"The original price was 5,140,000 yuan. After the 20% discount, it's 4,112,000," the cashier said with a smile.
"Charge it." Zhang Tian presented his Pokédex. The payment went through successfully.
Carrying a new black spatial backpack, he strode out of the Pokémon Center.
"What's next?" he wondered. "Challenge the eight Gyms, the Elite Four, and finally, battle the Champion."
In the Daxia region, the path to becoming Champion was clear. First, you had to defeat eight Gym Leaders to collect eight badges. Then, you had to challenge and defeat all four members of the Elite Four for the right to face the current Champion. Only by defeating them could you claim the title for yourself. This meant that the Champion of each country was, in essence, its strongest trainer.
To challenge the Gyms, you had to either be a traveling trainer or a graduate of a Pokémon University. Besides the benefits, Zhang Tian had chosen to become a traveling trainer because he didn't want to waste four years waiting to graduate before he could start his journey.
"I shouldn't rush into the Gym Challenge just yet. First, I need to lay low and build up my strength," he decided. "Gym battles are typically 3v3. Right now, Pidgeot is the only one I can use. I wouldn't stand a chance. As for the Bishaten and the others, I can't risk exposing them until I'm at least Elite Four-tier in strength. This world has bad people, too."
Having decided on his next steps, he immediately sat down and traversed back to his old home. "Cross over!"
He appeared in the Monster Hunter world. "Come on out, everyone." He released all his Pokémon, including his monster team. After playing with his new Fuecoco, Ralts, Gastly, and Growlithe for a while to get acquainted, he swapped all their standard Poké Balls for Luxury Balls. He hadn't had the money before, but now that he was rich, he wouldn't let his Pokémon live in discomfort.
"Time to train. Lay low, develop safely, don't get reckless." He took out his notebook and began to create training plans for Gastly and Fuecoco.
Twelve days passed in the blink of an eye. The Tetranadon meat was almost gone.
After twelve days of training, Zhang Tian, Pidgeot, the Great Izuchi, and the Escuregot had all reached Level 40, officially stepping into the Gym Leader tier. The Arzuros and the Tobi-Kadachi had each gained a level, reaching 41. The Blood Orange Bishaten had also gained a level, now at 48.
His new Pokémon Skeledirge, Gardevoir, Gengar, and Arcanine had all reached Level 36 and evolved into their final forms. In the game, a Haunter needed to be traded to evolve into Gengar. In the real world, it simply needed to reach Level 30.
"We're out of meat. Time to hunt, and earn some more gold coins while I'm at it," he mused. "Skeledirge and the others have grown strong. After this hunt, I'll challenge the first Gym."
He walked out of the kitchen and went to the quest counter. "Good morning, Hinoa," he said with a smile, taking a seat.
"You're finally out of your house after all these days," Hinoa said, a hint of resentment in her voice. "Zhang Tian, what about the delicious hometown specialties you promised me?"
"I haven't forgotten. I've been working on them for the past ten days, in between training," he said with a smile. He took a large piece of cured meat and a bundle of sausages from his backpack. "These are specialties from my hometown: bacon and sausage. I made them myself using the Tetranadon meat. Just wash them and steam them when you get home. They're delicious, no seasoning needed."
"Oh... I'm sorry. I misjudged you," Hinoa said, her face turning slightly red with embarrassment.
"It's okay. A kiss will make it all better," he said, waggling his eyebrows playfully.
"Then... close your eyes," she replied, her face beet red.
"You really agreed?" he asked in disbelief. He had just been joking around, but he hadn't expected her to actually agree.
"Just close your eyes," she urged.
"Alright, alright." He smiled and closed his eyes. The moment he did, he felt a soft, cool sensation on his left cheek.
"Hinoa..." he said softly, opening his eyes to look at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her face turning an even deeper shade of red under his gaze.
"You're wonderful," he said with a sincere smile. He thought back to his experiences trying to date girls before he transmigrated. They had all been masters of leading him on, taking all the benefits without ever giving anything in return. It had disgusted him. Hinoa was infinitely better. As the saying goes, true love is when I take a step toward you, and you take a step toward me.
"Okay, I'll take your hometown specialties," she said, pulling the bag of meat to her side. "You must have come here for a reason. What is it?"
"I'd like to take on a hunting quest. Something around the same level as the Blood Orange Bishaten."
"Right now, the only one we have is for a Rathian," she said after flipping through the quest log.
"A Rathian is fine," he nodded. Now that he was at the Gym Leader tier, the once-unbeatable Queen of the Land was no longer so terrifying.
"Okay," Hinoa said, handing him the quest sheet.
Quest: Hunt the Queen of the Land, Rathian
Reward: 10,500z
Time Limit: 10 Days
"Hinoa, see you later." He waved, then got up and left.
In the Shrine Ruins, Zhang Tian arrived on the back of his Pidgeot. Unlike his first cautious forays, he could now afford to be bold.
"The Rathian's territory is just ahead. Pidgeot, be careful," he said after checking his map.
"Pidgeo," it nodded. It had already used Agility three times and was moving at incredible speed.
Swoosh!
They arrived above the same bamboo forest where he had been attacked before.
"ROAR!" A Rathian roared and burst out of the forest, spitting a massive fireball at them.
"It's the same one," Zhang Tian recognized it instantly.
Rathian
Level: 46 (Gym Leader Tier)
"Pidgeo!" Pidgeot dodged the fireball, then used Quick Attack. Like a gray arrow, it shot toward the Rathian's wing. With a sickening crunch, its talons tore through the base of the Rathian's wing membrane.
"ROAR!"
With a mournful cry, the Rathian plummeted to the ground, its injured wing making it unable to fly.