"Green: Yo. Long time no see. Didn't expect you guys to come to a place like this for entertainment. But honestly, the games here are completely lacking in challenge."
"Green: Judging by the way you look, you still haven't earned the Rainbow Badge yet? Looks like I'm still ahead. Take this—you might find it useful."
Rei, Red, and Blue received a Coin Case and 1000 Coins from their rival Green!
Rei, Red, and Blue placed the Coin Case into the Key Items pocket.
"Green: You can exchange these coins at the front counter for some little trinkets… or trade them directly for money. The exchange rate is roughly five coins for one hundred Poké Dollars."
"Green: Have fun. See you."
After saying that, he shoved his hands into his pockets and casually brushed past the three of them, strolling toward the prize exchange counter.
"I feel like… that guy's changed a lot."
Red watched Green's departing figure, sounding slightly emotional.
"Yeah. He's definitely become more calm and reserved."
Rei Akagi nodded as if it were only natural.
After all, as a rival NPC, Green had a full character growth arc built into the game. After experiencing so many events, personal growth was inevitable.
It absolutely—
had nothing to do with that misunderstanding back in Vermilion City.
Definitely not!
"Hmph! Still the same show-off as ever! But—"
Blue's attention was on something completely different.
She looked at the Coin Case that had appeared in her inventory, her eyes sparkling.
"Young Master Green is really generous! 3,000 coins just like that! Our starting capital is ready!"
"Now it's time for the Gambling Queen Blue to dominate the field!"
Rei and Red exchanged a silent glance and immediately transferred all their coins to the eager Blue.
Thus, the Game Corner gold rush officially began under Blue's command.
What followed was practically a coin-printing demonstration.
Blue controlled Blueas she hopped between slot machines and card-flipping games.
Every time she pressed a button—
Coins poured endlessly into the trio's Coin Cases.
The constant ding-ding-ding of coins dropping became background music.
They were having the time of their lives.
"Don't you think there are a bit too many people wearing Team Rocket uniforms around here?"
During a brief break, Red muttered suspiciously.
Something about the atmosphere felt strange.
Looking around, nearly every machine had several figures in black uniforms with the red 'R' emblem nearby.
"Why worry about that?"
Blue said while hitting another jackpot, coins clattering down in a shower.
"As long as they're not rushing over to steal our coins! Don't distract the Gambling Queen while she's making money!"
After a long session of gaming, the trio finally achieved coin freedom.
Their total:
9,999 coins.
Though they had no idea whether that surpassed Green's earlier winnings.
Excited, the three of them headed to the prize exchange counter.
The reward list was dazzling.
Various Technical Machines (TMs) and rare battle items were displayed. The selection wasn't enormous, but it was tempting enough.
Rei Akagi exchanged his coins for a TM: Flamethrower.
Red immediately bought the items he had been dreaming about—Mystic Water and Charcoal.
Looking at his account instantly drop to zero, he showed an expression that was both satisfied and slightly pained.
Blue, however, didn't rush to exchange anything.
Her attention had been captured by something deeper in the exchange list—an independent display stand.
She moved Bluecloser.
Then suddenly inhaled sharply.
"Come look at this!"
Red and Rei Akagi approached.
When they saw the rotating holographic display inside the showcase, Red blurted out in shock:
"Pokémon?! You can exchange coins for Pokémon?! That has to be illegal!"
As if confirming his suspicion—
A receptionist wearing gold-rimmed glasses walked over with a polite smile.
"Receptionist: Are you interested in our special exchange items? You certainly have good taste."
"Receptionist: However, I should remind you…"
"Receptionist: Pokémon obtained through these special channels may… have a few unique personalities."
"Receptionist: You might need a little extra patience to get along with them. I hope you won't mind."
The receptionist's vague, suggestive tone completely confirmed it.
This place was conducting illegal Pokémon trading.
The livestream chat instantly exploded.
"Holy crap! Selling Pokémon under the disguise of game coins?! How powerful is the backer of this place?!"
"This makes no sense! Celadon City is a major metropolis! Doing this right under the Pokémon League's nose? Aren't they afraid Officer Jenny will shut them down?"
"A game design bug? No way! If Salted Fish Teacher were going to mess up, it wouldn't be on something this small. There's definitely a hidden plot here!"
"I'm from Celadon City. There used to be a Game Corner like this, but it shut down a long time ago. Nobody knows why."
"I bet a pack of spicy sticks—this is definitely related to Team Rocket."
Red fell silent, staring thoughtfully at the Pokémon listed with clearly marked prices.
Blue turned Bluetoward Rei, clearly hoping to extract some insider information from Rei Akagi—the game's creator.
"Huh? Don't tell me you still haven't remembered where this place is?"
Rei Akagi sighed.
"As people who experienced the events firsthand, you should have a huge advantage playing Pokémon."
He paused, then guided Rei to glance around the Game Corner.
Looking at all the obvious Team Rocket members scattered throughout the room, he continued:
"Look around. These Team Rocket members are openly hanging around here. Doesn't that seem strange to you?"
"Do you really think they came here just to play slot machines?"
"Hey, can you blame us? You exaggerated the setting so much during development!"
Blue frowned and began digging through her memories.
"Let me think… Back in Celadon City, I remember going with you to a Team Rocket base."
"We even ran into Red there and almost started a fight because of a misunderstanding…"
"I remember now!"
She suddenly exclaimed.
"The Pokémon you can exchange here were all poached by Team Rocket!"
Red clenched his fist and immediately added:
"This Game Corner is actually Team Rocket's base! It's a front used to launder money and sell stolen goods!"
"I even came here once after Blue tricked me!"
"Your memories finally coming back?"
Rei Akagi nodded approvingly.
Without saying anything further, he guided Rei toward a dimly lit corner of the Game Corner.
An old promotional poster was stuck on the wall there.
Rei interacted with it and tore it down.
Behind the poster—
A touchscreen control panel embedded in the wall was revealed.
Without hesitation, Rei pulled an ID card from his bag.
Beep.
Scan complete.
Clack—clack—clack—
A low mechanical rumble echoed from inside the wall.
Then—
The seemingly seamless wall slowly slid open.
Revealing a dark passageway leading underground.
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