Meanwhile, as Roy explored the game in another world, Kairos's original world was exploding with excitement over the sudden launch of Black Phantom.
In Iono's livestream, the screen went black. She had just lost to the Psychic-type gym leader once again.
"Ugh, I lost again!" Iono slumped back in her gaming chair with a long sigh, though her eyes were filled with serious contemplation.
"I definitely need to seize control of the Psychic terrain... Can't let her set up Trick Room... And that Mega Gardevoir, its Special Attack is way too high.
I need to either one-shot it or counter it with Dark-type moves... I think only my Raichu knows Crunch in my team."
She was frowning, studying her Pokémon's move pools and item builds, when she suddenly noticed that the barrage of comments from viewers suffering alongside her had shifted direction.
[Iono, Iono! Stop grinding Emerald! Check the platform! The new game, Black Phantom, just launched!]
[Holy crap, it's actually live! Didn't they just release a trailer?]
[That's insanely fast...]
[Iono, go play the new game! We want to see the new game!]
"Huh? Black Phantom... is live? What even is that?" Iono froze for a moment, quickly tabbing out of the game. Sure enough, on the game store's homepage, she saw the promotional image for Black Phantom with an "Buy Now" button.
Looking closer, she suddenly noticed something crucial: this game was from the same studio as Emerald!
They're already releasing a new game?!
Her heart skipped a beat.
Immediately, Iono felt torn. She had worked so hard to reach this point in Emerald, maintaining her spot in the top five of the leaderboard. If she switched to the new game now, would she fall way behind?
Emerald was so hot right now, with tons of skilled trainers playing. What if she got left in the dust?
But then again, this "Wind" studio couldn't be judged by normal standards. Emerald had progress leaderboards and physical rewards, so Black Phantom probably had them too!
Plus, as a product from the same studio, the new game might have new mechanics or even stronger Pokémon. Getting in early couldn't hurt.
Her progress in Emerald was stable for now, and Cynthia would probably need more time to clear the Psychic gym.
Taking this window to pioneer the new game seemed like a smart move. She could even come back later and ask Cynthia for tips on beating that gym.
"Alright, alright!" Iono clapped her hands, decision made, a smile spreading across her face.
"Since you all want to see it so badly, let's be pioneers for the new game! While we're at it, we can compare which one performs better. Hehe!"
[Yes! Didn't get to see you start Emerald from scratch, but now we can!]
[Buy it, buy it!]
[Won't the new game's difficulty be just as insane? The streamer might be in for another red screen marathon.]
The chat exploded with activity, reactions going wild.
Without hesitation, Iono quickly purchased the game and started downloading.
While it downloaded, she browsed the game description.
The details caught her off guard: "Full 3D," "Legend of Light and Darkness," phrases like that made her blink in surprise.
Why does this game feel... different somehow?
The game finished downloading and installing quickly. Iono couldn't wait to launch it.
When the polished title screen and opening cutscene appeared, the livestream chat instantly exploded.
Even though this world already had the gem that was Emerald, the visual impact of pixel art versus full 3D was on completely different levels.
The grand storyline and high-quality rendering showcased in the opening cutscene left all viewers in awe.
[This graphics quality! It really is 3D! So crisp!]
[The visuals are such a huge upgrade from Emerald!]
[The music hits different!]
[Wind Studio is incredible!]
[Who was it that kept hyping up Dream Factory's new game graphics? This blows that one away!]
Iono looked equally amazed.
"Whoa... this opening is even more detailed than the previous cutscenes."
"And there's so much information packed in. Is this a flashback narrative?"
After the opening story finished, she smoothly created her character and officially entered the game.
When the 3D-rendered Ancient Town appeared before her eyes, that sense of immersion was far stronger than Emerald's top-down view.
"Wow! This town is gorgeous! It feels even prettier than Littleroot Town where Emerald starts!"
Iono controlled her character, running all around town, chatting with NPCs, filled with fresh curiosity about everything.
When she entered her first Pokémon battle and chose Torchic as her starter, watching the adorable 3D-modeled Torchic unleash Ember with smooth, lively animation, her eyes lit up even more.
So cute! The animations are so fluid!
"This 3D conversion is amazing!"
Although the core gameplay was still Pokémon collection, training, and battles, the brand-new storyline, different starter choices, and completely upgraded visuals delivered a vastly different experience.
Iono quickly became immersed in exploring the new version of the game.
However, all of that was shattered in an instant.
At first, it was just one or two lonely comments sliding across the edge of the screen: [Iono, is there something glowing on the desk behind you?] Immediately after, similar questions spread like ink dropped into clear water:
[For real! There's a box glowing red!]
[When did that appear?]
[I just checked the recording. It appeared suddenly! Out of thin air!]
The pace of the chat suddenly accelerated, filled with exclamation marks and question marks, completely drowning out the game discussion.
"Huh? What's up, everyone? What's on my right..." Iono was focused on the grass on screen, instinctively turning her head toward where the chat was pointing most intensely, her voice relaxed and tinged with curiosity.
But when her gaze landed on the corner of her right desk, a spot that should have been empty, the rest of her sentence was cut off like a snipped thread.
Her voice vanished, leaving only her slightly widened eyes and unconsciously parted lips.
There, a sealed box made of some peculiar material with an obsidian-like sheen sat quietly on the desk.
Dazzling red light radiated continuously from its surface, gradually illuminating the surrounding walls.
And in the center of the lid, that familiar black "Wind" logo she'd come to know was clearly visible under the studio lights, gleaming with an obvious luster. Iono was completely stunned.
Her brain seemed to blank out for a moment, ears buzzing, the audience's boiling chat feeling distant and blurry.
Of course she recognized this box. This was the box used to deliver game rewards!
She had studied the last box with the same logo several times in private. That box of "Rare Candy" she'd carefully stored away still gave her an unreal feeling.
But... but last time it appeared silently on her desk!
This time, it happened during her ongoing livestream, in front of thousands upon thousands of watching eyes!
It just... appeared like that?
She whipped her head back toward the camera. After a brief silence...
"Uh, everyone... you all saw that, right?"
[We saw it! We all saw it!]
[Is it a Ghost-type Pokémon playing a prank?]
[Nonsense! Didn't you see that logo? It's Wind Studio's logo, no doubt about it!]
[This isn't special effects, right? Teleporting items?! This isn't even cutting-edge tech anymore, this is straight-up magic!]
[Open it, Iono! You're killing me here!]
[Recording! Recording!!]
The chat scrolled at a nearly frantic pace, with donations and super chats flooding the screen, all urging her to open the box.
Iono took several deep breaths before barely calming her racing heart.
Although Cynthia had warned her not to publicize the fact that the game gave out rewards, given the current situation, there was nothing she could do. In that case, might as well open it!
She reached out, fingertips touching the box's surface. It had a peculiar texture, smooth with a hint of coolness.
She carefully opened the lid. Inside, black foam padding perfectly cradled three items.
She didn't immediately grab them, instead letting the camera zoom in for a close-up.
On top of the foam were two neatly arranged packages of... candy?
They were wrapped in transparent material, square-shaped, at least a dozen pieces each.
Next to them were three slender glass vials containing crystal-clear, luminous blue liquid.
Even through the bottles, you could sense the powerful energy contained within. As they gently swayed, starlight-like glimmers flickered continuously.
But most eye-catching was a Poké Ball placed separately to the side. It was entirely black, but its surface bore complex blue markings that looked like circuit boards mixed with mysterious runes.
Those patterns even pulsed faintly with a breathing-like rhythm, flickering with ghostly blue light. Before Iono could observe carefully or think it through, many in the chat had already begun identifying these items.
[That's... Rare Candy from the game! Holy crap! Two containers! They look exactly like the icon in Emerald!]
[That blue potion, isn't that the Special Attack boosting item from the game?? There's a real version?]
[What the heck is that ball? Why does it look so badass?]
[Confirmed! This studio can directly send game items into reality!]
[No way, right? They're just models, aren't they?]
What no one knew was that at this very moment, a series of notifications only Iono could see had quietly popped up before her eyes:
[Player "Electric is Supreme," attention! This week's game progress leaderboard has been tallied!]
[Your ranking for this week is: 4th Place!]
[Excellent performance! Keep up the great work. Rewards have been distributed!]
[Congratulations! You have received: Commemorative Beast Ball x1, Basic Rare Candy x10, Special Attack Enhancer x3. Have a pleasant gaming experience!]
These rewards... seem way more generous than last time, huh?
Iono no longer had the mind to care about the chat, focusing all her attention on the rewards before her.
She reached out and first picked up that "Beast Ball."
The sphere was slightly heavier than expected.
That cool touch and the extremely subtle yet undeniably present energy fluctuations transmitted through her fingertips made her palm tingle slightly.
This was definitely not an ordinary model or craft item, but a genuine, usable Poké Ball.
But a Beast Ball. Why that name?
And those candies...
Her mind flashed back to the first time she received that jar of Rare Candy: that indescribable texture, that aura as if it contained the very essence of life... She knew these things were far from ordinary, but because of Cynthia's warning, she had never tried them.
Now, countless eyes around the world were watching her through the livestream.
Other top streamers' channels were probably experiencing similar chaotic situations.
She glanced at the split screen on her side monitor and, sure enough, several familiar streams had chat keywords that had turned into "Livestream accident?!" and "Wind Studio reward surprise during stream!" Obviously similar situations were occurring.
Nervous and excited emotions intertwined.
So... should she take this opportunity to test what these things actually do?
She set down the Beast Ball and picked up one jar of "Rare Candy," taking out a piece.
The candy gleamed enticingly under the lights, looking very appetizing.
She took a deep breath.
"Everyone, I know it might... contain power beyond our understanding, or it could just be a box of regular candy, so now... I'm going to give it a try."
She turned toward her Bellibolt, who had been quietly staying by her side, curiously tilting its head to examine these novel items.
Bellibolt's round body leaned closer, nose gently sniffing the candy in Iono's hand, letting out a puzzled little hum.
"Bellibolt..." Iono took a deep breath, holding the candy near its mouth, her tone becoming serious.
"Can you sense anything about this candy? Does it appeal to you?"
In the next moment, before Iono could say more, the chat reached a boiling point, nearly completely covering the screen:
[Eat it!]
[Eat it now!]
[Historic moment!]
[It won't actually work, will it? Witnessing a miracle!]
[Go, Bellibolt!]
Under countless watching eyes, Bellibolt seemed to sense the Rare Candy's attraction. Without hesitation, it opened its mouth and swallowed the faintly glowing candy in one gulp.
Time seemed to freeze for a second.
Then, something incredible happened!
A gentle yet incredibly clear white light surged from within Bellibolt's body without warning, instantly enveloping its round form!
This glow was so similar to the level-up effect in the game, but now it was happening in the real world!
Within the light, Bellibolt's size visibly expanded slightly and became more solid. Its skin's sheen seemed brighter too. Its normally gentle eyes flashed with a sharper, more powerful gleam the instant the light faded!
It called out comfortably: "Belli-bolt!" Its voice was resonant, and the energy waves emanating from its body were obviously much stronger than before! As a trainer, Iono felt it most clearly through the bond with her Pokémon: that was a significant breakthrough! A direct increase in power!
It leveled up?! Just like in the game! Its level increased!
Iono was dumbfounded.
So... all the rewards this game gives out are real???
At the same time, the chat completely exploded.
[HOLY CRAP!!!!!!]
[White light! That's the level-up white light! I saw it!]
[Not Photoshop! You can't fake a livestream! Bellibolt really got stronger!!]
[Game items can directly power up real-world Pokémon... What kind of dream am I having??]
[Guys, is it too late to start playing Emerald now??]