Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
As usual, the Pokémon came to eat at the shop. Most of them brought gifts, sometimes a flower, sometimes a Berry, or even parts of their own bodies. No matter what they offered, Diancie always accepted with joy.
After Munchlax's fur, Ange gradually received Meowstic's claw, Dedenne's whisker, Bellsprout's root, and Sudowoodo's bark fragments.
According to the Eye of Observation, all of them could be used to make TMs.
Unfortunately, the device needed to make TMs was far too expensive for Ange to afford.
Listening to the laughter of Pokémon outside, Ange steamed Mantou while humming a little tune.
Suddenly, shouts came from outside. Ange's heart tightened. Something happened? He hurried to peek out through the doorway. A group of Pokémon gathered around something, lowering their heads and chattering excitedly.
What happened? Ange was curious, but the Pokémon formed a tight circle, making it impossible to see. Even Diancie was there, watching with interest.
From its expression, it didn't seem like anything bad.
Hmm?
Gradually, faint blue and white light leaked from the circle.
That was…
Ange's eyes widened.
"Fuu~ fuu~~"
A cry echoed, and Diancie stepped out of the crowd holding a brand-new Pokémon; it was Spewpa!
So that Scatterbug who often came to eat had evolved!
Ange's food worked just like Pokémon Food. Since Scatterbug had eaten its fill every day, it naturally had enough energy to evolve.
Through the Eye of Observation, Ange looked at the Spewpa in Diancie's arms. Its data appeared in his sight.
Spewpa
[Type] Bug
[Ability] Shed Skin
[Gender] Female
[Level] 9
[Moves] Protect, Harden, Poison Powder, Bug Bite
[IVs]
HP: 5
Attack: 6
Defense: 9
Sp. Atk: 12
Sp. Def: 17
Speed: 8
It was indeed at the right level to evolve, though its stats were rather average.
Everyone was thrilled by Scatterbug's evolution, and the shop grew lively again.
To celebrate, some even wanted to share their food with Spewpa. Unfortunately, since Spewpa was a transitional form between Scatterbug and Vivillon, it wouldn't eat during this stage, drinking only dew until it evolved again.
The Pokémon of the Nebel Plateau were truly united. They rejoiced at each other's happiness and shared in each other's pain. Whenever one was in trouble, the others rushed to help.
Ange really liked the Nebel Plateau and the way the Pokémon lived together here. He was also grateful that the System had placed his base in such a place.
He turned his gaze from Spewpa and opened the System interface.
[Serve 50 Pokémon within 10 days. (50/50) — Completed, Reward pending.]
His second mission was finally complete. It took one more day than he planned, but still five days earlier than the System's deadline.
Ange claimed the reward without hesitation.
[Congratulations, Host, Reward: +1 Constitution!]
A surge of power filled his body. He felt like he could punch a Tauros to death right now!
Hahaha, maybe that was an exaggeration.
He checked his personal info.
Ange
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 16 (+500)
Constitution: 3
Intelligence: 2
Cooking Rating: A Chick Who Can Make Edible Food
His Constitution had indeed increased by one, though there was no Achievement reward this time, so Intelligence remained the same.
He still didn't know what Intelligence affected, but since Constitution had clear benefits, Intelligence must have its use too.
He would figure that out later.
Happiness Points: 7900.
Not even ten thousand yet. That stung a bit.
The morning passed quickly. After breakfast, Diancie escorted the Pokémon out and called out, "Litwick, remember to bring Pancham and the others to help this afternoon!"
Muu~ Got it!
Litwick shouted back cheerfully.
She meant the garden work. The plan had been set a few days ago, but Ange needed time to decide what crops to plant and gather the seeds, so it was delayed.
After a few days together, Diancie had grown very close to Litwick's group. Unfortunately, they were still nervous and shy around Ange.
Once the Pokémon left, Diancie began cleaning the hall, while Ange tidied the kitchen.
He was just about to store the leftover dough in the fridge when he turned and saw a Pokémon standing not far away, staring straight at him.
Ange jumped, nearly throwing the dough in shock.
Oh no, I've been found out!
"Munchlax, what are you doing here?"
To his surprise, Munchlax didn't seem afraid of him at all. Tilting its head calmly, it asked,
"Munch~ munch~?" Are you a human?
Too bad Ange couldn't understand Pokémon speech.
"Ange? Munchlax? What are you doing?" Diancie entered with the feeding bowls.
"Munchlax somehow ran into the kitchen," Ange explained.
Diancie smacked her forehead. "Ah, I knew it! When I was seeing everyone off, I felt like someone was missing—it was you!"
Munch~ munch~~
Munchlax grinned, then asked its question again. With Diancie's translation, Ange finally understood.
"Yes, that's right." He answered awkwardly, worried he might scare Munchlax off.
Munch~ munch~ munch~~ But everyone says humans are bad, that they hurt us.
Munchlax's voice was full of doubt.
Munch~ munch~ munch~~ But you smell really nice. You don't seem bad at all.
It sniffed closer to Ange.
Munch~ So good!
Ange had just steamed Mantou, and some of the aroma lingered on him. Though faint, Munchlax caught it easily.
Ange was amazed, its sense of smell was very sharp!
Diancie explained, "The Mantou you eat every day? Ange makes it. Do you still think he's bad?"
Munchlax's eyes went round and bright, glowing like twin bulbs.
Munch~ munch~~~ Really? Really?
Ange swore he saw stars shining in its eyes.
"Yes… yes." He nodded nervously. "You're not scared of me?"
Munch~ munch~ Someone who can cook tasty food can't be bad.
Munchlax said firmly.
Munch~ munch~~ You're amazing! Really amazing!
So this is the faith of a foodie, huh?
Ange thought he even saw admiration in its gaze.
Then Diancie suddenly gasped. "Ange, there's a temporary mission!"
A temporary mission?
That was new!
"What is it? Let me see." Ange leaned closer.
Diancie floated beside him and opened the mission window.
[Capture a Pokémon with chef potential and make it your cooking assistant. Accept?
Yes / No]
A Pokémon with chef potential?
Ange instinctively looked at Munchlax, who was staring back at him in confusion.
It had to be this one.
Of course. The timing was too perfect. The mission clearly meant for him to recruit Munchlax.
Made sense, too. The number of Pokémon visiting the shop would only grow. Without help, he'd collapse from overwork.
The System was considerate as always.
Accept!
Ange confirmed immediately.
Munchlax blinked in confusion. It couldn't see the System windows, only Ange and Diancie pointing at empty air like lunatics.
After accepting, Ange turned to it. "Munchlax, would you like to stay here and learn cooking with me?"
Munch~Learn cooking?
It tilted its head.
"That's right!" Ange nodded. "Once you learn, you can make delicious food all by yourself. Eat whenever you want."
The more he spoke, the brighter Munchlax's eyes became. Drool glistened at the corner of its mouth. Its expression was full of longing, as if it already pictured itself cooking and feasting.
"What do you say? Want to stay with me? You'll never go hungry again."
Munch!!! I want to learn cooking!
Munchlax clenched its fists, determination shining in its eyes.
Ange's face lit up. "Then it's settled. No backing out later."
Munch~ munch~~ I won't!
Munchlax nodded hard.
"Deal, then. Nice to have you with us." Ange reached out his hand.
Munch~
Munchlax solemnly grasped it.
The moment their hands met, the System interface changed.
[Capture a Pokémon with chef potential and make it your cooking assistant! — Completed, Reward pending.]
Ange immediately claimed it.
[Congratulations, Host, Reward: +1 Constitution, +1 IV Point, Cooking Training Room unlocked.]
Ange froze for a second. Constitution +1 made sense, but what was an "IV Point"? And a Cooking Training Room?
He glanced at his personal info and noticed a new box below Happiness Points and Store, labeled "IV Point," showing the number 1.
He tapped it, and a window appeared with three selectable options:
Diancie
Komala
Munchlax
The first two were dimmed; only Munchlax's name was bright.
He tried clicking Diancie and Komala, but there was no reaction. When he clicked Munchlax, six stat options appeared:
HP: 29
Attack: 16
Defense: 20
Sp. Atk: 6
Sp. Def: 10
Speed: 31
So he was right, the IV Point could be assigned to Pokémon. Diancie and Komala probably couldn't receive it because Diancie's IVs were already perfect, and Komala's data couldn't be checked by the Eye of Observation.
"Diancie, come look."
To confirm, Ange called her over, and she verified it.
Since only Munchlax qualified, and since this point came from recruiting it, he decided to give it the boost.
He tapped "Attack." The IV Point counter dropped to zero, while Munchlax's Attack rose from 16 to 17.
Under the Eye of Observation, its stats now read:
Munchlax
[Type] Normal
[Ability] Thick Fat
[Gender] Male
[Level] 18
[Moves] Tackle, Lick, Defense Curl, Recycle, Covet, Bite, Take Down, Charm, Seed Bomb, Brick Break, Counter
[IVs]
HP: 29
Attack: 17
Defense: 20
Sp. Atk: 6
Sp. Def: 10
Speed: 31
As if sensing the change in its body, Munchlax subconsciously clenched its fists, though it couldn't figure out what had happened. In the end, it simply tossed the thought aside.
Not only had Munchlax's data changed, but Ange's personal stats had as well.
Ange
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 16 (+500)
Constitution: 4
Intelligence: 2
Cooking Rating: A Chick Who Can Make Edible Food
Staring at the shining number "4" beside Constitution, Ange burst into wild laughter in his mind.
"Ahahaha! I've gotten stronger again!"
Oh, right, there was still one more reward, the Cooking Training Room had been unlocked!
Ange immediately turned to consult his guide fairy, Diancie.
"Diancie, what's the Cooking Training Room?"
But Diancie only grinned mischievously and kept him guessing.
"Finish cleaning up first, then I'll tell you!"
With no choice, Ange continued tidying up the kitchen.
Munchlax, now seeing itself as part of the family, hurried forward to help, but having no experience, it didn't know where to begin.
Watching it fumble around helplessly, Ange patted its head and said, "Munchlax, just watch me for now. Learn carefully, and once you've got the hang of it, then you can start helping, alright?"