Chapter 13

"This 'Second-Level God' is incredible!"

Both Hu Tao and Xiangling recognized the importance of the term "God" as it appeared in the Pokédex.

A god! Anyone with that title must be a true powerhouse.

"Manager Takumi, why is it marked as a Level 2 God in the Pokédex?" Hu Tao asked, puzzled. "Isn't Cresselia a Legendary Pokémon?"

Hu Tao pondered over the information in the Pokédex, finding it more and more remarkable.

Especially when she compared Cresselia's extensive skillset with her own baby Gible's. Cresselia's moves like Aurora Beam, Lunar Dance, and Future Sight were on a completely different level.

"Why is it considered a Second-Level God?" she pressed.

Takumi replied calmly.

"Oh, well, there are strict divisions in strength among Legendary Pokémon, known as First-Level Gods, Second-Level Gods, and Third-Level Gods."

"The First-Level Gods include Groudon and Kyogre. When they awaken, they can cause widespread destruction."

"Third-Level Gods…" Takumi continued, "they're a bit less powerful—more like 'Demigods,' such as Articuno and Zapdos."

"They're comparable to Liyue's Adepti. For example, you might know Mondstadt's Wind Dragon, Dvalin? In its prime, when it wasn't tainted by the power of the Abyss, Dvalin was at that level."

Hu Tao and Xiangling were both surprised and intrigued.

As a traveler, Hu Tao often encountered many legends, and she was aware of Dvalin's existence from her visits to Mondstadt.

"Dvalin!" she exclaimed. "The protector of Mondstadt and follower of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon!"

Xiangling, too, knew about Dvalin from her travels to gather ingredients and hone her culinary skills.

The last known appearance of the Wind Dragon, Dvalin, was five hundred years ago when it fought alongside Barbatos against the Poison Dragon Durin and the Abyss Order.

At this, Xiangling grasped a piece of information from Takumi's words, her eyes widening.

"Wait, what?! Manager Takumi, are you saying that Dvalin was tainted by the power of the Abyss after that battle?"

Hu Tao, a bit dazed, glanced at Takumi's young face and murmured under her breath:

"Another handsome young guy who knows a bit too much…"

It was a subtle remark.

In Takumi, Hu Tao saw a similar depth of knowledge and wisdom as with her advisor, Zhongli.

"You two—" Takumi sighed, his head filling with exasperation.

Why had the conversation drifted from Second-Level Gods and Legendary Pokémon to Mondstadt and Dvalin?

Focus, please.

He tapped his fingers on the counter, reminding Xiangling with a smile.

"If we're not drawing your initial Pokémon, let's get on with it."

Oh! Xiangling snapped back to reality and looked eagerly at the blank Pokédex in Takumi's hands.

"Here you go," he said, handing it to her.

Xiangling took the Pokédex with reverence.

"How do I use it?" she asked.

Hu Tao chuckled from the side. "Here, just touch your finger here. There! Authentication successful!"

From the registration screen, it quickly switched to the interface for drawing an initial Pokémon.

"Now just tap the icon in the center…" Hu Tao guided.

"Start!"

Xiangling tapped on the screen, and immediately, her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she watched the flashing icons scroll across the screen.

When the screen stopped—

A bug-type Pokémon appeared.

Xiangling, usually full of confidence, looked deflated.

"Oh no… why?"

"Why did I get a bug Pokémon?!"

In just a few seconds, Hu Tao watched her friend's expression go from curiosity, excitement, and anticipation to the current state of stunned disappointment.

Drawing a bug as a starter Pokémon? It was enough to make anyone feel… well, a bit disheartened.

Hu Tao couldn't help but smirk, her eyes full of mischief as she taunted her friend:

"Look at you! Just now, on the way here—"

"You kept talking about how you'd draw a pseudo-legendary Pokémon…"

"Well, reality has a funny way of showing us the truth, doesn't it?"

Xiangling, feeling defeated, glanced at Takumi, who had been silently observing, and a glimmer of hope returned to her eyes.

"Manager Takumi, I remember that you can draw again for the initial Pokémon, right?"

Takumi nodded.

"That's right."

"In fact, not only can you redraw your initial Pokémon, but each customer who buys a baby Pokémon in our store has five chances to draw per week."

Xiangling felt as though she had been saved.

However, just as her finger was about to press the screen for a second draw, Takumi's next words stopped her.

"I think you might want to consider keeping this bug Pokémon."

"Because with the second, third, or even fifth draws this week," he added, "you might not end up with a better starter than this one."

"Of course, if your heart is set only on pseudo-legendary Pokémon, feel free to ignore my advice…"

Takumi wasn't one to lie to Xiangling.

His eyes glanced at the Pokédex in her hands. The name of the Pokémon displayed was:

"Larvesta!"