Standing in front of the self-service computer, Icarus kept browsing through suitable missions.
Fortunately, the Alliance was wealthy enough to install dozens of self-service terminals inside the Pokémon Center. Otherwise, the long lines alone would have driven people crazy.
After thinking it over, Icarus realized he should start developing some connections.
Having teammates would be better. Some high-paying missions could be completed cooperatively. Even if the reward per person was slightly lower, it would still be more efficient than handling everything alone.
The problem was that he hadn't interacted much with trainers of the same age. And even if he had, most of them were still at the beginner level.
Bringing them along would only slow him down — free rewards for them, extra burden for him.
"Looks like I'll have to go solo for now. Let's pick another tedious mission…" he muttered with a sigh.
Just as he was about to reluctantly choose something, a large hand suddenly patted him on the shoulder.
"Hey, brother! I've seen you standing here for a while. Can't find a suitable mission?"
Startled, Icarus immediately turned around.
A young man wearing a brown coat and black hiking boots stood behind him.
"Sorry about that, didn't mean to scare you," the young man said with a grin. "We're looking for a teammate too. I noticed you've been browsing for a long time, so I came to ask."
"Oh? What mission did you take?" Icarus asked calmly, though inwardly he was pleased.
"We accepted a tougher Two-Star mission — hunting three Arbok. The required materials are at least the fangs and poison sacs of mid-tier Normal-level Arbok.
There are two additional related missions. One is to capture an Ekans with at least above-average Normal aptitude — no strength restriction. The other is to collect fifty Pecha Berries for the Alliance store to make antidotes.
Basically, everything can be done within Arbok territory. Interested?"
Since the missions were already accepted, the young man wasn't worried about others snatching them.
"That sounds fine. What about the rewards? And how would we split them?" Icarus asked directly.
The young man coughed lightly. "Before that… can you tell me about your strength?"
"I have one low-tier Normal-level Pokémon — strong battlefield control and decent attack power. And one high-tier beginner-level Flying-type scout."
"Hmm…" The young man hesitated at first, clearly about to decline.
A control-type Normal-level Pokémon wasn't particularly rare. Their team already had some battlefield control.
But when he heard about the Flying-type scout, his eyes lit up.
"Alright, that works! Didn't expect you to have trained a Flying-type."
For Normal-level trainers, a Zubat wasn't expensive — but it was too restricted during daytime. If they were going to buy a scout, they'd consider Pidgey or Spearow instead.
And even a low-quality Pidgey cost around 6,000 Pokédollars.
Their team was newly formed. Most members were young trainers trying to build a strong foundation. No one wanted to waste their early contracts on a poorly qualified Flying-type.
After all, the first six energy feedbacks at each major rank were crucial for shaping one's future path.
The young man himself only had three Pokémon: Rattata, Butterfree, and Sandshrew.
Butterfree couldn't serve as a scout — it flew slower than Zubat and was much more noticeable.
They definitely needed a scout.
Seeing that Icarus was suitable, he began explaining the rewards.
"For the Arbok mission: 60 Alliance Merit Points and 10,000 Pokédollars. Additional snake skins and meat can be sold separately.
For the Ekans capture: 30 Merit Points and 40,000 Pokédollars.
For the Pecha Berry collection: 10 Merit Points and 2,000 Pokédollars — that's just supplementary.
Of course, if we go deep into the wild, we'll hunt other Pokémon too."
"That's fine. How many people are in the team?" Icarus asked.
"Right now? Including you, three.
I'm mid-tier Normal-level. The other member is low-tier Normal-level. With your addition, completing these three missions won't be a problem.
Besides, if there are too many people, the rewards get split too thin. At that point, it's better to just go solo, right?"
He scratched his head slightly, embarrassed but honest.
He was the captain of this newly formed team. Since they weren't well-known yet, he'd only managed to recruit one friend. After that, no one else had joined, so he'd been waiting in the lobby for teammates.
"So I'm officially joining your team now? How will the distribution work?" Icarus asked.
"Haha, yes! Let me introduce myself. I'm Hirakawa Shu — just call me Ashu."
The young man grinned, clearly happy about expanding his team. Then his expression sharpened with competitive spirit.
"As for distribution — it depends on your strength and contribution.
Based on what you said, you'd serve as scout and battlefield support. My initial offer is 20%.
Of course, if you perform well in a battle against me, I'll raise your share.
So — accept 20%, or prove yourself in a Pokémon battle?"
Ashu's eyes gleamed as he stared at the Poké Balls on Icarus' belt.
Icarus rubbed his nose.
"Let's battle. I only have two Pokémon — so two matches."
"For a higher share… I'll fight."
"Great!" Ashu immediately ran off toward the battle area to register and pay the field fee.
Watching him leave, Icarus chuckled.
"Seems like my captain is a battle fanatic. His strength must be solid. But I have full confidence in Bellsprout and Pidgey."
The Poké Balls at his waist trembled slightly in response.
A few minutes later, Ashu ran back — then suddenly froze.
"Ah — I forgot to ask your name!"
"Icarus. My name is Icarus Aoki. Low-tier Normal-level trainer."
"Got it, Icarus-kun! Let's go. I hope this will be an exciting duel!"
With that, Ashu led Icarus toward the battlefield behind the Pokémon Center.
A proper, fair Alliance-style trainer battle.
It would be his first.
(End of Chapter 96)
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