Came to a specialized shop for Poison-type Pokémon.
Don't overthink it, Natsuhiko is not here to buy Pokémon.
With the money he has left, it's impossible to buy an excellent Poison-type Pokémon, let alone prepare the large resources needed to train them afterward.
At the entrance, he saw a deep blue Pokémon similar to a dart frog, with yellow eyes, orange expandable sacs on its cheeks, wide and flat teeth, and white stripes around its chest, standing there dully.
He wasn't sure if it was due to training or because of its inherent personality.
It's a Poison and Fighting-type Pokémon from the Sinnoh Region, Croagunk!
Being able to get Pokémon from the Sinnoh Region indicates the store behind this is not weak in power.
His gaze lingered on it for a moment.
Croagunk is a good Pokémon, and its evolved form Toxicroak is even more excellent. The combination of Poison and Fighting types gives it a considerable advantage in attributes, and it can learn many Dark-type techniques, giving it a broader range of attacks.
If well cultivated, it could be a good defensive player and a surprise attacker.
Unfortunately.
He can't afford it.
Silently recalling the information about Toxicroak and Croagunk, he stepped into the store.
The store clerk wasn't so lively, glancing at Natsuhiko from a chair, without even the intent of standing up, dryly asking, "What Pokémon do you need?"
Natsuhiko glanced at the variety of cages in the store and said, "I want to buy some Poison Sacs from Poison-type Pokémon."
"Huh?" The clerk sitting on the chair was stunned.
He's seen many buying Pokémon, but not many come to a Poison-type Pokémon store to buy Poison Sacs.
However, when hunters capture wild Pokémon, they sometimes accidentally kill them. To maximize profit, they usually collect these Pokémon's body parts and sell them to people in need.
Among them, Poison Sacs of Poison-type Pokémon are relatively valuable parts.
"The stronger the toxin, the better," Natsuhiko added.
"You seem to know a lot about these things."
The clerk said as he took out a metal box containing glass bottles.
Inside the glass bottles were the Poison Sacs from various Pokémon.
Labels with simple descriptions were attached to the bottles.
For example, which Pokémon the Poison Sac belongs to and what power level these Pokémon have, with Poison Sacs priced accordingly.
Of course, undoubtedly, buying Poison Sacs directly is much cheaper than purchasing Poison-type Pokémon.
"They're all here. You can take a look yourself." The clerk waved his hand.
He didn't seem to care much about such small business.
Natsuhiko didn't mind, picking up the glass bottles one by one to inspect them.
The strength of the toxins is easy to determine. The extent to which the poison disperses inside the glass bottle can be judged by the color depth of the bottle.
Finally.
Natsuhiko chose three of them, labeled as follows:
Beedrill, Senior;
Arbok, Elite;
Ariados, Senior;
The power stages of Pokémon are divided by the alliance into Rookie, Qualified, Excellent, Senior, Elite, based on various factors...
Natsuhiko's Weedle has barely achieved excellent power, while senior and elite are far stronger than Weedle, and their Poison Sacs surely contain toxins far more potent than Weedle.
And these are the materials Natsuhiko needs to enhance Weedle's toxicity.
The book introduced by Lance didn't specifically describe it, but it did subtly mention many ways Poison-type Pokémon can enhance toxicity by mutual devouring, providing him with much inspiration.
The clerk glanced at the bottles Natsuhiko selected, smiled, and said, "You have good taste."
Then continued, "Senior Beedrill and Ariados Poison Sacs five thousand, Elite Arbok Poison Sac five thousand, total ten thousand alliance currency."
Ten thousand...
So expensive.
Even though Natsuhiko was somewhat prepared mentally, he was still somewhat surprised upon hearing the price.
But on second thought, it seemed reasonable.
If they were alive senior Beedrill, Ariados, and elite Arbok, any of their prices would definitely far exceed ten thousand alliance currency.
This is already the minimum cost to get what he wants most.
Judging by the clerk's attitude, there was clearly no room for haggling. Even a single Pokémon here isn't cheap, spending ten thousand alliance currency is just small change.
"Swipe the card then."
After paying, and pocketing the three glass bottles, Natsuhiko left the store and also left Goldenrod City's black market.
Overall, this black market trip was relatively smooth.
He bought advanced Energy Blocks, needed books, and decent Pokémon Poison Sacs. Though during it, he dealt with a black market thug who followed him, he also gained a Paras, which was nice.
He didn't rush to use the Paras. First, because it might expose his identity; second, he thought this Paras might still be somewhat useful.
The ability to silently release spores, almost unnoticed by Weedle, could be a good skill in the wild.
Just that this trip was a bit hard on his wallet.
After earning 35,000 alliance currency, spending 33,000 at once, he's now back to tight budgeting.
However, in the short term, he shouldn't have to worry about food for Weedle anymore.
He took a cab back to the club.
Greeted the receptionist, Anai.
"Anai, I have something to do today. If anyone comes looking for me, please tell them I'm unavailable for training today," Natsuhiko said politely.
"Okay." Anai looked at him somewhat puzzled.
As a training and earning fanatic, he actually had a time to rest.
But she didn't think much of it. Natsuhiko is already an intermediate trainer, earning much more than a junior trainer. Perhaps he really has something important.
Returning to the room with Weedle.
Sitting cross-legged with Weedle, in front of them lay four glass bottles, three of which were bought from the black market today, the other from the last time in the Dense Wood Forest, a Poison Sac from a Spearow's nest, belonging to an Ekans.
Although Ekans is said to be non-toxic, that only means it has no fangs to release toxins. Doesn't mean it's completely non-toxic. Otherwise, as a Poison-type Pokémon, where does it get its toxins to perform so many Poison-type techniques?
However, compared to the other four Poison Sacs, the Ekans Poison Sac is definitely the weakest in toxicity.
"This should meet the requirements. Weedle, are you ready?" Natsuhiko asked seriously.
Weedle gulped lightly, not knowing if it was out of greed or due to Natsuhiko's seriousness.
"Woo!"
Nodding heavily.
Natsuhiko took out the book.
It was the book Lance introduced last time, "Tales of Gu Pokémon Transformation."
"Although this book doesn't mention specific procedural details, those unaware of this method would regard it as merely a fun read on Poison-type Pokémon. But for someone familiar with this method, one can discern some hidden descriptions between the lines.
The key is poisoning!"
Weedle listened obediently, not understanding what's written, but knowing whatever Natsuhiko does is for its own good.
After confirming the content acquired from the book, Natsuhiko took out the advanced Energy Block he just bought.
"Before truly starting, maintain optimal condition."
Weedle's eyes lit up, having longed for the advanced Energy Block for a while, its aroma made its mouth water.
Watching Weedle slowly consume the advanced Energy Block, savoring the taste even after it was gone.
"Now, eat this Ekans Poison Sac!"
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