Gary, the Bug-type Thanos

March brought the finest weather the world had to offer.

After leaving Professor Oak's Laboratory, Gary hummed a tune as he followed the path to the outskirts of Viridian Forest.

The sun shone brightly, the air was fresh, and even his spirits began to soar.

Once he entered the forest, Gary let both little Pokémon out together.

"Char!"

"Vee!"

Charmander and Eevee came up to Gary's feet, one on either side. Gary patted each Pokémon's head. "Starting today, we're putting your training on the agenda."

Both little Pokémon nodded obediently, promising to work hard.

"Good~" Gary looked at the forest ahead. This stretch of Viridian Forest between Pallet Town and Viridian City was actually very easy to navigate.

As long as he kept following the main forest trail, he could walk out in forty minutes.

Of course, if he got lost, forget he ever said that...

But that wasn't the point. The point was that this forest had an abundance of Bug-type Pokémon.

Weedle and Caterpie-as many as he could want.

What were all these...? Experience points, that's what...

As the most important grinding spot before level 20, this wasn't somewhere Gary would pass up!

Pokémon improved their move proficiency through battle. In Gary's opinion, practicing against a target a hundred times wasn't as good as landing one hit on an opponent in an actual fight.

That made real combat the most effective training of all!

Ding: Newbie Mission: Build Up Strength.

Before challenging your first Gym, raise your team's average level to 18 and own at least 3 Pokémon.

Rewards: Potential Star-Raising Card ×1. Common Pokémon Encounter Card ×1. Achievement Points: 100.

"This Common Pokémon Encounter Card..." Gary began uncertainly.

Ding: Potential Star-Raising Card: Raises the potential of any Pokémon with potential below Champion-level by one tier.

Common Pokémon Encounter Card: After use, you may select any non-Legendary Pokémon to encounter. The encountered Pokémon's potential will range from Elite Four-level to Pseudo-Legendary!

Gary sucked in a breath. Now that was interesting. In other words, using this card would let him encounter a Pokémon of his choice whose potential would be Elite Four-level at the very least.

Wasn't that practically a free gift?

The Star-Raising Card was the same. Although it could be used on any Pokémon with potential below Champion-level, anyone with half a brain knew it should definitely be used on a Pokémon with Elite Four-level potential.

That was how he could maximize his strength.

Without wasting any time, Gary first took out his earlier mission rewards.

Starter Pokémon Move Upgrade Card ×2

He used them directly on Charmander's Ember and Claw Attack.

Ding: Ember upgraded-Flamethrower!

Claw Attack upgraded-Dragon Claw!

With that sudden flood of knowledge, Charmander scratched the back of its head. It felt strange and wonderful.

"All right, preparations complete. Charmander, you'll be our main fighter in a moment. Eevee, if any Flying-type bird Pokémon show up, drive them away with Thunderbolt." Gary hid in the bushes with the two little Pokémon and patiently explained the plan.

Both nodded in agreement.

With Charmander's Flamethrower, Gary wasn't too worried even about encountering a swarm of Beedrill.

But he wasn't ready to antagonize Viridian Forest's bullies-the flocks of Spearow.

After all, those hooligans always fought by swarming their opponent all at once...

After telling both Pokémon to lie in ambush, Gary brought out his secret weapon: a jar of golden honey!

Sweet Honey was excellent for attracting wild Pokémon.

Gary didn't hold back. He found a tree and smeared a thick layer over it.

Then he slipped into the nearby bushes as well.

"Charmander, use Flamethrower!"

A searing stream of flames swept through the forest, leaving four or five Bug-type Pokémon in its wake.

"Huff... huff..." Charmander panted heavily and crouched down to rest.

"All right, Eevee, use Water Gun to wash the honey off the tree for now." After directing Eevee to rinse away the Sweet Honey, Gary took out some Pokémon Food to give Charmander an extra meal.

He opened his Pokédex and scanned Charmander. Its level had already risen from 10 to 14.

Looking at the Caterpie and Weedle scattered across the ground, Gary sighed helplessly.

He was practically becoming the Bug-type Thanos. Viridian Forest might have enough bugs to satisfy any appetite.

But the experience a single Caterpie provided was far too little now.

Besides, Flamethrower wasn't like Ember. This move burned through a lot more mana, and Charmander generally needed a rest after about twenty shots.

"It'd be perfect if a big Bug-type Pokémon showed up right now, like a Scyther," Gary mused, rubbing his chin.

"Scy!!!" A green Pokémon with a piercing gaze appeared before Gary.

"Yeah, exactly, a Scyther like this one~" Gary nodded, then abruptly whipped his head around. "Scyther!!"

"Scyther!" Scyther pointed a scythe at the tree trunk and chattered indignantly at Gary.

As a lone wolf that had left its swarm, Scyther upheld a knightly code and never stole food from the forest's other Pokémon.

The price of maintaining that dignity was missing all nine meals over three days. Scyther was starting to think even its own scythes smelled like New Orleans-style barbecue...

Today, it had finally caught an unusually sweet scent and crossed more than half the forest without hesitation to get here.

Yet just as it spotted the honey, Eevee washed it away with a Water Gun.

Scyther's eyes practically turned red. My honey! How am I supposed to live without you?

Looking at the Scyther trembling all over from hunger, Gary calmly used Appraisal on it.

[Scyther (Weakened-Lone wolf)

Potential: Elite Four-level-Champion-level

Ability: technician

Level: 20

Height: 1.5 m, weight: 49 kg.

Moves: Slash, Sonic Boom, Cut, Quick Attack, Focus Energy, Pursuit, False Swipe, Agility, Swift.]

Well, now, what a pleasant surprise. Who would've thought I'd find a treasure in the starter village?

Gary flashed a mysterious smile. "Hey, buddy, hungry? Thirsty? It's been tough getting by alone, huh~"

"Scy?" Scyther froze. This human seemed pretty nice, actually~

Thump! Gary set a can of Premium Pokémon Food on the ground. "Two choices. Come with me and I'll give you what you want, or I'll beat you into submission, catch you, and feed you afterward."

Although Scyther was drooling, it still took a battle stance. "Scyther! [A noble warrior will not submit just for a full stomach!]"

"Not bad. I admire that." Gary clapped his hands. "Charmander, you're up!"

Having just eaten its fill, Charmander patted its little belly and marched forward proudly, spreading its arms and taking a fighting stance as well.

"Be careful, Charmander. This one's tough," Gary warned cautiously.

"Char!" Charmander spat out a string of flames. Elites are exactly who I'm here to beat!

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