This seems like an inconspicuous commission, but once settled, Natsuhiko received an advance payment of twenty thousand alliance currency.
Cash.
After all, this is Natsuhiko's first time attending such a gathering, and to have an advance of twenty thousand is no small amount.
The truly valuable reward of this commission is Master Suzuki's manuscript; the money is just a bonus.
The gathering continues.
"Belch—Is there no one left? Then, everyone, take a look at this thing in my hand."
The person sitting cross-legged in front of the coffee table burped, and the rich smell of alcohol instantly filled the small room.
He took out a string of wooden Buddha beads.
Seeing the Buddha beads, Natsuhiko was taken aback.
Because he remembered the drinking monk at the black market entrance yesterday holding such beads.
So, is he the little monk?
Considering there's a bar outside, his appearance here seems quite reasonable.
"This string of Buddha beads is a treasure from the Bell Tower, made from materials blessed by the Divine Beast Phoenix King's Holy Fire, selling cheap for ten thousand alliance currency," the little monk introduced seriously.
Natsuhiko: "..."
He twitched at the corner of his eye.
Clearly, it's the same Buddha beads, which were sold to the old man guarding the black market yesterday for five hundred, oh no, the price later dropped to four hundred.
Now he wants ten thousand!
So the monk quotes different prices to different people, right?
How many Buddha beads do you have to sell... Natsuhiko couldn't help but complain inwardly.
But the Holy Fire of the Divine Beast Phoenix King successfully caught the attention of many in the room.
Let's admit, it works quite well; it instantly elevated the hidden value of the beads.
But the people here aren't fools either; the beads obviously look ordinary, and after giving them a slight attention everyone shifted their gaze away.
Just when Natsuhiko thought no one would be fooled, the "Breeder" suddenly spoke up.
"Oh? Interesting, sell it to me."
The little monk smiled.
"Finally met someone with knowledge."
Proudly exchanged the beads for a full ten thousand alliance currency, leaving several others in the room stunned.
Even Natsuhiko couldn't help but doubt.
Could the beads really have some history?
Just as he hesitantly glanced at the little monk, he met the monk's gaze, the pure eyes under the mask winked at him.
Natsuhiko turned his head subtly.
A few minutes passed with no one speaking, and the "Breeder" finally said: "Then today's gathering ends here, the next one will be organized by Old Bill, you can wait for his notice."
After speaking, he stood up slowly, and the Duskull that followed him obediently stayed by his side.
Opened another side door and walked out first.
When it was Natsuhiko's turn, he didn't hesitate either.
But as he passed through the door, the Abra sleeping in his clothes suddenly moved, waking up.
After a slight dizziness, when his vision resumed, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.
"Paired with an instant movement door?"
"Abra~~"
The Abra slowly crawled out of Natsuhiko's clothes, gently rubbing against him, sensing the power of telekinesis.
"Secrecy measures are quite good, this kind of gathering should not be organized for the first time, right? Who started it? Need to avoid Rocket Team's sight... and that little monk, seems to have recognized me?"
Natsuhiko had many doubts.
He actually wanted to propose some trades later, like the information or intelligence on Tom Rokicki which haunted him, or Sato Kenta.
Others might not know, but perhaps the organizer, "Breeder" might have some insight, even if he doesn't know about Tom Rokicki, information on Sato Kenta would be relatively easier to find.
But considering it's his first time participating in such a gathering, he chose to wait.
"Mama, hungry~~milk~~"
Abra's crisp voice echoed in Natsuhiko's mind.
His mouth twitched, he took a deep breath, didn't answer.
After slightly figuring out the direction, he headed towards his residence.
Tomorrow he'll go out to search for Dragon Fire Fruit, needing to prepare adequately.
He knows the Dragon Fire Fruit; it's an uncommon tree fruit beneficial to Fire-type Pokémon and a primary material needed for many Fire Elemental Energy Blocks.
He accidentally saw some traces on his last return from Fengluo River when Kakuna evolved into Beedrill.
But because he wasn't clear about the surrounding situation then, and the Beedrill just evolved, he didn't take risks.
However, he has ample time now, and it can serve as a brief full test of Beedrill's strength. With Master Suzuki's Breeder manuscript as a reward, and given the low danger, Natsuhiko decided to try.
"Though Dragon Fire Fruit is not plenty, but not scarce either, did Goldenrod City's Dragon Fire Fruit get cleared out?"
As he walked, Natsuhiko's mind sorted through some scattered information he obtained from attending today's gathering. After the Zapdos incident, he gradually got used to analyzing useful or useless intelligence from various aspects.
Of course, he still has more important things to attend to....
Speeding up his pace, slowly transitioning from a jog to a fast run.
"Abra! Let me emphasize once, I'm not your mom! Also...where are you biting?!"
...
...
The dawn is dim, and the darkness shields.
The next day.
Fully prepared, Natsuhiko packed up his gear and, with his Pokémon, didn't depart directly, but went to the club.
Anyway, a task for one outing, two tasks are also done. He wanted to see if there were any tasks from the club that happened to be on his way.
Abra's birth made him feel the pressure again.
He needs to earn more money.
The only solace is that apart from the slight disturbance at birth, Abra seems no different from a normal Abra.
His concern whether Abra inherited Yujira's psychic uncontrollability was quelled.
But it's unknown whether Abra inherited any techniques; he'll find out after its growth phase ends.
After all, Abra's lethargy has long been criticized, and if it hasn't inherited a technique, training will be difficult.
Touching the soft, kitten-like sleeping Abra in his arms, he walked out of the club.
On the way, Natsuhiko took another Pokémon capture task.
Considered an additional income.
Taking a cab out of the city center, soon reaching the edge of Goldenrod City.
As he was about to enter the wild, he was stopped by two people appearing to be alliance staff.
"Hello sir, we do not recommend entering dangerous areas during this period," one of them said politely.
"Why?" Natsuhiko stopped walking.
The man hesitated a bit before saying: "Recently, for unknown reasons, wild Pokémon around Goldenrod City have been quite active, their aggression towards humans has increased, many have encountered danger. If not necessary, we advise refraining from going out temporarily.
This is for your safety."
Wild Pokémon too active?
Natsuhiko recalled the task issuer from the gathering, that skinny man seemed to have mentioned it, but Natsuhiko didn't pay much attention, having just returned from the wild.
But now it seems, with even the alliance intervened, it might be serious.
"Thank you, I will be cautious, but I indeed need to go out." Natsuhiko expressed gratitude.
"Then please be careful, here's a signal flare provided by the Trainer Guild, if you encounter a sudden situation, launching the flare can obtain rescue."
Natsuhiko hesitated, but still accepted the signal flare.
This cast a shadow over his originally confident outing.
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The fourth update! This is a bonus for moon tickets! Finally, I can rest a bit tomorrow, don't give me moon tickets!