"If I heard correctly, before it left, it said that, telling me to get stronger quickly?"
Although Eddie was confused by Mew's actions, he clearly remembered its last sentence. Through the translation of Power of Viridian, Mew had told him to get stronger quickly.
"Why does it feel like it knows me? When it first saw me, it also seemed like it was thinking 'finally waiting for you.'"
Eddie frowned. Not long after meeting Mew, he had been discovered by Team Rocket. He had been too focused on dealing with them to consider Mew's behavior.
Now that the battle was over and Mew had left, Eddie found himself feeling strange as he thought about it more carefully.
Not just Mew's actions, but also the activation of the long-hidden task. That hidden task seemed to have been prepared specifically for him, since no one else could trigger it.
"Forget it, it's useless to think too much right now. Anyway, it's not a bad thing. Besides, since Mew asked me to become stronger quickly, there must be a reason. I'll ask it next time I see it."
Although Eddie realized things weren't as simple as they seemed, he couldn't figure out the answer just yet, so he decided to stop overthinking. After all, there were no losses for him—only benefits.
"Now, I'll treat Charmeleon and Frogadier, clean up the battlefield, and then leave here quickly."
Eddie first treated Charmeleon and Frogadier, then had them help clean up the battlefield. After all, Team Rocket's members were in terrible shape. If they didn't clean up, they might scare off anyone coming behind.
As for leaving... wasn't it because Team Rocket could no longer contact their search team, and they might send more people to investigate?
"Anyway, most of the Pokémon here have already been caught, and Charmeleon and Frogadier are both at a higher level now. It's probably not suitable to train here anymore."
After cleaning up the battlefield, Eddie took Charmeleon and Frogadier straight to Pewter City.
The city wasn't far from Evergreen Forest, and both Charmeleon and Frogadier were now above level 20. Though the wild Pokémon in Evergreen Forest were stronger than those from his previous life, most were still around level 12-18—far too weak for these two.
So, Eddie hurried to Pewter City, defeating all the Pokémon that stood in his way.
When he saw Pokémon he hadn't caught yet, he captured them without hesitation. When he encountered any he had already caught, he simply apologized before taking them away.
...
Pewter City, Pokémon Center, Trainer-exclusive guest room.
"It took an hour to finally reach Pewter City."
Eddie was lying on the bed, stretching comfortably and sighing.
Charmeleon and Frogadier were in a corner of the room, happily eating Pokémon food. The food was the best available, bought with Pokedollars, and they ate it with relish.
"Okay, let's go over our gains first, take a break, and then head for the Gym battle."
Eddie relaxed on the bed, stretching his arm to open the panel.
Name: Morning Sun
Trainer Strength: Intermediate Trainer
Pokédex Entries: 27
Pokémon Owned: 21
Pokedollars: 64,000
Badges Owned: 0
Location: Kanto Region
Pokémon: Charmeleon, Frogadier, Catterpie, Metapod, Butterfree, Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Oddish, Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Raticate, Spearow, Tangela, Nidoran♀, Nidorina, Nidoran♂, Nidorino, Bellsprout, Goldeen.
"As for the Pokémon, there are no Arbok, Machop, Zubat, or Koffing from Evergreen Forest. Charmander and Froakie have evolved, so they're gone too."
The number was correct, no problems there.
Eddie reviewed his dashboard and Pokémon list again, confirming everything was in order.
As for his Pokedollars, he had just spent a fair amount on Pokémon food, so the remaining balance was accurate.
"Let's see today's harvest."
Eddie opened his item page.
New items had new icons.
Gold Bottle Cap x2, TM [Thunder Punch]. "These are all great finds."
He decided to use them right away.
"I remember Charmeleon can learn [Thunder Punch]."
"Let's teach him that first. When we encounter water-type Pokémon in the future, we can take them out by surprise."
Eddie took out the Technical Machine [Thunder Punch] and tossed it directly at Charmeleon, who was eating.
"Ding! Charmeleon has learned [Thunder Punch]!"
"Next, let's use the Gold Bottle Cap. I never got this in my previous life. Let's see how it works."
Gold Bottle Cap: Pokémon with potential below Champion level will definitely improve their potential! When used by Pokémon with Champion potential, there is a certain probability of upgrading to Master-level potential!
"Oh my god, Pokémon with potential below Champion level will definitely break through when used. Great! I'll use it right away without hesitation!"
Eddie jumped up from the bed, unable to contain his excitement. He rushed over to Charmeleon and Frogadier.
"Ding! Congratulations, Charmeleon's potential has successfully broken through! It is now Champion level!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Frogadier's potential has successfully broken through! It is now Champion level!"
Name: Charmeleon
Type: Fire
Ability: Blaze
Level: 25 (Intermediate)
Potential: Champion level
...
Name: Frogadier
Type: Water
Ability: Torrent
Level: 24 (Intermediate)
Potential: Champion level
...
"On the first day of the server opening, I already have two Pokémon with Champion potential in my hands. This feeling is so amazing!"
In his previous life, Eddie had struggled to cultivate just one Pokémon with Champion potential. Now, he had two—both starters—and he couldn't be happier.
"By the way, let me check the rankings first. It must be interesting."
Eddie suddenly remembered the Trainer rank leaderboards and opened the various rankings with a wide grin.