It went “ding” for quite a while.
Yet, all I actually got was this single Poké Ball.
Edward looked at the Poké Ball in his palm—it was so small his hand could barely hold it, yet it was the thing he had been pining for for a month.
He fell into a state of confusion.
Ecstasy, excitement, doubt, bewilderment…
He still knew nothing about this secret realm of his.
What is this secret realm?
Is it simply a golden finger?
Or is it a special magic created by his heart’s desire after he transmigrated to this world?
Or perhaps this really is a space somewhere in the Pokémon world, and for some reason, a gateway between the two worlds was opened here?
Just like those otherworldly invasions.
And he, by chance, became the master of this portal?
…
How could he ever figure this out just by thinking about it?
It would only add to his troubles.
Edward didn’t want to go bald while he was still young.
So, instead of pondering those ethereal things, he should focus on the present and think about happy things!
For example…
Who should he choose as his first Pokémon?!
If we’re talking about the one he has the best relationship with.
That would definitely be Tyrogue.
But its move pool is too shallow.
And it doesn’t know any cool elemental moves; using it as proof of being a Beast Master…
it’s a bit lacking.
Hmm.
Edward had thought about it.
Regardless of whether he has magic power or can learn magic.
As long as he has a Pokémon.
He would be enough to pose as a Holder-type Mage!
Thereby joining the guild, and taking on some simple quests to earn some pocket money!
In fact, in this world, the biggest threshold for becoming a Mage isn’t the settings commonly seen in novels: magic power, mental strength, or incantations.
It’s a heart that dares to adventure.
Edward remembered that there was someone from another world in the Fairy Tail Guild; he truly dared to get a tattoo on his face, and he truly had zero magic power.
Yet, relying on his equipment, he became one of the strongest candidates in Fairy Tail.
As a master of a secret realm, he shouldn’t be any worse than that, right?
Besides, he had over-fulfilled the mission, and the rewards had increased several times over.
Yet they only gave him one Poké Ball, and he has to rely on himself to catch Pokémon.
Would it kill you to just give me a starter Pokémon?!
Edward walked through the jungle.
He summoned the panel.
Browsing the 41 Pokémon listed with a friendship level above 60.
Among them, Tyrogue topped the list with a commanding 89 points.
However, Edward, being the pragmatic guy he is, directly ignored the top-ranked brother.
He silently scrolled down.
Because this area is all jungle.
Naturally, 90% of the list consists of Grass-type and Bug-type Pokémon.
And then, because there is a lake.
Edward had also fed a Magikarp, and raced a Poliwhirl in swimming, gaining some friendship points.
“Should I just choose this Poliwhirl?”
“But the friendship level is barely 60… Will it come with me?”
“Or should I use violent means? Or trick it with a bet?”
“Actually, the range has expanded and new terrain has been unlocked; should I go check it out first?”
…
Ever since he completed the novice quest and became the master of the secret realm.
Edward had gained this benefit.
A mini-map.
Although it was just a very simple radar map.
But at least it marked the location of the portal, as well as the lake and the cave.
In addition, his previous base was also specially marked.
Probably because it was afraid he wouldn’t be able to find it after the range of activity expanded.
Just on this point, it was actually quite user-friendly.
Edward didn’t have much luggage, but there were Pokémon, like Tyrogue, that would run over to play with him.
Even if he planned to move to live near the portal.
He had to say hello, didn’t he?
Unknowingly.
The night had completely darkened.
Fortunately, this body’s night vision was also extremely strong.
Plus, the weather here was mostly clear skies with bright moons and sparse stars.
So even when traveling through the jungle at night.
Edward wouldn’t be like a blind man.
Hoothoot~
A Hoothoot standing on one leg stared with its dull, large red eyes, looking suspiciously at Edward.
It tilted its large head—where one couldn’t tell the body from the head—and watched Edward until he disappeared from its sight.
Don’t get lost~
…
Rustle~
Leaves rustled, making sounds.
Edward couldn’t tell if it was the wind blowing or the footsteps of an Ariados.
He didn’t care.
With an agile crouch, he dodged a Spinarak that had suddenly hung down from a tree, trying to scare him with the pattern on its back.
The next moment.
Edward’s view suddenly opened up!
The tall, dense trees were gone.
Beyond a ten-meter dirt clearing was a huge, straight rock wall.
There was no slope and no mountain path.
Even with Edward’s current physique, he would most likely not be able to climb it.
He shook his head; although every man has a dream and hobby of climbing peaks.
But he decided to temporarily abandon this unrealistic idea.
Edward took a look at the radar.
It showed that the cave was very close, on the right-hand side of his current location.
He searched carefully.
Sure enough, he soon saw a small hole that even a child would have to hunch over to crawl into.
“Damn it! Trying to make things difficult for me?!”
“Edward has wandered all his life! He has never bent his knees to anyone!”
“You want me to crawl?!”
“Fine, I’ll crawl then…”
Edward endured the humiliation and crawled into the hole, but after hunching forward for ten meters, his view suddenly opened up.
The cave was spacious and deep.
Looking around, it was all stone.
Yes.
The cave was actually quite bright, even brighter than in the forest.
It seems the concern about not having a flash spell on the way was temporarily resolved.
Although Edward didn’t know where this light came from.
But, well, it’s the Pokémon world.
It’s reasonable for there to be some bizarre phenomena.
“Machop! Machop!”
Edward explored carefully.
Soon, he discovered the first type of Pokémon in this new terrain.
Just as he expected—Geodude!
The appearance of Geodude was quite intimidating.
After all, living rocks aren’t something you can just see anywhere, even in a world of magic.
Pity, if it were the Alola form, Edward might have considered it.
The ordinary one…
is just too ordinary!
Edward guessed that the Poké Ball was probably a very important and precious item.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have only given him one ball after he over-fulfilled the mission.
Edward also guessed.
No matter how high the friendship level with wild Pokémon is, whether it’s maxed out or off the charts, they cannot be taken to the outside world.
But those he captures can be.
This might be the reason why the administrator is so stingy.
Finally.
Edward guessed that his Poké Ball wasn’t a one-time item like in the games.
Where it’s gone if you fail.
But all of the above were just guesses!
He didn’t dare to gamble!
So…
He had to be cautious, cautious, and even more cautious!
…
Geodude…
Cubone…
Geodude…
Diglett, Diglett, Diglett, Diglett!
More damn Diglett!
Oh?
Sandslash!
Sandslash is quite good, but again.
It would be even better if it were the Alola form.
Ice/Steel is hated by everyone in the games.
But in reality, it’s definitely not calculated like that.
The main thing is that it’s cool enough…
He continued to go deeper.
During this time, it’s not that Edward wasn’t attacked by Pokémon with strong territorial instincts, or those that were aggressive, or just liked to be annoying.
But he dealt with them all in turn.
Machop, Machop…
a whole group of Machop?!
So you guys actually live here!
Although to outsiders, Pokémon of the same species all look identical.
But as long as you have the heart and love.
It’s still easy to find individual characteristics and differences.
Just like how owners of cats and dogs can recognize their own pets among the same breed.
Edward recognized at a glance, among the group of Machop, the little clique that had once bullied Tyrogue; after all, a Shinny Machop is certainly very rare and very conspicuous.
“Machop?!”
And those few Machop obviously recognized the Pokémon that had knocked them all down in one go back then.
Their expressions panicked, subconsciously thinking that Edward had come to seek revenge!
They hurriedly started gesturing wildly to their companions.
“Machop! Machop!”
“Machop? Machop?!”
“Machop… Machop!”
Edward:…
As expected, he couldn’t understand them at all.
He shook his head, turned around decisively, and changed direction to continue looking for a target.
Since it’s a real world.
Then as long as he has enough patience.
He will definitely be able to grind for a Pokémon with high base stats.
The Pokémon Edward had a deep impression of being able to encounter in caves was Zubat…
pfft!
It’s Beldum, Riolu, Charmander…
and those fossil Pokémon!
And land is not like the water.
He remembered the moment that Dragonair locked eyes with Edward, it went “piu” and vanished, sending out ripples.
If it’s on land.
Edward can let these Pokémon see what it means to fawn, no, what it means to be persistent!