"Lakeside Town, here we are. Let's rest here for a while."
Looking at the small town ahead, Gu Yuan couldn't help but think of the soft beds in the Pokémon Center.
Even with a sleeping bag, he could still feel the hardness of the ground in the wild.
Nestled in Gu Yuan's arms, Eevee also began to look forward to a hot bath at the Pokémon Center.
Because of the river nearby, this place was named Lakeside Town.
Walking inside, Gu Yuan could see many shops selling fresh fish.
Thinking for a moment, he decided to buy some before leaving. Since food stored in his space pack wouldn't spoil, it would add two more dishes to his menu in the wild.
One was grilled fish, the other was fish soup.
Unfortunately, Gu Yuan's cooking skills were limited. No matter the ingredient, it always came down to those two recipes.
Before arriving here, he had heard that Lakeside Town sometimes held fishing contests. Sadly, he hadn't come at the right time.
"Hello, I'd like a room."
"No problem, please wait a moment."
With a warm smile, Nurse Joy took his Pokédex and quickly handled the registration.
At that moment, Gu Yuan felt he should visit towns like this more often.
Since there were fewer Trainers passing through, the Pokémon Center wasn't crowded, and he could spend more time close to Nurse Joy.
"All done. Turn left after you go in, and you'll find your room."
"Alright, thank you."
"You're welcome."
She watched him leave, and only then did her smile slowly fade.
She couldn't help it. Seeing energetic Trainers always made her happy.
"Hello, Joy, can you help me? Put this on your Pokémon bulletin board."
Not long after Gu Yuan left, Officer Jenny rushed in.
"Alright, alright, I know."
Joy shook her head helplessly. She really wondered when her sister would ever learn to be calm.
"What happened this time? What made you come all the way here again?"
Resting her chin on her hand, Joy was curious about the news her sister had brought.
"Look at this. It's a new wanted notice. It says the fugitive might pass through here soon."
"Don't worry, though, I'll catch him for sure!"
Jenny pulled out the notice, her voice filled with excitement.
"Yes, yes, when the time comes, I'll throw you a celebration feast. So do your best."
Joy nodded, but she didn't hold much hope. Her sister had said the same words many times, yet Joy had never seen her succeed.
As she spoke, Joy glanced at the wanted notice. The man pictured had a delicate, sinister face.
His eyes, even in the photo, gave off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Jenny, don't take risks when you go after him. Be careful."
Maybe it was the photo's influence, but Joy couldn't help reminding her friend.
"Relax, I will!"
Jenny nodded with a smile, pinned the notice to the board, then hurried off on patrol, hoping to find clues quickly.
Meanwhile, Gu Yuan didn't rest right away when he got back to his room. Instead, he began working.
Transporting so many Moon Stones to Shadow was no small task.
Following Shadow's instructions, Gu Yuan disguised his face and height, and delivered the stones through different routes.
Only after finding an empty corner did he remove the disguise and tuck it into his space pack.
Returning to the Center, Gu Yuan saw someone else registering for a room.
As he passed, he felt Eevee tense up, and even he sensed danger from the man.
Gu Yuan didn't look at his face directly, only glanced at his back before returning to his room.
"Kadabra, use your psychic power to track that man outside. Remember which room he goes into."
The moment he entered, Gu Yuan released Kadabra.
Whether that man was good or bad, both Eevee's reaction and his own instinct proved the stranger was very strong.
Naturally, Gu Yuan wanted more information.
Kadabra nodded, quickly locked on to the man, and began watching him. Meanwhile, Gu Yuan opened his communicator to request resources from Shadow.
It wasn't just Shadow's supplies. Some of them were things Gu Yuan had exchanged for with his own points.
He had to admit, spending his own points gave him more confidence. This time, he even requested a new Pokémon.
As Charmeleon neared Senior Rank, and Eevee and Kadabra steadily grew stronger, Gu Yuan had enough energy to raise more Pokémon.
***
"All set. I hope you enjoy your stay."
"Thanks."
Taking his room key, Mason smiled and left.
As he passed the bulletin board, he paused and studied the wanted notice, as if trying to memorize the man's face.
***
"Get ready. This is our new partner. Don't scare it."
In the training room, Gu Yuan smiled at Charmeleon and the others as he held a new Poké Ball.
Charmeleon and the rest nodded, excited.
Gu Yuan didn't make them wait. He released the new Pokémon from the ball.
A flash of white light shone, and a Mankey appeared.
Mankey's body was covered in pale yellow fur, with brown hands and feet.
It had a pink, pig-like snout and triangular eyes.
Its hands and feet had three fingers each, and its long, flexible tail ended in brown fur.
"Hello, Mankey. From now on, we're partners."
Gu Yuan greeted it with a smile.
Hearing his voice, Mankey looked up at his warm smile.
Not only that, but the food in Gu Yuan's hand gave off a delicious smell.
Touching its belly, Mankey realized it was hungry.
"From now on, we're partners. Please take care of me."
Gu Yuan placed the food in its hand and patted its fluffy head.
Inexperienced as it was, Mankey focused only on the food, not realizing it had already been won over.
"Let me introduce you. This is Charmeleon, this is Eevee, and this is Kadabra. They'll be your partners too."
Mankey didn't fully understand, but it still memorized their faces carefully.