Chapter 72:

Cain's gaze fixed on the label of the cage holding the one that had caught his eye.

With a thrill, he read the details:

Number: 85679

Pokemon: Miltank

Aptitude: Advanced

Price: 500,000 Pokédollars

The price was steep but it was still well within his budget, especially when he considered that the highest level Miltank was priced at 600,000 Pokédollars. Moreover, a Skorupi was due to be born soon, and the team needed all the strength they could muster.

Without hesitation, Cain pressed the red button at the entrance to the room and waited patiently with his arms crossed. It didn't take long for the woman in the black leather jacket to swagger in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"You've chosen so quickly. Which one do you want?" Her voice was smooth and sly, like a Zangoose poised to pounce.

"I'll take this one," Cain replied, pointing to the Miltank that had caught his eye. He fished out the black bank card that he had just obtained and handed it to the woman.

The woman's surprise was palpable, as she took the anonymous bank card from Cain's hand. "Not bad. You have good taste."

She deftly produced a card reader from her storage equipment, expertly entering the price. The sound of the swipe was almost melodic, as 500,000 Pokédollars were deducted from Cain's account.

With a flick of her wrist, she produced the most ordinary of Pokeballs. A burst of red light engulfed the Miltank that Cain had chosen, sealing it inside.

As she handed the Pokeball and bank card to Cain, her voice, like honey, whispered in his ear. "This is yours. Do come back, won't you? Remember me, it's Rose. Ohhhh~"

Her "oh" stretched out like taffy, deliberately drawing his attention.

Cain's mouth twitched, a headache looming. He knew the danger of getting too close to Rose, whose name was fitting for a woman covered in thorns. Her beauty was a snare, a trap that only the foolish would fall into, her true identity obscured by layers of carefully constructed disguise.

Ignoring her, he took the bank card and Pokeball from her. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke up. "I want to register as a member of the Hunter's Guild and take on some missions."

The smile on Rose's face faded, replaced by a cold stare. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time, evaluating him from head to toe. "A hunter?" she asked, voice frosty.

The Hunter's Guild was an underground organization, its members not always united. Most only registered and completed missions, free from any real obligations.

The guild's members were scattered throughout the region, meeting at various locations. This shop in Saffron City not only sold wild Pokemon but also served as a hub for hunters to connect and receive missions.

In his previous life, Cain's first brush with the Pokemon Hunter profession was here. But the manager was not Rose back then.

Registration as a hunter wasn't mandatory. One could still sell their Pokemon to the guild without it. But once registered, they could embark on missions issued by the guild and earn more.

Becoming a Pokemon Hunter was a quick way to make money, requiring only strength and a keen eye for Pokemon. And even though he was not short on funds, Cain knew better than to be unprepared for what lay ahead. Preparation was key.

Silently nodding his head, he remained quiet as Rose rolled her eyes and flirted with him, applying her lipstick with an unhappy air. "I thought you were a virgin," she sighed, "but you're just a Hunter. How dull."

Leading him deeper into the shop, they walked in silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally, a huge metal door creaked open, revealing a spacious hall before them.

This hall was a far cry from the dingy Pokemon shop from before. The opulent decorations and diverse crowd were a feast for the eyes, each individual sporting a medal pinned to their chest.

Cain observed the variety of medals. Some had three stars, some had one, and a select few boasted a sun emblem. Fearful glances darted their way, revealing the sun-wearing members as the strongest in the hall.

Teleportation points dotted the area, people materializing out of thin air at each one. Some dashed to the portals and vanished without a word.

These were the official means of transportation for registered members of the Hunter's Guild. Fixed points created using the power of Pokemon.

But only after completing a certain mission could one access the specific locations of these teleportation points. As a newly registered hunter, Cain was limited to only the most basic, their distance from the hall not exceeding three thousand meters.

The medals displayed on each person's chest denoted their level in the Hunter's Guild. One star for the lowest, two for the next level up, and a rare seven for the elite. Only seven-star hunters held the highest rank in the guild, able to tackle the most challenging missions.

But those with the sun symbol on their chests were a different story entirely. They were internal members of the Hunter's Guild, enjoying privileges far beyond that of a star hunter. Their status ranked second only to the branch president and they were known as the guild's honorary elders.