"Do you have a high-intensity flashlight for sale?"
Most people who enjoy fishing carry high-intensity flashlights. Since sea fishing is almost exclusively done at night, most anglers come prepared with one or two. Feng Che had scoured the general market without finding a decent one, so he decided to try his luck with the stall owner.
High-intensity flashlights were incredibly versatile tools. If one needed to enter a pitch-black cavern, a flashlight was indispensable. Furthermore, they were the bane of Pokémon like Zubat and Golbat; under the glare of a high-powered beam, these blood-sucking bats would lose more than half of their combat effectiveness.
In the deep ocean at night, they could also be used to lure specific Water-type Pokémon. For instance, Tentacool were phototactic and would swarm toward a bright light source. Many Pokémon hunters exploited this trait to capture them in bulk. Of course, such lights could also attract much more dangerous Tentacruel—many a hunter had "capsized in a gutter" by underestimating that risk.
Because high-intensity flashlights were relatively specialized gear, they weren't easy to find.
"You certainly have a sharp eye for detail," the stall owner remarked. "I do have them, but the price isn't low. I went through a lot of trouble to get two. If you want one, I'm willing to sell, but it'll cost you at least 200 credits."
"How about this: throw in some of those specialized baits as a bonus, and I'll take it," Feng Che countered. "Flashlights are rare, but their utility is narrow. Most people won't find a use for them."
Feng Che had checked the prices for brand-new flashlights in the main shops—they went for a staggering 400 credits. The owner's quote represented a significant saving.
"Deal. Let's trade."
The owner pulled a bag of tan-colored bait and a like-new secondhand flashlight from his pack. Feng Che tested the beam; it was as bright as day. He tucked it away, satisfied.
"This bait is a custom blend," the owner added. "It attracts both Water-type Pokémon and regular sea fish. It's perfect for wilderness survival. Here, I'll throw in a packet of seasoning too. It's for grilled fish—just a sprinkle, and your catch will be incredibly delicious."
The owner swiped another 200 credits from Feng Che's account. Feng Che could feel the weight of several gazes lingering on him now, so he left the stall in a hurry.
After losing his tail, Feng Che made a few more purchases: a capture net launcher—a device that looked like a small rocket launcher and could fire a massive net to pin down Flying-types—and a standard garden hose. Finally, he picked up a secondhand Stun Gun equipped with two Thunder Shells. After some haggling, he spent another 50 credits for a single Frost Shell, which could be fired from the same gun to freeze a target.
To his regret, he couldn't find any decent Berries. The quality in the open market was abysmal; many were "doctored" with chemicals to look fresh. If a Pokémon consumed those over time, they'd be lucky to survive the toxicity, let alone improve their potential.
I guess I'll have to pay the premium at the official shop or Logistics for the good stuff later, Feng Che mused. He was thankful he had scavenged some wild Berries in Viridian Forest. Without those, he truly would have been a "clever housewife unable to cook without rice."
Back in his temporary room, Feng Che pulled out his gathered Berries. He wasn't making energy cubes this time; he was making pure Berry juice—the ultimate "bribe" for taming his Ditto.
Once the juice was ready and his gear was prepped, he headed out to begin the taming process. To be safe, he spent 10 credits to rent a small, private Rocket training room. The facility was bare-bones, featuring only a robotic target used for measuring attack power.
Feng Che laid out his equipment where it was easily accessible. The room was only about fifty square meters and included a small restroom. He connected his hose to the faucet and turned it on, letting the water flow. The other end of the hose featured a nozzle with a trigger; when opened, it would spray a high-pressure stream, effectively mimicking a Water Gun move.
He made sure he was wearing his Team Rocket rubber boots and gloves. The organization was surprisingly practical when it came to uniform design; to reduce the risk of injury from Electric-type attacks in the field, they used high-grade rubber. Even the fabric was a carbon-fiber blend with anti-static properties and quick-dry functionality—essential for those who might fall into a river while on a mission.
He placed his fishing rod within easy reach, held the net launcher in his hand, and made sure the Stun Gun was loaded with a Thunder Shell and the Frost Shell.
Once everything was ready, he took a deep breath. He threw the Poké Ball.
"Come on out, Ditto!"
Feng Che's palms were sweaty. His biggest concern was the lack of protection against a Poison Sting. Although Ekans isn't a constrictor, its fangs were loaded with venom. He had found a pair of armored gauntlets to protect against close-range strikes, but he knew that was mostly for psychological comfort. An Ekans' bite force was terrifying—capable of piercing steel plating.
The Ditto burst from the ball and immediately lunged into an aggressive posture. Its eyes flared with a predatory light, its forked tongue flicking as it coiled on the floor with a menacing hiss.
[Ditto: This guy came prepared. He really thinks he can tame me?][Ditto: This Great One shall never be a slave!][Ditto: I'll just blast him into the ground with my Poison Sting!][Ditto: Wait... maybe that's too cruel. If I kill him, will the other Rockets execute me?][Ditto: How about I just lunge forward and tie him up instead?]
⭐ Read chapters early on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/Bagga_10 ⭐
Advance chapters are already written and waiting.
Patreon readers get early access before public release.
BONUS CHAPTER REWARDS
• Every 10 reviews = 1 bonus chapter
• Every 20 Power Stones = 1 bonus chapter
Your support directly unlocks more content and faster releases.