There's Something Off About My Pokémon. [62]
"Your Psyduck: Go Grovyle, Grovyle for the win, charge, charge, charge!"
"Street Baller Iverson: I had a match with that Wang kid in an underground brawl once. That kid's ruthlessness is something no one his age should have, but for some reason, all the old videos of him are nowhere to be found…"
"Did Vulpix Win Today: Hey, did you know? That Ninetales jacket shop just released new products, and they look pretty good."
"Dragonite Knight: Dude, stop slipping in ads. Wait, why does this username seem so familiar?"
"Independent Corps Leader Gyarados: I was really hoping for Vulpix to take the crown. That Vulpix is so cute! It's going to look even more stunning when it evolves into Ninetales!"
"Today, What Color Is Goth Missy's Panties: Suspicious content detected."
"Starmie Studio: As a neutral observer, Wang Yingjie absolutely has champion-level potential, okay?"
"Grimer: You forgot to switch accounts, buddy."
"Indeed, Let's Be Real: Let's be real, indeed."
"Did Vulpix Win Today: Let's be real, indeed."
"…"
The daily forum was practically Lu Cheng's source of joy!
In preparation for Lu Cheng's quarterfinal match, Mu Mei had made some new apparel, and she asked Lu Cheng to drop by when he had time.
"This is your so-called 'surprise'?" Lu Cheng's face went pale.
"Well? Isn't it nice?" Mu Mei asked with a pleased smile.
"Define 'surprise,' please?" Lu Cheng asked, exasperated.
"A surprise is that I made you a new hat!" Mu Mei hesitated slightly, then added, "What, don't you like it?"
From the outside, the hat was certainly well-crafted, and the inspiration seemed to come from the leaf atop Grovyle's head. It was designed as a fisherman's hat, with a long ribbon trailing from the back, giving it a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. It did have a certain charm.
"It looks nice," Lu Cheng said, grimacing, "but the color… not so much."
Perhaps it was intended to match Grovyle, but the hat was a pale green, which made Lu Cheng a bit uncomfortable. This is what she's been hyping up as a surprise all morning!?
Mu Mei furrowed her brow. "What's wrong with the color? Pale green is perfect for an outing."
Lu Cheng shook his head like a drum. "As long as it's not green, I'm fine with anything!"
"Fine," Mu Mei sighed, "I'll try a black-and-white combination. If it doesn't look good, it's on you, alright?"
Lu Cheng nodded enthusiastically. Finally, a win for Lu Cheng!
"By the way, I've heard that Wang Yingjie is pretty tough to deal with. Do you think you can beat him?"
"I'll do my best," Lu Cheng sighed, his tone serious.
"It's not just for me… but for my friends too."
Seeing the determined look in Lu Cheng's eyes, Mu Mei tilted her head and smiled warmly. "Go for it. No matter what happens, just give it your all!"
---
"Hey, Chengcheng, don't forget to pick up the package I sent you!" came the raspy voice of Lu Cheng's grandfather over the phone.
"What package? It's so early in the morning," Lu Cheng yawned. Yesterday, he had stayed up late with his two Pokémon, studying Wang Yingjie's battle videos. After hours of analyzing Wang's vastly different battle strategies, they had gained a much deeper understanding.
"I went through a lot of trouble to get this for you," his grandfather laughed heartily. "The materials and craftsmanship are top-notch, so don't be too surprised!"
"What is it?" Now Lu Cheng was a little curious.
"Remember the last time your Grovyle's twig got broken? Well, I had someone make you a new one. Have Grovyle try it out, see if it feels right!"
Oh yeah… Lu Cheng had almost forgotten. That had happened the last time he visited the countryside. His Treecko's twig had been shattered by a Tauros's Protect, and his grandfather had promised to replace it. He wondered what kind of item this could be.
"Pelipper Delivery!"
"Coming!" Lu Cheng, deep in thought, heard the deliveryman's shout and hurried to the window to sign for the package.
"What kind of thing is this? It's packed so tightly," Lu Cheng muttered as he inspected the package. The box was rectangular, about the length of his arm, and layers of foam filled it, packed with meticulous care. The more he peeled back, the more curious he became. Vulpix and Grovyle had already gathered around, their eyes glued to the box with intense focus.
At last, after peeling away the final layer, the item inside was revealed.
"This is…?" Lu Cheng stared in shock. Before he could fully process it, the system chimed in with a detailed description:
"Bone Sword: Crafted from two Cubone bone clubs, this sword is exceptionally sturdy."
Since his battle with Su Xiangrou, the system had unlocked a new "Analysis" function, but Lu Cheng was still getting used to it. It seemed that the item descriptions were now part of this new feature.
"A sword made from Cubone bones?" Lu Cheng mumbled. "Doesn't that mean those two Cubone… lost their clubs?"
Well, if Grandpa got it, there's no way it's something shady, Lu Cheng thought, shaking off his concerns. He turned to Grovyle and said, "Here, give it a try!"
Grovyle's eyes had already been gleaming the moment it saw the bone sword. Now that Lu Cheng had given the go-ahead, it eagerly grabbed the sword, expertly swinging it through the air a couple of times, producing a sharp whooshing sound with each swing.
Grovyle's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Noticing the joy on Grovyle's face, Lu Cheng smiled and said, "This sword is yours now. Make sure to take good care of it." Grovyle nodded enthusiastically. Having been surrounded by the blind old man's influence, his desire for a sword was far stronger than for any Pokéblock.
But seeing that there was nothing for her, Vulpix looked a bit dejected. Lu Cheng noticed and couldn't help but chuckle.
"How could I forget about you?" he said, pulling out a jar from the kitchen, filled with a sweet aroma, and placing it in front of Vulpix. "Here, specially made Pokéblocks just for you!"
These custom-made Pokéblocks were something Lu Cheng had ordered from Zhao Dachun a week ago, costing him a cool 100,000 yuan. They were infused with rare Cheri Berries, pink fruits that had the appearance of bananas but with a rich, sweet fragrance, perfect for Vulpix. Not only were they nutritious, but the Cheri Berry also made Vulpix's fur even shinier, enhancing her cuteness — a key trait often used in Pokémon beauty contests.
Watching Vulpix happily munch on the Pokéblocks, Lu Cheng couldn't help but smile.
Back in his room, he opened the system. Tomorrow was his match against Wang Yingjie, and Lu Cheng wasn't leaving anything to chance. He still had unallocated potential points to deal with.
Host: Lu Cheng
HP: 10
Attack: 10
Defense: 10
Special Attack: 10
Special Defense: 3
Speed: 12
Unallocated potential points: 0
Balance: ¥30,300
Items: 4 Pokéballs, TM "Brick Break", Charcoal, Focus Sash, Evolution Data, Marowak Bone Sword (made from two thick bones), Aspear Berry Pokéblocks (7 jars), Cheri Berry Pokéblocks (23 jars).
For this battle, Lu Cheng had used his money to push all his stats to 10. But now, each additional stat point would cost him 30,000 yuan. His once six-figure balance had dwindled to just over 30,000.
Lu Cheng groaned, Being a Pokémon Trainer really burns through money!
---
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