Bab 8: The So-Called Starter Pokémon
The Ditto merchant saw that Cain was just a kid and couldn't help but think, it's so easy to deceive a child. Otherwise, who would buy this Ditto? But what if his family finds out and comes here to cause trouble?
The merchant hesitated, indecisive on the spot.
Cain had already seen through his thoughts.
"Are you selling or not? If not, I'm leaving," Cain said impatiently.
"I'll sell, I'll sell, but you can't regret it after buying," the merchant replied.
"I can assure you I won't regret it."
Cain's words were full of meaning, he wouldn't regret it, but he couldn't guarantee his family wouldn't.
The merchant still didn't feel at ease and said, "You must sign a document stating that once you buy this Ditto, you can't return it for the rest of your life."
"I can do that, but I'm only paying two thousand dollars," Cain said.
"What? Two thousand? Impossible, impossible," the merchant waved his hands.
Cain snorted and turned to leave.
"Wait, wait."
Seeing Cain leaving, the merchant hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, "Two thousand it is, I'm selling it to you at a loss. Let's sign the document now."
Cain knew this business all too well. No one wanted a Ditto now, and the purchase price was only about one thousand five hundred dollars. Besides, Dittos only ate liquid food, making them difficult to raise. The merchant was eager to sell it as soon as possible. If Cain had offered one thousand five hundred just now, the merchant would have sold it anyway. Offering five hundred more provided extra assurance.
Some stubborn people would rather hold onto it than sell it cheaply.
The merchant and Cain signed the document, and the money and goods were exchanged.
Cain took the Poké Ball containing the Ditto and left without looking back.
The merchant felt relieved, took a long breath, looked at the two thousand dollars in his hand and thought, "Not bad, I still made five hundred."
It was already late when Cain left the Pokémon market and rode his bicycle home.
Buying a Ditto today was entirely unexpected, a pleasant surprise.
Of course, Ditto couldn't become his main Pokémon. With his knowledge of Pokémon, he could bully third-rate trainers.
Using Ditto in front of a skilled trainer was like courting death. Can you predict what skills the opponent's Pokémon will have?
Besides, after all, a Ditto is a Ditto. Skilled trainers know their Pokémon like the back of their hand. Can a substitute outplay a real, well-coordinated and battle-hardened Pokémon? Don't be ridiculous. Some speed-focused skilled trainers could defeat you during your transformation process.
However, for Cain at this point, Ditto was indispensable, with the most crucial ability being Transform. For the next decade or so, he would have to live in this world with multiple identities.
With his current abilities and Ditto, he could handle many trainers and Pokémon, which was an advantage that no other Pokémon could give him.
Now he had his first Pokémon, although it played a small role, it was essential.
Finally, he had made some progress and taken the first step. In his previous life, he had only gotten his first Pokémon four years later.
Returning home, Cain shivered after spending the whole afternoon in the cold air.
He opened the door and glanced at the old man's body, noticing nothing unusual.
Back in his room, Cain released Ditto and pointed to the bedside, saying, "There's milk over there, drink up."
Ditto, who hadn't eaten all day, finally smelled the food and drank five bottles of milk in a row. It must have been starving.
Cain approached Ditto, "Are you full now?"
Ditto nodded.
"From today on, I'm your master. I'll make sure you're well-fed, but you must be loyal and capable. I don't keep useless creatures around."
Ditto blinked and looked at the stern Cain.
Seeing this, Cain shouted, "Did you hear me?"
Ditto was startled and quickly nodded.
"Alright, rest up. We have things to do tomorrow."
Cain lay in bed, trying to fall asleep. However, it was hard for him to adapt to the huge joke that fate had played on him.
He had to accept the situation and face the difficult path ahead with his head held high.
He slept in a daze.
The next morning, Cain quickly took care of his daily chores, drank a bottle of milk, while Ditto downed three more.
As he prepared to leave, Cain spoke to Ditto by his side.
"Can you turn into a ring?"
Ditto shook its head.
"How about a bracelet?"
Still shaking its head.
"Surely you can turn into a sun hat."
This time, Ditto nodded and turned into a sun hat, which Cain placed on his head.
"It seems this Ditto hasn't reached the level where it can transform into anything at will. We'll deal with it after we've taken care of these matters."
Cain's goal for the day was clear.
He got on his bicycle, heading towards Thunder Town northwest of Ecruteak City.
Thunder Town had a large Pokémon Nursery, and the owner was none other than Dazao, the man who saved his life in his previous life.
When he was kicked out of the orphanage at the age of ten in his previous life, he was utterly hopeless, nearly starving to death on the streets. It was Dazao who took him back to his nursery, helping him regain his confidence. He stayed there for a year, and his first Pokémon, Spinarak, was a gift from Dazao.
In fact, when he first arrived in this world, he was always wondering which Pokémon would be his first, and he had to be very careful in his choice since a starter Pokémon is very significant.
However, after experiencing some events, he realized how naive he had been.
A starter Pokémon, huh…
Did he really think everyone's starter Pokémon could be something like a Pikachu? The famous Ash was Professor Oak's "next-door neighbor's" son.
For people like them, their so-called starter Pokémon were just fleeting companions. They should be grateful to have one and not have any expectations, let alone talk about its significance.
It was just a tool for capturing more promising Pokémon, and if one day it wasn't needed, it would be best not to waste resources on it and let it return to where it belongs.
So, Cain was grateful to Dazao, but now he had to take advantage of Dazao's kind nature to obtain a work permit for himself.
He got up early and arrived at Thunder Town just as the Nursery was opening.
Cain's goal was clear, and he confidently walked into the Nursery.
"Excuse me, is the owner Dazao here?"
Hearing someone calling, a spirited man in his fifties came out.
"I am Dazao. What can I do for you, young man?"
Cain explained his situation, but due to his age, Dazao refused.
However, Cain didn't give up. If even someone as kind-hearted as Dazao wouldn't agree, his chances would be truly slim.
Would he really have to go back to the orphanage and repeat his previous life's mistakes?
Left with no choice, Cain performed a heart-wrenching act, sobbing and listing the various dark aspects of the orphanage, even making Dazao think that going to the orphanage would be a dead end.
Seeing the pitiful boy in front of him, Dazao's compassion was stirred, but he hesitated due to the league's regulations.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone