Chapter 6: Big Root
[Pokémon: Machamp]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: No Guard]
[Moves: Leer, Low Kick, Focus Energy, Revenge, Low Sweep, Circle Throw, Knock Off]
[Status: Fatigued]
[Mood: 🌧️▒]
[Joy Value: -10]
[Friendship: 0]
[Description: So tired, so thirsty, I want to drink some water. —Machamp.]
A small, dark cloud began to form over the Machamp's head.
There were a total of three Machamp from the renovation company. Kenji turned his gaze to the other two. Compared to this one, the other two Machamp had Joy Values of 10 and 15, respectively, and seemed to be in a pretty good mood.
Kenji thought for a moment, then took out a berry, walked over to the Machamp with a Joy Value of 10, and said with a smile:
"Thank you for your hard work! Don't rush so much. If you're tired, take a break and have a berry to quench your thirst!"
The Machamp paused its movements. It looked at the human in front of it and the berry in his hand, and a smile appeared on its rugged face.
This boss is actually pretty nice!
The Machamp had four muscular arms. It used one of them to take the berry, swallowing it in a few bites.
Visibly, its Joy Value began to rise. It went from 10 to 15, putting it in a very good mood.
[Machamp's mood has improved. Joy Value +5. Received Machamp's gift: Common Stone.]
[Common Stone: Value is 0. Some people might think it's very valuable, but it's actually just an ordinary stone.]
Kenji: "..."
Feeling the small stone suddenly appear in his pocket, Kenji was a little surprised. So the rewards from his ability weren't just limited to moves? That was an unexpected discovery.
After a moment of thought, Kenji walked over to the other Machamp with a Joy Value of 15 and used the same method. This Machamp, which was already in a good mood, also didn't have a large increase in its Joy Value, only another 5 points. The reward was a Bluk Berry.
Kenji stood there, watching the Machamp continue to work, lost in thought. He thought for a bit, then turned around and went back to the lobby, grabbing a berry and pouring a glass of water.
When he came back outside and turned his attention back to the tired Machamp from before, he immediately discovered that its Joy Value had dropped even lower. From the previous -10, it had become -20.
Kenji was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood why. The Machamp had seen him give berries to the other two but not to it, instead just turning and walking away. So its mood had worsened. Even its Friendship level had dropped from 0 to -10.
Kenji: "..."
He pretended not to notice, walked forward, handed the water to the Machamp, and said with a smile:
"You must be tired, right? Take a break first, drink some water, and have a berry to quench your thirst!"
The Machamp froze.
Immediately after, its emotions began to change rapidly. From disbelief at seeing the glass of water, to guilt for having misunderstood this human...
By the time Kenji looked again, its Friendship had shot up from -10 to 10. After it finished the water and ate the berry, the Machamp's spirits were lifted.
[Status: Healthy]
[Mood: 😊 Satisfied]
[Joy Value: 30]
[Friendship: 10]
[Description: I met a good person! —Machamp.]
Kenji smiled at the Machamp. At the same time, the corresponding information appeared before his eyes again.
[Machamp's mood has improved. Joy Value +50. Received Machamp's gift: Big Root.]
[Big Root: A treasured gift from Machamp. Can be held by a Pokémon. When a Pokémon holds it, HP-absorbing moves will restore more HP than usual.]
Kenji: "?"
A Big Root from a female Machamp... wait, how does a female Machamp have a Big Root?!
Its thirst quenched, the Machamp returned to work with great satisfaction. This boss was a good person. It decided not to slack off anymore and to work seriously for him! And so, the Machamp worked even harder.
Kenji, meanwhile, returned to Bewear's side.
Just as he had expected, the more a Pokémon's Joy Value increased, the better the reward he would receive. The Big Root was a decent held item, very suitable for Pokémon like Zubat or Gloom. Although he didn't have a use for it now, he could sell it to another trainer who needed it later. A Big Root could sell for 4,000 Pokédollars on the market!
The Machamp worked very quickly. By evening, the entire breeding center and inn had been completely transformed.
"Thank you for your hard work!"
Under the setting sun, Kenji and Bewear waved goodbye to the Machamp. The Machamp smiled, wiped the sweat from their faces, and then easily boarded their truck and left.
Kenji then turned his gaze back to the breeding center.
The once-rickety wooden door had been replaced with a new red one, on which hung a sign that read "OPEN". To the left of the door stood a mailbox for receiving letters. To the right stood a small blackboard, on which the breeding center's current main services were written.
[Breeding Center Main Business]
[1. Pokémon Fostering]
[2. Moves Currently Available for Tutoring: Baby-Doll Eyes, Tackle.]
[3. Rare Items for Trade: Common Stone, Big Root.]
[4. Food and Lodging]
Pushing open the door, he was greeted by a brand-new, clean and tidy lobby. An L-shaped counter faced the main entrance, with a sofa in front of it for guests to rest and wait. The dining area was separated from the lobby by a display cabinet. Down a small path was the kitchen for preparing food, now equipped with some brand-new utensils. Refrigerator, oven, microwave...
Pushing open the small door behind the counter led to the backyard where the Pokémon would live. The yard was enclosed by a strong, solid wooden fence, so there was no need to worry about small Pokémon running out, nor about dangerous wild Pokémon breaking in. Kenji had divided it into three areas: a grassland zone, a forest zone, and a lake zone. Although each area wasn't huge, it was more than capable of housing 100 Pokémon at once. However, taking care of so many Pokémon by himself would be an overwhelming task.
The second floor was divided into two areas. One was where he and Bewear rested. The other was the guest rooms for overnight stays. The inn currently had six guest rooms, each about twenty square meters, fully equipped with a bed, desk, and small table and chairs. Kenji had laid down new mattresses and soft bedding, perfect for weary trainers to rest.
As for the garden used for planting, Kenji had also entrusted the Machamp to clear it out, removing the excess weeds and tilling several plots for growing vegetables. Kenji had no intention of removing the few berry trees the original owner had left behind. Berries were miraculous crops; you could pick them today, and in just two or three days, they would grow back. With them, the breeding center wouldn't have to worry about its berry supply for the time being. They were excellent whether eaten directly, brewed into juice, or used to make Pokéblocks.
All told, the renovation, plus the purchase of various appliances and furniture, had cost Kenji nine hundred and sixty thousand Pokédollars. He now had just a little over fifty thousand Pokédollars left. He couldn't spend this money recklessly; it had to be used for living expenses and emergencies.
Wandering through the brand-new breeding center, both Kenji and Bewear were incredibly excited. But after the excitement faded, Kenji gradually calmed down. He knew that even now, the breeding center was not yet complete. It was missing the most important element.
Pokémon!
Thinking of this, Kenji said to Bewear, "Bewear, starting tomorrow, we officially open for business!"
Only with an income could he have the funds to raise more Pokémon and make this breeding center lively once again.
"Kyuu~!"