Chapter 73: Journey to the Kanto Region

“Kirlia, Double Team.”
Kirlia used Double Team to evade Slowpoke’s Water Gun.
A month had passed in this way, and today was the final day. Cheng Cheng seized this last opportunity to have the Pokémon battle, wanting to see just how much they had improved during the month.
Throughout the past month, Cheng Cheng both trained his Pokémon and researched Pokémon Energy Cubes. Now, he could craft high-quality mid-tier Energy Cubes with remarkable skill. Moreover, he had selected three excellent formulas from his own creations to formally include in his recipe book.
As for nurturing the Pokémon, Cheng Cheng tailored their training to their individual traits, though most of the time the Pokémon trained themselves. Cheng Cheng wasn’t particularly adept at boosting combat strength—he much preferred caring for Pokémon.
At that moment, Slowpoke unleashed a volley of Water Guns, destroying all of Kirlia’s clones and landing a direct hit.
“Kirlia, hang in there—use Magical Leaf!”
Against the Water-type Slowpoke, Magical Leaf was an excellent move. Yet Slowpoke responded with Protect.
After a month of observation, Cheng Cheng had noticed his Slowpoke was unusually clever. It knew exactly when to use which move, not at all like the famously dopey Slowpokes, and even showed a bit of cunning. Could this be why King Hippowdon chose it?
Once the Magical Leaf faded, Slowpoke fired yet another barrage of Water Guns. Over the month, Slowpoke hadn’t grown much in other areas, but its water output had become formidable. Cheng Cheng had calculated that if Slowpoke kept up its Water Gun, it could fire continuously for ten minutes straight—a truly terrifying power.
Kirlia tried to dodge quickly, evading most of the Water Guns, but there were simply too many, and Kirlia was knocked to the ground.
“Kirlia, are you alright?” Cheng Cheng watched as Kirlia tried to get up.
“Mi-lu~”
Suddenly, Kirlia was enveloped in the white light of evolution. Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected Kirlia to evolve now—wasn’t this the kind of skill reserved for protagonists?
Cheng Cheng and the other Pokémon watched Kirlia evolve. Gradually, Kirlia’s body grew larger and taller. Originally, Kirlia stood only as high as Cheng Cheng’s thigh; now, she reached up to his ear. Kirlia had evolved into Gardevoir.
Cheng Cheng gazed at Gardevoir, elegantly and beautifully standing there, and finally understood why so many people adored Gardevoir—such noble bearing was truly captivating.
“Gardevoir, I look forward to working with you.”
“So-nay~”
Cheng Cheng checked Gardevoir’s information.
Pokémon: Gardevoir
Type: Psychic, Fairy
Level: 30
Tier: Deep Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Perception
Special Ability: Extra Perception
…
Held Item: None
Moves: Howl, Psychic, Double Team, Teleport, Lucky Chant, Magical Leaf, Healing Wave, Meditation.
Learnable Moves: Protect, Psyshock, Shadow Ball.
“Alright, let’s go, Gardevoir—use Shadow Ball.”
Gardevoir gathered energy, then launched a Shadow Ball.
Slowpoke had no choice but to use Protect again. Gardevoir’s Shadow Ball was now much faster than before—such is the benefit of evolution.
“Gardevoir, let’s keep up with Magical Leaf.”
This time, Gardevoir’s Magical Leaf increased significantly, with a barrage of leaves flying at Slowpoke.
Slowpoke used Water Pulse to block some, but still took damage.

“Finish it—Shadow Ball!”
A Shadow Ball shot toward Slowpoke, who now had no way to defend. But to Cheng Cheng’s surprise, Slowpoke suddenly rolled on the spot, dodging the attack.
“Gardevoir, keep using Shadow Ball.”
Cheng Cheng was skeptical that Slowpoke could keep dodging.
Gardevoir fired several Shadow Balls in quick succession, trapping Slowpoke.
This time, surely you can’t escape?
But Slowpoke launched a Water Gun at the ground, propelling itself into the air and landing in the river, disappearing from sight.
Cheng Cheng watched, mouth slightly agape—this was almost supernatural.
“Alright, Gardevoir, that’s enough for today’s battle; you’re already amazing.”
“So-nay~”
Gardevoir was delighted.
“Next up, Chimecho and Mr. Mime.”
…
Cheng Cheng spent the rest of the afternoon having the Pokémon practice their battles. He observed that they had all made great progress, especially in entering battle mode quickly and developing strong combat awareness.
That evening, after a shower, Cheng Cheng sat on his bed, calmed himself, and prepared to submit his tasks.
He knew his performance this time wasn’t stellar and might not earn a reward.
First was the task to increase reputation. Cheng Cheng posted videos of the Pokémon battles, which attracted much attention—his Psychic Breeding House and his own name gained some popularity, so this task should be fine.
Second was boosting the Pokémon’s combat power. Over the month, although the Pokémon had grown and their strength improved, the increase was nowhere near the fifty percent required. Cheng Cheng could scan each Pokémon’s battle power and saw their progress, but he hadn’t come close to completing the task.
“System, submit the tasks.”
“Ding! Congratulations, host, task completed. Beginning statistics.
Task one: Increase reputation.
Original host reputation: 122
Original breeding house reputation: 1240
Calculating current reputation…
Current host reputation: 249
Current breeding house reputation: 2020
Congratulations, host, task complete. You have earned achievement points equal to the total increase in host and breeding house reputation, 797 points in all. Additionally, for completing the task, you are awarded 1000 bonus achievement points.”
Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected to complete the task, and to receive an extra 1000 achievement points as well. He was surprised that the reputation increase equated to achievement points—it felt a bit stingy, but any gain was still something.
Next, Cheng Cheng checked the second task.
But the system had some disappointing news.
“Due to system changes, the rule granting one Pokémon region travel ticket for each 1000 achievement points gained is now cancelled. Compensation: 500 reputation points.”
At that moment, Cheng Cheng wanted to scold the system—he’d finally amassed 1000 reputation points, so why couldn’t he go? He’d hoped to catch more Pokémon.
Fortunately, he’d previously earned a chance to visit the Pokémon base. Next time, he would prepare thoroughly and bring back as many Pokémon as possible.
“Now submitting Task Two. Beginning data analysis.
Previous Pokémon battle stats:
Chimecho, battle power: 3760.

Kirlia, battle power: 1876.
Kadabra, battle power: 1201.
Gothita, battle power: 1320.
Natu, battle power: 810.
Spoink, battle power: 1121.
Slowpoke, battle power: 2709.
Mr. Mime, battle power: 3555.
Lunatone, battle power: 4570.
Sigilyph, battle power: 1462.
Current Pokémon battle stats:
Chimecho, battle power: 4360.
Gardevoir, battle power: 3004.
Kadabra, battle power: 2001.
Gothita, battle power: 1923.
Natu, battle power: 1253.
Spoink, battle power: 1537.
Slowpoke, battle power: 3720.
Mr. Mime, battle power: 3935.
Lunatone, battle power: 4922.
Sigilyph, battle power: 2012.
Task completion rate: Three out of ten. Since the host did not fully complete the task, the reward is reduced. Congratulations, host, you have earned a mysterious prize.”
Cheng Cheng had thought he wouldn’t receive any reward for failing to complete the task, but instead it was merely reduced—perhaps the system was kinder than he thought.
He took out the mysterious prize and found it was a map. On the map, a red dot marked the location of buried treasure.
The map consisted of four parts: the first appeared to outline a region, the second looked like a town’s layout, the third was more detailed, and the last provided step-by-step directions—what to see and where to go.
It was clearly a treasure map. Looks like he was about to become an adventurer.
“System, what is this treasure? Is it useful to me?” Cheng Cheng asked, not wanting to waste time for something pointless.
“You’ll understand once you find it. Rest assured, host, you’ll like it. Originally, the system would have granted the treasure directly for full task completion, but now you must seek it out yourself.”
Cheng Cheng examined the map, comparing the regions. He found the first piece matched the Unova region exactly. So the treasure was hidden in Unova. The second image seemed to depict a town within Unova—he’d have to search for it later. Anyway, Ash and his friends would travel to Unova eventually, so he could join them then.
Cheng Cheng put away the treasure map. Oh, he needed to buy a spaceship ticket. He logged onto the website and booked a ticket for tomorrow’s flight to the Kanto region. After confirming the ticket, Cheng Cheng entered a meditative state.
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Cheng Cheng walked into the backyard, taking Chimecho, Mr. Mime, and Gardevoir with him.
Chimecho was his first Pokémon, so he naturally kept it close. Gardevoir and Mr. Mime both had Fairy types, which would make research easier.
With his Pokémon in tow, Cheng Cheng boarded the spaceship bound for the Kanto region.
Pallet Town, here I come!