Why is my Pokémon girl a bit strange?

Qiao Ran reached out to take it, but before he could get a firm grip, an unprecedented pressure slammed into his palm. He couldn't hold on for even half a second before the shovel dropped to the ground, creating a shallow crater.

"..."

Qiao Ran stared at the shovel, his mouth agape, as if he'd lost the ability to speak.

"So, it's still no good... How about this, you can start with a lighter shovel. I can have someone get you a lighter one."

Iron Maiden patted Qiao Ran's shoulder, encouraging him not to get discouraged. Then, she bent down and effortlessly lifted the shovel with one hand.

Watching her, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Qiao Ran's forehead. "..."

As expected, asking a monster like her for advice on how to train was definitely him overthinking things.

Did this guy only have shovels in his head!

Despite his doubts, Qiao Ran eventually picked up the specially made shovel Iron Maiden had given him and began his training. If he ran ten kilometers every day, did 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, and 100 squats for three consecutive years, he'd eventually develop a bald head.

Of course, during this time, Qiao Ran also took the opportunity to start the next phase of his Pokémon capture. However, this mission was significantly more difficult than the previous one.

"Ding ding! This time, you need to capture 100 Rock-type Pokémon. Only Rock-type is allowed, Lotto!"

"Only Rock-type? Weren't they always dual-type before?"

In Pokémon Pioneer Land, Qiao Ran stroked his chin. Capturing 100 Pokémon of two types would already take a considerable amount of time. If it was only a single type, the time would likely increase even more.

"The difficulty is definitely increasing, Lotto. It's only Rock-type now, but in the future, it might even become Dragon-type, Lotto!"

Rotom said with a chuckle. Looking at her seemingly knowing gaze, Qiao Ran increasingly felt that this might indeed happen in the future.

"100 Dragon-types... Where am I supposed to catch 100 Dragon-types?"

Qiao Ran pouted helplessly. Fortunately, the current types were relatively easy to catch and not rare or uncommon. However, if it were really Dragon-types, it would probably be quite troublesome.

"If Master can't catch them, you can find your own way, Lotto. For example, Altaria she can..."

"Chiiii—!"

Rotom's mischievous smile was spotted by Altaria, who happened to be passing by. Immediately, Rotom was grabbed by two bird claws.

"Don't grab me, don't grab me, Lotto! I was just saying, you can't do it now, you're not part of the Humanoid Group... Okay, okay, I won't say anymore, Lotto! Let me down, Lotto!"

"Aaaaahhhhhh!"

Rotom's screams echoed above the clouds. Even though she could float in mid-air herself, she looked like she had acrophobia.

Qiao Ran withdrew his gaze from the sky. As a qualified trainer, he wouldn't interrupt his Pokémon's "friendly exchange." Moreover, this guy always went on about the Humanoid Group, and Qiao Ran strongly suspected that Vulpix and Dianxi were corrupted by her.

"So... should I deal with this thing now?"

Pulling his gaze back from the sky, Qiao Ran took out a forgotten item from his pocket. Or rather, it was something he had wanted to use before but hadn't dared to.

--A key shimmering with golden light.

The number 037 was also engraved on the key.

"Waiting is indeed boring, but... I feel like I need to meet Mei before I can make this decision."

Qiao Ran muttered to himself and sat down on the grass.

His current strength had improved considerably compared to before. After challenging the Gym, Vulpix's level reached 31, and Dianxi and Suicune both broke through level 27. Moreover, he had decided back then to use this key after challenging the Gym, but now Mei had appeared as a variable.

Unlike others, she was from the real Pokémon world, someone who shouldn't be here. She must possess some information that Qiao Ran wanted.

"Forget it, I won't use it for now. If they happen to return while I'm away, it would be troublesome."

After thinking for a while, Qiao Ran dismissed the idea of using it now.

Using it now would save time, but if he happened to miss their return, the cost would outweigh the benefit.

Therefore, his final decision was not to use it for now.

The very next day after Qiao Ran returned to the real world, he heard good news from Eve.

"Qiao Ran, Qiao Ran, I just got word that my sister and the others are coming back soon!!"

"Coming back?"

Looking at Eve's excited face, Qiao Ran couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness... he hadn't used the key yesterday. If he had, he probably would have truly missed them.

Chapter 61 060 [Your Ability is Important] (Seeking Votes!)

"Where are they now?"

Having received the news of their imminent return, Qiao Ran continued to press for details. His only remaining purpose for staying here was this.

"It will still take a little more time. Sister Tie told me this news..."

Eve stated that she didn't know the specifics either. Such expeditions usually had confidentiality agreements, and the League had always been strict about protecting ruins. Just like the one Qiao Ran encountered last time—a wild ruin that appeared in the wilderness, and the League dispatched an Elite Four-level inspector.

Although it was highly likely that Yi Ruoyun happened to be passing by at that time, regardless, it showed the League's level of importance.

"Alright, looks like I'll have to wait a bit longer."

Qiao Ran shook his head helplessly. He was a person who preferred adventure. Being stuck in one place made him feel like he was growing moss.

However, just as Qiao Ran was talking with Eve, the Gym Leader Iron Maiden also walked over, swinging a large iron shovel. Her expression seemed rather serious.

"Qiao Ran, come here for a moment. There are some things I need to discuss with you."

"Me?" Qiao Ran pointed to himself, then looked at Eve. Her expression was also one of utter confusion.

"Little Eve, sorry, I'm borrowing this man for a bit, okay?"

Iron Maiden hooked her arm around Qiao Ran's shoulder and then forcefully dragged him away. The immense strength even gave Qiao Ran the illusion that he was being kidnapped—if he dared to resist, she would have surely used an Eagle Claw technique to snap his neck.

Taking Qiao Ran to a nearby room, Iron Maiden finally stopped.

"You should have heard from Little Eve, right? Her sister is coming back soon."

"Mhm, we were just discussing that," Qiao Ran nodded.

"It's good that you know."

Iron Maiden paused.

"They found something very important this time... However, due to certain reasons, their whereabouts were leaked. The League received intel that a group of poachers intends to ambush them on the way."

Iron Maiden turned around, her eyes filled with a grave light.

"What... How did the poachers get the intel?"

Listening to Iron Maiden's explanation, Qiao Ran's eyes widened.

"It's nothing more than planting moles in each other's organizations. All organizations are the same," Iron Maiden waved her hand, indicating she was used to all of this.

If there is a 10% profit, capital will assure itself everywhere; with 20%, it will become active; with 50%, it will be positively eager; with 100%, it will despise all human laws; with 300%, there is not a crime at which it will not scruple, nor a risk it will not run, even to the hazard of its head.

The poacher organization was built on this very principle. Especially when it came to stealing from ruins, they received support from foreign powers, and the vested interests involved were incredibly complex.

"Why... are you telling me this? What if I'm a mole too?"

Qiao Ran swallowed. Honestly, he was just an unknown nobody right now, a novice trainer who had "just started his journey." By all logic, Iron Maiden had no reason to ask him for something like this.

Besides, he hadn't proven he wasn't a mole, and the Gym Leader in front of him had never interrogated him.

"If you are, then it means I, Iron... Gym Leader, have misjudged you, and Little Eve has misjudged you too."

Iron Maiden patted Qiao Ran's shoulder again, telling him not to worry.

"Get ready. We're going out in a bit... You have to come with us. Your abilities are very important."

"...My abilities?"

Question marks popped up above Qiao Ran's head. What abilities?

Could it be that she fancied his Pokémon's combat power?

Handing over the Gym's duties to other trainers, Iron Maiden took Qiao Ran directly into a silver-gray SUV. The vehicle looked very sturdy, and its impact resistance was surely excellent.

"Get in."

Having changed out of her cumbersome coat, Iron Maiden was now wearing a practical vest and hot pants, her good figure completely revealed. Her mature physique was nothing like a child like Eve's.

She directly got into the driver's seat, put on a pair of sunglasses, and told Qiao Ran to stop dawdling.

"I know, I know."

Qiao Ran reached out to open the rear door, but was immediately met with Iron Maiden's objection.

"Why sit in the back? I have important things to tell you. Come to the front."

Qiao Ran shrugged helplessly and finally opened the front door. "..."

Sitting beside Iron Maiden somewhat awkwardly, Qiao Ran really didn't know where to look. He had been interacting mostly with young girls or lolis recently. Someone as mature and captivating as Iron Maiden was... too intimidating.

Qiao Ran could only focus on her fluid hand movements, feeling a bit envious in his heart. It was clear that this woman was a seasoned driver with considerable skill.

"It's just the two of us going to provide support this time. It's an urgent mission issued by the League, and we can't pull any other personnel right now."

Iron Maiden conversed with Qiao Ran as she commanded the steel beast beneath her.

"Furthermore, due to the suspected infiltration of a mole within the research team, we can't make direct contact with them this time. They've definitely been monitoring all our internal communications. So, Qiao Ran—this is where you should come in."

Iron Maiden turned her head, glancing at him with eyes hidden behind her sunglasses.

"Wh-why me?" Qiao Ran blinked, utterly bewildered.

I can't use radio equipment, nor can I send signals. Why is this the moment for me to step in???

"Why you?"

Iron Maiden shook her head, finding it somewhat amusing.

"Of course, it's because of your powerful psychic abilities."

Qiao Ran: "...???"

Qiao Ran dazedly scratched his head with his hand.

Um... when did I acquire an ability called "psychic powers"???

Have you Gym Leaders all conspired to add strange new settings to me???

Seeing Qiao Ran's dazed expression, Iron Maiden thought he hadn't understood and began to explain again.

"Eve might not have told you, but her sister Lilia is also a psychic. As long as you two are nearby, you can communicate directly through psychic powers. As long as they don't know our movements, there won't be time for them to escape."

"Then... we can launch a pincer attack and take down all those poachers in one go!!"

"A... clever plan..."

Qiao Ran's mouth twitched. Although the plan was very clever, there was a huge problem here – he actually couldn't use psychic powers at all!

Chapter 62 061 [Your Name]

"Qiao Ran? What's wrong? Why did you suddenly stop talking?"

"Ah... yeah, I was thinking about something, and I'm a little carsick."

Gazing at the roadside flashing by the window, Qiao Ran's mind had already become a tangled mess.

Should he say it, or not?

Qiao Ran hesitated.

The matter before him was different from everything before. If he didn't tell the truth, it could lead to catastrophic consequences, but... Qiao Ran felt that if he said it now, he would immediately face catastrophic consequences.

"Gulp."

Qiao Ran nervously swallowed again and took out his Rotom, disguised as an ordinary phone, to ask for her advice.

Qiao Ran had no one else to ask at the moment. Rotom could serve as a reference; this guy often came up with many mischievous ideas, and perhaps could open a new door for Qiao Ran.

With no one else to ask, Qiao Ran could only ask the ghost.

Qiao Ran: "Rotom, did you hear our conversation just now? Do you have any way for me to communicate with someone who has psychic powers?"