Kairos set down the dimensional communicator, his gaze falling once more on the system interface where Cynthia's emotion threshold level had risen to LV3.
A golden border now framed her name and level number, noticeably more eye-catching than the previous Level 2 marker.
After reaching Level 3, the emotion points he gained from her would receive a threefold bonus. That was already quite a solid return.
He unconsciously pondered a question: So this level... could it go even higher? What would Level 4 look like? Would there be even better bonuses or new feedback mechanisms?
The instant that thought crossed his mind, as if immediately responding to his question, a line of smaller but equally clear golden system text silently appeared:
[Prompt: Special player emotion threshold levels can continue to increase. Upon reaching higher levels, the host will receive more generous rewards and have a chance to unlock new [Trait Skills] related to that player's core characteristics, or enhance existing trait skills.]
Kairos's eyes lit up.
Well, well! So it really is possible!
Looks like going forward, he'd need to spend more time arranging content and storylines about Legendary Pokémon in the game.
After all, that was the only way to help Cynthia, this mythology enthusiast, break through quickly.
At the same time, his thoughts shifted to the other two special players with higher threshold levels: Lance and Iono. Currently, they were both still at Level 2.
How could he raise their thresholds?
Based on this experience, he'd probably need to tailor the approach to each individual.
Cynthia was obsessed with mythology and history, so shocking Legendary Pokémon storylines became the key to her breakthrough.
What about Lance? What did Lance like?
Well, no need to even ask. Definitely Dragon-type Pokémon.
Sure, the guy's entire team was Flying-type Pokémon, but his love for dragons was genuine.
In that case, Rayquaza, the Dragon of the Sky, should really hit the spot for him, right?
Calculating the timing, Lance's game progress should be approaching that climactic scene where Rayquaza descends to quell the battle between Groudon and Kyogre.
When that happens, judging by his reaction would tell the story. Who knows, he might even break straight through to Level 4.
As for Iono... Kairos scratched his head a bit.
This Electric-type Gym Leader, who focused on streaming effects, what did she like? Where should he start looking for a breakthrough point? He really wasn't very clear on that.
Could it be Electric-type Pokémon?
Thinking this far, Kairos shook his head slightly.
Only now did he remember that earlier, he'd been so absorbed in studying his newly acquired [Mythic Resonance] ability that he'd nearly forgotten another important gain: that gleaming S+ rank system item box!
As mentioned before, system items were different from ordinary items. Things like invitation cards and dimensional communicators all belonged to the system item category.
So what good stuff would he pull from this one?
He was genuinely a bit excited.
An S+ rank box, after all. It had to deliver something good, right?
The next moment, he hesitated no longer. With a thought, he chose to open the treasure box.
There were no exaggerated light effects, only what appeared to be an ancient yet luminous scroll that silently materialized in his system space.
Though calling it a scroll wasn't quite right. It looked more like a thick tome bound in some unknown type of leather.
The cover was a deep gold color with no text whatsoever, only a complex, constantly shifting mark engraved on it that resembled a starry sky.
When Kairos retrieved it from the system space, the moment the book fell into his hands, a heavy weight and a strange pulsing sensation immediately transmitted through.
At the same time, information about this item flowed into his mind.
[Legendary Pokédex] (S+ Rank Special Item)
[Description: This is no ordinary object, but rather a miraculous creation faintly connected to the deep mythological pulse of the world.
It does not passively record what is already known, but rather actively guides its holder to explore the unknown and establish bonds beyond the mundane with those lives that walk among legends.]
[Effects:
1. [Record Chapter]: Automatically records Legendary Pokémon/Mythical Pokémon that the host personally encounters and meaningfully interacts with.
After recording, it will display basic names and initial impressions. Currently recorded: 1 (Mewtwo, Status: Bound/Dormant, Impression: Wary/Distant).
2. [Pursuit Chapter]: Can expend a certain amount of emotion points to obtain basic information about a specified Legendary/Mythical Pokémon (including but not limited to brief lineage data, general temperament tendencies, potential preferences, recent possible habitat or active area clues). The level of detail and accuracy is proportional to the points consumed.
3. [Contract Chapter]: Upon establishing effective "connections" with a certain number of Legendary/Mythical Pokémon (judgment criteria: must meet in person and conduct substantive communication, successfully promoting the "game" concept to them so they develop awareness or interest), special rewards granted by the Pokédex itself can be obtained. Current progress: 1/?. Number of effective connections needed for next reward: 3.]
Holy crap?
Looking at this newly acquired [Legendary Pokédex], Kairos's mood immediately grew somewhat complicated.
These effects... It's called a Pokédex, but how does it feel more like a "Legendary Pokémon Friend-Making and Game Promotion Guide"?
Isn't this basically encouraging him to network with those Legendary Pokémon?
Uh, calling it networking might not be entirely accurate. After all, the Pokédex required promoting the game... but wasn't that even harder than simply building favorability?
Mewtwo being able to play the game was entirely thanks to the [Invitation Card], a special item that forcibly established the connection.
Other Legendary Pokémon didn't have that privilege. Could he really lug a computer tower and monitor to some sleeping sanctuary or volcanic crater and greet them there?
Then go, "Hey there, Groudon buddy! Come check out this new game I made. Kill some time with it?"
Kairos covered his face. Just imagining that scene was too much, almost too painful to contemplate.
Going directly like that would most likely result in either being ignored or getting treated as an annoying pest to be eliminated.
Did Legendary Pokémon think the same way as humans? Would they even be interested in video games?
Kairos really couldn't say for sure at this point. So, before solving the problem of "how to let Legendary Pokémon also play games," this Pokédex's third function, the [Contract Chapter], was basically a pie in the sky he could see but not eat.
However...
Kairos stroked the Pokédex's cool cover and made a decision.
The first two functions could be tested out right now.
At least with this [Pursuit Chapter], finding those Legendary Pokémon hidden in the corners of the world would become infinitely easier.
It was equivalent to a super radar plus an intelligence database.
The problem he'd been worried about before, not being able to find Legendary Pokémon, now had a solution.
The bad news was that the question of how to actually meet them after finding them still existed, and because of the Pokédex's reward requirements, had become slightly more challenging. For now... why not give it a try?
Kairos took a deep breath and reached out to open the thick Pokédex.
This book clearly wasn't made of ordinary paper, but rather some flexible, semi-transparent material with faint light patterns floating across its surface.
Whose information should he look up?
Kairos thought for a moment.
He was currently in the Kanto region, and there really weren't many local Legendary Pokémon... how about checking Moltres's location first?
That one was a secondary legendary anyway, not that prestigious, so the points cost shouldn't be too high.
He concentrated, mentally visualizing Moltres's appearance and name.
The next moment, the light patterns on the blank page rapidly converged, transforming into a line of text flickering with faint flame patterns: [Obtaining information related to "Moltres" requires payment of emotion points: 3,000 points.]
"Three thousand points?!"
Kairos froze for a moment.
That expensive?
This price could buy a mid-tier module... It was just location information, yet this Pokédex charged without mercy.
But since he'd just earned 5,000 points anyway, testing the Pokédex's effectiveness was worthwhile.
"Pay."
The instant the points were deducted, the flame patterns on the page suddenly blazed bright, quickly sketching out a simplified map outline with a conspicuous red dot constantly flashing.
At the same time, several small lines of text appeared below:
[Legendary Name: Moltres]
[Status: Active]
[Recent frequent activity area marked]
[Note: Energy fluctuations are unstable, appear to be in an abnormal cycle.]
Mt. Ember?
Kairos's heart stirred. He immediately pulled out his phone and called up a map of the Kanto region for comparison.
Sure enough, the red dot location indicated by the Pokédex corresponded exactly with the spot marked "Mt. Ember" on the map.
This result both surprised him and made perfect sense.
The surprise was that this location matched exactly with Moltres's habitat from a certain game in his memory.
But it made sense because the information provided by this Pokédex did appear accurate and reliable, not just randomly pointing directions.
Looks like those 3,000 points were well spent.
He gently closed the Legendary Pokédex and returned it to his system space.
Knowing the location actually made him calmer.
Run to Mt. Ember right now? That wouldn't accomplish much. After all, what could he do even if he found it?
Sneaking a peek at Moltres from far away probably wouldn't even fully activate the [Record Chapter], let alone promote the game to Moltres. Going there would only increase the risk.
Looks like, going forward, besides ensuring safety when meeting legendary beasts, he still needed to figure out how to solve the technical problem of "how to let non-human, non-Trainer existences also experience the game"...
Kairos rubbed his temples.
Perhaps... next time he went to that world, he could subtly ask that female professor whether their world's tech tree had developed anything special...
As for right now...
His gaze turned to the computer screen, which still displayed the development interface for Pokémon: Emerald.
Cynthia had already cleared the current version and was stuck on that cliffhanger with the Ultra Wormhole he'd deliberately designed.
In that case, as the developer, it was time to put the follow-up storyline on the development schedule.
Alright, no more overthinking. Time to get to work.
Kairos took a deep breath, pushed down the distracting thoughts, and placed his fingers back on the keyboard.
This storyline about Rayquaza and the Ultra Wormhole differed from the original and was something he'd carefully designed, specifically to flesh out the worldview and plot threads of Ultimate Emerald.
As for what would appear inside the Ultra Wormhole...
Well, let's just say it definitely wouldn't be any ordinary Pokémon.
But specifically which one? Kairos hadn't quite decided yet.
Meanwhile, in that Team Rocket base.
Giovanni's gaze was locked firmly on the Rustboro City sign on the screen, his finger lightly tapping on the mouse in a steady rhythm.
His previous casual, exploratory mindset had completely vanished, replaced by seriousness and focus.
Every wild Pokémon encounter, every Trainer battle, was no longer simple game progression but a ladder to gain experience, improve rankings, and compete for those mysterious real-world rewards.
"Beedrill, Twineedle!" His commands were concise and forceful.
The Beedrill on screen moved as swiftly as lightning, easily defeating a wild Zigzagoon.
Watching the experience bar grow imperceptibly by a sliver, Giovanni's lips curved into a cold, sharp arc.
This tangible feeling of "getting stronger," even in a virtual world, rekindled his long-dormant desire for conquest.
His mind rapidly calculated: Based on known intelligence, reward distribution was tied to game progress and global rankings. Therefore, efficiency was paramount.
He must quickly collect stronger Pokémon, optimize team composition, and clear the main storyline in the shortest time possible to compete for higher rankings.
He even began considering whether to mobilize Team Rocket's resources in the real world to gather intelligence on other top players, analyze their progress, and ensure he always remained in the first tier.
"Rainbow Rocket..." He murmured the name again, his gaze profound.
If everything in the game could map to reality... this might not be just the plundering of items, but potentially a shortcut to making his organization even more powerful.
This thought made his heartbeat accelerate slightly.
Just then, his private communicator vibrated. It was an encrypted message from Matori, who handled intelligence analysis.
The message roughly summarized the former Dream Factory employee's whistleblowing incident circulating online, with an annotation: "This incident's heat is being rapidly overshadowed by news of 'Emerald physical rewards,' dealing a substantial blow to Dream Factory but having no direct impact on us."
[Additionally, the League investigation team has arrived in the Paldea region, attempting to contact Gym Leader Iono, but no progress has been made yet.]
Giovanni quickly skimmed through it and let out a cold snort.
Dream Factory's internal strife seemed trivial to him, hardly worth mentioning.
The League's investigation was actually within expectations. He was even pleased to see it.
The League's involvement might draw out more information about "Wind Studio." That would be beneficial.
After brief consideration, he typed a reply to Matori: [Continue monitoring League movements, especially any analysis reports regarding physical reward technology.
Redirect some resources to secretly gather information on Emerald top players globally, focusing on those likely to receive rare rewards.]
Setting down the communicator, Giovanni refocused all his attention on the game.
At this moment, his character was about to enter a new forest area.
He knew the real challenges and opportunities hadn't arrived yet.
Meanwhile, in that coffee shop's private room with its slightly tragic atmosphere, Adam and the others watched the online posts they'd leaked stir up some ripples before quickly being drowned out by content about "Rare Candy" and "teleportation," their moods all complicated.
"Looks like... our little news compared to theirs doesn't even count as a ripple."
The black-framed glasses planner smiled bitterly as he pushed up his glasses.