บท 111: There's Something Off About My Pokémon [111]
Outside his window, the gentle sound of waves echoed, as mysterious as the ocean itself. In the stillness of midnight, moonlight cast a thin veil over the sea, illuminating its calm surface.
Yet, just how much danger lurked beneath that tranquil surface, no one could say.
Standing on the deck, Wang Yingjie gazed out, lost in thought, letting the sea breeze brush against his face as he stared into the moonlit waters.
A moment later, he took a step forward.
With a splash, the sound of his entry into the water soon faded, swallowed by the soft, distant echo of the ship's horn. Only the white spray from the ship's wake remained, returning the sea's smooth, unbroken surface to the vast, quiet ocean.
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"Still no trace of him?"
At dawn, the Oriental Pearl docked along the shores of the Pujiang River. Despite much controversy, the captain had followed Liu Shengnan's orders and checked every passenger leaving the ship. Yet, Wang Yingjie was nowhere to be found.
Liu Shengnan nodded and sighed. "One passenger claimed to have seen a figure jump overboard from the deck. It was dark at the time, so he thought he was mistaken. By the time he checked from the railing, the person was gone."
"Thinking about it now, it was probably Wang Yingjie and his Wartortle," she added.
Xie Yuan interjected, "With a Wartortle's physique, learning the Surf technique isn't exactly easy."
"I underestimated him." Liu Shengnan rubbed her temples. "But at least we've captured the higher-ranking member."
After a long night of investigation, Liu Shengnan had finally confirmed Ren Li's identity. Sending a high-ranking member to Modu likely signaled that Team Galactic was planning something big there.
"Looks like things are about to get busy again," she sighed.
Although they hadn't captured Wang Yingjie, the system still notified Lu Cheng of his success.
Ding—Task 'Oriental Pearl' completed.Task Objective: Assist Armed Forces members on the Oriental Pearl in apprehending Team Galactic members
Rewards: 2 Defense points, 5 potential points, 50,000 cash, Title: 'Rising Star of the Armed Forces'
It was clear that Lu Cheng had fulfilled his part of the "assistance" task, but missing the chance to catch Wang Yingjie left him with a pang of regret.
"By the way," Liu Shengnan turned to Lu Cheng. "Are you headed back to Jiangcheng, or staying in Modu for a while?"
"I'll stay in Modu for a few days," Lu Cheng replied, rubbing his nose. "I told my family I'd be here sightseeing."
"Alright then." Liu Shengnan smiled. "Xie Yuan and I will escort these people back to headquarters, but if you have any questions, feel free to come find us."
"The association has a branch here in Modu?" Lu Cheng asked in surprise.
"Of course." Liu Shengnan handed him a small slip of paper. "The address is on here."
Lu Cheng took the paper, raising an eyebrow as he read it. The address said:
"Neko & Maid Café"
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"Rising Star of the Armed Forces" (White Title)
Title Description: Congratulations on becoming a rising star in the Armed Forces!
Title Effect: 10% increase in Pokémon stats for Pokémon provided by the Armed Forces.
"This effect is completely useless!" Lu Cheng grumbled, "I mean, I don't even have..." Wait! Technically, Ditto counts as an Armed Forces Pokémon, which means... whoa, a full 10% stat boost!
Staring at the title's effect, Lu Cheng's eyes lit up. And this was just a white title? How incredible would an orange title from the Armed Forces be? Though, after seeing that the "National Championship Winner" was also merely an orange title, he quickly put that idea aside.
Looking around, he muttered to himself, "Where should I go first?"
Exiting the port, he was greeted by the bustling crowds and towering skyscrapers, like a forest of steel. For a moment, Lu Cheng felt a bit lost.
Pedestrians hurried over the walkways, while vehicles zipped along the elevated highways. He even spotted a crimson Rapidash leaving a trail of flames on the road above.
In big cities, trainers are generally not allowed to let their Pokémon roam freely. Only Pokémon with a specific "rider license" could carry their trainers—like Tauros and Dodrio. To minimize traffic disruptions, cities enforce a strict no-fly policy for private trainers. If powerful trainers decided to soar low over the city on Salamence or Charizard, they'd quickly receive a fine from the Pokémon Association.
However, exceptions exist for emergencies. The Urban Pokémon Traffic Act stipulates that if trainers provide aerial Pokémon for the purpose of transporting injured persons, they will not only be free from penalties but may also receive commendations from the Association.
Throughout his journey, Lu Cheng didn't see many flying Pokémon; instead, pet-like Pokémon like Meowth appeared often. Trainers can only let pet-sized companions, such as Glameow, wander freely. But releasing an Onix or Wailord in a public space? Well, be prepared for a long chat with the local police.
Thankfully, Vulpix was small enough to pass as a travel companion. It lay curled up around Lu Cheng's neck like a fluffy red scarf, purring softly. Its cute antics drew the attention of passersby.
"It's too hot—Vulpix, get down!"
It was the height of summer in August, and Lu Cheng was nearly suffocating from the heat. But Vulpix just turned its head with a haughty flick, remaining stubbornly on his shoulder. With a sigh, Lu Cheng gave in, allowing his little partner to stay.
Opening the Pokémon Forum and scrolling through the Modu section, he searched for places recommended by other trainers.
YouAreMyWings: I'm headed to Modu for a trip tomorrow! Any recommendations from experienced trainers?
Black-Arbok-Mamba: The Oriental Battle Tower! It's Modu's top destination for trainers—don't miss it!
Dual-Sword Aipom: Yes! Also, be sure to visit the Tiansheng Gym in the CN district. They have a direct shuttle from Hongqiao Airport!
WannaTrainGarchomp: Modu is my hometown! Head to Lujiazui; there's a new Contest Hall there, and they have daily Pokémon performances.
GothMissOfTheDay: Oh, I have to recommend this one place! There's a cat café in Pudong New District, and the maids wear Lopunny ears!
TrollWarlord Oligee: Modu has some great Pokémon bars—Gardevoir and Gothitelle bartenders…
The thread's tone started getting... unique toward the end. Lu Cheng squinted at the part about the cat café. Could that actually be the Armed Forces' hidden location?
He imagined the stone-faced Commander Guo Zhang in Lopunny ears… Yep, that was enough to give him nightmares!
With a cough, he cleared his mind and decided to check out the newly opened Contest Hall instead. After a quick online search, he found that most Contest Halls provided free access to a Pokéblock Blender. Not only was it a great promotional tool, but they also sold Berries on-site—albeit at a slightly inflated price.
He had only ever bought Pokéblocks from Zhao Dachun, so he was still a rookie at making them. Going there to observe or even try making his own would be a valuable experience.
Learning new skills is an essential part of becoming a stronger trainer.
With his plan set, Lu Cheng turned on the navigation app and made his way toward the subway.
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Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
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