Feeling that faint touch on the back of his hand, the young man finally broke down. He pulled Squirtle into his arms—careful this time, barely holding it at all—and burst into loud, ugly sobs.
The crying echoed through the livestream. It sounded terrible, but it was incredibly genuine.
After a long while, once his emotions finally settled, Logan Moore spoke again.
"Alright. You've cried. You've admitted you were wrong."
His voice returned to its usual calm.
"Remember this lesson. I don't need to spell out how you're supposed to raise it from now on, right?"
"You don't! I remember everything!" The young man wiped his tears frantically. "Lower the water level! Add a basking platform! Don't force it into the water! Let it get plenty of sun! I've got it all memorized!"
Then he seemed to recall something and hurriedly grabbed his phone.
"Master, I said before—if you figured it out, I'd send a gift. Even if I embarrassed myself, I keep my word!"
"This Master Ball is just a small token. Think of it as Squirtle's medical bill… and my tuition fee to you!"
The next second—
A brilliant purple firework exploded across the screen.
[System Notification: User "TrollKing99" has sent Master Ball x1!]
A top-tier gift worth 150 dollar.
"I'll accept the tuition," Logan said without refusing. He had earned it. And for the young man, paying was part of buying peace of mind. "As for Squirtle's recovery, if you're unsure about anything later, message me privately anytime."
"I will! Thank you, Master!"
The young man thanked him over and over. Finally, holding Squirtle carefully, he bowed deeply before ending the connection.
The screen returned to single-stream mode. Logan let out a long breath.
It had only been a little over ten minutes, but emotionally it felt like riding a roller coaster.
He glanced at the backend data.
[Current Viewers: 850][Followers: 2300+][Today's Earnings (Including Gifts): 250+ Dollars (before tax)]
A huge win.
Not just in money—but in reputation.
After tonight, the name "Omniscient Pokemon Appraiser" would spread through that small community.
"Alright, everyone."
Logan rubbed his temples, a tired but satisfied smile on his face.
"That's it for tonight. Three appraisals in a row—I'm sure you're all exhausted too."
"Like I said before, Pokémon are living creatures, not playthings. If you treat them with kindness, they'll give you back more than you can imagine.
"See you tomorrow at seven. Don't be late."
[Kindergarten Food Theif: That's it? I'm not done yet! Come on, Master, give us an encore!]
[Fawn in the Woods: Master, you worked hard! Get some rest! I'll bring Gloom to greet you tomorrow!]
[Category8Hurricane: Go eat already, streamer. The Munchlax next to you looks so hungry it's chewing its own fingers.]
...
Amid the reluctant protests, Logan decisively clicked "End Stream."
The screen went dark.
The room fell silent again, except for the steady patter of rain against the worn-out window.
"Haah—"
Logan slumped back in his chair, feeling drained.
Livestream appraisals didn't just burn brainpower—they drained emotions.
Especially when activating the Eye of Pokemon Insight. The mental strain was intense.
Right then, a cold mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing your first-day livestream mission! ]
[ Total "Influence Points" earned this stream: 1850! ]
[ Current Reputation Level increased to: Level 2 – Making a Name! ]
[ You have obtained Exclusive Skill: Fate Weaving (Beginner)! ]
"Fate Weaving?"
Logan instantly perked up. Half his exhaustion vanished.
He quickly checked the description.
[Fate Weaving (Beginner)] [Description: The host may consume "Influence Points" to make minor adjustments to a Pokemon's Fate Strand or base potential.]
[Function 1: Potential Stimulation — Consume 1000 points to increase 1 Individual Value (IV) (maximum 31).]
"Holy—"
Logan couldn't stop himself from swearing.
If the Eye of Pokemon Appraisal had given him eyes that could see through everything—
Then Fate Weaving had just given him hands that could tweak destiny itself.
Increase Individual Values (IVs)!
This was practically rewriting fate.
Sure, he didn't have many points yet. He could only make tiny improvements.
But as long as he kept streaming, the points would keep coming.
Couldn't he mass-produce pseudo-legendary-level Pokemon someday?
And this was only Beginner level.
What about Advanced?
Could he modify Fate Strands directly?
Logan's eyes lit up.
"1850 points…"
He checked his balance.
He wanted to save them. He really did.
But he turned and looked at the Munchlax beside him.
The little guy had been sitting quietly the entire stream, acting as background decoration.
Its stomach had been growling nonstop, yet it hadn't made a single complaint. It just hugged the already-empty bun bag, head bobbing as it dozed off.
A thin line of drool hung from the corner of its mouth. In its dream, it was probably feasting on something incredible.
"Mun…" (Berries… so many berries…)
It mumbled in its sleep, voice soft and faintly aggrieved.
Logan's heart softened instantly.
At that moment, the system, legendary Pokemon—none of it mattered more than that sleepy mumble.
"I'll boost you first."
Without hesitation, Logan spent 1000 Influence Points.
[ Ding! 1000 Influence Points consumed. Target: Munchlax. ]
[ Individual Value (IV) increasing… ]
[ IV: D (30) → D (31) ]
Just a single point.
The rating didn't even change.
But Logan clearly sensed Munchlax's body tremble slightly in its sleep. Its previously dull, slightly yellowed fur seemed to gain the faintest hint of luster.
A sign of growing vitality.
"Bit by bit. One day, I'll raise you into an S-rank powerhouse."
Logan gently patted Munchlax's head, eyes firm.
After that, hunger hit him hard. His own stomach growled in protest.
"Food. Food."
He grabbed his phone and opened a delivery app.
Looking at his account balance—finally over five digits—
Even though he hadn't withdrawn the money yet, he still had the earlier 180 dollars plus some savings. For once, he felt bold.
Everything he used to only drool over? Tonight, he was ordering it all.
"Boss! One signature roast chicken! Whole bird! Extra spicy!"
"Ten lamb skewers! And two big kidney skewers!"
"Five bowls of rice—no, make that ten!"
"Oh—and some Pokéblocks. Just the basic Pokéblocks for Munchlax for now!"
Order placed. Payment confirmed.
Watching more than a hundred dollars disappear stung a little.
But mostly—
It felt amazing.
This was what making money was for.