Chapter 2: Ranch Memories

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Although Naoki had a rough idea of the effects of his Golden Finger (special ability), he had no way to test it due to some practical constraints.

One, he didn't have any Pokémon, and two, the original owner was too poor...

At three in the morning, Naoki, who had barely filled his stomach, began to think about his current situation.

For him, being transported to this world was certainly a good thing to be happy about, but in any world, the first priority was to fill his stomach before doing anything else.

Naoki cleaned the dishes and then sat at the desk to sort through the original owner's belongings.

As a wanderer, the original owner's backpack contained very few items.

Apart from a few sets of clothes for changing, there were only three packs of instant noodles and a pile of coins and banknotes.

Naoki counted the money, which totaled around 2300.

This amount of money was far from enough to support a trip; he would probably starve to death within a month.

After calculating the price conversion in this world, Naoki couldn't help but sigh.

Sigh, things were tough for him...

But thinking about the cute and powerful Pokémon from the anime, Naoki regained his spirits and determination.

"One step at a time!"

Perhaps it was because he hadn't had a good rest for a long time before being transported, or maybe this body was just too tired. After eating, Naoki soon felt an overwhelming wave of drowsiness.

He didn't resist, thinking that he could finally have a good sleep without worrying about being late for work or scrimping to pay off the mortgage. Tomorrow would be a new day.

Turning off the light and lying on the wooden bed, Naoki quickly fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, he was woken by a knock on the door.

Naoki opened his eyes wide, sat up nervously, and suddenly realized he had been transported to this world.

Relieved, he noticed the knocking continued.

Naoki, puzzled, got out of bed with messy hair, opened the door, and saw an elderly man standing outside, wearing a brown vest, slightly overweight, and a black top hat on his head.

The old man, who looked to be between sixty and seventy years old, smiled warmly when he saw Naoki.

Beside the old man stood a bipedal creature that resembled a lizard.

The creature's body was green and shiny, gleaming smoothly in the morning light. It had a tire-like structure around its neck, and a strong, dark green tail that swayed gently behind it, with a transparent white tip.

It was looking at Naoki with large, curious eyes.

Naoki was instantly drawn to it, recognizing it immediately as a Goomy (Pokémon).

The old man standing before him was the mayor of Zeqin Town.

The old man said, "I heard you said you would stay to manage this Ranch. I thought you might be unfamiliar with Ranch work and that cleaning alone would be exhausting, so I brought this child along."

Naoki was slightly taken aback, but after a moment of recollection, a memory surfaced in his mind:

Yesterday morning, when the original owner returned to the Ranch, he happened to meet the old mayor. The old mayor recognized him, and after a brief chat, said:

"This is the legacy your grandfather left for you. I knew you would come back one day, so I would come over to clean it up from time to time. Although it has been abandoned for many years, the house is still habitable. Stay here with peace of mind!"

The original owner politely thanked him.

The old mayor smiled, "When I was young, I was friends with your grandfather. I even held you as a child! This is the last thing your grandfather entrusted to me! I must hand the Ranch over to you!"

—The old mayor probably assumed the original owner was back to manage the Ranch, Naoki thought.

With this in mind, Naoki understood the current situation but was still puzzled by the Goomy (Pokémon).

Looking at the tall, thin young man before him, the old mayor felt a mix of pity and regret.

What a poor child! All his relatives were gone, and he was the only one left in this world.

After seeing him yesterday, the old mayor went home and brought his Goomy (Pokémon)'s child over.

First, to have the Goomy (Pokémon) stay by his side for company, and second, to help him manage the Ranch.

The old mayor sighed inwardly but asked warmly, "Can you take care of it for me?"

Naoki: "..."

As an adult, he immediately understood the old mayor's intention.

Naoki looked at the Goomy (Pokémon).

The Goomy (Pokémon) also looked at him with large, innocent, and curious eyes.

Goomy (Pokémon) is a dual Dragon-type Pokémon that has lived with people in the Paldea region since ancient times.

They are gentle by nature and, due to their fear of the cold, can warm their backs using human body heat, allowing humans to ride on their backs.

Thus, in the special region of Paldea, Goomy (Pokémon) also serve as a means of transportation.

Naoki couldn't think of a reason to refuse, as he also wanted a Pokémon of his own.

Getting a starter Pokémon from a local professor like in the anime seemed unlikely.

He didn't have any Poké Balls and couldn't capture wild Pokémon with just his fists and feet.

"Thank you, I will take good care of it," Naoki said.

Hearing this, the old mayor felt relieved and smiled, "Since that's the case, I'll entrust this child to you. Oh, by the way, since it's your first day at the Ranch, you're probably not familiar with the work here, right?"

Having been used to a 996 work schedule in his previous life, everything before him was indeed unfamiliar to Naoki.

"Yes," Naoki nodded, and at that moment, the question he had been pondering last night was answered.

With nowhere else to go, his only knowledge of this world came from the anime and games he had seen and played.

Given his current situation, staying here was the best choice, at least providing a place to shelter from the wind and rain.

The old mayor smiled, "In that case, let me show you around the Ranch! By the way, you left Paldea at the age of ten and settled in Hoenn, right?"

Naoki: "Yes."

The old mayor couldn't help but feel nostalgic, "Ten years have passed, time flies so quickly!"

The once prosperous and bustling scenes were still vivid in his mind, but now, after the bustle, the Ranch was left desolate and dilapidated.

Weeds and rocks had taken over the fields, and the Pokémon house, eroded by time, was left with only a skeleton, its shape barely recognizable.

The two walked through the Ranch, with Goomy (Pokémon) obediently following behind, secretly observing the human youth.

Naoki, having decided to stay and manage the Ranch, listened to the old mayor's words with great attention.

The old mayor's eyes were filled with nostalgia, and with every place they visited, his mind would recall the past.

"This land in front of us is the Ranch's farmland. A long time ago, various crops grew here, and in autumn, all kinds of fruits would be harvested."

"That house is where the Ranch owner lived. The large box next to it is the Shipping Box, where you can store harvested crops and milk."

"To the east of the Ranch, there is a valley where many gentle, small Pokémon live. You can go there to gather mountain goods and Berries, and put the things you don't need into the Shipping Box."

"Every afternoon at five, someone from the town will come to collect the items in the box and pay you. The goods will be delivered by specialists to Zeqin Market for sale."

"When you develop further, a dedicated truck will come to transport the goods. They will deliver the Ranch's products to various corners of the Paldea region, selling them to different people."

Naoki: "..."

What a Ranch story?

Fortunately, he had played farming games before and was familiar with this kind of content, so he quickly accepted these things.

At this moment, Naoki noticed an abandoned building surrounded by several large trees and weeds.

He couldn't help but ask, "What's that?"

The old mayor glanced at it and said regretfully, "That's the Ranch's Pokémon house. Your grandfather used to import several Miltank from the Johto region and raise them there."

At this point, the old mayor's brow furrowed, and he sighed, continuing, "After he passed away, your parents sold those Miltank to others, and the Pokémon house gradually fell into disrepair."

"However, you don't need to worry. Once you get the hang of it, you can go to the Carpentry Shop and ask them to help expand your residence and repair the Pokémon house."

"Oh, by the way, I've placed all the tools you'll need for the Ranch there."

The old mayor pointed to the shed behind the house and said, "An Axe for cutting trees, a Hammer for breaking rocks, a Hoe for farming, a Spray Bottle for watering, a Sickle for cutting grass, and a few packs of crop seeds suitable for spring planting. In short, this Ranch is now yours!"

"I hope you can take good care of the Ranch and restore its former prosperity. If you do, your grandfather will be very happy!"

Naoki fell silent for a moment and then nodded, "I'll do my best."

Hearing his response, the old mayor smiled, "Since that's the case, I won't say more. Please take good care of Goomy (Pokémon). It's very strong and will definitely help you manage the Ranch."

Hearing this, Goomy (Pokémon) let out a happy cry, "Goomy!"

The old mayor smiled and was about to turn and leave.

But before he had walked a few steps, he suddenly turned back, "One more thing!"

Naoki quickly replied, "What is it?"

The old mayor said, "You can keep the wood and stone materials you get from using the Axe. When you have enough money, you can send them to the Carpentry Shop to have them expand your residence and repair the Pokémon house, saving a lot of material costs!"

Naoki noted this down.

The old mayor took off his hat from a distance and said warmly, "I live in Zeqin Town. If you need anything, just come find me. Goomy (Pokémon) knows the way, and you can ride it to get there directly."

"Okay," Naoki nodded.

With that, the old mayor left.

It was the 198th year of the League Calendar, and spring had just arrived in the Paldea region, with the temperature not yet fully warming up.

Naoki and Goomy (Pokémon) stood at the door of the small wooden house, watching the old mayor's figure gradually disappear.

Once he was completely out of sight, Naoki turned to look at the shiny Goomy (Pokémon) beside him.

Although he was a novice, based on Goomy (Pokémon)'s appearance and demeanor, he could tell that it was very healthy and well-cared for.

Thinking about the magical nature of Pokémon, Naoki's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "Goomy (Pokémon)?"

"Goomy?" Goomy (Pokémon) turned to look at him.

Sure enough, it knew it was a Goomy (Pokémon).

Naoki asked again, "Can you understand what I'm saying? If you can, nod your head."

"Goomy~"

Sure enough, Goomy (Pokémon) nodded its head gently.

Just like in the anime, Pokémon can understand human language directly!

Naoki's heart was completely filled with a sense of novelty.

According to the setting, Pokémon are magical creatures with intelligence and emotions far surpassing those of ordinary animals.

Some Pokémon's intelligence and emotions are even comparable to humans.

Looking at Goomy (Pokémon)'s shiny skin, Naoki couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.

The feeling was different from what he had imagined. It wasn't as scary as touching a real lizard; instead, it felt like leather, similar to a motorcycle seat.

Goomy (Pokémon) didn't show any aversion to his touch but instead closed its eyes contentedly, looking very happy.

Naoki, imitating Ash from the anime, said to Goomy (Pokémon), "Goomy (Pokémon), please take care of me!"

"Goomy~"

After saying that, Naoki didn't know what else to say.

He retracted his hand, and his stomach suddenly growled.

Goomy (Pokémon) heard this and looked at Naoki's stomach.

Naoki felt a bit embarrassed and asked, "Have you had breakfast? I'm about to cook. Would you like to join me?"

"Goomy~"

Although Goomy (Pokémon) had already eaten breakfast, it was very happy to be invited by its new owner.

It nodded and followed Naoki back into the wooden house.

Looking at the wooden house, Naoki felt a different kind of emotion at this moment.

He took a deep breath, thinking that this would be his home from now on!

In his previous life, he had a 996 work schedule, but in this life, being a leisurely farmer wasn't bad.

Ranch life might be tiring, but at least he would be working for himself here.

A new life was about to begin. Naoki took a deep breath and looked at Goomy (Pokémon) beside him.

Just as he was thinking about not having a Pokémon to test his Golden Finger (special ability) last night, he received a Goomy (Pokémon) this morning.

Since that's the case, it's decided—Goomy (Pokémon)!

Naoki heated up some water, not oil, and prepared to cook a clear broth noodles to see what effect it would have, whether it would bring various magical benefits to Pokémon like in the game.

New book, new start, your support is greatly appreciated!

(End of Chapter)