Chapter 56: The Mysterious Stone Pillar

A Pokémon's innate quality varies, and this translates into different talents. While it may not be evident at lower levels, as they level up, these differences become clearer.

A Pokémon with high innate quality is superior in all aspects: learning, battling, and synchronization with its trainer, compared to a Pokémon of lower quality.

In essence, a Pokémon's innate quality almost always determines its maximum potential.

Returning to the main point, if this Gengar was placed here, then what Gastly said makes sense. Since it was stationed in this spot, it has been absorbing the Ghost-type energy that inhabits the area.

This was likely the main reason Umbra left Gengar here.

Gastly mentioned that this cave was originally brimming with Ghost-type energy, enough to sustain the entire colony. Even some Gastly with good innate quality could evolve into Haunter.

However, since Gengar's arrival, the energy in the cave began to decrease drastically. So much so that even those who had already evolved into Haunter reverted back to their former Gastly form, which is extremely harmful to a Pokémon.

Gengar, being the final evolutionary stage of Gastly and Haunter, naturally exerts great pressure on them. And moreover, this isn't just any Gengar; with such high innate quality, the Gastly—most of whom are of red quality—stand no chance of resisting its influence.

To avoid being absorbed by Gengar, the Gastly were forced to move to the outer areas of the cave. Even though the energy is much scarcer there, it's still something.

Cain carefully picked up the Pokéball marked with the "R" from his belt. The Pokéball's switch was already locked, obviously to prevent Gengar from coming out on its own and absorbing the surrounding energy.

As soon as he lifted the Pokéball, a thread of black mist began to float from the base of the pillar.

"Is this...? Such dense Ghost-type energy?" Cain observed the mist with curiosity.

As if confirming what Cain had said, the black mist was instantly absorbed by the Pokéball. Through the partially visible parts of the Pokéball, Gengar could be seen comfortably resting inside while absorbing the Ghost-type energy.

In Cain's system data, there was a small but noticeable improvement in Gengar's attributes, though it wasn't very significant.

"Did Umbra leave Gengar here to increase its level? Or perhaps to heal some injury?" These were the only reasons Cain could imagine for Umbra leaving Gengar in this place.

He didn't believe Umbra had left Gengar there just to test it.

However, this wasn't something Cain needed to consider. His mission was simply to take the Pokéball back.

Now, Cain wondered if he should try digging around the stone pillar to see what was producing such dense Ghost-type energy.

But after thinking it over, he decided not to.

First, because this place wasn't like Tyranitar's cave, where there were no other Pokémon to oppose his actions. The Gastly at the entrance were carefully watching Cain, worried that he might do something to affect their home.

If Cain tried to remove the pillar, the first to oppose him would be the Gastly. This pillar was their main source of sustenance. If it were destroyed, many Gastly would die, and those who survived would lose any chance of growth.

Additionally, Cain suspected that if Umbra, an elite-level trainer, hadn't touched the pillar, there was surely a good reason for it. If a trainer of his level had decided not to act, Cain also thought it best not to get involved.

In the end, Cain decided to leave the pillar alone, hoping that perhaps in the future he could return and discover more.

He placed Gengar's Pokéball back on his belt.

Seeing Cain put away the Pokéball, the Gastly, who had been holding back, slowly approached, deeply inhaling the Ghost-type energy that had begun to disperse into the air. This restored some of their vitality.

Meanwhile, Slowpoke, who had been by Cain's side the entire time, frowned.

Since Cain had picked up Gengar's Pokéball and the energy began to expand, Slowpoke had felt uncomfortable, as if it were being enveloped by an increasing heat that was slowly melting it.

"Thank you, young human," said the old Gastly sincerely.

Cain noticed Slowpoke's discomfort and suggested they continue the conversation outside.

The old Gastly also noticed Slowpoke's unease and followed them to the exit.

Once outside, Slowpoke finally relaxed, leaving behind the oppressive sensation it had experienced inside the cave.

"Young human, now that you've fulfilled what we asked of you, tell me, what is it that you're looking for?" asked the old Gastly, with a somewhat anxious tone.

Cain had a curious expression. At first, he didn't know that the old Gastly's request coincided with what he had already intended to do. But now that he had completed the task, the old Gastly was asking him what he was seeking.

"Well... Have you seen any stone about the size of a palm that contains a great amount of energy? It doesn't matter what type of energy, whether fire, water, electric... anything will do," Cain said after thinking about it.

He decided to take advantage of the situation and ask for something else.

(End of chapter)