With the thirty thousand Alliance currency reward just received for completing the task, the payment for cleaning up Dense Wood Forest, and the remuneration for being "hired" by Kenji for a day, Natsuhiko now felt a bit more affluent.
Including the little he had left before, Natsuhiko now had around thirty-five thousand Alliance currency on hand.
It should be enough to equip some better Pokémon food and gear.
After a quick stroll through the black market and gaining a general understanding of its situation, he had some sense of the market.
Natsuhiko's arrival didn't stir any waves in the black market; he was just an exceedingly ordinary character there.
The black market was quite expansive, roughly divided into several areas.
The southern Pokémon selling area sold various Pokémon, both rare and common, and Natsuhiko even saw one of the Starter Trio Pokémon, a Squirtle, confined in a cage at the entrance to attract customers.
However, that Squirtle's condition was clearly not right, with a dull expression and slow demeanor.
The western district was where the Pokemon Item Stores were, offering various Pokémon items like the most common potions and antidotes, or some rather precious and high-quality Evolution Stones, with Evolution Stones priced absurdly.
The northern district was one of Natsuhiko's main targets this time, selling various Pokémon foods, including Energy Blocks, Pokemon Snacks, various drinks, and so on.
The eastern district seemed relatively deserted, as it sold knowledge.
About Pokémon breeding, training, combat, learning, mastering, and using Pokémon Techniques in actual battles, anything the Alliance had, they had, and even things the Alliance didn't have or didn't permit circulation, they had.
The whole black market was roughly divided like this.
After a round of exploration, Natsuhiko went to the northern district.
He randomly picked a Pokémon Food Store whose decoration wasn't so lavish, and the store area wasn't very large.
He lifted the somewhat unique crystal-green bead curtain and walked in.
On the shelves inside the store, there was a variety of Pokémon food, with Energy Blocks taking up a large part.
"Dear customer, what do you need? Our store has everything." A middle-aged man with a somewhat sleazy look and two strips of little moustaches on his face immediately greeted him.
Natsuhiko looked through the mask's holes, scanning the entire shop.
He asked indifferently, "Do you have Fluorescent Intermediate Energy Blocks?"
This was what Weedle originally ate; overall, the effect was good, and this became Natsuhiko's basic requirement for Weedle's food.
"Yes! Yes!" the Little Moustache man responded repeatedly and immediately took out a box of glittering Energy Blocks from the shelf.
It was exactly what Weedle had eaten before.
Natsuhiko squinted, picked up one, and looked through the light at the weak impurities vaguely visible inside, asking without a trace: "Price?"
The Little Moustache man's eyes darted, chuckling, "Market price, 50 each."
"Heh—"
Natsuhiko chuckled softly, put down the Energy Block in his hand, and turned to leave.
Treating him like an idiot?
Indeed, in the black market, one can buy many things not available outside, even sometimes for slightly cheaper prices since there's no need to pay taxes to the Alliance.
But if one simply assumes this, they're likely to pay an intelligence tax to these shops.
When buying here, one must keep their eyes sharp, not being treated as an idiot by these shops, as the bought items might be inferior in quality or even be fake.
This time, the Fluorescent Energy Blocks had impurities visible to the naked eye, indicating the quality was rather average.
Such subtle impurities in Energy Blocks significantly affect the overall quality.
Seeing him about to leave, the Little Moustache man became somewhat anxious immediately, saying hastily, "45! 45 each!"
Natsuhiko paused, disdainful, "The quality is quite poor, 35 each."
"You!"
The Little Moustache man's eyes widened.
He had seen bargaining before but not this kind of bargaining.
Natsuhiko turned back, "Fluorescent Energy Blocks are merely a secondary Energy Block that I need; I'm just looking at your sincerity. It's a pity..."
Upon hearing this, the Little Moustache man's eyes darted, "You're looking for... Advanced Energy Blocks?"
"Yes." Natsuhiko admitted directly and added, "Do you have the Advanced Energy Blocks for Insect-type and Poison-type?"
"Absolutely." The Little Moustache man clapped his scrawny chest, making a "pang pang" sound.
Immediately, he carefully took out two metal-sealed boxes from the cabinet, and upon opening them, a rich faint fragrance instantly spread throughout the store.
The Weedle hidden under Natsuhiko's cloak caught a whiff of the scent and became restless.
The Energy Blocks in the box were crystalline, full, completely whole, with no visible impurities, and each piece was almost identical; clearly, the craftsmanship was very delicate, and the person making these two batches of Energy Blocks was quite skilled.
"Hehe, these two batches of Advanced Energy Blocks are made by Master Suzuki from Goldenrod City, and they're highly sought after in Goldenrod City's market for their quality. You just got lucky, if a bit later..." the Little Moustache bragged.
Natsuhiko interrupted him: "The price."
This kind of black market merchant is not to be trusted, not a single word they say is credible. He says it's made by a Master, is it truly made by a Master?
The quality of the Energy Blocks is good, much purer than an Intermediate Energy Block, but if one were to claim it's top-notch amongst Advanced Energy Blocks, that might not be true.
Natsuhiko's reading during this period wasn't for nothing.
"The price... 150 Alliance currency each." The Little Moustache man withdrew his smile, emphasizing his "genuine".
"Too expensive." Natsuhiko shook his head.
"What's expensive about it?!" The Little Moustache's moustache was almost flying off his face, glaring.
"This batch is a perfect combination of Insect-type and Poison Energy. With long-term use, it can at least enhance a Pokémon's grasp of Insect-type and Poison-type Energy by a level; reportedly, quite a few Pokémon understand new techniques upon consuming it.
And this batch, although leaning more towards the Poison Attribute, its effects are more pronounced. With regular consumption, it can significantly boost a Poison-type Pokémon's toxicity. It's made using highly precious Tree Fruit and various materials.
The price is not expensive at all!"
This time, he argued logically.
"Ordinary Advanced Energy Blocks on the market are usually priced around 120; yours is good quality, but overpriced." Natsuhiko was quite certain.
"But it's by Master Suzuki..."
"Master Suzuki, an Alliance-registered Advanced Breeder, Vice President of the Breeder Guild in Goldenrod City, proficient in the purification and crystalline amalgamation of Tree Fruit energy. If he made Energy Blocks, there'd be certain special patterns left from the crystalline amalgamation on the surface, and a spiral mark inside, yet your batches are machine-refined..."
Every Breeder's formula for Advanced Energy Blocks is practically unique.
Moreover, each breeder's method varies, resulting in subtle differences in the Energy Blocks produced.
Master Suzuki happens to be among the most emblematic individuals, a celebrity among breeders in Goldenrod City. Natsuhiko had previously bought quite a few books, some authored by Suzuki, which included analyses and dissections of his unique techniques and approaches, explaining their strengths and weaknesses, so Natsuhiko knew well.
Looking at the dazed Little Moustache, Natsuhiko teased, "Do you need me to provide more examples?"
The Little Moustache opened his mouth slightly, awkwardly grinning, "Didn't expect to meet an expert."
Natsuhiko remained unmoved and said in an indifferent tone, "130 for each Advanced Energy Block with balanced Insect-type and Poison Energy, give me 150 pieces, and 35 for each Fluorescent Intermediate Energy Block, give me 100 pieces."
The replacement of Energy Blocks is best done gradually; an abrupt change might cause discomfort to the Pokémon.
"I..."
"If you can do it, I'll take them; if not, I'll look for another shop."
Natsuhiko was unwilling to listen to his persuasion and directly stated his ideal price.
One must not be too weak while doing business with them, or else they might get targeted as a fool repeatedly.
Ten minutes later.
Natsuhiko left this store satisfied, leaving the Little Moustache somewhat dumbfounded sitting inside.
It had been so long since he'd eaten such a loss.
Although he made a profit, why did it feel so unwilling?
"Follow and see who it is, who is so knowledgeable about Energy Blocks." He spoke softly, not knowing to whom he was speaking, with no one responding.
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