Midnight.
Baimu lay horizontally on the bed, staring blankly at the mottled ceiling after returning from a dinner party.
The overstuffed Aron leaned against his left calf, curled up obediently, and closed its eyes to take a nap.
"There are quite a few things to do..."
He glanced at the countdown on the simulator, which still had nearly more than two days remaining.
Among the rewards obtained so far, the clue should have already been fulfilled, leaving just the two 'Level 30 downgrade by one' rewards, along with the move [String Shot].
The upgrades had yet to be used. As for the moves, they were tested on Aron. [String Shot] indicated a learning failure, and [Brute Force] prompted a [Yes/No] dialog box, which he decisively chose Yes.
This undoubtedly proved that Pokémon could only learn the moves from their skill pool.
Very unfortunate.
It would be interesting to see an Aron that could use String Shot.
As for its condition, Baimu had already learned about it through the Pokémon Center.
[Pokémon: Aron]
[Attributes: Steel + Rock]
[Gender: Male]
[Height: 47cm / Weight: 50kg]
[Trait: Hard Head]
[Level: 28]
[Moves: Tackle / Harden / Mud Shot / Metal Claw]
[Iron Wall / Fierce Charge / Iron Head / Digging / Brute Force]
Although its height is a bit tall, its weight is noticeably low, so the doctor said it was malnourished, and there were some issues with the metal layer on its body surface, which appeared pitted and required further care.
Just like raising cats and dogs in its past life, Pokémon also had differences between meticulous and rough care. Reasonable nurturing methods helped to enhance their will, confidence, and combat power.
Additionally, the doctor noted that it was still young, and its move pool, level, and responsiveness indicated it had been nurtured attentively.
As for why it was abandoned... unless Aron actively spoke about it, Baimu wouldn't delve into it, as it was not a pleasant topic.
"Come on up and sleep."
He got up and moved Aron onto the bed, using the level rewards.
Once the level exceeded 30, it couldn't be used. At this moment, it was the time to maximize efficiency.
"Goo?"
Aron blinked in confusion, moving its body slightly, feeling inexplicably hot and itchy in many places, and it couldn't help but want to kick and roll around.
It was quite similar to the feeling after previous battles.
Baimu softly asked, "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
"Goo!"
Aron shook its head, thinking it might just be the rare occasion of being too full, instinctively wanting to have a bout or something.
However, seeing Baimu looking a little tired, it discontinued its idea of exercising, quietly lying down to welcome the next day.
One would think that it hadn't interacted with humans for a long time and would be unaccustomed, but these past few days had been happier than expected, making Aron realize how easily satisfied it was and started looking forward to the future.
There should be battles tomorrow, right? It hadn't seriously moved for a while, and wondered if it could make Baimu satisfied...
Thinking of this, Aron gradually fell asleep.
Baimu gently patted its head, hearing its faint breathing, feeling gradually relaxed and a bit sleepy.
Tomorrow, after reporting to the Sand Group, find a literacy class as soon as possible to solve the semi-illiteracy issue. Then, figure out how to communicate online, maybe having more routes to choose from in the future.
He certainly had to leave the Quicksand Team.
This was also a small goal he set; he would implement it once he grew a bit and acquired certain power.
Too many leeches were lurking on the Quicksand Team's ship, not to mention the cadre level; squad leaders and ordinary members frequently exploit the general members. Protection fees, homage fees, holiday gifts are expected.
Even for iron ore shipments, they dared to pocket three out of five tonnes.
Members acted arrogantly, frequently provoking other violent groups, making enemies all around and having hardly any allies.
It was hard to comprehend how the cadre level planned their development.
Once he familiarized himself with the Pokémon nurturing process, he could start preparing for his second and third Pokémon.
But most importantly, he had to figure out how to make money, as without it, nothing could be done...
Baimu slowly closed his eyes.
——
The next morning.
Baimu and the others changed into the Quicksand Team uniforms and headed to the Sand Group's base.
Surprisingly, the style was quite normal, resembling desert camouflage combat suits from his previous life, and looked better than most evil organization uniforms in the main line.
"By the way, why do you always keep it outside?"
Cheng Hong curiously looked at the Aron by his feet, "Isn't it bothersome?"
"The integration between partners is more important."
Baimu exchanged a glance with Aron, understanding that was built through accumulated companionship in everyday life.
In Pyrite Town, frequently changing Pokémon was a common practice amongst Trainers, but he stayed clear of such habits, as the existence of the simulator gave him the confidence to stick with it.
Cheng Hong, hearing this, contemplated for two seconds before releasing his Roggenrola that looked like a lump of coal; the others followed suit, which made the squad grow significantly and occasionally drew the attention of passersby.
Approaching the Sand Group base, the number of curious glances increased, primarily coming from official members wearing the same uniforms.
"Look, the one leading..."
"Is it him? How lucky!"
"Is rescuing people that impressive? I can do that too..."
"Don't know what kind of luck he encountered, seeming quite smug, tsk tsk."
Whispering gossip surrounded Baimu's ears, accompanied by various peculiar stares.
Cheng Hong frowned, displeased, and was about to lead the equally displeased colleagues to confront those people, but Baimu stopped them with an outstretched hand.
"Ignore them, reporting is more important. These guys are different from that idiot Chaitian."
He whispered, pointing out the provocative people among the onlookers, likely associates of Chaitian's group, upset by their family member's failure to pass the assessment, so they came to sneer.
Starting a conflict rashly would only satisfy them and delay their reporting to the Sand Group.
Cheng Hong and the others nodded obediently, always considering Baimu as the backbone of their team and never acting on their own accord.
So.
Under the watchful eyes of the onlookers, the group, alongside their Pokémon, entered the Sand Group's base—a massive, rusty orange-red oval building.
At first glance, the base resembled an abandoned stadium, and the inside was just as Baimu imagined, with iron barrels, chains, tires scattered everywhere, the floors dark, and walls marked with bizarre paintings.
Most notably, the hoverbikes.
From single-wheel hoverbikes to double-wheel and fully-hovering ones, all styles were present, exhibiting an extreme Bosozoku style, with one here and another there, some disassembled into parts, seemingly a stronghold of Bosozoku.
Cheng Hong and others couldn't help but exclaim, while Baimu caught sight of someone close by.
"You are... Oh! It's you! You came quite early!"
The man looked around thirty-five, with a black tank top and bushy beard, his hands covered in machine oil, turning to shout inside, "Newcomers are here! Come on out to greet them!"
His voice was exceptionally loud, likely audible across the whole base.
Soon after.
A man with messy wine-red long hair, wearing glasses, and eyes narrow like an Abra's, walked out.
He initially examined, then pointed at Cheng Hong and the others, saying: "You guys, follow this path to the end, there's a small room, just say you're here for registration."
Separating Baimu from the others, he then said, "As for you, Baimu, is it? Come with me, the boss wants to see you."
"The... boss?"
Baimu was taken aback.