendary wanderer! Calyrex''s imagination ran wild, and its expectations for Hikaru grew higher and higher: ¡ºSince you possess such miraculous craftsmanship, I cannot let you down... I shall leave this dream and use my power to produce the Glorious Petal in the real world. I implore you to come to the Crown Tundra in Galar!¡» ¡ºI hope you can assist me!¡» Calyrex looked at Hikaru with eyes full of hope, eager for him to accept the request. "For now, I can''t go to the Crown Tundra. But perhaps by the end of the year, it may be possible." Hikaru explained before making a suggestion: "As for the Glorious Petal, there''s actually a way to create it here in the Dream World." "This is the Pok¨¦mon Dream World, and I possess special power that allows me to bring items from the Dream World into reality! For example, the Glorious Flower!" "If you can produce a complete Glorious Flower, then we can create several Reins of Unity, right?" Hikaru made his intention clear. From the start, helping Calyrex was aimed at gaining power from Calyrex itself. This was about plucking the wool from the rabbit. Of course, this also benefitted Calyrex, which was why he crafted the doll to help restore Calyrex''s strength. What Hikaru ultimately wanted was the Glorious Flower and the Reins of Unity! "If you leave the Glorious Flower''s cultivation to me, then perhaps it won''t require massive amounts of faith to keep the flower blooming. It may even continuously produce offspring over time..." ¡ºIs... Is something like that even possible?¡» Calyrex''s eyes widened again, still looking dazed: ¡ºThe Glorious Flower blooms from me. Its blooming requires an enormous amount of faith. Such a flower is no ordinary bloom!¡» ¡ºIt''s like the embodiment of my power, an external manifestation of my strength. To fully bloom an entire flower is not an easy task. With my current strength, it''s likely impossible...¡» "Then, why not come to my Dream Workshop?" Hikaru extended his invitation. "My Dream Workshop is quite large, and there''s a fertile piece of land there. In my Dream Workshop, the more Pok¨¦mon reside there, the more power and special qualities the workshop will gain. It''s quite similar to your abilities!" "Since you are the King of Bountiful Harvests, if you stay in my workshop for a while, that land will likely become extremely fertile. It might even mutate, and I also possess abilities to cultivate special plants. During this time, I''ll promote your doll and gather faith for you. In exchange, you can try making the Glorious Flower bloom. That way, we can even experiment with cultivating the Glorious Flower itself!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 125 - 125 ¡ºYour idea is quite unique. In the past, there were some who attempted to cultivate this flower, but their efforts did not go well...¡» Calyrex followed Hikaru away from the cold, barren snowy field. After all, Calyrex itself was a Grass-type Pok¨¦mon, and living in such a freezing environment was quite uncomfortable. Once again, Calyrex rode on Turtwig''s back. This was Turtwig''s own request. Hikaru couldn''t help but feel helpless ¡ª Turtwig seemed to think that carrying the large plant-like crown on its back made it look grand and imposing. "Different soils can produce different crops, as seen throughout the various regions. Even though the Glorious Flower is a special crop born from the power of faith, I believe it can still be cultivated as long as the right kind of special soil is found." "In our world, there are many special plants, some of which can even survive in extreme environments. Just like the special crops born from your power, which are called Iceroot Carrot and Shaderoot Carrot, right?" ¡ºHm... You even know about that. Indeed, those are the foods my beloved steeds prefer.¡» "And what about you? You must have something you like to eat as well." ¡ºI enjoy eating orange carrots.¡» The orange carrot was just an ordinary carrot. In Hikaru''s previous world, carrots contained a lot of water and natural sugars, and eating too many could cause digestive issues for rabbits. But Calyrex was no ordinary rabbit. Yes, it was a Psychic-type Rabbit King. The stereotype of rabbits eating carrots was quite common, so there was nothing wrong with Calyrex liking carrots. After all, in the movies, even Pok¨¦mon like Lucario could eat chocolate because "Steel-type Pok¨¦mon aren''t afraid of poison." "In Shinto, there''s a special type of carrot too. It''s a variety passed down from Hisui called Beach Carrot, a type of radish that grows in cold and frozen soil. From its growing environment, it''s quite similar to the Iceroot Carrot." In the Pok¨¦mon world, there were many types of carrots: regular carrots, Iceroot Carrots, Shaderoot Carrots, Beach Carrots... And even the special Poni Radish from Alola, something Tapu Bulu was known to enjoy. Turtwig also eagerly began explaining to Calyrex. Back when Hikaru first caught it, he had told it all about various kinds of soil. Peat soil, Tera soil, volcanic soil, Landorus soil, the soil from the Tree of Beginning, and various rocks. Even materials from Ground-type Pok¨¦mon could enrich soil, making it more fertile and nutritious. Also, its trainer could mix special soils to help crops grow better and larger! The plant on its back was growing so well all thanks to its trainer''s efforts! ¡ºIndeed, even though I am merely riding on your back, I can sense that the soil on you is extremely fertile...¡» Calyrex''s massive head swayed as it looked at Hikaru, once again affirming: ¡ºI never expected you to possess not only remarkable crafting skills but also great expertise in cultivating plants.¡» "Cultivating plants is a type of craftsmanship too. Preparing soil, taking care of crops, managing sunlight, climate, humidity, and understanding the specific nutrition and environment each plant needs... These are all important aspects of the knowledge. People in ancient times didn''t fully understand these concepts and merely followed traditional practices. But now, these concepts have been refined and are easier for people to study." Hikaru smiled. "Of course, if Grass-type Pok¨¦mon help take care of crops, then even basic cultivation techniques can produce excellent harvests. I even have a partner in my workshop who specializes in helping with this." "I also know of a very special soil called ''Illusory Soil''. It''s a rare type of soil from another world. Whether it exists in our world is still unknown, but it''s said that seeds planted in this soil won''t wither even if they are left unattended. It''s the most suitable soil for cultivating all kinds of crops. Where this soil comes from is long lost to history, and it''s considered a dreamlike treasure." "Perhaps it could be found at the Tree of Beginning or on some remote islands... But that''s just my guess." ¡ºYou really do know a lot of legends!¡» Calyrex''s expression was dazed, completely believing everything Hikaru said! To Calyrex, Hikaru was already a mysterious figure. Calyrex even imagined that if it ever regained its former position ruling over Galar, Hikaru would undoubtedly be its chief minister! ¡ºIf such soil truly exists, then it might be possible to continuously cultivate the Glorious Flower!¡» "Exactly. So, I was thinking, with the help of Pok¨¦mon''s powers, maybe we could artificially create similar soil. That''s why I need your help, too." ¡ºI will do my utmost to assist you!¡» Calyrex was completely convinced and started to fantasize. If the Glorious Flower could be cultivated in large quantities, then it wouldn''t have to fear losing its power anymore, nor would it have to rely on the power of faith to make the flower bloom! Ah... But if that happened, wouldn''t it become lazy again? It needed to be vigilant! Calyrex''s mind immediately sounded the alarm. ¡ºBut when you mentioned another world... Were you referring to outer space?¡» "Maybe. Or perhaps another world that can be accessed through special crafting artifacts. I only know that such a world exists, and it''s said that over there, humans don''t exist, and only Pok¨¦mon live." ¡ºEh?! Then wouldn''t I hardly receive any faith from that world?¡» Pok¨¦mon were not creatures that would easily place their faith in other Pok¨¦mon. And even if they did, after a generation or two, they would forget everything. After all, that was just how Pok¨¦mon were! Calyrex pondered. If that world didn''t have humans, then it would be quite unfriendly to it. Even if it could travel there, it didn''t want to! Hikaru asked, "So most of your power comes from humans?" Calyrex replied, ¡ºHumans provide more faith than Pok¨¦mon. And humans tend to preserve history and pass it down, forming civilizations where faith becomes stronger and more enduring.¡» Hikaru understood. After all, Calyrex was not a god, but a king. A king was a title that only came into being after the formation of civilizations. Crossing the rainbow bridge, Calyrex saw other islands connected to the central floating island. There was a towering structure, an ancient cave city, and even its own snowy plains. But when they arrived outside the workshop, Calyrex suddenly sensed an overwhelming abundance of life energy. And that life force was coming from... inside the workshop! ¡ºThis island''s environment is like something out of a dream... No, wait, this is a dream.¡» Calyrex muttered to itself, realizing Hikaru''s Dream Workshop was far more beautiful than its own Crown Tundra! There was even a field full of thriving Berries, looking lush and flourishing! ¡ºIs this the farmland? Indeed, although it exists within a dream, this farmland is more fertile than any land I''ve ever seen. It''s almost on par with the soil I used to create at my peak...¡» ¡ºIf this land is so bountiful, then once my power is restored, it might even be possible to create the Illusory Soil... Dreamlike soil born from a dream. That seems reasonable, doesn''t it?¡» To think that it would one day become a farmer... But, after learning all this new information, Calyrex understood there was still much to learn! Hikaru''s interface displayed: [Invited Pok¨¦mon: Calyrex] [Effect: With Calyrex settling here, the floating island will expand, and the soil and plants will undergo beneficial mutations ¡ª higher quality soil and special crops may appear!] sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 126 - 126 As expected, after Calyrex settled down, the power obtained by the Dream Workshop was related to abundance! Hikaru opened the door, and Calyrex was carried in by Turtwig. At this moment, Calyrex was thinking that if he could make more Reins of Unity in the future, perhaps he could prepare one for this Turtwig as well. The combination of a turtle and a rabbit might seem a bit ridiculous, but as long as it''s strong enough, it would be fine. This could also be considered his way of repaying the little turtle, allowing it to borrow his power! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And at the moment the door opened, a certain exchange of power that had originally existed in the room gradually ceased! The Light Stone and Dark Stone both fell silent, pretending that nothing had just happened. Earlier, the Light Stone and Dark Stone had engaged in a deep exchange, debating whether truth or ideals were more important. The Light Stone wanted to use Hikaru''s presence to make the Dark Stone bow down, but Zekrom within the Dark Stone was unwilling to just lose to Reshiram like that! Although the Hero of Truth and the Hero of Ideals could indeed be the same person, ideals were definitely more important than truth! This was his belief as the Dragon of Ideals! [If it weren''t for him and his Pok¨¦mon finding you and hearing your call, you wouldn''t have received his gift. This is the embodiment of truth!] Reshiram''s words left Zekrom speechless! Of course, Zekrom didn''t want to confront Reshiram here. After all, he was in the wrong, and he had also accepted the gift of the Hero of Truth. So, Zekrom thought of a compromise! He might not be able to become the Hero of Ideals, but his Pok¨¦mon had the ideal of eating every Pecha Berry in existence! Then, as long as that Water Dragon becomes a hero, the master of the Hero Dragon would naturally be a hero too! In this way, he wouldn''t be in conflict with Reshiram''s choice. After all, this was the new hero chosen by the Hero of Ideals! Reshiram was furious at this statement! Of course, Zekrom had another idea... The Hero of Ideals might not necessarily be able to realize his ideals, but at the very least, he is someone filled with ideas about the future. So, the current hero is the Hero of Truth, and the future hero is the Hero of Ideals. This doesn''t conflict at all! The truth of the present is stronger than ideals, but the ideals of the future will be stronger than truth! Reshiram: "...?" [In any case, I will consider it as you acknowledging that the truth of the present is stronger than ideals, right? In that case, I permit you to accept the gift of my hero!] Although this result was somewhat of a compromise, at least both the Black and White Dragons believed they had obtained what they wanted! Hikaru sensed the mysterious atmosphere in the room and introduced it to Calyrex: "This place is filled with vitality thanks to the power of the Light Stone. This stone is the dormant form of the Legendary Pok¨¦mon named Reshiram from another region. The other stone is the Dark Stone." Calyrex felt the immense energy contained within the two stones, but he was somewhat puzzled: ¡ºAnother dormant Legendary Pok¨¦mon? So, there are many powerful beings like me who have been sleeping all this time.¡» His mood suddenly improved! The two stones before him appeared quiet, but Calyrex noticed something strange: ¡ºIt seems these two stones were just having some sort of exchange. Their energies collided. Is it really okay to leave them here?¡» Intense energy residue still lingered in the air. Although the hostility wasn''t too strong, Calyrex could feel that the two stones did not seem to be in harmony! If it was just a simple argument, would it have resulted in such a severe power clash? "Ah, it''s fine. Sometimes they oppose each other, and sometimes they help each other. That''s just how the two legendary dragons are. One honors ideals, the other worships truth." It should be fine. After all, the relationship between the Black and White Dragons has always been one of love and conflict, Hikaru thought. Representing truth and steam industry, Reshiram, and representing ideals and electric industry, Zekrom. If their energies could be stored, perhaps unique items could be created. Just as Hikaru was pondering this, he suddenly noticed something strange under the Light Stone. Rushing over to inspect it, he discovered it was a piece of stone that had flaked off from the Light Stone! [Rare Material: Fragment of the Light Stone.] [Description: A fragment that inexplicably peeled off from the Light Stone, which can be regarded as a tangible representation of Reshiram''s power.] [Effect: If given to Fire-type or Dragon-type Pok¨¦mon, it will enhance their growth and strengthen their power.] [Obtained Craft: Amplification Box Craft (B+) - This is the craft of creating special machines. It requires corresponding mechanical knowledge and can produce machine boxes that store Pok¨¦mon energy and produce unique effects.] An Amplification Box... Referring to devices like the Magma Amplifier and Electric Amplifier? The structure and assembly of such machines seemed to be recorded in the mechanical manual Akari had previously given him! Speaking of which, these two boxes were unique devices discovered only in recent years and were even included in special research projects. Who exactly made them is still unknown. Sometimes, similar items would appear in ancient Hisui through space-time distortions, but Akari had already deciphered their structure. Hikaru held the fragment, staring at the Light Stone with curiosity, continuously observing the stone''s condition. Why did it suddenly shed its skin? Reshiram''s ability is not supposed to be shedding! And can stones even shed fragments? Could it be sick even within a dream? The Dark Stone at the side: [...] Just now, he left behind powder, and this time, the Light Stone responded by leaving skin fragments. Was it working so hard just to assist the hero it had chosen? "Try injecting some power into it." Hikaru channeled energy into the Light Stone, thinking something was wrong with it. Under his gentle influence, the surface of the Light Stone became brighter and purer, radiating powerful vitality. [The Light Stone is feeling very joyful.] "It seems there''s nothing wrong." Hikaru scratched his head, but then he heard a roar from outside! ¡ºSomething is approaching from outside!¡» Outside the workshop, a dragon''s roar echoed. Calyrex immediately rode the Turtwig out the door and saw a huge dragon running across the Rainbow Bridge leading to the ancient city! ¡ºAn intruder? Let me drive it away!¡» Calyrex''s eyes turned sharp! He never expected an invading Pok¨¦mon to appear in such a peaceful dream world! ¡ºLong ago, my steed also rampaged across the land. I subdued them, made them submit to me, and ended their rampage. Although the Pok¨¦mon before me looks like a dragon... I''ve never ridden a dragon before!¡» "No, that looks like my Pok¨¦mon!" Hikaru squinted and saw Walking Wake returning! "It''s Walking Wake." "Roar~" Walking Wake quickly crossed the Rainbow Bridge, holding something in its small claws. When it saw Hikaru, it grew excited, wagging its tail as it ran over. But when it saw Calyrex riding on the little Turtwig... "Roar?" Walking Wake tilted its head. Hah, what a big cauliflower! Is this a new kind of food? "Roar!" Walking Wake''s eyes shone with curiosity and it bit down on Calyrex''s big head! ¡ºYou... What are you doing?!¡» Calyrex''s eyes widened, his little hands anxiously waving around, tears almost bursting from the pain: ¡ºLet go, let go, you rude beast!¡» (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 127 - 127 Hikaru quickly stepped forward and patted Walking Wake: "This is Calyrex, a friend who''s here as a guest! Walking Wake, let go!" "Roar~!" Walking Wake finally realized the big green head in front of him wasn''t some special food. He unhappily released his bite, his eyes showing a displeased expression. So, it wasn''t food after all. How boring! ¡ºYou actually mistook my head for food! Although it''s understandable for an ancient Pok¨¦mon like you to be unaware of etiquette, you are far too rude!¡» Calyrex was very angry. His head might be big, but it shouldn''t be mistaken for food! "Walking Wake is an ancient Pok¨¦mon from a very distant past. I can''t say exactly how far back, but it could be tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of years ago. It comes from a very primitive era, so it doesn''t understand manners at all. Please forgive it." Hikaru took out a special herbal juice from his imaginary backpack: "Here, take this. Please forgive him." ¡ºThis is... Hmm! Super delicious!¡» Calyrex curiously accepted the herbal juice. After a simple sip, his eyes widened in shock, his legs stretching straight out! The bite marks left on his big head by Walking Wake quickly disappeared. Calyrex realized this was no ordinary food! ¡ºWhat... What exactly is this?¡» "Herbal juice. It''s a special medicine I made that can restore energy, heal injuries, and eliminate hidden ailments. I also have some food for training." Hikaru pulled out the food from his backpack: "If this was in the real world, Pok¨¦mon who eat my specially made food would experience powerful growth. This also applies to Legendary Pok¨¦mon like you." ¡ºSimply... I''ve never tasted anything so delicious!¡» Calyrex tried the energy cubes and Rare Candies, his rabbit-like eyes narrowing with satisfaction! This was even tastier than the orange carrots he used to love...! ¡ºM-My power is slightly growing! Although it''s not the power of faith, this is elemental energy... Hm! This feeling is truly wonderful!¡» D-Damn it! Why does this have to be a dream? If only this were real! Calyrex buried himself in the food, making exaggerated crunching sounds like the ones from Minecraft. "Roar~" Walking Wake nudged Hikaru and put down what it was holding, seeking attention while its tail wagged constantly. Watching Calyrex eating so happily, Walking Wake looked quite displeased. This little Pok¨¦mon seemed to be getting a lot of attention from its Trainer, huh? "Roar?" Walking Wake crouched down and examined the Turtwig beside the rabbit. So, what''s this little turtle then...? "He''s our workshop''s new companion." Hikaru introduced Turtwig to Walking Wake. Turtwig had already heard Doublade and the others mention Walking Wake frequently, and now that he finally saw it... Wow, what a huge and mighty dragon! Turtwig''s mouth gaped open in surprise, frozen with awe. Walking Wake, on the other hand, enjoyed this admiration from a "junior" and immediately made a satisfied purring sound! At the same time, Walking Wake was also inspecting Turtwig. Hmm, that strange sword can cancel attacks, and that round little plant helps crops grow. So, what special ability do you have, little turtle? "If Lilligant represents cultivation, then Turtwig represents the most basic soil. It can absorb soil and strengthen its shell, and after evolution, it essentially becomes a moving piece of large land!" Hikaru picked up Turtwig, and Walking Wake''s eyes rolled around, suddenly licking Turtwig. While this was meant to express friendliness, it only made Turtwig a bit frightened. Although they were companions, Walking Wake''s majestic appearance was intimidating, making Turtwig feel fearful. "Purrr..." Walking Wake made a low growl, leaning over to Turtwig''s head, eyes gleaming with brilliant thoughts of the future. Buddy, when you grow up, can I plant Pecha Berries on your back? Hikaru and Turtwig: "..." At this moment, Hikaru noticed the thing Walking Wake had placed on the ground. After all, this guy had gone out scavenging and first found the Dark Stone. Maybe there were some other Pok¨¦mon materials, but Hikaru hadn''t checked carefully before. And this was... "Roar~" Walking Wake shook its mane and began pulling out all the "treasures" it had collected from its fur. A large number of Pok¨¦mon materials and gems spilled out, even making the feasting Calyrex widen his eyes. ¡ºAn evil dragon that collects treasures and guards them personally... It seems the legends from Galar are appearing once again.¡» This habit reminded Calyrex of the ancient evil dragon, Eternatus, which had once plagued Galar. However, although this Pok¨¦mon named Walking Wake was as unruly as Eternatus, at least its personality wasn''t as ferocious. "Roar, roar~" Walking Wake excitedly began describing its grand adventure to Hikaru. What a thrilling experience! At first, it had gone into the dream of another black dragon to take a stone that no one wanted. It was an ancient city, but when it left the city and entered another Pok¨¦mon''s dream, it encountered an old enemy! That blue-bodied Pok¨¦mon, the one whose horn it had bitten off with Fire Fang last time, had returned, this time teaming up with two other Pok¨¦mon it hadn''t seen before to launch an attack. Three against one, how despicable! "A blue-bodied Pok¨¦mon, with a broken horn... So, you ran into Cobalion again!" Hikaru chuckled. Walking Wake had previously caused chaos in the dreams of Pok¨¦mon from the Unova region, even humiliating Cobalion, one of the Swords of Justice. He didn''t expect Cobalion to seek revenge so quickly, this time bringing the other two Swords of Justice for a righteous three-on-one battle! Too bad Walking Wake was alone in the dream. If only Raging Bolt and Gouging Fire were here, then it could have been a fair three-on-three fight! "Roar!" Walking Wake grumbled while scratching its face with its little claws! If it was a one-on-one fight, it wouldn''t be afraid at all. But three against one? It really couldn''t beat them, so it just ran away. It was strange, though. It hadn''t even entered the blue Pok¨¦mon''s dream. How did they encounter each other? It had clearly entered a gray-colored dream. Since there was nothing worth finding in that dream, it just returned to the ancient city and gathered some stuff to bring back. However, from Walking Wake''s adventurous experience, Hikaru started having some interesting thoughts! "Do you still remember the path leading to the Swords of Justice''s dream?" "Roar, roar!" Walking Wake nodded, indicating that it remembered the way. But it quickly shook its head, showing that it didn''t want to encounter those three guys again. They only knew how to gang up on others! "If we can find them, maybe we can ask them to teach us the Sacred Sword technique!" Hikaru had an idea. Next time, if Doublade could enter through the dream, and with the help of Walking Wake''s connection to the Unova Pok¨¦mon, Walking Wake could lead the way. They could build a new Rainbow Bridge, and if they managed to invite the Swords of Justice to their floating island or connect the Rainbow Bridge to them, then learning the Sacred Sword from them might result in even greater power! "Maybe next time, I''ll need you to help me meet them." Hikaru patted Walking Wake. "We''ll help you regain your pride!" That''s the way Pok¨¦mon relationships work; it''s all about battles! As long as they acknowledge each other, conflicts can easily turn into friendships! "Roar!" Walking Wake''s eyes lit up! If it had its Trainer''s help, it could definitely defeat them! After all, its Trainer could bring out all sorts of potions and amazing tools! Calyrex, who was still enjoying his meal, glanced at Walking Wake. ¡ºAlthough you are quite rude, you are a friend''s Pok¨¦mon. If my friend needs help, I can lend a hand as well.¡» ¡ºOnce my strength has recovered a bit... fighting within the dream can be...¡» What Calyrex meant was that it could be used as rehabilitation training. After all, when he had lost his power before, he was bullied by two horses. From Walking Wake''s description, the Pok¨¦mon that attacked him, known as the "Swords of Justice," also seemed to be quadrupeds? If that''s the case, maybe he could even try riding them. Hikaru thought of this and looked at Calyrex with some curiosity. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Calyrex... riding Cobalion? Being able to merge with the Pok¨¦mon he rides sure is convenient! Next time, should he let Calyrex try riding Walking Wake to see if it could become a new Pok¨¦mon with "Super + Dragon" type attributes? A Dragon Rider King, wielding Aegislash in hand¡ªthat would be amazing! Hikaru said with a grin, "With the King''s help, it''s like having the assistance of a hundred thousand Pok¨¦mon!" Calyrex proudly raised his big head, but the praise made him a little shy: ¡ºIn my prime, I was quite powerful! Though not as strong as a hundred thousand Pok¨¦mon, I certainly won''t disappoint you!¡» Although his words were modest, his expression was full of joy! At this moment, Turtwig suddenly remembered something and spoke to Calyrex: Its Trainer is also a king, you know! ¡ºW-What?!¡» Calyrex''s eyes turned blank with disbelief as he stared at Turtwig. Turtwig went on to talk about Hikaru''s partner Doublade. Doublade had always wanted Hikaru to become a new king and establish a kingdom, so it frequently mentioned the matter! ¡ºI see... With your Trainer''s intelligence and abilities, it is indeed possible for him to become a king.¡» Calyrex agreed with Doublade''s vision and secretly wondered whether he should pass on his previous nation-building experience to Hikaru. No, he had become too lazy in his later years as a king. Such experience probably wasn''t worth passing on. Hmm, should he bestow the "Power of the King" upon this friend once his strength was restored? Hikaru didn''t notice the conversation between Calyrex and Turtwig, as he was being dragged by Walking Wake. Walking Wake bit down on Hikaru''s arm, pulling him towards the pile of stuff it had brought back. "Alright, alright, I''ll check now! So this is what you''ve collected, huh." Hikaru picked up the strange round object. At first glance, he thought it was just another stone. But the Light Stone and Dark Stone had already been retrieved, leaving only a stone known as the "God Stone." However, that stone was most likely something left by Kyurem, and since Kyurem itself was not dormant, it was unlikely they''d find the God Stone here. Hikaru cleared away the dirt and sand covering the round object, revealing its unrefined color. It looked no different from a fossil, with some faded patterns, but the exterior now finally revealed what it actually was. "Is this... a Pok¨¦mon egg?" Suddenly, a flood of information surged into Hikaru''s mind. [Strange Item: Egg of Volcarona (Ancient City ¨C Cannot be taken out).] [Description: An egg left by a certain Volcarona from a very long time ago. If hatched, it will give birth to a Pok¨¦mon known as Larvesta. However, due to being buried underground for far too long, it has partially fossilized. Yet, it seems that the rhythm of life still exists within it. Through special nurturing methods, it may still have a chance of hatching.] [Within the dream, this egg can be hatched, and the hatching progress of this egg existing deep within the ancient city will correspondingly advance.] [Gained Knowledge: 1] [Hatcher''s Insight: These are some hatching tips from an excellent breeder. The Pok¨¦mon eggs you possess will be easier to hatch.] (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 128 - 128 The insights from the "Hatcher''s Knowledge"... Wait a minute, something about this knowledge doesn''t feel right. As Hikaru was trying to comprehend this knowledge, he keenly noticed some crucial parts. For example, "Bringing a Pok¨¦mon egg to specific locations can allow it to learn some knowledge in advance and influence its personality and abilities after birth. For instance, if taken to a game center..." "Could this be Gold''s insight?" Gold, a character from the Pok¨¦mon Adventures manga, was one of the protagonists from the Gold and Silver era. In the games, his counterpart is Ethan. As a Pok¨¦dex holder, his special ability was "Hatching"! But Gold''s personality was somewhat mischievous and careless, with a free-spirited nature. And although his ability was related to hatching, he often did nothing during the hatching process¡ªthis was his own description. Later, he gained a better understanding of hatching. For Pok¨¦mon eggs, Gold only needed to nurture them with sincerity and care, which would speed up the hatching process! Hikaru carefully tried to grasp the essence of this knowledge. The information within this knowledge was very formal. Since it lacked tone and emotion, it was hard to detect anything wrong at first. But after analyzing it more closely, it became clear that something was off! However, putting aside the parts about game centers, amusement halls, and pool-related things, the core of this knowledge was still very useful! Indeed, Pok¨¦mon eggs hatched in different places and environments could have varying personalities and abilities. Recent research by Professor Elm pointed out that Pok¨¦mon eggs could sense the surrounding environment and situation even before hatching and would respond accordingly. The mood and behavior of the hatcher could also affect the state of the Pok¨¦mon. Eggs in research facilities are carefully nurtured to prevent them from absorbing too much external information, thereby developing problematic personalities. After all, if a rookie Trainer received a Pok¨¦mon with behavioral issues or a delinquent nature, just like Gold''s Togepi who mastered billiards, poker, and dice games, that would be quite the disaster! Newbie Pok¨¦mon (wearing black sunglasses): "Trainer, go and cook me two dishes!" Just imagining that scene was enough to make Hikaru burst out laughing. "Well, as long as I remove the parts related to Gold, this hatching insight is still quite valuable!" Of course, once the elements associated with Gold were filtered out, there wasn''t much left of the knowledge. This was what they called taking the essence and discarding the dross! As for the egg in his hand, in the Black/White games, deep within the Relic Castle''s ancient city, there was a Volcarona that had lived for hundreds of years. In Pok¨¦mon Adventures, this Volcarona was captured by Ghetsis and laid an egg, which hatched into a Larvesta and was used by the "Dark Trinity." In the games, this Volcarona wasn''t discovered by anyone. It quietly stayed in the deepest chamber of the Relic Castle, where the room was filled with beautiful sacrificial pottery and an ancient mural depicting the Legend of Volcarona. The Sun Pok¨¦mon Volcarona was revered as the incarnation of the sun since ancient times. According to legend, when volcanic ash blocked out the sun due to a volcanic eruption, Volcarona''s wings emitted light to replace the sun''s radiance and illuminate the world. Perhaps that Volcarona, having lived for hundreds of years, was reminiscing about the people of the past, which was why it never left. However, it was strange that the ancient city was filled with sand. What exactly did Volcarona eat to survive until the modern era? That remains a mystery! ¡ºWhat you hold in your hand is a Pok¨¦mon egg? Its life force is very weak. Let me help it grow.¡» Calyrex still had some crumbs from the energy cubes left on the corners of his mouth, and he looked at the partially petrified ancient egg with his wide, blank eyes. He raised his hand, gently gathering psychic energy. A faint life force flowed from Calyrex''s body, injecting into the ancient egg. ¡º...Huff... Huff... Is this... the limit of my power now?¡» Calyrex looked at his hand in frustration. The power he could currently exert was just too weak! Hikaru, however, was curious. "Is this power the same as the one that stimulates land and plants to grow?" In the games, Calyrex once promised to show off its power in front of the protagonist, only to struggle and produce a single carrot from a farm. But perhaps that was also a manifestation of Calyrex''s life-giving power. Calyrex: ¡ºIt''s my "Healing Pulse." But my power is too weak right now. I can''t fully restore this egg to its original state.¡» "Roar~" Walking Wake growled softly. So, this thing wasn''t a precious stone? It was a Pok¨¦mon egg? "Do you even know what a Pok¨¦mon egg is?" As a Paradox Pok¨¦mon, Walking Wake belongs to the "Undiscovered Egg Group" and cannot breed in the games. But Hikaru wondered: For an ancient Pok¨¦mon like Walking Wake, was reproduction also done through eggs in its era? "Roar?" Walking Wake rolled its eyes upward, showing confusion and contemplation. It didn''t know. It had never thought about such things! Primitive creatures didn''t have such weird requirements. As long as they could fight and eat, they were satisfied! But eggs did exist in its time. Hikaru: "Then, do you even have a favorite Pok¨¦mon?" "Roar~" Walking Wake expressed that it loved Pecha Berries. Then it looked at the petrified egg, as if ancient memories had been awakened. When it came to hatching eggs, there was a shortcut¡ªjust spray fire directly! As Walking Wake roared and opened its mouth to breathe fire, Hikaru quickly held its mouth shut! You''re not trying to hatch the egg; you''re trying to roast it to eat! Saliva was already dripping down! "Roar, roar!" Walking Wake protested, insisting that it had truly seen eggs hatch from fire before, and breathing fire really could accelerate the hatching process. It wasn''t just messing around this time! Hikaru pondered about Walking Wake''s claim of "eggs hatching from fire." Perhaps it referred to the eggs of a Pok¨¦mon known as "Slither Wing," which is believed to be the ancient variant of Volcarona. Although Larvesta, Volcarona''s pre-evolution, was said to be born from the sun and could absorb flames, that was just an ancient myth. Judging by the weak life force within the egg, one burst of Flamethrower would probably extinguish its life force altogether. "I have a good idea." Hikaru''s eyes gleamed as he carried the nearly petrified egg into the room and placed it next to the Light Stone! The Light Stone''s power would fill the surroundings with vibrant life energy. By absorbing the power released from the Light Stone, perhaps the Pok¨¦mon egg could gradually regain its true form! [The Light Stone is puzzled by the egg.] To speed up the hatching process, Hikaru, having understood the essence of egg-hatching, even created a stone statue of Arceus within the dream! S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The statue of Arceus could influence the Pok¨¦mon egg being hatched, enhancing its potential and possibly even making it a Shiny Pok¨¦mon! However, just as the Arceus statue was placed, the Light Stone and Dark Stone trembled slightly! [This statue... It seems to be affecting me?] [I... I feel it too...!] A strange thought emerged in the minds of the Light Stone and Dark Stone. This statue possessed miraculous power, created by the very "Hero Candidate" they had chosen. And the Black and White Dragons had already experienced the special tools and abilities crafted by this artisan. But now, was this egg-hatching statue trying to treat them as "eggs" too?! (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!] Chapter 129 - 129 The two stones could feel changes happening within themselves, finding it all quite unbelievable. Meanwhile, Hikaru was checking on the condition of the egg. After coming into contact with the Light Stone and the statue, the petrification on the egg''s surface seemed to be gradually fading. When Hikaru touched the eggshell, he could vaguely feel a warm current, which made him overjoyed. This sensation was precisely a sign that the Pok¨¦mon egg was starting to hatch. Then, Hikaru carefully polished and wiped the egg. [Craftsmanship Enhancement: After your meticulous polishing and cleaning, the egg''s condition has improved, and its luster has increased. With the help of hatching insights, the flow of life energy within the egg has become smoother, aiding in the hatching process and enhancing the individual value of the hatched Pok¨¦mon.] "This should be fine now." The egg seemed to be responding to Hikaru''s emotions. Waves of warmth surged from its core, filled with a sense of joy. Although it was still weak, there was no doubt¡ªit was awakening from its slumber. ¡ºThe egg seems to be waking up. It''s observing the outside world... But this is a dream, so it feels curious about everything.¡» (Munch, munch) After using his power earlier, Calyrex was quickly munching on energy cubes to replenish his strength. Seeing the changes in the egg''s condition, Calyrex sighed in relief. If the egg had recovered to this extent, it could definitely be hatched! He was a benevolent king, and saving the life of a Pok¨¦mon was his duty, even if it wasn''t a Pok¨¦mon from Galar. However, what attracted Calyrex''s attention even more at this moment was the statue Hikaru had carved! Never mind what Pok¨¦mon the statue depicted; just the craftsmanship alone left Calyrex wide-eyed, his expression turning blank again! Oh, oh, oh! Such craftsmanship could be considered a masterpiece of art! At the same time, Calyrex couldn''t help but recall the wooden carving left in Freezington. That was a statue the people of old had made for him long ago. He once thought that sculpture was quite decent. But looking at this one now, the difference was way too big! ¡ºMy friend, I have a request...¡» Calyrex stared unblinkingly at the Arceus statue. ¡ºThat statue... Could it be...¡» Hikaru proudly introduced his work: "This is a stone statue of the Creator, Arceus. The art of sculpture is a craft passed down in my family, so my skills are quite good!" ¡ºSo this really is Arceus... No! That''s not what I wanted to ask. I wish to request that you make a statue of me as well!¡» Calyrex''s mind was filled with the wooden statue in Freezington. Due to its age and abstractness, it had even been used as a tourist attraction to lure visitors. But no, ancient things could be made beautiful too, couldn''t they? Hikaru had mentioned that his family''s craft had been passed down for generations. Could his ancestors have been exclusive artisans who crafted sculptures for the Creator? How... how amazing! Calyrex''s eyes shone with envy, and even a tear rolled down his cheek. Hikaru: "Hey, King, why are you crying?" Calyrex: ¡ºThese are tears of joy and admiration... I also want such a statue.¡» Creating a sculpture for Calyrex was a simple task, especially within the dream world where such things could be done with minimal effort. "Well, it''s no problem, King. Do you have any specific material requests?" ¡ºI have no particular demands. As long as it perfectly captures my image, it will be fine! Hmm... Riding my steed... Ideally, both of them together. No, let''s sculpt Glastrier first, and then Spectrier.¡» Calyrex stared eagerly at Hikaru. Although he had only just arrived at the workshop and hadn''t started working, he had already eaten a lot of food for free. He felt a bit embarrassed about it, but all of it was necessary to restore his power (and for eating). ¡ºOh, marvelous artisan with mystical powers, please help me once more!¡» "You''re a troublesome one, you know! But this is an easy task!" Hikaru recalled the events from the games where Calyrex''s wooden statue had its appearance restored, and Calyrex''s power had returned somewhat. Perhaps the sculpture itself wasn''t important, but rather the villagers'' renewed understanding of Calyrex''s form. However, while Freezington''s wooden sculpture may not have had special powers, Hikaru''s sculpture certainly would! Hikaru quickly came up with a good idea! He set his sights on the floating island connected to the ancient city. The floating island''s terrain consisted of caverns. The dreamscape''s ancient city appeared deep within these caverns, and the stones there were called "Relic Stones." Using the Relic Stones from the ancient city to craft the sculpture, while also building a new forge and cultivation room beside the Dream Workshop, sounded perfect! Hikaru explained his plan to Calyrex, who approved of it. They immediately began making a wooden cart to transport the stones. Walking Wake gathered wood from the small forest, and because of the dream''s properties, many steps and time were saved. Once the cart was made, Walking Wake pulled it while Calyrex rode the Turtwig following behind. They all headed towards the floating island connected to the dreamscape''s ancient city! The floating island was swept by yellow sand, with sandstorms attacking the Pok¨¦mon. Walking Wake let out a roar towards the sky, using "Sunny Day"! The weather changed, and the sun drove away the sand, making the temperature rise. As they entered the caves, they found numerous stones, and near the entrance of the ancient city, many large rocks and stone bricks were scattered about. Calyrex''s eyes emitted waves of psychic energy. Even in his weakened state, he could still use a small-scale "Confusion" move! "Turtwig, use Leaf Blade to precisely cut those stones." Hikaru commanded Turtwig. He avoided having Walking Wake do it since its power was too great to control precisely. Turtwig had previously learned how to use Leaf Blade to cut stones accurately from Doublade and Lilligant. "Gna!" Turtwig shook its head, sending out half-moon-shaped leaves that precisely sliced the stones, leaving smooth, flat surfaces! Hikaru walked to the entrance of the ancient city, examining the ruins and picking up a brick that had fallen to the ground. [Rare Material: Relic Stone (From the Dreamscape''s Ancient City).] [Description: Debris left behind after the collapse of an ancient ruin. It may have other uses.] S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Gained Style: Ancient City Style.] [Description: Once glorious and magnificent, buried by the sands of time.] [Effect: Slightly enhances the artistry and authority of craftsmanship, connecting the hearts of humans and Pok¨¦mon.] With the help of Calyrex''s psychic power, the cart''s load capacity increased. After several trips, they collected a large amount of stone, piling it next to the Dream Workshop and marking out the general area needed for construction. Hikaru then went to the room representing the Plates of Arceus and brought back a load of cement and mortar. For now, though, the focus was on making Calyrex''s statue using the Relic Stones. Calyrex stared at Hikaru''s actions, his eyes wide open. Though he wanted to replenish his strength with energy cubes, he was too afraid to interfere with Hikaru''s work, so he just held the cubes in his hands without daring to eat them. "King, your statue is done. Working within a dream is much faster than in the real world." Hikaru had carved a large stone from the ancient city into a statue of Calyrex, depicting him riding Glastrier! ¡ºO-Ohhh... This is... This is me, no doubt! It''s even cooler than the real me! The ancient aura pouring out from it¡ªusing the Relic Stone really produces this kind of effect!¡» ¡ºIf only this statue could be taken back to the real world, I would surely gather even more faith!¡» Calyrex lovingly stroked his stone statue, his eyes filled with emotion and excitement! He finally had a proper statue! ¡ºFor some reason, I can feel a vigorous life force coming from this statue. It''s almost like there''s a second me within it...¡» Meanwhile, Hikaru was checking the statue''s information. (End of Chapter) [Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!]