章 78: Chapter 78:

Once more venturing into the underbelly of the market, Cain made his way to the Pokemon Sales area. There, he stumbled upon a nondescript kiosk where he offloaded the four forgotten Pokemon with ease. As he pocketed the 50,000 Pokédollars that jangled in his hand, Cain couldn't help but feel a pang of satisfaction at the small but hard-earned sum.

The largest items store in the black market was his next destination. His eyes settled on a ring, seemingly unremarkable in appearance but with a secret capacity of five cubic meters. It cost him every Pokédollar he'd just earned, but Cain knew it was a necessary purchase.

The Team Rocket belt he'd been given on the trial island was far too conspicuous, with its bold emblem and measly one cubic meter capacity. Cain needed a more discreet and spacious storage tool to carry his belongings, and this ring was just the ticket.

Although it seemed steep, Cain knew that the Pokemon World's research on spatial storage tools was advanced. The most basic Pokeball, after all, was only 200 Pokédollars. And so, he emptied the contents of the Team Rocket belt into the new ring, secure in the knowledge that this unassuming piece of jewelry would serve as his trusty storage companion.

Without pause, he pressed on to the Pokemon Food area, not for Pokeblocks, but for something far more vital: the ingredients needed to craft advanced Pokéblocks. These delicacies required more than just your average herbs and berries, and Cain was intent on concocting a bespoke blend for each of his beloved Pokemon.

Cain sauntered past the Pokéblock shop, barely glancing at the rainbow display of treats. Even the advanced Pokéblocks failed to catch his eye. The hefty price tags, on the other hand, drew a heavy sigh from his lips. Profitable, no doubt.

Though the ability to create advanced Pokéblocks was a lucrative one, Cain kept it close to his chest. The last thing he needed was the attention and danger that came with such power.

500 Pokédollars for a single Universal Pokéblock was standard fare, a mere drop in the bucket for those with deep pockets. And for high-level Pokemon with insatiable appetites, tens of thousands of Pokédollars per meal was not uncommon. But alas, Cain's current standing was not yet high enough to indulge in such extravagances.

No, for now, he had to be content with the strange and exotic items that caught his eye. He didn't bother with the hot Pokéblocks that others fawned over; he had his sights set on something else entirely.

The salesperson, a dubious character with a sneer permanently etched onto his face, looked at Cain like he was a buffoon as he handed over a cool one million Pokédollars. But if anyone else had been in the store that day, someone with a trained eye, they would have recognized the significance of what Cain had purchased.

For in his possession were powders, brimming with four different types of energy. Each harvested from the horns, feathers, and scales of quasi-elite level Pokemon, creatures so powerful that even their remains were pricey. These powders were crucial to the creation of a Pokéblock specifically designed for Murkrow and Slowpoke, and Cain was willing to pay any price for these rare and exotic ingredients.

Meanwhile, Gastly's energy requirements were more complex, and it was here that Cain's Pokedollar truly shone. An invaluable piece of Black Sludge infused with poison and a Ghost Ribbon with years of history were the crucial ingredients.

And for the unborn Skorupi, Cain had taken pains to select materials that matched its attributes, such as the powdery remains of Heracross' shell and a poison-type substance similar to Gastlys.

It was with these rare and dear materials that Cain's million Pokédollar spending spree was justified. The value of advanced Pokéblocks that he could create with these materials, when paired with the right berries, would easily surpass ten times their cost.

After securing these items, Cain spent another 100,000 Pokédollars on special berries. When he finally emerged from the shop, only 700,000 Pokédollars remained in his possession.

With the shop assistant's aid, he swiftly deposited the sum into his Association Identity Card, discarding the anonymous black bank card with distrust. Though anonymous, the card's affiliation with Team Rocket made it a risky possession, better to be rid of.

Training Pokemon was no small feat, as Cain well knew. Even with his expertise, the investment was high. And for those without his knowledge and resources, the cost was astronomical. A fact that made his already expensive undertaking all the more daunting.

These Pokéblocks were but a small taste of what was to come, a mere drop in the bucket for the needs of his ever-growing Pokemon family. As their levels rose, so too would the quality of their dietary requirements.

With a heavy heart, Cain trudged out of the black market, careful not to draw any undue attention.

Despite Slowpoke's Teleport being available, Cain was loath to use it within the confines of Saffron City. The trauma of Sabrina's power still lingered, and the last thing he needed was to attract more trouble.

Once out of the market's shadows, Cain shed his garb and donned the Association's uniform, hailing a cab to take him to the Pokemon Center at the city's heart.

By the time he arrived, night had blanketed the sky, and the weariness he felt was palpable. Though he initially had ample time, Sabrina's sudden appearance had taken a toll on his mind and body.

After flashing his Association Identity Card, he secured a room at the Pokemon Center and ordered a meal for both himself and his companions.

Stuffed and sated, Cain collapsed onto the bed, a sense of utter exhaustion washing over him. The headache from awakening his psychic ability still lingered, and his body ached with fatigue.

With a deep breath, Cain let himself sink into the safe embrace of slumber, the Pokemon Center a bastion of comfort and security in a world fraught with danger.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N:

Hey everyone, I wanted to give a special shoutout to my amazing new pâtrons, MP Gaming, Daniel, and AJ. Thank you so much for your generous support and for allowing me to continue doing what I love. Your contributions mean the world to me, and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you. Keep being awesome, and know that your support is truly appreciated!