After a blissful sleep that lasted until noon, Chen Yan leaned against the headboard, staring blankly into space.
"Gengar?"
What are you doing?
Holding Weedle, Gengar floated over to the bed and tilted his head, studying Chen Yan curiously.
Chen Yan came back to his senses, scratched his bird's nest of hair, and said,
"Nothing. I slept too long, so I'm a bit out of it. Could you bring my phone over?"
Gengar nodded, then lifted Weedle and pointed its head at the phone charging nearby.
Fsssh-
A String Shot yanked both the phone and its charger straight over.
"...Have you really gotten this lazy?"
"Gengar-"
I'm helping Weedle practice String Shot!
"You always have an excuse. Go get ready. We're heading out for lunch in a bit."
"Gengar-"
Okay-
Gengar left with Weedle in his arms, while Chen Yan turned on his phone, opened PokéVideo, and checked the view count.
Although he had worked hard all night recording the voice-over, he still wasn't confident about this video format.
He didn't know whether people in this world would enjoy watching it.
The moment Chen Yan opened the video, he shut his eyes and covered the screen with his hand. Then he slowly opened his eyes and cautiously slid his palm downward.
It was just like checking his college entrance exam results.
Over four hundred thousand views.
Chen Yan's eyes widened.
"That many?"
The system only counted a view if someone watched the entire video from beginning to end without fast-forwarding.
That was why the videos Chen Yan usually recorded were fairly short. This was his first attempt at recording one this long.
Over two hours, and more than four hundred thousand people had watched the whole thing without fast-forwarding?
That many people actually enjoyed watching it?
Curious, Chen Yan opened the comments. The first one he saw was from someone named "Cynthia": "You have excellent insights into Bug-type Pokémon, and your tactics are very practical for trainers just starting out. I look forward to battling you."
Fans had pushed that comment straight to the top.
Chen Yan's mouth twitched as he read it.
Me? Battle Cynthia? Seriously?
Chen Yan kept scrolling. The second comment came from "Bug-types Are the Coolest Pokémon": "His understanding of Bug-type Pokémon is already every bit as good as mine. What he said at the end really struck a chord with me. I still remember why I fell in love with Bug-type Pokémon. It all started with a..."
Hey, who even are you? Who wants to hear your life story...?
Chen Yan tapped the profile picture and saw a familiar tank top, familiar hair color, and a familiar face...
Oh, it's you! Sinnoh's weakest Elite Four member-Aaron!
Chen Yan scrolled farther down and found a comment from "No More Overtime": "Chen Yan has explained the habits of these Bug-type Pokémon very clearly. Please don't let your guard down when encountering them in the wild. If you find yourself in danger, follow the methods outlined in this video. One final reminder: keep your own safety in mind when traveling. There are countless roads to take, but safety always comes first."
That username...that comment...
Could it be you?
The creator of that world-famous masterpiece.
Chen Yan opened the profile. Well, well-it really was the esteemed Lucian.
The rest were comments from viewers, with two groups arguing particularly fiercely.
One group thought Bug-type Pokémon really were weak, and pouring resources into them early on was as good as throwing money away. The other group thought Chen Yan made a lot of sense: Bug-types could serve as a bridge during the early stages, and they were strong in their own right.
They argued back and forth, neither side willing to budge.
Only when one commenter suggested, "Why not have Chen Yan demonstrate it in PokéBattle?" did the two groups call a temporary truce.
PokéBattle? Chen Yan remembered that it was an online Pokémon battle simulator developed by the Devon Corporation. Lots of people used it to test new teams.
Chen Yan had intended to scroll past, but more and more people kept tagging him, so he had no choice but to post a comment.
Gengar, Don't Steal My Chicken Leg: I don't have the equipment or an account, and I'm out in the field. I can't play PokéBattle right now.
After posting it, Chen Yan was about to close PokéVideo when a private message notification chimed. He opened it and found a message that was short and to the point.
Gholdengo Is Number One: Address.
Chen Yan: ???
Wow! Rich Guy, do you live in the comments section?
Following the principle that there was no reason to turn down a friendly sponsorship, Chen Yan sent over his address.
Gholdengo Is Number One: Wait there. It'll arrive soon.
With that, the profile picture went dark.
Was this what being rich was like? Buying things at the drop of a hat?
Chen Yan shook his head. With Gengar urging him on, he got out of bed, brushed his teeth, and took them out for lunch.
After lunch, Chen Yan headed to the Pokémon Center with food as usual.
On the way, he spotted a familiar boy. Looking at the boy's back, he smiled, walked over, and tapped his shoulder.
The boy turned around and curiously studied Chen Yan, the Gengar beside him, and the extremely familiar thin bamboo stick in Gengar's hand.
"It's you two!" The Bug Catcher recognized Chen Yan and Gengar.
Chen Yan nodded and gave him a teasing look. "Not catching bugs today? I'm still waiting for you to get your pocket money ready and come find me."
The Bug Catcher glanced at the Weedle on Gengar's head, then lowered his own. "I'm not catching bugs anymore. I won't be doing it again."
With that, the Bug Catcher ran off.
Chen Yan watched him go, puzzled.
Was he in a bad mood?
Or had he lost again?
Chen Yan didn't dwell on it. He had beaten more Bug Catchers in games in his previous life than he could possibly remember.
Without lingering any longer, Chen Yan arrived at the Pokémon Center. After handing lunch to Nurse Joy and Chansey, he stood in the doorway to watch Glameow on the hospital bed for a while, as usual, before returning to the front desk.
"How's Glameow's leg? It looks like it can stand for short periods now," Chen Yan asked Nurse Joy.
Nurse Joy opened her lunch box and said, "Chansey and I are puzzled too. With an injury that serious, its leg should have had lingering problems even after healing. But over the past few days, we've found that not only will there be no lasting issues, it's actually recovering exceptionally well."
Nurse Joy took a bite of food, looking thoroughly satisfied, then smiled at Chen Yan and said,
"Maybe all your care and concern helped it grow new flesh?"
Chen Yan grinned. "That's good too. I'll get going, then, Nurse Joy. I'll come back at dinnertime. I'm heading to Professor Rowan's lab first."
"All right. Oh, you only need to bring dinner for Chansey tonight."
"Got it."
Chen Yan walked along the road with Gengar and Weedle. The sun was scorching, but fortunately, with Gengar there, the heat wasn't quite so unbearable.
"This is really wonderful, isn't it, Gengar?"
"Gengar?"
"Glameow will be able to run around freely again."
"Gengar-"
That's great!
On the way to Professor Rowan's lab, Chen Yan spotted the Bug Catcher again.
He was talking to two boys in front of him. Curiosity got the better of Chen Yan, and he walked over.
"Well, if it isn't the guy who lost to me the day before yesterday. Where are your bugs? How come you're not running around challenging everyone today?"
One of the boys stood with his hands in his pockets, a contemptuous smile on his face. "What's wrong? Out of pocket money? Want me to lend you some? Hahahaha!"
"Weren't you always going on about how strong Bug-type Pokémon are? Then how come you couldn't even beat me?"
"Elite Four Aaron said Bug-type Pokémon are strong too!" the Bug Catcher argued.
"And the creator of Pokémon Grand World said Bug-type Pokémon are strong!"
"Pokémon Grand World? You actually believe what some creator like that says? If Bug-type Pokémon really are that strong, why do so few people use them?"
The Bug Catcher clenched his fists.
"Let me guess. You haven't won a single battle, have you?" the other boy asked.
The Bug Catcher said nothing.
"Looks like you listened to me and sold off those Bug-type Pokémon. Isn't that better? Why not use the money to buy other Pokémon? Bug-types are so weak, I wouldn't take one even if you gave it to me."
The Bug Catcher hung his head, his shoulders trembling.
The two boys kept yammering on. The Bug Catcher turned and ran off with his head down.
He had barely taken two steps before bumping into someone. "Sorry, sorry!"
"It's okay."
Hearing that familiar voice, the Bug Catcher looked up. Through tear-filled eyes, he saw an incredibly gentle face.
It was him...
"You weren't wrong, you know. Bug-type Pokémon are strong too." Chen Yan reached out and patted his head.
"You don't have to comfort me. I know already. Bug-type Pokémon are just like they said. Weak. Incredibly weak."
The Bug Catcher before him was nothing like the boy who had once confidently declared that he would definitely beat him.
Were Bug-type Pokémon weak...?
"Weee!"
Weedle jumped down from Gengar's head and approached the two boys. With a determined look, it issued a challenge.
Battle me! You bullies!
Chen Yan looked at Weedle's determined expression, then at the two startled boys, before turning his gaze back to the Bug Catcher. A smile spread across his face. "Watch closely."
The Bug Catcher looked utterly lost as Chen Yan walked past him and approached the two boys.
"Want to battle? With his pocket money on the line."
Chen Yan pointed at the Bug Catcher and said,
"If I win, you give his pocket money back and apologize to him. If I lose, I'll pay you double."
"You can only use Weedle," the boy said.
"Fine."
In the distance, Professor Rowan stopped walking, with Snivy beside him.
Before you continue