"We were attacked by a beast tide a few days ago in our territory. Although we managed to repel the beast tide through everyone's joint efforts, many houses were still damaged. So we need you to cut down some trees to repair the houses."
Leon pointed to the carts parked nearby.
"There are logging tools on the carts. Each of you push one. This time, I will go with you."
"Uncle Walter, please lead them to the city gate. I will bring Scyther over."
At this point, Walter also understood what Leon's solution to the timber shortage was. But would these noble guests from the divine realm really be willing to do hard labor like logging?
He was about to ask Leon when he saw the guests eagerly lifting the carts, already impatient to set off.
Walter immediately dismissed the thought of asking. It seemed that mortals like him could not understand the thoughts of those from the divine realm. From now on, he would just listen to Young Master Leon.
Leon also saw the players' actions and found it somewhat amusing, but he understood. When he used to play games and do quests, he was just as excited. To them, this was a virtual reality game.
"Alright, let's go. We'll meet at the city gate."
"Understood!"
The players quickly lifted the carts and eagerly followed Walter.
After seeing the players off, Leon didn't rush to find Scyther. Instead, he went to the study first. He planned to try the lottery.
The previous two main quests had rewarded him with six lottery chances, which he hadn't used yet.
He and the players were about to enter Glowfern Forest, where there were many Pokémon. Their relationship with humans wasn't good right now, and some might even hold grudges.
Although Scyther would be escorting them, Leon still wanted to try the lottery, hoping to get something useful, just in case.
"Let's try once first. Arceus, bless me to hit the jackpot on the first try! Go!"
[Congratulations! You have obtained Poké Ball ×3]
"Poké Ball?" Leon looked at the classic red-and-white ball in his hand, unsure whether to be happy or not.
If he was happy, this was just the most basic Poké Ball in the Pokémon games and anime, falling short of his expectations.
If he wasn't happy, that wasn't quite true either. After all, this was a groundbreaking invention in the Pokémon world, completely replacing the existing Beast Control Devices.
"Why only three? Can these even be made manually? I think they're made from Apricorns, right?"
But Leon was just thinking out loud. Not only did he have no idea how to make Poké Balls, but even if he did, he wouldn't dare mass-produce them.
His strength was still too weak, and he knew the saying, "Tall trees catch much wind." There were too many things to worry about.
"I'm still too weak. Too many things to consider. Forget it, let's not think about this. Keep drawing. Let's do a five-draw at once!"
[Congratulations! You have obtained Repel ×1, Small Exp. Candy ×5, Honey ×3, Poké Ball ×3, Sticky Glob ×5]
The panel displayed the uses of these items, which differed slightly from the games and anime.
The Poké Ball didn't need explanation. In the games, Repel prevented encounters with weak wild Pokémon for a certain number of steps, but the one he drew required manual spraying to drive Pokémon away.
The Small Exp. Candy worked the same as in the games, used to level up Pokémon, though the name was different and it didn't specify how much experience it gave.
Honey was used to attract wild Pokémon, while Sticky Globs needed to be thrown to hit Pokémon and restrict their movements.
Leon looked at the items in front of him, feeling a bit disappointed.
He had thought the ordinary quest rewards were basic items like Pokémon food and potions, so the good stuff must be in the lottery.
But while the items he drew were useful, they still didn't meet his expectations.
As if sensing Leon's thoughts, after the draws, the panel suddenly displayed a line of text:
[This draw was a Primary Lottery. Complete certain quests to unlock higher-level lottery chances.]
"Huh? There are higher-level lotteries? What can you get from those? How many quests do I need to complete to unlock them?"
Leon asked excitedly, but the panel didn't respond.
"Tch, I thought you could communicate like other people's cheat systems. Seems like this text was preset to appear after the first draw."
Though the panel didn't answer his questions, Leon's mood improved. No matter how many quests he needed to complete, at least there was hope.
"Let's not think about this. I should go meet up with the players and Scyther."
Leon put away the items he drew and went to find Scyther.
When he arrived at the resting room, he saw that Scyther's condition was much better than yesterday. Gone was the previous despondency, replaced by a fighting spirit in its eyes.
"You've really pulled yourself together, huh? Good! This is the never-say-die Scyther I remember. Can you still fight now?"
"Scy!" Scyther raised its scythe-like arms, indicating it was ready.
"Good! But before we set off, there's one more thing to do."
Leon took out a Poké Ball and said to Scyther:
"No matter what happens, don't resist. Trust me, okay?"
Though confused, Scyther nodded.
With Scyther's consent, Leon gently tossed the Poké Ball at it.
As the Poké Ball opened, Scyther turned into a red energy and was sucked inside, while the Beast Control Device on its body fell off.
The Poké Ball wobbled on the ground once, then made a "ding" sound.
"Yes! I caught Scyther!" Leon struck a pose with the Poké Ball.
It was a bit embarrassing, but it felt exhilarating. It fulfilled one of Leon's dreams.
Ahem. "Come on out, Scyther."
Leon glanced around guiltily, making sure no one saw his earlier antics, then released Scyther.
"Scy?!"
Scyther looked at the Poké Ball in Leon's hand in confusion the moment it came out.
It didn't understand how such a small ball could hold it, and the inside was surprisingly comfortable.
"This is a Poké Ball. You can rest inside anytime now. You don't need to wear the Beast Control Device anymore."
Scyther then noticed the Beast Control Device on the ground. It hesitated briefly but still hooked the device, gesturing for Leon to put it back on.
Given the trust between Scyther and Leon's father, the Beast Control Device had long been unnecessary.
The only reason it was still worn was to reassure the townsfolk.
But Leon was determined to change the relationship between humans and Pokémon. The Beast Control Device was a product of mutual distrust.
Humans would select young Pokémon and custom-make Beast Control Devices for them. If a Pokémon disobeyed, the device would administer electric shocks, needles, or other punishments.
After repeated punishments, Pokémon would develop psychological trauma. Even as they grew stronger, they wouldn't dare break free and would still obey human commands.
Leon couldn't accept such a device. As long as it existed, the relationship between humans and Pokémon would never improve.
He also wasn't worried about others growing suspicious of him for not using the device.
Though Beast Control Devices were mainstream, many people chose not to use them or couldn't afford them.
Seeing Leon's firm refusal, Scyther didn't insist. It also found the device uncomfortable, limiting its full strength.
"I remember the Legends: Arceus game had wooden Poké Balls in ancient times. Is the era I'm in even older than that? Or is this a parallel world?"
"Forget it, no use overthinking. Let's go, Scyther. Time to meet those adorable players."
"Scy!"
(End of Chapter)