Five days later.
Natsuhiko's routine of luring, battling, and gathering resources had nearly become a set pattern and process.
Though he spent five days here, he had only explored a tiny portion of this vast Rayquaza's Alternate Space.
It's hard to imagine.
Completely mastering some of these Alternate Spaces, even an underground organization like the Rocket Team.
How much resources and profit do they gain from this every year?
Even though the Alternate Spaces they master might not be as extensive as Rayquaza's Alternate Space, the profits are likely astronomical.
Not to mention that they can use these Alternate Spaces to train Pokémon and cultivate elite Trainers.
Thus, the strength displayed by the Alliance may really just be the tip of the iceberg.
No one knows how much more they have hidden within these various Alternate Spaces.
The foundation accumulated over decades or even longer is truly terrifying.
No wonder the Alliance constantly supports giant companies like Silver and Devon, without any intention of suppressing them.
Because even if a company's development is significant, it won't fundamentally impact the Alliance.
Smaller enterprises might be proud of their earnings and resource acquisition, unaware that to the big players, Alternate Spaces are considered true mega-resources.
Fortunately.
Natsuhiko also learned of an Alternate Space by coincidence.
It is located within the Casual Ruins in Suiyi Town.
He didn't have time for a thorough investigation the last time he was there, so when he goes next time, he'll probably conduct a thorough sweep.
After five days of effort.
Natsuhiko now has 189 Crystal Stones in hand, a considerable increase, and his efficiency in exploration has improved significantly compared to before.
Yet he seems far from reaching the peak of the Celestial Pillar.
He's not in a rush.
A rare opportunity must be seized aptly.
Currently, he has 2 Wild Pokémon at Elite Candidate Level and 34 Gym Leader Level Pokémon.
The prices for Elite Candidate Level Wild Pokémon are hard to estimate, but Gym Leader Level ones have a market value.
Wild Gym Leader Level Pokémon might not sell for the top prices of three to four million or even four to five million.
But on average, they are worth 1.2 to 1.3 million each, without a doubt.
Just these already total over thirty million Alliance currency.
Of course, if the market suddenly floods with Gym Leader Level Pokémon, prices would drop, and the market would saturate.
But still, the ratio of effort to reward is quite high.
At this earning rate, Natsuhiko wouldn't mind staying for months.
Not to mention the Pokémon that got trained inside.
Since Audino joined, Natsuhiko and his Pokémon no longer have any worries.
After more than a month's accumulation, they have transformed potential into substantial strength, significantly improving here.
Aside from this.
There's one more thing Natsuhiko is most concerned about.
Nearly every evening during their meals, the "Wildman" and her Kommo-o would appear punctually.
Natsuhiko doesn't eat grilled meat every day.
But when he doesn't, he would send some Energy Blocks and jerky over.
Gradually.
The "Wildman's" hostility towards Natsuhiko has diminished greatly.
Though still unable to approach closely.
But at least the distance between them is no longer as far as it used to be.
From initially over a thousand meters to a mere fifty meters now, trust is slowly building.
This evening.
When Natsuhiko went to deliver food to her and Kommo-o, they were within five meters of each other.
Natsuhiko finally managed to roughly see what she looked like.
Even with her messy hair, her facial contours were distinguishable.
It was a girl.
Natsuhiko was surprised to reach this conclusion himself.
A girl younger than Natsuhiko.
A girl like this, surviving in Rayquaza's Alternate Space without using a Pokeball to capture Pokémon, was truly unexpected for him.
He thought it would be at least a man in his twenties, maybe older.
But it was a little girl.
"Eat up," Natsuhiko said as he placed the food on the ground and stepped back.
The girl swiftly grabbed the food he placed on the ground and retreated to Kommo-o's side.
It seemed that only this way could she feel safe.
She handed the Energy Block to Kommo-o and then eagerly munched on the jerky.
For Natsuhiko, it was ordinary food.
But for her, it was a taste she had never experienced before.
In this world, jerky is something you can make yourself, but seasoning is not so easy to obtain.
Natsuhiko remained where he was, silently watching them.
The girl was petite but seemed to possess considerable strength under her slender arms.
The Kommo-o behind her far exceeded the size Natsuhiko recognized.
The average Kommo-o is about 1.6 meters tall, rarely exceeding 1.8 meters.
Yet this Kommo-o was at least 2.5 meters by Natsuhiko's estimation.
If brought to the Alola Region, many would believe it's an Overlord Pokémon.
"Is it tasty?" Natsuhiko suddenly asked with a smile.
The girl paused her actions, her bright eyes looking at Natsuhiko from behind her messy hair.
After a while, she slowly responded.
"Mm..."
Then she stuffed the jerky into her mouth and quickly climbed onto Kommo-o's back, swiftly departing.
Watching their retreating backs, Natsuhiko's smile widened.
It's not easy.
After so many days had passed.
This was the first real exchange between them.
Though it was just a one-word reply, the information gained was significant.
"It seems... she can understand. Perhaps just illiterate." Natsuhiko mused, rubbing his chin.
Being able to understand implies the possibility of communication.
This counts as good news.
Natsuhiko stretched lazily and slowly walked towards his Pokémon.
The girl, riding away on Kommo-o in the distance, turned back to look at him, her eyes full of curiosity, now outweighing her inherent resistance and alertness.
...
...
The next day.
As Natsuhiko and his team continued their sweep.
Today.
They emerged from the forest and arrived at an area with towering rocks.
Looking at the dwindling "Honey" in his hand, thinking of the withered Glooms from last night, he couldn't help but laugh silently.
"I can't keep focusing only on those Glooms, today it's time to let them go and catch some others."
In that forest, if nothing else, there was plenty of Oddishes and Glooms.
After stepping into the Rock Area.
Natsuhiko continued with his previous days' strategy, releasing "Sweet Fragrance" to lure Wild Pokémon in.
However.
This time, he miscalculated a bit.
Though the Rock Area appeared resource-poor, it was like Eden for Pokémon that feed on the minerals in the rocks.
He evidently underestimated the number of Pokémon inhabiting the Rock Area.
He also underestimated the strength of the Wild Pokémon races in the Rock Area.
Leading the charge was a pack of Lycanrocs, possessing strength beyond Natsuhiko's expectations.
Not to mention some hefty, lumbering "giants" that were slowly approaching.
He quickly stowed away the "Honey" in fright.
Yet the scent that had already been released drew the Pokémon in, and they clearly weren't stopping.
Seeing one Lycanroc after another appearing on different rocks and surrounding them.
Natsuhiko gave a resigned smile.
"Today, I'm afraid there are a few tough battles to face."
Yet the Pokémon were incredibly excited.
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PS: I'm a bit short today, 11,000 words barely completing the goal, asking for monthly tickets~~