We Will Stand at the Top of the World

When Hu Bin and Vulpix arrived at the Pokémon Center, their mouths fell open at the sight.

After they entered the Pokémon Center's checkup department, a pretty young nurse gently picked Vulpix up and carried Vulpix into the examination room. Encouraged by Hu Bin's reassuring gaze, Vulpix bravely went through the checkup.

No strange illnesses turned up during the examination, unlike in some melodramatic TV show. The adorable Vulpix was perfectly healthy, without a single symptom—as fit as a Tauros. With a look that could be both cool and sweet, Vulpix also won over all the nurses.

Quite a few nurses even fed little Vulpix tasty treats. By the time Vulpix came out of the examination room, Vulpix was burping from a full belly!

After reading Vulpix's checkup report, Hu Bin breathed a sigh of relief. Holding the well-fed Vulpix, he thanked the nurses and left the checkup department under their reluctant gazes. Of course, those lingering looks were meant for adorable little Vulpix. Poor Hu Bin was simply ignored.

After leaving the checkup department, they went to the Pokémon Center's garden. Vulpix hopped out of Hu Bin's arms and ran happily across the lush green grass, occasionally twitching that little nose to sniff the flowers, leaving a trail of cheerful cries.

"Vui, vui!"

Hu Bin watched the happy Vulpix with a broad smile, like a doting father watching his child. All he was missing was a cup of Goji Berry Tea.

"Slow down a little, Vulpix. Don't trip."

"Vui, vui!"

Vulpix cheerfully answered Hu Bin while running.

Before long, Vulpix grew tired of playing. With a little head drooping and a tiny tongue panting, Vulpix jumped back into Hu Bin's arms, asking for a cuddle.

Vulpix asking for cuddles.ipg

Hu Bin gently held Vulpix and sat on a park bench. He wiped away Vulpix's sweat and smoothed the slightly mussed fur with his hand.

"Did you have fun, Vulpix?"

"Vui!"

Vulpix answered Hu Bin with a happy smile, licking his face with a little tongue to share that joy.

Hu Bin's expression grew serious as he looked at Vulpix. "Vulpix, there's something very important I want to tell you."

Confusion filled Vulpix's big eyes, with no idea what this trainer was about to say. Still, Vulpix put on a solemn little face and looked earnestly at Hu Bin.

Hu Bin looked at Vulpix and said, "Vulpix, will you become my Pokémon? We can see the sights of this world together and challenge its powerful Pokémon. We'll grow stronger together and stand at the top of this world."

With that, Hu Bin took out a Poké Ball, half white and half red, and held it out to Vulpix, waiting for a choice.

"Vui! Vui!" I'll definitely stand at the top of the world with my trainer!

Without any hesitation, Vulpix reached out a little paw and pressed the button on the Poké Ball, turning into a beam of red light and entering the ball.

Click! A perfect catch!

Holding the Poké Ball containing Vulpix, Hu Bin spoke to it gently.

"Let's give it our all together, Vulpix."

Then Vulpix sprang out of the Poké Ball, jumped into Hu Bin's arms, and gave this new trainer a radiant smile!

"Vui!" Let's do our best! Our very best!

In that moment, beneath the beautiful sunshine, Hu Bin stood on the park's lush green lawn with Vulpix held tightly in his arms, like a lovely oil painting. Many people were drawn to the sight and stopped to watch them, admiring their bright, beautiful bond.

Congratulations, host. You have officially caught your first Pokémon. (Assessment criterion: a catch only becomes official once you have earned the Pokémon's approval.) Rewards: Soothe Bell, 200,000 yuan in raising funds, and 500 points.

System missions unlocked. Please complete them diligently.

Mission 1: Successfully make curry rice that satisfies Vulpix. Reward: Pokémon Training Manual. (With this, your Pokémon's strength will improve by leaps and bounds.)

Mission 2: Win one Pokémon battle. Rewards: Protect move manual and 1,000 points.

Mission 3: Win ten Pokémon battles. Rewards: Dig move manual, one Ice Gem, Advanced Pokéblock Crafting Skill, and 5,000 points.

Hu Bin nearly started drooling when he saw the missions announced by the system.

"These rewards are incredible! What kind of heavenly rewards are these? Training methods, Pokémon moves, even skills for me—they've got everything! At this rate, forget standing at the top of the world. Standing at the top of the universe might be possible!"

"Please wipe your drool, host. This is hardly anything worth making a fuss over. Just work hard. As long as you diligently complete your missions, I can make you the strongest Trainer even if you're an idiot," the system said disdainfully, seeing Hu Bin's hopelessly pathetic expression.

Hu Bin stopped daydreaming and grumbled inwardly.

The items are great and all, but this system is way too tsundere.

Hu Bin dismissed the system screen and took out the Soothe Bell the system had given him. He gently fastened it around Vulpix's neck and said with a smile.

"Vulpix, this is a gift for you. Isn't this little bell cute?"

The Soothe Bell could soothe its wearer's emotions, bringing peace of mind and increasing closeness with the wearer's trainer.

Vulpix obediently cooperated as Hu Bin put on the Soothe Bell. Looking at the little bell around that neck, the adorable Vulpix's eyes lit up with delight, and six little snow-white tails wagged rapidly. Vulpix clearly loved the gift from Hu Bin.

"Vui!"

Vulpix cried happily to Hu Bin, who watched with the gratified expression of a doting father, looking as though it had all been worth it.

Vulpix kept tapping the little bell with a paw, making it ring with clear, crisp notes. The sound made Vulpix's eyes narrow in contentment.

While Vulpix played with the bell, Hu Bin gently stroked the soft fur and tallied up his assets.

"Hmm, 200,000 yuan in cash, plus the 50,000 I saved up. A whopping 250,000, and 1,000 points too. Hmm, I'm a man with six-figure assets now."

"Hmm, I'll finish the first mission today. Get that training manual first, and see whether my cooking is any good while I'm at it!"

With that thought, Hu Bin stood up with Vulpix in his arms and smiled happily. "Come on, Vulpix. Let's go shopping. I'll make you something yummy when we get home!"

"Vui, vui!" Vulpix answered happily.