While the four Pokémon played together, Shiryu checked the system interface.
Aron was the fifth different species he had caught for the ranch, which meant one of his quests was finally complete.
[Quest Complete: Catch More Varied Ranch Partners.
(5/5)]
[Rewards obtained: Special Move — Steel Beam and 10 Luxury Balls.]
[New Side Quest: Catch More Varied Ranch Partners.
(5/10)]
[Quest Description: A thriving ranch needs many different kinds of Pokémon.
Catch more species to make the ranch more complete.]
[Quest Reward: 3 Metal Coats and 10 Luxury Balls.]
[Note: “Varied Ranch Partners” refers to different Pokémon species.
The separate Wooloo quest requires ten Wooloo, but Wooloo still counts as only one species for this objective.
The same rule applies to other Pokémon.]
…
“Steel Beam!”
Shiryu’s eyes lit up.
Steel Beam was one of the strongest Steel-type attacks available.
Aside from signature moves such as Tinkaton’s Gigaton Hammer and Jirachi’s Doom Desire, there were very few Steel-type moves that could rival it in raw power.
Doom Desire belonged exclusively to Jirachi, which left Steel Beam as one of the most powerful Steel-type moves an ordinary Pokémon could actually learn.
Naturally, that kind of power came with a serious drawback.
Steel Beam condensed tremendous Steel-type energy throughout the user’s body before releasing it as an immensely powerful beam, but the strain inflicted heavy damage on the user as well—roughly half of its maximum HP.
It was the very definition of a high-risk, high-power move.
Definitely not something to throw around carelessly.
Still, having such a powerful finishing move available could make an enormous difference in a critical battle.
“Have Beldum learn Steel Beam.”
Shiryu didn’t hesitate.
A flash of white light enveloped Beldum, and the floating Pokémon seemed to suddenly understand something new.
Shiryu walked over.
“Beldum, want to try that move you just learned?”
“Beldum~?”
Beldum seemed slightly confused, yet the method of using Steel Beam had already appeared naturally in his mind.
He focused.
Steel-type energy began gathering throughout his body.
Several seconds later, Beldum suddenly fixed his gaze straight ahead.
The accumulated energy compressed into a brilliant white beam.
Boom!
The blast erupted forward with astonishing force and struck a huge boulder near the edge of the forest.
Bang!
The instant Steel Beam hit, the entire boulder shattered.
Fragments of stone scattered in every direction while a cloud of dust rolled into the trees behind it.
Shiryu stared at the destruction.
“That strong?
So this is what Steel Beam can do?”
He was genuinely stunned.
Beldum was only Level 13.
Was a Pokémon at Level 13 really supposed to be capable of producing something like that?
And if Beldum eventually evolved all the way into Metagross and grew far stronger…
Shiryu could already picture it standing in a massive battle stadium someday, firing Steel Beam straight through an opponent’s defenses and overwhelming them head-on.
“That’s insane…”
Of course, the power came at a price.
Beldum had lost roughly half his HP from the recoil and looked visibly exhausted after firing the attack.
Shiryu immediately placed a hand on his head.
Viridian Power flowed into Beldum, restoring both his strength and vitality.
After a short while, he was once again floating with his usual energy.
“Beldum~”
“That move is incredibly strong, but unless you really need it, don’t use it.”
“Beldum~”
Beldum bobbed his head in agreement.
The recoil had hurt far more than he’d expected.
Using Steel Beam had been practically torture.
…
Inside the wooden house, Shiryu started preparing dinner while the sky gradually darkened outside.
The Wooloo still hadn’t returned.
Meanwhile, Beldum, Drilbur, Zigzagoon, and Aron were relaxing together on the haystacks, getting more comfortable with one another.
For dinner, Shiryu decided to make tomato and scrambled eggs over rice.
It was one of his best dishes, simple but especially good with rice.
He first dropped the tomatoes into hot water for fifteen seconds, removed them, scored a shallow cross into the skin with a knife, then returned them to boiling water for another ten seconds.
Once he took them out again, the skins peeled away almost effortlessly.
After peeling the tomatoes, Shiryu chopped them into small pieces and heated a pan.
This time, he had actual vegetable oil rather than the pitiful instant-noodle seasoning oil he’d been forced to use the night before.
He added an appropriate amount to the pan, then cracked several eggs into a bowl, sprinkled in a little fine salt, and quickly beat them with chopsticks until the mixture turned an even golden yellow.
The beaten eggs went into the hot oil and immediately began to set.
Shiryu quickly cooked them until they were just firm, removed them from the pan, then added the chopped tomatoes and stir-fried them over high heat.
About half a minute later, the eggs went back into the pan.
He broke them apart and tossed everything together several times before seasoning the dish with salt, MSG, black pepper, and oyster sauce.
Once the sauce had reduced, Shiryu scattered a little chopped green onion over the top and switched off the heat.
He filled a bowl with rice, spooned the tomato and egg mixture generously over it, and took in the aroma rising from the finished meal.
It looked and smelled exactly as good as he’d hoped.
The system immediately displayed its evaluation.
[Tomato and Scrambled Eggs over Rice — C-Rank Dish]
[A lower-mid-grade home-style dish made from ordinary ingredients.
Its appealing color, aroma, and flavor demonstrate that the cook possesses a reasonable level of skill.
Provides basic nourishment while also improving the diner’s mood.]
[Cooking Effect: Satiety Lv.
1, Happiness Lv.
1 — Satisfies hunger while pleasing the palate.]
[Pokémon Effect: Satiety Lv.
1, Bond +1%.]
[Evaluation: Creating a delicious and well-balanced dish from such common ingredients is no small accomplishment.
Its flavor is capable of genuinely lifting the diner’s spirits.
Even if the cook becomes a master chef someday, this meal may remain a fond memory.]
…
“I didn’t expect my tomato and eggs to get such a good review.”
Shiryu hadn’t even taken a bite yet, and somehow he already felt happier.
“Beldum~”
“Drilbur~”
“Zigzagoon~”
“Aron~”
A moment later, all four Pokémon rushed inside from the haystacks.
Apparently, the smell had drawn them in.
“You want some too?”
Shiryu laughed at the four hungry faces and filled a bowl for each of them, topping every serving with tomato and scrambled eggs.
Fortunately, he’d anticipated this and cooked extra.
Otherwise, there probably wouldn’t have been enough left for him.
The four Pokémon eagerly ate Shiryu’s cooking, each enjoying the meal immensely.
Their bond with Shiryu increased once again.