Chapter 1: The Value of Intelligence
"Today's intelligence has been updated."
A cold, mechanical voice echoed clearly within his mind, devoid of any emotion, like a Pokédex issuing data.
Lin Mo jolted upright from his narrow bed, his breathing slightly uneven.
Outside the window lay the quiet early morning streets of Petalburg City, a modest but orderly town in the Hoenn region, known in official League records as the hometown of Gym Leader Norman.
A Caterpie slowly crawled across the wooden windowsill, its segmented green body inching forward as it released faint threads of silk—just like described in Trainer School textbooks.
It had already been three days since Lin Mo arrived in this world.
He could still vividly recall the moment of his transmigration.
A car accident, blinding white light, and then—
He woke up here.
A world nearly identical to the Pokémon games he once knew…
Yet far more grounded in reality—closer to the harsh truths depicted in field reports and certain arcs of the Pokémon manga.
And undeniably more cruel.
He had become an orphan under the care of the Petalburg City Orphanage.
Sixteen years old.
At the age where one should begin their journey as a Trainer.
Or at least… that was how it worked for those with connections.
"Check today's intelligence."
Lin Mo focused inward, issuing the command silently.
A translucent, system-like panel unfolded before his eyes.
---
[Today's Intelligence (3/3)]
[1. Inside the trash can behind the Petalburg Gym, there is an injured Zigzagoon carrying an Oran Berry.]
[2. At the abandoned power facility east of Petalburg City, a small-scale Space-Time Distortion will occur at exactly 20:00, lasting three minutes.]
[3. A Rattata swarm outbreak will occur in Petalburg Woods tomorrow, triggered by a Mutated Shiny Raticate exhibiting abnormal aggression.]
---
Lin Mo's pulse quickened.
This—
Was his advantage.
His only true cheat in this world.
Three pieces of intelligence, refreshed daily.
Absolute accuracy.
He had already tested it repeatedly over the past three days.
Not once had it been wrong.
However, its usefulness fluctuated wildly.
Yesterday's intelligence had been:
"May ate a sandwich for breakfast."
Completely useless—though it did confirm the existence of Norman's daughter, just like in canon.
But today…
"Space-Time Distortion?"
Lin Mo immediately grabbed his worn coat.
In Pokémon manga records, distortions of space-time were often linked to powerful phenomena—sometimes even Legendary Pokémon like Dialga or Palkia, though Hoenn rarely experienced such events.
Breakfast at the orphanage was scheduled for 7:30.
He still had twenty minutes.
The Petalburg Gym wasn't far.
At a steady jog, five minutes would suffice.
---
The streets were sparsely populated at this hour.
A few early Trainers passed by, already beginning their daily routines.
An Aipom bounded between rooftops, its tail-hand gripping edges with practiced agility.
Above, a flock of Pidgey circled in formation—common behavior when scouting for food at dawn.
Lin Mo lowered his hat slightly.
He had to remain cautious.
Unlike the anime's idealized world…
Reality resembled the harsher undertones of the Pokémon Adventures manga.
Resources were tightly controlled.
Strong Trainers and influential families monopolized Pokémon, items, and information.
Some Trainers spent their entire lives with only one partner Pokémon.
And orphans like him…
Were at the very bottom.
---
The Petalburg Gym soon came into view.
A clean, white structure symbolizing discipline and Normal-type balance.
This was the domain of Norman—the "man who pursues strength through order."
The back alley was silent.
A green trash can sat tilted near the wall.
Lin Mo inhaled slowly.
Then lifted the lid.
A sharp, sour stench rushed out.
"Squeak!"
A weak cry echoed from within.
Curled at the bottom was a small Pokémon.
A Zigzagoon.
Its brown-and-cream striped fur was matted with dirt and blood.
Its right forepaw bore a visible wound—likely from territorial conflict or being struck while scavenging.
Its red eyes locked onto Lin Mo.
Teeth bared.
A low Growl escaped its throat.
But its body trembled uncontrollably.
"Easy…"
Lin Mo softened his voice, mimicking the calm tone Trainers were taught to use.
He slowly reached forward.
The Zigzagoon tried to retreat, but the confined space prevented escape.
His fingers brushed its fur.
Soft—but tense.
His other hand searched.
There—
An Oran Berry, slightly bruised but intact.
He picked it up carefully.
The Zigzagoon froze.
Its gaze fixed entirely on the Berry.
"Want some?"
Lin Mo broke off a small piece.
The Zigzagoon hesitated… then swallowed it cautiously.
Its hostility weakened.
He continued feeding it in small portions.
Meanwhile, he examined the wound.
Not fatal—but untreated, infection was a real risk.
After feeding, he stored the remaining Berry.
"Come with me. I'll help you."
He reached out again.
This time—
The Zigzagoon didn't resist.
---
(…continued seamlessly, preserving structure…)
---
The abandoned power plant loomed under the moonlight.
Its rusted frame crackled faintly with residual electricity—likely leftover from outdated generators once used during Hoenn's early industrial expansion.
Lin Mo checked the time.
7:58 PM.
"Stay hidden."
They concealed themselves within the broken structure.
Silence fell.
Then—
At exactly 8:00 PM—
A point of light appeared.
Unnatural.
Condensed.
Then rapidly expanding.
A vortex of warped space unfolded, accompanied by arcs of blue electricity that resembled unstable Thunder discharges.
The air itself distorted.
Gravity felt uneven.
A phenomenon consistent with recorded anomalies involving Ultra Wormholes… though far smaller in scale.
The Space-Time Distortion had begun.
Lin Mo held his breath.
Inside the vortex—
A silhouette slowly took shape.
Emerging.
From beyond.