Mewtwo's departure was a blow to Ace, but life had to go on. By the time Ace returned home, he had already adjusted his mindset.
Just as Ace was about to wash up and rest, a line of text from the system suddenly appeared before him.
The blood-red color indicated the importance of this system prompt.
"Warning: Due to the host disrupting the original plot development, the main quest has been completed (3/4), and subsequent uncontrollable factors have been triggered!"
"Main quest changed..."
"Main Quest (Revenge of the Elite Four): The plot has been severely disrupted. Based on the current situation, two branches have emerged."
"Main Quest (Revenge of the Elite Four) One: Immediately go to Suzaku Island and defeat Lance. Quest Reward: 50,000 gold coins, one set of small Pokémon transfer devices, one random item, one Pokémon aptitude improvement, and quest points based on quest completion evaluation. If the quest evaluation is below C-rank, the quest is deemed a failure, and the penalty is: all the host's Pokémon will be erased, and physical strength enhancements will be reset to zero."
"Main Quest (Revenge of the Elite Four) Two: The host's current residence has been exposed. You will now face continuous attacks from the Elite Four's Pokémon army. Withstand the attacks, defeat the invading Lance, and defend your home. Quest Reward: 100,000 gold coins, one set of small Pokémon transfer devices, two random items, three Pokémon aptitude improvements, a deed to three acres of land, and quest points based on quest completion evaluation. If the quest evaluation is below A-rank, the quest is deemed a failure, and the penalty is: instant death!"
The four blood-red characters "instant death" made Ace's head ache. However, from the two quests offered by the system, Ace learned one thing:
His residence had been exposed to the Elite Four.
Now, he could either charge into Suzaku Island and defeat Lance, letting the opponent know the gap between them, which might dissuade them.
But clearly, if he did that, the Pokémon army heading to Ace's house would likely destroy his residence, including his Berry orchard.
Even if he completed the main quest, Ace would still suffer heavy losses. The system wouldn't rebuild the destroyed house for Ace; he would have to pay for it himself.
As for choosing Quest Two, Ace could protect his house, but in return, he would have to face the Pokémon army's attack head-on, and the possibility of failing to defend was high!
Moreover, this second quest was even more stringent. Only an A or S rank evaluation would exempt him from punishment. Otherwise, even if Ace successfully defended his house, he would be instantly killed by the system due to a low quest evaluation!
"Tsk, are they trying to see if I want my life or my money?"
Ace's initial drowsiness vanished. Looking at the two quest options, Ace knew he had to choose quickly to prepare.
"If I want to be safe, it's definitely the first one."
Ace said faintly, "After all, you only live once."
But...
Ace directly chose the second quest: defending his house.
"In the short term, choosing the first one is the safest," Ace thought to himself. "But from a long-term perspective, if the house is destroyed, unless I become a wanderer again, rebuilding it will definitely consume a lot of my energy. Putting that energy elsewhere would yield far more valuable things than just a house!"
Therefore, the house must be protected as much as possible from being destroyed!
"I can only give it my all."
Ace glanced at his inventory. Because he had completed many quests and hadn't spent any money, Ace's small treasury was quite well-stocked.
Gold Coins: 121,450, Quest Points: 620
This was Ace's entire fortune, accumulated little by little by completing daily quests until now.
"Aerodactyl Mega Stone: Price 50,000 gold coins."
"Blastoise Mega Stone: Price 50,000 gold coins."
"Gengar Mega Stone: Price 50,000 gold coins."
...
"Soul Energy: Price 500 quest points."
"Healing Energy: Price 500 quest points."
"Poison Energy: Price 500 quest points."
...
Soon, some items Ace had already collected popped up, arrayed before his eyes.
"With my current savings, I can only buy two Mega Stones and one type of energy. I'm still poor!"
Ace sighed, having already decided to convert all his current funds into resources to enhance the strength of his existing Pokémon.
Among the Mega Stones on the gold coin exchange page, Ace hesitated repeatedly before choosing the Mega Stones for Gengar and Aerodactyl. Among the energies on the quest point exchange page, Ace hesitated repeatedly before choosing the Poison Energy.
The Mega Stones, of course, were to help Aerodactyl and Gengar evolve again. Ace, who currently possessed seven Key Stones, had the qualifications for this evolution.
As for the energy, it was a very precious item provided by the system.
The purpose of the energy was also very simple: to improve the quality of the corresponding energy type.
For example, the purple, apple-like fruit Ace was holding was the Poison Energy he had exchanged for.
"Poison Energy: Can improve the quality of toxins within Poison-type Pokémon and enhance their comprehension of Poison-type moves. The specific effect varies depending on the aptitude of the Pokémon that consumes it."
There was no doubt that Ace intended to give this Poison Energy to Crobat.
The reason was also very simple: Crobat was gradually falling behind Ace's other Pokémon.
Although it was Ace's initial Pokémon, Ace would certainly not abandon it. However, Crobat's base stats limited it. Even if it was trained to be almost perfect, practically the pinnacle among Crobat,
The cruel reality was that Crobat simply couldn't keep up with the other Pokémon that were gradually becoming stronger.
Even Aerodactyl, which basically didn't fight much and had almost become Ace's utility Pokémon, had a higher win rate against Crobat in a one-on-one battle.
Poison Energy was the key for Crobat to become stronger.
And more importantly, if they really had to deal with a Pokémon army, having a Poison attack point, relying on the poisoning effect to wear down the opponent, could greatly reduce Ace's defensive pressure.
Therefore, Ace spent a long time choosing among all the energies, and ultimately, with some partiality, he chose this Poison Energy.
"Crobat, whether you can become stronger depends on your own fortune!"
Ace walked out of the courtyard and released Crobat into the night.
Then, he raised the Poison Energy. Crobat plunged down without hesitation, landing on Ace's arm, and began to gnaw on the apple-like Poison Energy!