The next second, an Oddish crawled out from the dense grass.
This Oddish was exceptionally cute.
It had a plump, round blue body, short wobbly legs, and five fresh green leaves on its head. The tip of the central leaf was a faint pale yellow, shimmering softly under the sunlight.
It tilted its head, looking curiously at the three people who had suddenly appeared, using its large red eyes.
"Wow!"
Delia's eyes immediately lit up.
She squatted down, cupped her cheeks in her hands, and her voice was full of surprise:
"What a cute Oddish!"
The Oddish didn't seem shy at all; instead, it hopped forward twice, its leaves gently swaying.
"Look, the tips of its leaves are pale yellow!" Misty also leaned in, saying excitedly, "Oddish of this color must be quite rare, right?"
"Mhm!" Delia nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with affection. "I want to catch it!"
After the battle at Nanshan Academy, Delia's previous concern about not being able to take care of too many Pokemon by herself had quietly changed.
Seeing Roy command Pikachu in battle, seeing Misty happily holding Starmie... she also wanted more partners who could accompany her and grow with her.
[Ding!]
The system notification sound suddenly rang out in Roy's mind.
[Relationship Quest Triggered: Help Delia capture three desired Pokemon.]
[Quest Reward: Sun Stone *2 — Evolution item for special Pokemon.]
[Aura Power upgraded to Intermediate Level — Range expanded, increased communication capability with Aura, preliminary ability to generate Skill Aura Amplification with Pokemon.]
Yah-ha!
Roy was delighted.
My good Delia!
The quest rewards were extremely generous—two valuable evolution stones and the even stronger Intermediate Aura Power.
It was practically a double boost to both Pokemon combat strength and his own personal power.
As expected of a virtuous wife who knows me well, the triggered rewards are fantastic.
Just as Roy was about to speak up and help Delia formulate a capture plan, the Aura Power within him suddenly vibrated gently.
Like a pebble dropped into calm water.
Ripples spread out.
He keenly sensed that behind the patch of taller grass ahead... there was another individual Pokemon.
Its presence was steady, carrying the unique fresh scent of vegetation, but faintly tinged with caution.
"Eevee, use Tackle..."
Delia hadn't finished her command.
"Wait!"
Roy suddenly spoke up to stop her.
But it was already too late.
The cocky Eevee didn't wait for the full command; seeing its owner point toward the Oddish, it excitedly rushed forward, shaking its fluffy tail.
It pushed off with its hind legs, and its entire body shot straight toward the dazed Oddish like a small brown cannonball.
Just as Eevee was about to hit its target.
Swoosh!
A bright green Vine Whip suddenly shot out from the grass ahead like lightning!
The speed was extreme!
It carried the sound of tearing air!
"Snap!"
The Vine Whip struck Eevee precisely, making a crisp sound.
Eevee yelped in pain, its small body sent flying backward, rolling twice on the ground before stopping.
The Vine Whip's movement didn't stop.
It twisted flexibly as if alive, instantly wrapping around the Oddish, which hadn't yet reacted.
The Oddish cried out in alarm, its entire body bound by the vine.
The next second, whoosh!
The Vine Whip retracted sharply, pulling the Oddish along with it, and quickly disappeared into the dense grass.
The entire process, from the Vine Whip appearing to taking away the Oddish, took no more than three seconds.
Fast, accurate, and ruthless.
"Ah! Oddish!" Delia cried out in surprise.
Misty also widened her eyes: "What was that? Vine Whip? So fast!"
Roy frowned slightly.
In that instant, using his Aura Power, he clearly perceived the shape of that Pokemon.
Green skin, dark blue spots, and the familiar seed on its back... [Ding!]
The system notification sound rang out again in Roy's mind.
Huh?
Another quest?
The Relationship Quest had just been accepted, and a new quest was already triggered.
[Hidden Quest Triggered — Kanto starters: Capture Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, gain their recognition, and ensure their sincere addition to the team.]
[Quest Reward: starters immediately gain +3 levels upon joining the team.]
[starters Exclusive Legendary Trial Space — You may choose one starter Pokemon to initiate a Legendary Trial!]
Oh?
Roy's eyes lit up.
By accident, had he stumbled upon the vicinity of the village where that high-potential Bulbasaur resided?
Combining this with the skillful Vine Whip technique just now, although he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he could already confirm it.
He must have triggered the plot quest point related to Bulbasaur.
That particular Bulbasaur had a remarkable performance in the original work.
Even without evolving, it was able to master the ultimate Grass-type move, Solar Beam, early on; its potential was excellent.
Roy had already planned to specifically search for it, and now he had encountered it by chance.
Moreover, he needed to help Delia capture Pokemon, so this was like getting a pillow when you're sleepy.
However... the requirements for this quest were a bit special.
It wasn't enough to simply defeat and capture them; he had to earn their trust and ensure they genuinely joined the team.
"But that just adds a little difficulty," Roy said, a smile playing on his lips.
He had Aura Power, giving him a huge advantage in communication.
If he could communicate, he could trick them... no, sincerely move them.
It was just a matter of spending a little more time.
And the "Exclusive Trial Space" in the quest reward sounded extraordinary and was worth the effort.
Roy quickly accepted the second quest in his mind.
"Delia, Misty, let's follow them!"
The moment he finished speaking.
"Sister Delia, your Oddish is running away! Hurry, chase it!"
Misty was more excited than anyone and was the first to rush out.
She pushed aside the tall grass, and her slender figure instantly disappeared into the green expanse.
"Misty! Wait!" Delia quickly called out.
But Misty had already run far away.
"This girl..." Roy shook his head helplessly, took Delia's hand, and said, "Let's go, we need to follow."
The two followed closely and plunged into the grass.
The grass was even denser than they had imagined.
The blades of grass tickled their faces, the soil beneath their feet was soft and damp, and they had to be careful with every step not to trip over the tangled stems.
"Misty! Where did you run off to?"
Delia shouted as she chased.
But all they could see ahead were swaying grass blades; Misty was nowhere in sight.
Roy unleashed his Aura Power, and his senses quickly spread out.
The life fluctuations within a fifty-meter radius were clearly reflected in his mind.
Delia was beside him, her presence stable but tinged with anxiety.
Pikachu was squatting on his shoulder, its electric sacs faintly flickering with electricity.
Eevee followed by his feet, its ears pricked up cautiously.
And ahead... Misty's figure was moving quickly within the Aura perception, having already run over thirty meters.
But... Roy's brow suddenly furrowed.
The fluctuations of the Oddish and the Bulbasaur were not in the direction Misty was heading.
They had gone to the left.
But Misty... was running to the right.
That silly girl took the wrong path again!
"Misty! You're going the wrong way!" Roy shouted loudly.
But the distance was too great and the grass too tall; his voice couldn't reach her.
"Ah!!!"
Just then, Misty's startled cry suddenly came from ahead.
Immediately afterward, Misty's Aura fluctuation vanished from Roy's range of perception.
"Misty's voice!" Delia instantly panicked. "What happened to her?!"
"Don't panic."
Roy reassured Delia and calmed her down.
He quickly analyzed the situation.
Oddish and Bulbasaur were on the left, Misty disappeared on the right, and Delia needed protection... "Delia, listen to me."
Roy placed his hands on Delia's shoulders and looked straight into her eyes:
"Oddish and Bulbasaur went to the left. If you keep going in this direction, you should be able to find them."
"I'll go find Misty."
"But Misty..."
"Trust me." Roy's voice was steady and strong. "I will bring Misty back safely."
He paused, then looked at Pikachu beside him:
"Pikachu, you follow Delia and protect her."
Pikachu!
Pikachu ran to Delia's feet, its electric sacs crackling, its small face filled with determination.
Bui! Bui!
Eevee also jumped out, calling loudly with its head raised, signaling that it could protect its owner too.
Roy smiled, crouched down, and stroked Eevee's furry head:
"Alright, how about you cooperate and work together with Pikachu?"
"Bui!"
Eevee nodded seriously, then stood beside Pikachu. The two little guys, one brown and one yellow, stood side by side, actually giving off a feeling of cooperation.
After making the arrangements, Roy gave Delia one last look:
"Be careful. If you encounter a Pokemon you're unsure about, retreat immediately."
"Mhm..." Delia nodded, concerned.
"You—you be careful too."
"Don't worry."
After speaking, Roy turned and rushed toward the direction where Misty had disappeared.
Roy quickly rushed toward the last location where Misty had vanished.
He abruptly burst through a wall of the densest grass, and the view ahead suddenly opened up.
At the same time, the ground suddenly disappeared beneath his feet!
"Damn it!"
Roy reacted extremely fast, halting his forward momentum abruptly.
Grass blades and soil rustled down.
Before him was a steep, nearly vertical drop of four or five meters.
Below the slope was a stretch of rushing river, the water roaring and churning with white foam under the sun.
Roy stabilized himself, his eyebrows tightly furrowed.
Judging by the situation, Misty must have rushed too quickly, failed to watch her step, and fallen right down.
The river current was so fast; although Misty was a good swimmer, being injured would be troublesome.
"Pidgeotto!"
Roy threw out a poké ball without hesitation.
"Fly me downstream, look for Misty."
Roy was concise and to the point.
Pidgeotto understood and bent down.
Roy swiftly mounted Pidgeotto's back, gripping the feathers on its neck with both hands.
"Go!"
Pidgeotto flapped its wings, carrying Roy into the air.
Roy narrowed his eyes, deploying his Aura Power completely.
The river below looked like a winding silver ribbon, flanked by lush forests on both banks.
His perception swept over the river surface, mudflats, and grass like radar... "Further down."
Roy directed Pidgeotto.
After flying for about three or four minutes.
A familiar life fluctuation appeared within his Aura perception.
It was right at the river bend ahead.