"Title Quest (Researcher) completed. Title: Senior Researcher has been awarded."
A week later, Ace was studying a book on genetics in his study when a sudden voice made him feel a little bewildered.
But then, Ace came back to his senses and realized that his researcher level had, without him noticing, reached level 30.
"Level 30 already... but I'm still not making any progress..."
Ace put down the book and rubbed his eyes, a look of helplessness on his face.
A week ago, Ace had completed the first step of the mission. After the 100,000 gold coins were transferred to his account, Ace spent a staggering 80,000 to purchase a large number of highly advanced books on genetics.
However, the more he learned about genetics, the less confident he felt about how to modify Aerodactyl and the Pokémon in the cultivation device.
The previously modified Aerodactyl had reverted to its original form just five days after the modification.
This confirmed Ace's hypothesis: he had to completely occupy Aerodactyl's body with Dark-type energy within the five-day window of its Rock-type being stripped away. This would fundamentally prevent the reversal of its Rock-type, allowing him to obtain the perfect Ancient Aerodactyl.
As for the new Pokémon, Ace was faced with two paths: whether or not he wanted to keep this Pokémon.
With his current knowledge, Ace could induce its development, thus meeting the mission's requirement to cultivate it before the three-month deadline.
But the consequence of doing so would be significant genetic defects in the Pokémon. This was an issue that even the system's "Perfect Body Restoration" couldn't fix.
Moreover, Ace no longer had any genes of this type of Pokémon. His previous experiments had consumed them all. If this Pokémon were to die, to put it bluntly, whether Ace could find a fossil of this type of Pokémon again was a huge question mark.
After thinking for a long time, Ace finally sighed and decided against inducing its development. He would just do his best to nourish the Pokémon and let it hatch as soon as possible. As for whether the mission could be completed, he would leave that to fate.
Ace raised his hand to check the time, stood up, and left his study. He then headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch for his Pokémon.
After eating his fill, Ace planned to get some fresh air in the afternoon and train with his Pokémon.
But after they had been training for a while, a huge "balloon" drifted in from the sky.
As the "balloon" slowly shrank, Green and Jigglypuff landed not far from Ace.
"Green?"
Ace gestured for his Pokémon to stop training for a moment, looking at Green with some confusion.
Green was still wearing the clothes Ace had given her. She pulled on her hat and walked over to Ace.
"Ace, I need you to do me a favor," Green said directly. "I won't ask for it for free. I'll do you a favor in return, within my capabilities."
"Go on," Ace nodded, readily accepting Green's condition.
"I learned from Professor Oak that you and Pryce have a good relationship, right?" Green said to Ace. "Help me practice some tactics against Ice-type Pokémon."
Ace was stunned for a moment, then blinked and said, "Articuno?"
Green was silent, just looking at Ace directly.
Ace's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, I don't think I've done anything to interfere with the plot again, so why does it seem like Green already knows the inside story?
"It's indeed Articuno," Green sighed. "My Ornithophobia has been partially cured, but not completely. I've already captured Zapdos and Moltres, two of the legendary birds, but it's still a bit difficult to command them in battle. So I'm hoping you can give me some experience in battling Ice-type Pokémon. I feel like if I can capture Articuno too, my Ornithophobia should be completely cured."
Green's words made Ace feel relieved.
Other people capturing the legendary birds either wanted to improve their strength or utilize that power.
But Green was a bit more unique; she was using the capture of the three legendary birds to cure her Ornithophobia.
As for whether it would work, only Green herself knew, and Ace didn't have much to say about it.
"When it comes to the Ice-type, my Lapras is more than enough to let you get familiar with their attack methods."
Ace waved to Lapras. Lapras paddled its fins, and a layer of ice quickly appeared beneath it. With Lapras's glide, it swiftly came to Ace's side.
Green felt the chill emanating from Lapras, bit her lip, and then said, "I'm in a bit of a hurry. Go all out."
Ace gave Green an OK sign. Green immediately threw a Poké Ball, and Blastoise appeared in front of her.
"Hydro Pump!"
As soon as it appeared, Green launched a fierce attack on Lapras, but the Hydro Pump only washed over Lapras without causing any damage.
Ace frowned slightly. From Green's attack, he sensed a trace of impatience. Normally, Green, who knew that Lapras had the Water Absorb ability, wouldn't directly use Blastoise against it.
"Snap."
Ace snapped his fingers. In an instant, Lapras opened its mouth, and a blizzard surged out, instantly freezing Blastoise.
A one-hit K.O.!
"Little Squirtle..."
Looking at the frozen Blastoise, Green was a bit dazed. How could she make such a mistake?
Sensing that something was off with Green, Ace walked up and put a hand on her shoulder, asking with concern, "Are you okay? You seem a little out of it."
"I... I'm fine," Green managed to say, but the expression on her face practically screamed that she wasn't.
"Forget it. You're not in the right state of mind to do anything right now. Let's go to my place first. At least if you tell me what's wrong, I can help you, right?"
With Ace's words, Green's mental defenses slightly loosened. She recalled her Blastoise and silently followed Ace back to his cabin.
Inside, Ace took a bottle of Moomoo Milk from the refrigerator, opened it, and placed it in front of Green.
Green stared at the Moomoo Milk for a moment, then picked it up and chugged it all down in one gulp.
"Clink."
She placed the empty glass bottle heavily on the coffee table. Green looked up, her eyes a little moist, and said with a choked voice, "Ace, help me. I have a younger brother, and I can't find him..."
Ace looked confused, frowning as he asked, "A younger brother? Why haven't I ever heard you talk about him?"
He said that, but in his heart, Ace sighed, thinking, I knew it.
In this world, the only person who could make Green so distressed, besides her parents whom she was still searching for, was Silver, the younger brother she depended on...
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