Chapter 42: Next Time, I'll Restock

The finest ingredients often require only the simplest of preparations. After a long, busy day, Chef Hu finally decided to make roast meat.

Fresh ribs were skewered on specially made iron rods. As they roasted over the fire, a mouthwatering aroma wafted through the air, and golden, crispy fat continually dripped from the meat—joined, too, by a certain glutton’s drool.

“Drip, drip!”

“Pull yourself together,” Hu Yang said.

The little dragon, embarrassed, wiped its mouth with its tiny paw.

It glanced at Hu Yang, its large eyes full of anticipation as it gazed at the roasting meat.

After these past two days together, the little dragon understood that Hu Yang hadn’t captured it on purpose. Remembering how it had bared its teeth at him during their first meeting, it felt a pang of shame. But what embarrassed it even more was that, even after nearly hurting him, Hu Yang hadn’t minded in the least.

Not only had he not minded, he’d prepared a feast of delicious food for it and even offered to take it back to the forest.

How could there be such a kind human in this world?

The little dragon turned its gaze away from the roast and looked apologetically at Hu Yang. Gengar, expressionless, served as interpreter: “It’s saying sorry to you—it misunderstood you before.”

Hu Yang noticed the dragon’s affection for him had changed—from zero, it had risen to fifteen.

He smiled gently, “It’s all right. Oh, by the way, here’s a stone for you to gnaw on.”

Saying this, Hu Yang produced a rare, top-quality Thunder Stone from his bag.

The little dragon shook its head, shy about accepting such a gift.

Such a polite young dragon, Hu Yang thought, feeling a newfound appreciation for it. “Don’t worry, it’s for you to use. If you wear it down, just toss it away—it’s fine.”

Deeply moved, the little dragon’s affection rose another five points. It took the Thunder Stone and placed it carefully at its side.

Unable to bear the scene any longer—and since it wasn’t getting any food—Gengar turned away and floated back into its Poké Ball.

Hu Yang handed meat to the little dragon, then prepared some nutrient candies for Roselia, the favorite treat of Grass-type Pokémon.

These candies were rich in sugars and organic matter, making them the perfect snack for a Pokémon like Roselia.

Just then, Cormorant Bird pulled its head from the water, a wildly flapping fish clamped in its beak. With a toss of its head, the bird swallowed the fish whole.

The delicious aroma soon attracted crowds of wild Pokémon: Zubat, Machop, Machamp, and even the red-faced dragon—all drawn closer.

But Hu Yang had sprayed the area with Golden Repel, purchased from the Friendly Store.

This spray released a scent that Pokémon found repulsive. Thus, they merely watched hungrily from beyond the perimeter, unwilling to come closer.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but survival in the wild is harsh—an injury could mean death. A wounded Pokémon’s scent could attract predators, and hunting would become all but impossible.

So, only after the little dragon had eaten its fill and the aroma faded did the wild Pokémon slowly disperse.

Hu Yang began to inventory the spoils of their journey.

They’d been at Meteor Falls for two days, during which Cormorant Bird had brought back many treasures: three large pieces of ancient Pokémon fossils, two meteorites infused with cosmic energy, and a heap of evolution stones of varying quality.

His massive hiking backpack was now jam-packed with these riches.

Hu Yang decided it was time to leave. Besides, the food he’d brought was nearly depleted by the ever-hungry dragon.

So, that afternoon, with a heavy pack slung over his shoulders, Hu Yang left Meteor Falls.

“Let’s go. We’ll come back for supplies next time!” he thought, glancing back at the falls before descending.

The sky was a brilliant blue, the sun wonderfully warm.

Leaving the cave meant it was also time for farewells.

The little dragon hugged its Thunder Stone, hesitantly looking up at Hu Yang.

“Will you come with me?” Hu Yang asked.

He’d done all he could—tempted it with gourmet meals, even offered the Thunder Stone as a chew toy. If the little dragon refused now, it simply meant they weren’t fated to be together.

The little dragon hesitated, then, as if making a solemn decision, raised its head and declared, “I’ll go with you!”

Gengar floated out to translate: “It says it’s willing to leave with you, but before going, it wants to return to its territory and inform the other dragons.”

Hu Yang relaxed into a smile. “Let’s go together.”

It made sense—if the dragon had family, it should let them know before embarking on a journey.

Bathed in the gentle winter sun, Hu Yang followed the little dragon, pondering his situation.

According to information he’d gathered at the department store, even an ordinary-quality Fire Stone could fetch 3,000 League coins, while a top-quality one sold for as much as 20,000.

The stones in his pack could easily make him a millionaire.

It seemed he was on the verge of financial security.

With this much money, there was no need to keep teaching. Hu Yang started considering resigning and becoming a full-time adventurer.

He thought of the smiling teachers and students at school, who’d always treated him well and cared for him.

In the end, he decided to return and see his current class through graduation. After all, it was only two more years, and he was just ten—there was plenty of time for adventures.

He could also use these two years to earn the Rustboro Badge.

Now the question was: where could he sell all these treasures?

Lost in thought, Hu Yang failed to notice a stone hidden beneath the snow. He tripped, falling face-first into the snow, and all the stones tumbled out of his backpack.

Gengar covered its face in exasperation.

The little dragon turned, worried at the sight.

Hu Yang lay there a moment, then tried to stand, only to feel a sharp pain in his leg. He winced, inhaled sharply, and said to his Pokémon, “I think I’ve twisted my ankle…”

Gengar and the little dragon hurried to his side. Gengar poked his foot, but its claw passed right through.

Hu Yang was nearly in tears—how could a future Pokémon Master trip and fall like this?

At that moment, a voice called from nearby.

“Are you all right?”

Hu Yang looked up and saw a young man in casual clothes approaching. He was strikingly handsome, with silvery-blue hair and eyes of the same calm hue.

This hair color was rare, and paired with the memory of watching his recent match on TV, Hu Yang instantly recognized him.

Steven.

Hu Yang was momentarily speechless.

Steven’s gaze shifted from him to the pile of stones scattered on the ground.

Steven stared intently.

Hu Yang swore this was the first time he’d ever seen a human’s eyes literally light up.