Chapter 11: Conquering
Gary, I'm looking forward to a full battle with you in the Indigo League.
After getting the Pokedex and Poké Balls, Ash didn't plan to stay any longer. He yelled at Gary upstairs and then slipped away.
Out of the research institute, Ash still followed the original choice and headed straight for Viridian City.
Not long after walking, he entered Viridian Forest.
"Ding, detecting the host embarking on a journey, Main Quest — Pokémon Master mission activated!"
"Main Quest, First Ring: Win the Indigo League Champion. Reward: Ten million Alliance Coins, one hundred thousand points, one random draw for a Legendary Pokémon (Mythical Pokémon)." (PS: In this book's setting, Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon, excluding certain special existences like Arceus, all have their own populations. In the same species and region, there is only one that possesses a divine position.)
"Optional Side Quest Bar activated. The host can freely accept random missions released by the system during the journey..."
"Side Quest One: Capture the Mt. Moon Overlord, Giant Onix. Mission Reward: 1,000 points, one high-grade Metal Coat, a certain amount of Alliance Coins."
"Side Quest Two: Thwart Team Rockets' Conspiracy (automatically converts to a permanent mission after acceptance). Mission Reward: A certain amount of Alliance Coins, a certain amount of points, random unknown reward."
"Side Quest Three: Capture..."
"Side Quest Four: Investigate..."
"Side Quest Five: Solve..."
...
"Ding, detecting that the host is being watched by the Level 1 Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh, luck is increasing, gaining the favor of Viridian Forest. Congratulations to the host for awakening the blessing of Viridian Forest — Viridian Power (Elementary)."
"Ding, detecting that the host has awakened Viridian Power. Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden mission — God-Given Meal. Reward: Title of Chosen One, Master Ball * 1."
A series of system prompts appeared in Ash's mind.
The large number of side quests made Ash's scalp tingle. Fortunately, these quests were optional, otherwise he would have felt like he never wanted to leave Viridian City for the rest of his life, because there were more than two hundred side quests just within the Viridian City area, and they were still constantly refreshing.
The final reward prompt made Ash pause. Could it be that this Ho-Oh brand photographer had been waiting outside Pallet Town for him?
"System, are these rewards serious? Why can a photographer trigger special rewards, but the previous Mew didn't give any rewards? You didn't secretly keep them, did you..."
Ash tried to communicate with the system in his mind.
In his opinion, Psychic was obtained through a PY deal with Mew, and the system only informed him that he possessed this ability.
"Upon inspection, the host did not complete a hidden mission when encountering Mew, thus unable to obtain a reward."
The system immediately responded to Ash.
"Ah, this..."
"Forget it, if it didn't trigger, it didn't trigger."
Ash's attention shifted to the so-called title of Chosen One.
[Title: Chosen One
Effect: When worn, Legendary Pokémon (Mythical Pokémon) encounter probability increases by 1%, Pokémon initial affection +20, luck +1, charm +1...]
Trash!
Ash had never seen such a weak title. Besides the all-attribute +1, the other two weren't of much use.
After equipping the title, he selected a few Pokémon capture missions from the side quests and then closed the system interface.
"Pikachu, Kirlia, until we leave the forest and enter the City, it's all up to you two!"
"Pika~" (No problem, leave it to me!)
"Kirlia~ Kirlia?" (Are you really only relying on us?)
After five years of getting along, Kirlia had long adapted to Ash being a humanoid Pokémon. Putting everything else aside, Kirlia herself wasn't confident in defeating Ash.
"Kirlia, this is training for you two!"
Ash replied.
After receiving Ash's affirmative reply, Kirlia also felt a surge of fighting spirit.
And so, one person and two Pokémon began their tyrannical journey in Viridian Forest, even the passing Caterpie had to take a few hits.
It made sense. Pikachu and Kirlia were both Gym-level, and these wild Pokémon were at most Excellent-level. Abusing them was no different from abusing weaklings.
Of course, Ash wasn't that kind of unscrupulous Trainer. Every wild Pokémon that was beaten, he would treat to ensure no after-effects, and then give them energy cubes as a thank-you for the battle.
It was precisely because of this that Ash was targeted by the forest's overlord, Fearow.
Several Spearow successively landed on the trees behind Ash, their eyes fixed on Ash's backpack.
"Spearow" (Found food)
"Spearow~" (Those two domesticated Pokémon are a bit strong, let's go call the boss)
"Spearow" (Okay)
A smaller Spearow flew off the branch.
Soon, a large flock of Fearow appeared in front of Ash, and leading them were three low-tier 'photographers', among which the one at the head was significantly larger than an ordinary Fearow and was also a Shinny variant.
"A Shinny Fearow, truly rare. It's even more uncommon for one to become a tribal leader. Alright, I've decided, Fearow, battle to capture!"
Ash shouted loudly at the Shinny Fearow.
Shinny Pokémon usually become outcasts in their species, normally being ostracized, but for this Fearow to become a leader as a Shinny variant, its strength must be extraordinary.
Ash wasn't the idiot from the original story; he wouldn't miss out on capturing a Pokémon with such potential and strength.
The provoked Fearow let out an angry cry, then joined its fellow tribe members in a group attack.
What capture battle? It disdained such a thing.
"Good, then I'll take that as your agreement. Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Kirlia, Psychic!"