Capítulo 101: There's Something Off About My Pokémon [101] [30 PS]
"Water bottle, toiletries… Are you sure the towels there will be clean?"
Watching his mom fret as she bustled around, Lu Cheng couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed. "Mom, I'm only going to Shanghai for two days! I'll be back in no time."
After the graduation party, Lu Cheng had told his parents he was heading to Shanghai with friends, but his real goal was to complete the Armed Forces mission while the Oriental Pearl was docked at the Pujiang River. It would give him the perfect excuse to stay in Shanghai and even visit a few tourist spots, maybe check out some universities and gyms while he was there.
Still, his mom didn't seem fully convinced, so with a grin, Lu Cheng gently nudged her out of the room. "Don't worry, Mom! I'll take care of it."
Once alone, he glanced at the calendar. The ship set sail tomorrow afternoon, so all he had to do was make it to the docks in time to meet with the senior members. This past month, with all the various missions, his system stats had gotten a major boost.
Host: Lu Cheng
HP: 18
Attack: 15
Defense: 15
Special Attack: 20
Special Defense: 15
Speed: 22
Available Potential Points: 0
Balance: ¥200,000
These stats could apply to any of Lu Cheng's Pokémon, and since reaching a threshold of 20, each additional point now required five potential points or ¥50,000 to unlock. Future rewards were bound to become even more valuable.
After completing the "Showdown with the Brother-in-Law" mission, Lu Cheng had earned a rare Foul Play skill disc. This Dark-type move allows a Pokémon to attack using the opponent's attack stat rather than its own, making it perfect for Vulpix to expand her move set without relying on high physical attack stats herself.
As for Vulpixs' evolution, although he'd had a Fire Stone for over a month, her flame power hadn't advanced past Flamethrower. Fire Blast and the even more potent Inferno were still out of reach, and without those crucial skills, evolving her early wasn't ideal. However, with the aid of her Charcoal, Vulpix was becoming highly attuned to Fire-type energy. Hopefully, Inferno wasn't too far off.
Scratching his head, Lu Cheng turned his gaze to his other two Pokémon. Grovyle was as dependable as ever, gripping his bone sword and leaning against the window. With his eyes closed, the breeze rustling the long leaf on his head, he looked like a serene swordsman, his dragon-like face radiating tranquility.
The long road ahead, a sword as my companion! Lu Cheng covered his face, trying to hide his excitement before glancing over at Slime—oh, right, Ditto.
Ever since Ditto received the Soothe Bell, he'd become like a love-struck fool, staring at it with a goofy smile every day. Even when practicing Harden while transforming into Geodude, he still played with the bell like it was a catnip toy.
"Is that really a bell, or catnip?" Lu Cheng muttered with a sigh. "Slime!" He'd recently given Ditto that name since it suited his squishy, pinkish consistency far better.
Ditto paused, his tiny, beady eyes blinking in confusion before plopping and inching toward Lu Cheng. Watching the jelly-like creature, Lu Cheng felt an instinctive repulsion—thinking about wearing him was, well, a bit unsettling.
"It's just a bulletproof vest… just a vest…" Lu Cheng kept repeating to himself. Suddenly, a thought hit him—didn't the system let Pokémon automatically exit their balls? That way, he wouldn't have to wear Ditto constantly. He could simply keep him in the Poké Ball instead!
Feeling quite clever, Lu Cheng immediately returned Ditto to his ball and pondered the best way to keep it on him. His trainer belt could hold only three balls, so keeping Ditto at his waist left his chest exposed.
Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he asked, "System, could we add an extra slot to the competition vest for a Poké Ball?"
The system was silent. A moment later, his belt shifted, morphing into a wider, more eye-catching metal strap with a new slot right at the center for one Poké Ball.
Lu Cheng's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Ditto, Transform!"
He pressed the Poké Ball into the slot. With a flash of red, Ditto appeared, looking baffled but quickly morphed into Geodude and covered Lu Cheng's chest.
"It worked!" Lu Cheng cheered, beaming as he looked down at the armor-like Ditto. "Whoa, this looks way too cool!"
"Let's do it again!"
For the next half hour, Lu Cheng was like a kid with a new toy, transforming Ditto back and forth until the poor thing looked utterly exhausted.
"Well done, Masked… Slime!" Lu Cheng chuckled, patting Ditto. Somehow, the little creature had become irresistibly endearing in his eyes.
Transforming—truly the spirit of a man's dream!
"Mu-mu…" Ditto let out a final, weary sigh, resigned to his fate.
---
"You're here." Liu Shengnan greeted Lu Cheng with a smile.
The sunset cast a warm glow over the pier, bringing with it the faintly briny scent of seawater, and the cries of a few Wingulls echoed from above. Looking up, Lu Cheng saw the setting sun spreading ripples of light across the water, where a Magikarp leaped into the air, splashing in a burst of sea spray.
Lu Cheng nodded and looked curiously at the man beside Liu Shengnan, who was in the middle of a yawn. His hair was a tousled mess, like a bird's nest, and his tired eyes drooped heavily with dark circles beneath them. Noticing Lu Cheng's gaze, he gave a weary smile, only to cover his mouth and stifle another yawn.
"This is Xie Yuan from the Armed Forces," Liu Shengnan explained with a grin. "He's your direct senior and will be joining us on this operation."
Watching Xie Yuan's contagious yawning, Lu Cheng couldn't help but yawn himself, glancing up in surprise. Looks like yawns really are contagious!
"In a moment, we'll board in separate groups," Liu Shengnan continued. "We'll split up and move independently. If you notice anything suspicious, use the radio to report it." She handed Lu Cheng a small earpiece and clipped it onto his collar for him. "Don't startle anyone unnecessarily. Report any findings immediately!" Her expression grew serious. "Remember, you're here to follow us on this mission, not to act on your own."
Lu Cheng nodded.
Just then, Xie Yuan yawned once more before speaking up. "What if the Investigation Department's intel is wrong, and Team Galactic doesn't show?"
"Wrong?" Liu Shengnan huffed. "Then it'll be a free government-paid vacation for you, and you can go stuff yourself at the buffet!"
"Sweet!" Xie Yuan laughed. "I heard they hired a famous pastry chef from Jiangcheng for this cruise!"
Liu Shengnan glared at him, visibly annoyed.
Lu Cheng tried to hide his amusement. These two… are they really that reliable?
---
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