–+–
[Ogerpon has undergone sufficient training!]
[Ogerpon’s level has increased!]
[Ogerpon has reached Level 10!]
Thanks to the generosity of the Geodude leader, Ogerpon’s level jumped straight to 10.
Coupled with the 3 Effort Values earned from completing the mission, the total Effort Values in Sera’s hands surged to 8.
If she dumped all those points into Special Attack, she might actually be able to learn the Confusion move.
But Sera’s attention wasn’t on the points right now.
[Ivy Cudgel: Ogerpon’s signature move.
It strikes the target with a vine-covered club and has a high critical-hit ratio.
Power: 100.]
The young girl’s finger trembled slightly as she tapped the screen.
“How did my little demon grow up to be so impressive all of a sudden?”
No wonder the Geodude leader couldn’t hold on.
That Ivy Cudgel must have landed a critical hit, which is why the leader was sent flying like a baseball.
Sera wasn’t the only one shocked by Ogerpon’s prowess.
Inside the simulator, the Geodudes who had witnessed the battle were huddled together, shivering.
Even a head made of stone could feel fear—that was the power of Ivy Cudgel.
Especially since Ogerpon was still wearing the Teal Mask; as the mask’s manic expression turned toward the Geodudes, it scared them so badly they prostrated themselves on the ground, instantly hailing Ogerpon as the new ruler of Oni’s Maw.
[Ogerpon’s prestige has increased!]
“Oger-pon!”
Ogerpon, surrounded by the flattering crowd, didn’t seem to care much.
She raised her club and gave it a couple of swings, sending the Geodudes scurrying away in terror.
Only then did Sera realize the reason for the little demon’s actions based on a system prompt.
[Ogerpon wants to celebrate her victory with you.]
“Alright, alright…
come here and get some head pats.”
Sera let out a sigh of relief.
Although Ogerpon had suddenly mastered an incredible move, her behavior remained unchanged; she was still just as spoiled as ever.
Just then, the system delivered a new notification.
[Ding—]
[As Ogerpon has become the new leader of Oni’s Maw and gained widespread fame, more random events will occur in the future.]
[You have received a new raising mission.]
–+–
[Ogre of Oni Mountain – III]
After defeating the Geodude leader of Oni’s Maw, the demon has become the new sovereign.
To solidify her status, please continue to help Ogerpon reclaim her lost strength.]
[Mission Goal: Raise Ogerpon to Level 15.
Current progress: 10/15]
[Mission Reward: Effort Values x5, Raising Points x30]
–+–
The new task was a raising mission with no time limit.
After all, Ogerpon wouldn’t encounter a Geodude leader every day.
At a normal pace, leveling up once a day was already considered quite diligent.
Besides, wasn’t it about time to explore new maps?
Since Ogerpon had become the leader of Oni’s Maw, the Pokémon active in the vicinity should theoretically be under her protection.
Relying on “little minions” to grind for experience probably wasn’t the best long-term strategy.
—I’ll take Ogerpon out to scout for information tomorrow.
Sera made up her mind.
As for today, Ogerpon was completely exhausted; no matter how excited she was, it was time to rest.
[You support Ogerpon as she shares her feelings, and the two of you slowly make your way home.]
–+–
Kitakami, Mossui Town.
Carmine, who was in the backyard preparing to train her Pokémon, suddenly saw an object tumble down from the Oni Mountain behind the house.
“Wait—!”
A Geodude, much larger than the average, rolled down along the mountainside and into the distance.
Carmine didn’t even have time to stop it, but she caught a glimpse of what looked like bruises and scrapes on its body.
She was quite curious about why a Geodude would come tumbling down the mountain.
Logically, even if Geodudes collided with each other, that one shouldn’t have been covered in bits of broken grass and wood.
Are there Grass-type Pokémon on Oni Mountain?
Carmine hesitated for a moment.
“Wh—what’s going on?!”
Her younger brother, Kieran, stepped out of the house.
He had noticed the commotion, though he hadn’t seen the scene as clearly as Carmine.
“Sis, did something just happen?”
“Just a rock rolling down from the mountain,” Carmine dismissed it casually.
She thought of the legends about the “Oni” that had always circulated in the village.
It was precisely because she couldn’t explain the strange marks on the fallen Geodude that she couldn’t help but think of the Oni.
She knew her brother well; he had admired the Oni since he was small. The source of this chapter is g.com.
If he heard that she’d found potential traces of one, Kieran might get overly excited.
This kid had been a troublemaker since he was a child—even before he had a Pokémon partner, he would dare to venture into Oni Mountain alone to look for the Oni.
If he heard about this, he’d definitely run off into the mountains again.
It was already so late; Carmine couldn’t risk letting Kieran go up there.
—If there really is an Oni on the mountain, I’ll find a chance to investigate it myself.
If there truly was an Oni and she confirmed it was safe, she could find a time to tell Kieran later.
Carmine silently resolved to do so.
“Oh, right, Sis.” Kieran didn’t suspect a thing.
“Grandpa said he wanted to discuss your enrollment.”
“What else is there to discuss?
We already agreed we’d both be enrolling in Blueberry Academy.” Carmine frowned, her expression showing her annoyance.
Seeing his sister like this, Kieran shrank back, his tone weakening.
“Grandpa said…
I don’t necessarily have to go to school right now…”
“If you don’t go to school, you’ll just be stuck at home by yourself, won’t you?”
“I don’t think that’s a problem…”
“I think it is!”
Carmine glared, teeth gritted, her face looking so terrifying that Kieran was rendered speechless.
Seeing that her brother had no further objections, Carmine seemed satisfied and headed toward the house.
“I’ll persuade Grandpa.
In any case, just be ready to go to Blueberry Academy with me in a while.”
Only after Carmine’s figure disappeared behind the door did Kieran dare to let out a breath and mutter to himself.
“Honestly…”
His sister had been incredibly overbearing since they were young, always refusing to let him voice his own opinions.
Before long, he would be attending Blueberry Academy in the Unova region with her.
Although Carmine hadn’t convinced the family yet, Kieran knew that his strong-willed sister would eventually take him to Unova regardless.
While Kieran didn’t always think his sister was wrong, the feeling that his words held no weight still left him feeling a bit dejected.
Whenever that happened, Kieran would look up at the mountain behind the house.
“…If only I were as strong as the Oni.”
The boy’s face filled with envy.
“Someone who isn’t afraid of any challenge, who possesses the strength to easily defeat any opponent, and who never feels lonely even while living alone.”
“Kieran—!”
“Coming!”
Carmine’s call echoed from inside.
Kieran responded quickly, pushing aside his thoughts and opening the wooden door to step inside.