Miles remained still, a silent observer amidst the rustling leaves and dappled sunlight. The Shroomish had disappeared behind the tree, but he knew it was still there, its wide eyes watching him from the shadows. He could almost feel its gaze, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
He resisted the urge to approach, to call out, to do anything that might break the fragile connection he hoped to forge. He understood that trust was earned, not demanded. And he knew, instinctively, that forcing the issue would only drive the Shroomish away. In his past life, he knew it was just a game mechanic. However, seeing the world with new eyes he knew he could do better than to force a Pokemon. It was much better to simply connect with them.
He settled down near a large root, making himself comfortable. The root was gnarled and moss covered, providing a natural seat amidst the forest floor. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing pulse. He needed to project an aura of calm, of reassurance, to let the Shroomish know that he posed no threat.
He thought of getting a chesto berry. But he also knew that there was nothing more to buy from the pokecenter. It was just items to help capture and heal. Then he got an idea, to try to search for the berry instead.
He knew in the tutorial that the narrator said trainers had to create their own community and stores. He knew it was going to become expensive over time to get better food.
He activated his inventory, bringing up the holographic display of items. The only thing he had was just pokeballs. The Pokedex app was nice, but had no use in his world yet. He had to find the berry on his own.
He wasn't going to buy the berry. He was going to find one. It was much more realistic and the item was better than the food he could get later one.
He got up and started to search around for a while. And there it was. The wild was really useful.
There, a few feet away from him, he spotted a small bush with plump, purple berries growing on it. A Chesto Berry bush! He carefully approached the bush, making sure not to make any sudden movements. He plucked a single berry, admiring its smooth skin and vibrant color. It practically pulsed with energy, its aroma far richer and more enticing than any virtual berry he could have purchased from a store… if they were even sold there. It was much more satisfying than simply purchasing one from the store.
He headed back to his area.
He held the Chesto Berry in his open palm, offering it as a sign of goodwill. He really needed to find his Shroomish.
He gently placed the Chesto Berry on a patch of moss, positioning it so that it was clearly visible to the Shroomish but not directly in its line of sight. He wanted to give the Shroomish an opportunity to approach the berry without feeling pressured. Then, he stepped back, returning to his seat near the root. He sat down again, making himself as small and unobtrusive as possible.
He waited.
Minutes stretched into an eternity. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. He resisted the urge to check his phone, to fidget, to do anything that might disrupt the delicate balance. He kept his gaze averted, focusing on a point in the distance, a knot on a tree trunk that resembled a smiling face.
He knew that patience was key. He knew he had to give the Shroomish time to assess the situation, to overcome its fear, to decide whether or not he was a threat. He was reliving again the joy of finding a Pokemon in the wild. It wasn't just about stats and numbers. It was about discovery. He felt the Shroomish would trust his expertise over the others.
He thought about his past life, about the countless hours he had spent playing Pokémon games. He had always been drawn to the idea of connecting with Pokémon, of building relationships based on trust and understanding. Now, he had the opportunity to put that ideal into practice. He could also potentially make a lot of money in this game, now that he knew how the economy will revolve as well.
He wondered if the Shroomish could sense his intentions, if it could somehow perceive his genuine desire to connect. He hoped so. He hoped that his sincerity would transcend the boundaries of the virtual world and reach the creature hiding behind the tree. He would prove he is more than just a trainer who tries to force his companion
He thought about his family and friends and how he couldn't talk to them ever again. His world wasn't theirs. It was sad, but now he had the time to live his life, and enjoy each second.
Finally, after what seemed like an age, he saw a flicker of movement from the corner of his eye. The Shroomish was inching forward, its small body low to the ground. It moved with extreme caution, pausing every few seconds to assess its surroundings.
Miles remained perfectly still, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the Shroomish's fear, its uncertainty, its desperate need for reassurance. He simply needed to be there. He needed to be present, and showcase that he is trustful.
The Shroomish crept closer, its eyes fixed on the Chesto Berry. It reached out a tentative foot, then quickly retreated, as if testing the air. It repeated this process several times, each time inching a little closer. He really wanted it to come to him.
Just as the Shroomish was about to reach the berry, he heard a sudden crashing sound nearby. Another trainer burst into the clearing, his face flushed with excitement. The trainer didn't even have any tact! Miles sighed, but he knew that it was part of what to expect.
"There you are!" the trainer shouted, spotting the Shroomish. He lunged forward, Poké Ball in hand, completely disregarding Miles's presence. "I'm gonna catch you, little guy!"
The Shroomish, startled by the sudden noise and aggressive approach, let out a frightened squeak and darted away, disappearing deeper into the woods. Miles sighed and rolled his eyes. It wasn't worth saving a Pokemon that wants to stay with another trainer. The best he could do was what is the right thing to do, and find a companion to travel with.
The trainer cursed loudly, his face contorted with frustration. "Damn it! Where'd it go?" He glared at Miles, as if blaming him for his failure. "Hey, did you see where it went?"
Miles simply shook his head, avoiding eye contact. He had no desire to interact with this boorish trainer, who clearly had no respect for Pokémon or the delicate process of building trust. He really did think he was better.
The trainer scoffed and stomped off, muttering about "noobs" and "wasted time." The world is full of so many idiots.
Miles sighed, watching him disappear into the undergrowth. He felt a surge of anger at their thoughtless actions, but he quickly suppressed it. He knew that getting angry wouldn't help. He could make some quick cash and build an amazing team with how much he knows. It would also get rid of the anger. He could finally start to make connections.
He returned his attention to the tree, hoping that the Shroomish would eventually return. He knew that he had to be patient, that he had to give it time to recover from the shock. He has knowledge, but no understanding of the new rules of the world. This was all so new.
He sat there for another hour, waiting silently. The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor. He knew that he couldn't stay there forever.
As he was about to leave, he heard a faint rustling sound behind him. He turned slowly, his heart pounding with anticipation.
There, standing at the edge of the clearing, was the Shroomish. It was still wary, but it seemed less frightened than before. It looked at Miles with a mixture of curiosity and something else. Something that he couldn't quite decipher. Was it trust?
The Shroomish was a symbol. A symbol that maybe he had to take his shot on this new world and try to find his new purpose. To make an impact, maybe? And prove to the world that connections are real.
Maybe, he thought, this wouldn't be so bad after all. He just needed that first step. And what better Pokemon than one that is unique from the others?