Chapter 169

Seeing them like this, Qiao Ran finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been bombarded with questions all day, and he was starting to feel overwhelmed.

Lillie was even considering whether to go back to the Aether Foundation to retrieve some photography equipment. Although various areas of the Aether Foundation had suffered some damage, finding these items shouldn't be too difficult.

The two girls' ability to execute orders was probably even more terrifying than he had imagined.

During the day, the group trekked in the wilderness, and in the evening, they followed Qiao Ran to the open...

Explore the new territory and enjoy dinner on the Wild Area.

"Suicune can cook... that's amazing!"

Looking at the various dishes on the plate, Lillie couldn't help but sigh. With the materials produced and stored in the Wild Area, as well as the cooking equipment that had been set up, and with the help of Reshiram's flames, the food made by Suicune brought Lillie a rather extraordinary experience. Perhaps the most important reason was that these dishes were not made by humans, but by Pokémon. From the initial processing to the final preparation, everything was done by them.

Some of the understandings about flavor can only be grasped by Pokémon.

"It's just a few small things. When the master travels, I'm usually in charge of cooking and doing laundry."

Suicune stood quietly to one side, looking as if she had completely embraced the role of Maid, refusing to sit down even when Qiao Ran tried to pull her down.

She's not usually like this.

I'm afraid... it's still because Lillie and Mei are there.

Qiao Ran shook his head helplessly. Everyone says that Pokémon are becoming more and more like trainers, but he would never do such a thing.

"Ugh... someone else's Pokémon."

Mei glanced at her own silly snake munching on Berry on the other side, Mei streaming down her face. Why were Qiao Ran's Pokémon all so well-behaved? They could even cook and do laundry!

Besides Suicune, Qiao Ran's other Pokémon also joined the gathering. Although the reason for the gathering was simply because Qiao Ran and his friends were stranded in the wild, Qiao Ran felt that this habit should continue.

After spending time together, the Pokémon gradually became familiar with Lillie and Mei.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Nebby...

Seeing so many interesting things, this guy has long since disappeared. He was just there trying to show Dianxi a diamond, but he vanished in the blink of an eye. As a Psychic type Pokémon, Teleport is indeed quite a headache.

However, unlike outside, Qiao Ran still has a strong sense of control in the Wild Area. At least here, there is no need to worry about Nebby running away. Letting it have fun and expend its energy is also a great thing.

After finishing his meal, Qiao Ran looked at the slightly swaying trees in the distance and suddenly an idea came to him.

"By the way... is Nebby male or female?"

"Um?"

As Qiao Ran the question, the Pokémon nearby fell silent, and even Lillie and Mei looked over.

"W-what's wrong?"

Suddenly being stared at by countless eyes, Qiao Ran couldn't help but pat her cheeks.

Is there anything on my face...? No?

"Could it be... that my problem is strange?"

Qiao Ran was puzzled.

"Indeed, it's a bit strange." Vulpix nodded.

Dianxi's expression was also a bit strange, and her gaze towards Qiao Ran became increasingly peculiar.

"The Nebby... it's just a cloud of gas."

Has the master... really gone this far?

It really is just gas!

The night in the Wild Area was quiet. While Lillie and Mei were enjoying a camping trip in the wild, Qiao Ran also had a good night's rest with his Pokémon.

Qiao Ran also sensed it; Dianxi was unusually enthusiastic today.

The group continued their journey the next day.

With a "what's done is done" attitude, since there was no way to get the next Badge quickly, Qiao Ran decided to complete the quest of 100 Pokémon in the next few days.

"... Lillie, what's wrong?"

"I'm a little... tired."

Unlike the energetic Mei, Lillie, although she wanted to become a Trainer, soon encountered her first hurdle—her stamina couldn't keep up.

After all, Lillie lacked physical training, and the young lady couldn't possibly do everything herself. Lusamine wasn't focusing on cultivating her physical strength, but rather on her demeanor and manners.

It's unrealistic to expect Lillie to just keep going like this day after day.

Let's take a short rest at noon today, and continue our journey tomorrow.

Qiao Ran offered his opinion: physical training is a gradual process, Lillie also needs to adapt slowly.

After all, Trainer is a profession that requires physical exertion. Even if you don't train with Pokémon regularly, you still have to withstand the aftereffects of Pokémon while standing on the Battle Court. Without some skill, you really can't stand on the field.

"Um."

Mei nodded in agreement. She was in a similar state when she first left home to start her trip, but as time went on, she felt her stamina improve.

Besides, they are trainers on a journey, not rushing around, so it's normal for them to camp in the wild for a while.

Incidentally, you can also train your Pokémon.

After lunch, Mei went to find Lillie.

"Lillie, now that we're all set to camp and rest, how about a fight?"

"Huh?"

Lillie was somewhat surprised, but still nodded. "Alright... please, please go easy on me."

The battle between the two began in a wide-open grassland.

The Aether Foundation's artificial weapon, the Type: Null, is only slightly weaker than Mei's ordinary Pokémon. Lillie's two Nihilego, while not as powerful as Qiao Ran's Queen, are still formidable.

"... Perhaps this is what paying players are like."

Qiao Ran sat on a tree branch not far away, watching the two fight, and couldn't help but sigh.

Other Trainer Pokémon when they go out, and only a very lucky few manage to get the Starter Pokémon. But with Lillie, Pokémon that are level 30 or 40 right away.

The most surprising thing is that these Pokémon actually have a fairly high level of intimacy with her. Nihilego is because of the familiar aura on its body, and the Type: Null, seems to be for a similar reason. They are all willing to obey her commands and are not completely disobedient like other Wild Pokémon.

If it were anyone else, these Pokémon to battle; they'd probably just smear their trainers' faces.

As for Nebby... Lillie doesn't plan to let it participate in battles for the time being; it's a child.

Comparisons are the thief of joy.

Qiao Ran jumped down from the tree branch. Thanks to Zacian's enhancement, his body was already approaching that of Super Palletian, but there was still a big gap between him and a true Rookie.

"I'll take advantage of this time to catch some Pokémon."

Since Yveltal, the Pokémon required for the Wild Area have become of a single type, which has greatly hindered Qiao Ran's capture efforts. Tasks that could have been completed quickly have now taken many, many times longer.

"Thank you, Suicune."

Taking the Poké Ball from Suicune's tentacle, Qiao Ran touched Rotom's screen and disappeared into the Forest.

He was teleported to the Wild Area, and at the same moment, the voice of Rotom's machinery rang in his ears.

Congratulations, you've reached 100 Pokémon!

Reward: 1 chance to draw

"Required attribute for the next 100: Fairy type"

"Finally, I've achieved it... Wait, the next attribute is Fairy type?"

Qiao Ran's joy was short-lived; he stared wide-eyed at Rotom's screen.

Fairy type Pokémon are actually quite rare in the wild, and... because most people in this world like to raise a Fairy type Pokémon, regardless of whether they are Trainer or not.

Therefore, the population of Fairy type Pokémon in the wild is generally not very large. Based on Qiao Ran's observations over this period of time, it should be considered one of the most difficult types to find, besides Dragon-type.

Other similar rare types should also include Steel-type.

How long is it going to take him to catch 100 Fairy type Pokémon?!

"... Master, don't be discouraged, Rotom. At least try to get a new partner first, Rotom."

Seeing Qiao Ran's sudden dejection, Rotom began to encourage him, flying around aimlessly in the air.

"Really."

After a moment of dejection, Qiao Ran patted his cheeks and looked up in Rotom's direction.

As Rotom said, now is the best time to acquire new companions. Wasn't this the moment he had been so actively catching Pokémon?

Only new strength could help them overcome the difficulties they faced at that time.

"Rotom."

"Okay, Rotom."

Rotom obediently Levitate in front of Qiao Ran, while Qiao Ran's other Pokémon formed a circle around it, watching the scene unfold.

"Here we go."

Qiao Ran reached out and tapped Rotom's screen.

In an instant, a beam of light descended from the sky, piercing through the thick sky and overcoming countless obstacles. No one knew where this light came from, but at this moment, in this time and space, it was indeed projected in front of Qiao Ran.

A Poké Ball slowly descended from within the pillar of light.

"..."

Qiao Ran watched silently, then reached out and cupped it in her palms.

Even through the barrier of the Poké Ball, Qiao Ran could still feel the connection between him and the other party.

Qiao Ran had only experienced this obvious sense of spiritual connection with Pokémon that he was already extremely familiar with, and that could even Pokémon on Humanoid Transformation.

This year's Pokémon... seems quite special.

"..."

Qiao Ran closed his eyes slightly, then gently opened them again. As he pressed the button on the Poké Ball, the Pokémon inside appeared in front of him.

At that moment, he actually heard a clear female voice with his own ears.

"Owner."

Contrary to Qiao Ran's expectations, and even to the Pokémon present, the figure that appeared before Qiao Ran did not resemble a Pokémon, but rather an ordinary human.

She had long red hair, bright eyes, and wore a black and white Maid dress similar to Suicune's at this moment. She also wore a lace headdress. No matter how you looked at it, she was a human.

"This..."

Qiao Ran was also in a daze.

For a second or two, he was a little confused about what had happened.

Could it be that a human could be drawn from this ball???

Or is this guy's situation similar to Lillie's and the others—someone who can also be trapped inside a ball?

Is there some mistake?

Isn't this the Pokémon World, or the world of Pokémon humans??

No... that's not right.

Because the situation was somewhat unexpected, Qiao Ran was a little flustered at first, but he quickly calmed down.

It shouldn't be that there are humans inside.

Instead... the Pokémon in it should look like humans.

--It's not that it uses his Humanoid Transformation ability, but rather that this Pokémon originally possesses similar skills.

Humanoid Transformation Pokémon do exist.

Qiao Ran stared at the Red-Haired Woman in front of him, his gaze fixed on her unique, high-pillared double ponytail hairstyle.

He seemed to already have the answer in his heart.