Pokémon: Koffing
Gender: Male
Ability: Levitate
Rank: Rookie
Level-Up Moves: Poison Gas, Tackle, Haze, Smokescreen
TM Moves: -
Egg Moves: Toxic Spikes, Sludge Bomb
Pokémon: Ekans
Gender: Female
Ability: Intimidate
Rank: Rookie
Level-Up Moves: Wrape, Leer, Poison Sting, Bite
TM Moves: none
Egg Moves: Sucker Punch, Scary Face
Pokémon: Zubat
Gender: Male
Ability: Inner Focus
Rank: Rookie
Level-Up Moves: Absorb, Supersonic, Astonish, Mean Look
TM Moves: none
Egg Moves: Whirlwind, Hypnosis
Approaching the shelves, Gu Yuan saw that each Poké Ball had a detailed description of the Pokémon inside.
Although he had transmigrated into the world of Pokémon, he had still heard from others about how Pokémon strength was classified:
Newborn Rank
Rookie Rank
Junior Rank
Intermediate Rank
Senior Rank
Ace Rank
Leader Rank
Elite Rank
Champion Rank
Legendary Rank
The Newborn Rank referred to Pokémon that had just hatched from their eggs. As infants, they could not train or battle yet. Only when they reached the Rookie Rank would they be able to do so safely.
The Pokémon most commonly seen on the shelves were these three species, which unsurprisingly were also the ones most commonly used by Team Rocket grunts.
But since the man had given him this chance, Gu Yuan naturally wasn't going to just grab a random Pokémon and leave. He knew full well: a good Pokémon was vital to a Trainer's future.
Thinking this, Gu Yuan walked deeper inside.
As he had expected, the Pokémon here were of higher quality, and he could even see that the Kanto starter Pokémon were present!
Though in the anime the starters often seemed common, in truth, they were considered strategic resources in every region.
Compared to other Pokémon, the starters not only had a much faster growth rate, but their overall potential was outstanding, enough to stand above most Pokémon.
One starter alone could become the core of a Trainer's team, one that would never fall behind, while also being comparatively easy to raise.
For both new Trainers and seasoned veterans, they were an excellent choice. That was why regional Leagues would never easily let starters fall into the hands of outsiders.
Yet here, on the shelves, sat all three of Kanto's starters.
There were only three, but Gu Yuan was sure this wasn't the whole collection. After all, he wasn't even considered an official member yet, and it wasn't as if he could glimpse all of Team Rocket's secrets.
Without hesitation, Gu Yuan decided to choose one of the starters.
But first, he carefully examined their profiles.
Pokémon: Bulbasaur
Gender: Female
Features: Overgrow
Rank: Rookie
Moves: Tackle, Growl, Vine Whip, Growth, Leech Seed
TMs: None
Egg Moves: Nature Power, Ingrain
Pokémon: Squirtle
Gender: Male
Ability: Torrent
Rank: Rookie
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Withdraw, Water Gun, Rapid Spin
TMs: None
Egg Moves: Aqua Ring, Aqua Jet
Pokémon: Charmander
Gender: Male
Ability: Blaze
Rank: Rookie
Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember, Smoke Screen
TMs: None
Egg Moves: Bite, Dragon Rush
After reading through the profiles, both Bulbasaur and Squirtle seemed like great options, but Gu Yuan simply couldn't resist the temptation of going with Charmander.
Not only did its Egg Move, Dragon Rush, reveal its strong draconic bloodline, but more importantly, after evolving into Charizard, he would be able to ride it through the skies.
What man could refuse the charm of becoming a dragon rider?
He felt a long-forgotten sense of giddiness imagining the scene.
He gave a warm smile, the first one since he had reincarnated in this world.
'Maybe things will turn out better from here on.'
Not even bothering to pretend otherwise, Gu Yuan picked up the Poké Ball containing Charmander.
"I've made my choice."
Holding the Poké Ball, he walked up to the man, ready to hear his next command.
"You should know there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. I'm giving you this rare starter, so you'd better prove your worth to me."
After taking a look at the Pokémon chosen by Gu Yuan, the man nodded.
He saw potential in Gu Yuan, so he was very satisfied with his choice. He didn't want the kid in front of him to just become a grunt, but someone important.
Since Gu Yuan had chosen Charmander, the man's standards for him would only grow stricter.
"Yes, sir!"
Gu Yuan nodded firmly. When he chose Charmander, he had already prepared himself to endure any trial.
"Rest well today. Take the time to bond with your Pokémon. Remember, no one is more reliable than your own Pokémon. They're not just your strength, but partners who you can trust with your life."
"Starting tomorrow, I'll train you myself. Let's see if you can withstand it."
Casting him a meaningful look, the man seemed to imagine Gu Yuan suffering miserably under his training.
"Oh, and from now on, just call me Shadow."
"Yes, Master Shadow!"
Shadow led Gu Yuan out, then signaled him to return on his own.
On the way back, Gu Yuan realized he hadn't seen any other Rocket members. He began to suspect this might be Shadow's private hideout.
Back in his room, Gu Yuan immediately released Charmander.
With a flash of white light, the little fire lizard, still half-asleep, appeared right in front of him.
Then it blinked drowsily at him. It's sleepy look unintentionally making it appear even cuter.
At the same time, a voice echoed in Gu Yuan's mind.
[Detected that the Host acquired his first Pokémon]
[Initiating the System]
A crisp sound rang out. Gu Yuan knew: his golden finger had finally arrived.
Excited, he eagerly focused on the system.
Soon, a blue screen appeared before his eyes. One that he instinctively knew only he could see.
Currently, the panel displayed Charmander's information in a similar way to the one he had seen when looking at the Poké Balls earlier.
There were some differences, though. He saw a + sign in front of Charmander's rank, and in front of its move, he could see the word "Beginner".
He read past it, and at the bottom of the screen, there was a section for Mission Points, which were currently at zero.
[Main Quest activated. Final objective: Become the strongest Pokémon Trainer]
[Quest 1: Make Charmander willingly acknowledge you as its Trainer. Reward: 5 Points]
[Quest 2: Raise the proficiency of any one of Charmander's moves to Intermediate level. Reward: 10 Points]
[Quest 3: Increase Charmander's level. Reward: 15 Points]
After reviewing the screen, three quests appeared beneath Charmander's profile.
Gu Yuan dismissed the system for now, deciding to think later about how to complete them.
Looking at the still-dazed Charmander before him, Gu Yuan smiled and reached out his hand.
"Hello, Charmander. Please take care of me from now on."
Charmander glanced at Gu Yuan's gentle smile, then at his outstretched hand. After a moment's hesitation, it placed its small claw into his palm.
Ding! Quest complete!