Chapter 7: Viridian City  

---

"Your luck is really amazing. You actually captured a shiny Magikarp. Plus, Magikarp's Water Gun attack is a natural counter to Charmander. I lost this battle unfairly. But where did you catch this Magikarp? I searched this forest thoroughly and didn't find it."

"Also, your tactics are really amazing... There is no place for water Pokémon to stay nearby. You actually used a concave terrain to let Magikarp use Water Gun so that it could fight on land! If it were me, I would never have thought of this!"

Although she lost the game, Mia was not discouraged. Instead, she asked Gary where he caught the shiny Magikarp. A trace of envy flashed in her eyes.

"It's right by the stream. You didn't see it because it hadn't reached that place at that time. Let's talk while walking. It's getting dark. Let's hurry to Viridian City first. I've been camping outside for a few days along the way. I don't want to camp outside again." Hearing Mia's words, Gary smiled slightly and urged her to hurry up.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Let's take a rest first. I've been wandering around in the forest these days. My legs are almost broken. I really can't walk anymore." Seeing Gary urging her to hurry up, Mia rolled her eyes at him.

"It's not your fault. We asked you to exercise at the beginning. I don't know who asked us to do it. You gave us a different reason every day without repeating it. Now you can't walk anymore. You deserve it." Hearing Mia groaning, Gary couldn't help but complain about her.

"How dare you say that? Don't you see what time it was when you called me? Five in the morning, okay? Only you could think of getting up to exercise at that time."

"Okay, okay, you're so good that I can't beat you. Can't I wait for you to rest?"

Mia's eloquence is first-class. Gary just couldn't help it for a while, so he complained about her. If he thought more about the experience of being dominated by Mia's eloquence when he was a child, he would never complain about her.

"That's right."

Seeing Gary agree to rest, Mia smiled happily.

"I was really crazy to complain about her."

However, some people are happy, and some are sad. Gary shook his head helplessly.

After resting for about an hour, Mia still didn't want to leave, but Gary really couldn't stay any longer. He stood up and looked at Mia: "We have rested for an hour. If we are late, we really can't make it to Viridian City."

"There's nothing wrong with camping in the forest. On the contrary, I think camping outdoors is a great thing. Being close to nature, I feel that my whole body and mind are relaxed."

Hearing Gary urging her again, Mia spoke calmly.

"If you don't leave, I will leave."

Seeing that he was talking about moral principles again, Gary turned a deaf ear, stood up, put on his backpack, and walked towards Viridian City.

"Don't leave me alone, I'll get up now." Seeing that Gary really left, Mia panicked, stood up quickly, and chased after him.

"You didn't leave, so why did you catch up?"

Looking at Mia who caught up with him, Gary glanced at her and said lightly.

"Hmph."

Mia was so angry at this moment, she snorted coldly.

Seeing Mia like this, Gary didn't care and secretly thought, "Little guy, can't I cure you?"

---

"Ding."

"It is detected that the host has arrived in Viridian City, and the following options are now provided for the host to choose."

"Option 1: Challenge Viridian Gym Leader Giovanni, obtain the gym badge, and be rewarded with a T-shirt."

"Option 2: Give up the challenge to Viridian Gym Leader Giovanni, and be rewarded with a Charmander."

"Don't say anything, I choose the second option."

Looking at the options given by the system, Gary was already a little numb and made his choice in his mind.

He figured it out. Anyway, this choice is always the same: choose whatever is the safest. This choice not only has low risks but also rich rewards.

"It's getting late today. Let's go to the Pokémon Center in Viridian City to rest for a night and set off tomorrow. What do you think?"

Looking at Mia who was looking around, Gary said.

"I can do anything. Just decide."

Looking left and right, Mia waved her hand and let Gary decide for himself.

"Okay, let's go."

Hearing what Mia said, Gary nodded and walked towards Viridian City.

Mia followed behind him, looking around, and seemed to be very curious about everything around her.

"You two, stop. Routine inspection. Show your ID card."

Just as the two were about to enter Viridian City, a figure stopped them.

The figure was wearing a police uniform and had an upright posture. It was Officer Jenny.

"Officer Jenny, this is my Pokédex."

Gary was naturally very familiar with Officer Jenny. After all, the Jennys were a big family. They, along with Nurse Joy, often appeared in the anime. Because of this, Gary had a very deep impression of them.

"So you are a new trainer. You can go through. However, Viridian City has not been very peaceful recently. You'd better be careful."

After taking the Pokédex, Officer Jenny fiddled with it for a while and then smiled and handed it back to Gary.

Then Gary walked into Viridian City.

Mia, who was behind him, was still looking around at this time. She didn't notice what Gary had done before. When she saw Gary leaving, she hurriedly followed him.

"Little girl, routine inspection. Please show your ID card."

Gary was able to pass because of the Pokédex, but Mia didn't give Officer Jenny anything, so Officer Jenny naturally couldn't let her in.

"Ah?"

Being stopped by Officer Jenny, Mia looked at her in a daze and asked in confusion, "What ID card?"

"Are you stupid? The Pokédex."

Seeing this, Gary reminded her.

"Oh, the Pokédex is here."

Hearing Gary's words, although Mia was still a little confused, she still took out the Pokédex.

Seeing Mia take out the Pokédex, Officer Jenny took it, fiddled with it again, and then smiled and said: "No problem, but little girl, you have to be careful in the future. Don't be distracted when walking. If something happens, it will be bad."

"Okay."

Hearing Officer Jenny's words, Mia nodded.

Then, the two walked into Viridian City.

"What happened just now? I'm so confused."

Walking into Viridian City, Mia was still confused when she thought of what had just happened.

"What can I say to you? Officer Jenny just did a routine check, but you didn't care about anything and just walked straight in. If Officer Jenny didn't stop you, who would?

"The Pokédex is the most powerful proof of identity. It contains our personal information. It is issued by Pallet Town. Don't forget it!"

Seeing Mia's confused look, Gary smiled bitterly.