"Sir Giovanni, are you planning to invite that young man to join Team Rocket?"
Watching Sam's departing figure, Giovanni slowly shook his head.
"No," Giovanni said calmly. "I can tell his beliefs are fundamentally different from ours. There's no need to force it."
After a brief pause, his expression grew serious.
"Tell everyone in the organization to keep a low profile for now. Do not draw the Alliance's attention."
His eyes gleamed dangerously as he continued,
"There is absolutely no room for failure in the god-creation plan."
The moment he spoke the words create a god, a strange light flickered in Giovanni's eyes.
"Yes, sir!!!"
---
"Hello, I'd like to pay."
After obtaining the Earth Badge from the Viridian Gym, Sam headed straight to the largest department store in Viridian City to stock up on travel necessities.
Tents, space backpacks, maps, compasses, Poké Balls for capturing Pokémon, training equipment, emergency supplies, and food for long journeys,
When everything was added together, the total was frightening.
"The total comes to 125,800 yuan," the clerk said politely.
"Will you be paying in cash or by card?"
Although Sam had been mentally prepared, he still frowned when he heard the number.
Too expensive.
His family had given him around five to six million yuan to support his journey. He originally thought it would last him quite a while, but now he realized it might not be enough for long.
And these were only basic necessities.
He hadn't even purchased advanced training items yet.
Being a Pokémon Trainer was probably the most expensive profession in the world, bar none.
"…Card," Sam sighed.
The words swipe your card were like heavenly music to the clerk's ears.
"Of course! I'll pack everything up for you right away," she said sweetly, her tone noticeably gentler now that she had a big customer.
---
With the Earth Badge secured, Sam's next destination was Pewter City and the Pewter Gym.
The Pewter Gym was one of the most beginner-friendly gyms in Kanto, and Bulbasaur also held a clear type advantage there.
All things considered, it was the most suitable choice.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering Side Mission 2: Gym Challenge!"
"Win the gym battle to receive rewards based on your performance. Lowest rank: C. Highest rank: SSS."
"Note: Tyranitar cannot be used."
Sam immediately suspected that the system was discriminating against Tyranitar.
When he challenged the Viridian Gym, the system didn't issue any mission, probably because it knew he would use Tyranitar.
But now that he was heading to a weaker gym, the system rushed to release a mission and even restricted Tyranitar.
Wasn't this blatant discrimination?
Shivering with grievance,
When would Tyranitar finally be allowed to stand tall again?
"Is this Viridian Forest?"
Viridian Forest lay between Viridian City and Pewter City. Anyone traveling between the two had no choice but to pass through it.
Towering trees stood densely packed together, forming a natural maze. Many people had lost their way inside. Thick foliage blocked out the sunlight, leaving the forest dim and oppressive.
With Tyranitar by his side, Sam didn't worry about safety.
His only concern was not getting lost.
Sam didn't plan to head straight to Pewter City.
Instead, he intended to earn some extra money in Viridian Forest.
Countless treasures were said to be hidden here. Every day, Trainers dreaming of getting rich overnight ventured deep into the forest.
Only a handful returned with gains.
Most came back empty-handed.
And some,
Never came back at all.
Sam was very self-aware. He had no illusions about sudden wealth.
His goal was simple: earn some side income.
People who knew contentment lived happier lives.
"Good luck."
Viridian Forest truly lived up to its reputation as a natural treasure vault.
Without even going deep inside, Sam quickly found several valuable medicinal herbs just by searching the outer areas.
He carefully uprooted the herbs and stored them in his backpack.
"Seed, seed!"
"Found something else, Bulbasaur?"
There was a reason many civilian Trainers chose Grass-type Pokémon as their starters.
Not only were they easy to raise, but they could also help their Trainers earn money.
Thanks to Bulbasaur, Sam could easily locate rare herbs hidden among the weeds.
Labor was happiness.
Labor was glory.
For the sake of income, Sam fully transformed into a hardworking herb gatherer, beginning his earnest harvesting journey through Viridian Forest.
---