"I'm an Intelligence Merchant, everyone calls me Old Bill, and I also organize gatherings for those in need. There's one happening today, if you're interested, feel free to join." Old Bill gave a simple introduction.
Intelligence Merchant?
In that case, Gastly's behavior might not be entirely its own.
Natsuhiko glanced at the elder's smiling face, unable to discern any intentions.
"Details?"
Old Bill chuckled as he said, "Mostly it's Trainers exchanging items, including Pokémon, tools, materials, or information. It's all equivalent exchange."
"Then why not go to the black market?" Natsuhiko retorted.
It seems these trade items can all be found in the black market, right?
"The black market is certainly an option, but you know the quality of Pokémon there, don't you? Furthermore, some things aren't even available on the black market."
Not available even in the black market?
Natsuhiko nodded, though he wasn't completely convinced by this reason.
Yet, his curiosity about these gatherings was piqued.
Seeing Natsuhiko's hesitation, the elder thought for a moment and added, "The actual controllers of Goldenrod City's black market are Rocket Team, but some people... don't fit under Rocket Team's radar. That's all I can say."
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko understood.
Goldenrod City officially belongs to the league, unofficially to Rocket Team, but that doesn't mean all Trainers in Goldenrod City belong solely to the league or Rocket Team.
Many like him, whose luck led them to become Trainers but failed to enter the league, still don't wish to join Rocket Team.
The league's chains are too heavy, Rocket Team would make one's identity overly sensitive.
Of course, if one digs deeper, could it also be possible there are other organizations within Goldenrod City?
Don't assume the Kanto Region contains only the league and Rocket Team, it's just that Rocket Team's influence forces other organizations to hide.
Additionally, outside Kanto Region, organizations from other areas might have people stationed in Goldenrod City.
For instance, Hoenn Region's Magma Team and Ocean Team, Sinnoh Region's Galaxy Team, Unova Region's Plasma Team, and others...
Previously, Natsuhiko had wondered why Goldenrod City seemed so clear-cut, either black or white, league or Rocket Team, never seeing any grey-area individuals. Old Bill's explanation resolved some of his doubts.
"I understand," Natsuhiko said.
"If that's the case, come with me, young man."
With that, Old Bill moved to the corner of the compartment, opened a hidden door, and gestured for Natsuhiko to enter.
"By the way, take this as a gift."
Old Bill produced a mask from nowhere.
"No thanks."
Natsuhiko didn't accept, instead tapping his fingers lightly on the Pokeball at his waist. As the Pokeball opened, a mask appeared in his hand, created by Ditto, which he wore with an expressionless face.
Seeing this, Old Bill was momentarily stunned, then chuckled once more.
"Young man, you're quite experienced."
He then led Natsuhiko through the hidden door, and after ten or so meters, they arrived at another door.
Old Bill expertly tapped on the door in a rhythmic manner.
After approximately five or six seconds.
Squeak—
With a creaking sound, the wooden door slowly opened, revealing a dimly lit face probing out, wearing a mask resembling a human skull, with a fiery red eye like Ghost Fire beneath the dark sockets.
Duskull!
Upon seeing the probing head, Natsuhiko recognized the Pokémon.
A Ghost-type Pokémon registered in the Hoenn Region, with two evolutionary stages, its final evolved form, Dusknoir, seemingly has yet to be discovered.
Duskull's eyes scanned Old Bill and Natsuhiko, and after some scrutiny, it allowed Natsuhiko to enter.
Old Bill didn't go in; he stood smiling at the door.
Once the door closed, his smile gradually faded.
"Vigilant enough, that's good."
Sneakily pinching off a small piece from the mask in his hand.
Upon entering, following Duskull through two more rooms, Natsuhiko arrived at a more secluded inner chamber.
A dozen or so individuals occupied the small room, some lounging on the sofa, some leaning against the wall, while others sat directly on the floor near the coffee table. Each wore a grey-white mask on their face.
Pulling his black robe tighter around him, Natsuhiko quietly stood at the wall by the door, arms crossed and leaning back.
His arrival slightly interrupted the ongoing transactions in the room, but upon seeing him remain silent, the gathering resumed.
He heard a gruff voice from the sofa, "Continuing from earlier—offering a Senior Level Machoke with the Defenseless Trait, having ample battle experience and decent fighting skills, for sale or exchange for money or Pokémon.
For Pokémon, I'd prefer Electric Type, Ice Type, or Rock Type Pokémon, at least Senior Level in strength."
After speaking, the burly individual fell silent, seemingly waiting for responses from those in the room.
Brawny, selling Fighting-type Pokémon, likely specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon training. Wanting Electric Type, Ice Type, or Rock Type Pokémon is understandable—to counter Flying Type Pokémon's advantage over Fighting-types... Natsuhiko silently thought.
But starting with Senior Level Pokémon, not the fully tamed type found on the black market, with guaranteed strength and self-will—once tamed, it becomes a powerful force—that's indeed incomparable to Pokémon sold on the black market.
Monetary wise, it would be worth tens of thousands, surely?
Yet after the burly man spoke, a long silence ensued, suggesting none met the conditions or were unwilling to offer the money.
As he was about to give up, a slightly sharp voice spoke up, "I don't have a Senior Level Flying-type, but I have an Excellence Level Pidgeotto, about to evolve, with the Sharp Gaze Trait, definitely reaching Senior Level post-evolution. I'll pay an extra fifteen thousand as compensation."
Hearing this, the burly man seemed hesitant.
Aware that his demands weren't low, Senior Level Flying-types with sufficient battle experience are indeed rare. After a brief hesitation, he nodded.
"Hope you're not exaggerating."
The sharp-voiced individual chuckled, "Assured by the 'Breeder,' you can trust it."
Many eyes fell on a mysterious figure rubbing a Pokeball on the single-seat sofa.
Called "Breeder," the mysterious figure lightly cleared their throat and softly said, "It's fine."
Thereby completing a smooth transaction.
Natsuhiko glanced at the mysterious "Breeder" perplexed, seemingly holding high credibility among these individuals, possibly the main host of this gathering?
Several trades occurred thereafter, involving Pokémon, items, and even information, some successful, others not.
Natsuhiko remained a silent observer throughout.
A statement soon drew his attention.
"I require no less than high-quality Dragon Fire Fruit, but recent Wild Pokémon around Goldenrod City seem overly restless, so I'm hoping someone can help gather it. I can offer Master Suzuki's handwritten Breeder notes, plus fifty thousand alliance currency as a reward."
The speaker was a slender man whose gaze fell on "Breeder," seemingly believing that their reward could only be met by "Breeder."
"Breeder" chuckled softly, "Dragon Fire Fruit has significant stimulation for Fire-type Pokémon's vitality. I used to have some stock, but it's all gone now."
"Master Suzuki's notes could fetch tens of thousands even on the black market, right? Why bother commissioning it here?" someone interjected impatiently.
"However, from what I know, almost all Dragon Fire Fruits in Goldenrod City were swept clean within days," the slender man responded.
"Becoming a Breeder is not easy—the vast array of complex data and techniques is overwhelming to the average person; it's regrettable... "
Master Suzuki's notes?
Natsuhiko's eyes sparkled, fortuitously aware of a Dragon Fire Fruit's location.
After minutes of sarcasm and no takers, Natsuhiko finally spoke:
"Perhaps I can deliver the fruit, but you'll have to wait up to a week."
"A week?" The slender man raised his head sharply.
Sitting on the single sofa, "Breeder" also glanced, intrigued, at Natsuhiko who hadn't spoken since his arrival.
"You'll need to pay a deposit."
After contemplating briefly, the man nodded, "I can advance twenty thousand alliance currency as a deposit, under 'Breeder's' witness."
Natsuhiko glanced at the non-objecting "Breeder," seemingly the enabler of this gathering's smooth proceedings.
Nodding, he stated, "Deal."
——————
Third installment! More to come later!