Chapter 7

[Main Quest: A Trainer's Beginning, Completed]

[Reward: Ability - Talent Detection (Pokémon)]

Upon completing the main quest, a new ability titled "Talent Detection" was added to Dak's personal panel. This ability didn't display any level, presumably indicating it didn't have tiers or advanced levels.

[Main Quest Updated]

[Main Quest: The First Lesson in Breeding - Crystal Making]

[Objective: Prepare materials and follow the guide in "Breeder: From Rookie to Master" to successfully handcraft a quality Pokémon Crystal.]

[Reward: Shop Expansion - Crafting Area and Living Quarters]

"Expansion is possible after all. I must complete this task as soon as possible, ideally within the next few days, or I'll have nowhere to sleep," Dak noted, not particularly surprised. The inclusion of living quarters was critically necessary, as his shop currently lacked even the basic amenities like a bathroom or a place to sleep.

His daily tasks remained unchanged, simple tasks ideally completed before heading to the Moby Dick, hoping to enlist some assistance from the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Open the Magical Shop."

With a silent command, a panel materialized before Dak.

[Balance: 0 Magical Coins]

Magical Coins serve as the currency for transactions in the Magical Shop and to operate the Magical Roulette, with an exchange rate of 10,000 Berries for 1 Magical Coin.

The shop displayed an overwhelming array of items, from specific Pokémon eggs to related gear, including rare items like Plates, Orbs, and specific Mega Evolution stones. However, some items appeared to have been modified. For instance, the Revival Herb, typically effective only on Pokémon, could now be used on humans, omitting the side effect of decreased affection.

[Revival Herb: Capable of restoring health fully as long as there's a breath left.]

Other items, if released, would surely cause a frenzy across the seas, such as:

[Phoenix's Tear: Capable of resurrecting the dead.]

"Close."

Dak wasn't overwhelmed with excitement, as these items were beyond his current purchasing power. However, the potential they represented seeded numerous ideas about altering the current world's situation in his mind.

"Let's test the new ability," Dak decided, shaking off the multitude of thoughts and focusing on the eggs below the tree.

[Talent Detection]

- [Green]

- [Blue]

- [Purple]

- [Green]

- [White]

- [Purple]

- [Blue]

- [Green]

- [Blue]

With 1 white, 3 green, 3 blue, and 2 purple readings, green and blue represented the most common talents among the Pokémon eggs.

Dak, observing the colors emanating around the eggs, frowned slightly. This ability was somewhat lackluster compared to his expectations. He had hoped it would reveal more about the unborn Pokémon rather than merely their talent levels, which were indicated only by colors.

"It seems this ability is merely for setting prices for the different Pokémon eggs more effectively."

Approaching the eggs, Dak picked up the one showing a 'white' aura, indicative of the lowest talent level, and felt slightly annoyed.

In his view, Pokémon's futures were limitless, and their 'talent' shouldn't constrain them.

"System, does 'talent' indicate the limit of a Pokémon's potential?"

Holding the green egg gently, Dak asked somewhat unwillingly.

[Talent does not indicate a Pokémon's limit. Pokémon's limits are 'infinite'. 'Talent' only signifies the degree of returns from their efforts, essentially their 'progress rate'.]

Hearing this explanation, Dak immediately smiled in relief. This aligned more closely with his understanding of Pokémon.

Returning the egg to its place, Dak felt somewhat reassured.

"What exactly do the talent levels are?"

[White - Green - Blue - Purple - Orange - Gold - Red. Pokémon's talent can be improved by purchasing items from the Magical Shop.]

Dak, considering the array of eggs, pondered over the pricing structure.

"White at 100,000; Green at 1,000,000; Blue at 10,000,000; Purple at 100,000,000; Orange at 1,000,000,000; Gold at 10,000,000,000; Red, we'll see when we get there."

He nodded to himself, feeling the pricing was reasonable. Lower tiers were aimed at common folk who sought Pokémon companions out of loneliness or for practical assistance, not ambition. Such Pokémon wouldn't need to feel pressured to surpass their natural talents.

"Pricing strategies before and after Pokémon hatch must differ. After birth, a Pokémon's personality, attributes, and traits become clear, so each Pokémon will have a distinct price. Most importantly, the Pokémon's own wishes are crucial."

After hatching, Pokémon gradually develop their own wills. Some may wish to leave the breeding house, while others might prefer to stay with Dak. Hence, the choice would not solely be the customer's but a mutual selection.

Only when both the Pokémon and the customer find agreement would Dak consider the sale price, adjusting it based on the customer's financial situation. If someone was genuinely impoverished but the Pokémon wished to accompany them, Dak would set the price at the minimum of 100,000 Berries.

Dak silently established this set of rules in his mind.

"Darkrai."

"Dark?"

Emerging from Dak's shadow, Darkrai appeared, still not entirely cheerful.

Using "Talent Detection" on Darkrai revealed a gold aura, nearly blinding Dak.

Yet, when Dak checked the panel, Darkrai's level was at 100.

"System, can Darkrai's level no longer increase?"

[Darkrai has reached the power limit of the One Piece world. Due to the unique nature of its 'Dark Void' ability, further growth could disrupt the spatial order of this world, thus it is world-limited. Returning to its original world would allow its level to continue increasing; currently, Darkrai is equivalent to level 85 in its original world.]

[Even if it cannot level up, Darkrai can still enhance its combat power by learning or mastering powers from this world.]

"Original world means Pokémon world, right? But level 85?"

Dak was surprised. He had thought Darkrai would be at the top in the Pokémon world, but it seemed there was still a gap. However, he believed the system would help Darkrai reach that level, and with Darkrai's talent, it shouldn't be too difficult.

"Darkrai, let's bathe the eggs."

"Dark?!"

(End of Chapter)