Tetsuya's heart was in extreme conflict. First, he felt that this Antel was very abnormal. Who would sell such a high-potential Pokémon, and one that had learned so many tutor moves?
It could be said that a tremendous amount of effort had been invested. Putting himself in his place, even if he were in great difficulty, he would never sell such a Pokémon. The cost of raising it was at least around eighty thousand Pokédollar. Even if one could make money from it, there might never be another opportunity to obtain such a Pokémon again.
Antel finally named his price and said, "The reserve price for this Golett is eighty thousand Pokédollar."
"W-What…? Eighty thousand!? It's actually the same reserve price as Gible. You really think highly of yourself!"
"Exactly. No matter how beautifully he talks, I refuse to believe that with such a huge gap in base stats, it could be stronger than Gible!"
"Sigh… too expensive… too expensive!"
The discussions grew louder and louder. Many people would not spend such a large amount of money on a Golett. After all, the price of such a Pokémon in the Black Market was only around fifteen thousand Pokédollar. This was more than five times that amount. No one could accept it.
Tetsuya simply smiled. Perhaps in these people's eyes, "base stats" represented everything. In fact, base stats only meant that you had a good birth. Although there was a fundamental innate advantage, there were far too many factors that determined a Pokémon's growth.
Potential, talent, training, raising, environment, and so on… all influenced a Pokémon's development. Judging solely by base stats was truly too superficial.
"I bid ninety thousand," Tetsuya became the first person to call out a bid.
Instantly, this short figure Tetsuya became the focus of the entire venue. His bid naturally attracted much criticism.
"So it's just a gaki, sigh… Doesn't understand anything and is shouting bids recklessly."
"Hmm, I think he's deliberately causing trouble. How much money could a kid possibly have!? How could he afford ninety thousand?"
There were even many "kind-hearted" people who came to persuade Tetsuya, but he ignored them all.
Antel also said, "Child, this is an auction. If you call out that price, you have to take responsibility, ok?."
"I will definitely take responsibility. Oh~ It seems the time for raising the price has already passed, hasn't it? Shouldn't we proceed with the formalities?"
This time, Tetsuya's words reminded the host on the stage.
Now Golett had already become his. Tetsuya's bid had successfully diverted everyone's attention. A few people who had intended to raise the price were too busy watching the commotion and missed the bidding window. However, not a single person felt regret over losing a Golett.
On the stage, Tetsuya took Golett's Poké Ball, then transferred ninety thousand Pokédollar to Antel, and finally signed the transfer procedures for Golett's auction.
Now he was completely bankrupt. Including the ten thousand in cash that Sheila had just given him, his total assets were only a little over thirty-six thousand Pokédollar.
Antel put on a very "enthusiastic" appearance. While signing the paperwork, he even exchanged knowing glances with the host.
Tetsuya could not help but feel goosebumps all over his body. To test Antel, he asked, "So… you must have put a lot of effort into raising this Golett."
Antel feigned a pitiful expression and said, "Mhmm… if I had any other choice, who would think of selling their own Pokémon? Sigh… just the six tutor moves alone cost fifty thousand Pokédollar. Let me tell you, you really made a profit!"
"Oh? Since you've invested so much effort, what kind of difficulty could force you to sell such a Golett?"
Tetsuya's questioning caused a slight twitch to appear on Antel's face. "…In short, it's a very troublesome matter that requires money. Anyway! This Golett is yours now. It has nothing to do with me anymore. I've already received the money. We probably won't see each other again."
Tetsuya recalled Golett into its Poké Ball. In any case, Antel's behavior was highly suspicious, and he had a bad premonition in his heart…
---◓---
By the time he left the Black Market, it was already past ten at night. Tetsuya booked a room at the Pokémon Center in M-City.
Although the guest rooms at the Pokémon Center were extremely simple, no hotel could be safer than a Pokémon Center… kinda. After all, it was a direct institution under the League, and behind it stood the powerful Joy Family. Even an Elite Four member would not dare to offend the Joy Family casually.
Therefore, when he had stolen Koga's Arbok's Poké Ball at the Pokémon Center in Ecruteak City, he had been extremely cautious. He had also taken advantage of that subtle relationship. After all, Koga's Poké Ball had been lost at the Pokémon Center, and there had been no abnormalities in the Pokémon Center's surveillance. To be honest, the biggest suspect would have been internal theft by the Pokémon Center.
However, it was impossible for Koga to make trouble for the Pokémon Center. Even his "sensei", Elite Four Hattori Tōkichi, would not offend the Joy Family over a single Pokémon. And with Koga's own strength, it was impossible for him to find any clues. Without such meticulous planning, Tetsuya would never act lightly.
After settling into the Pokémon Center in M-City, Tetsuya took out Golett's Poké Ball and examined it carefully.
From its appearance, this Poké Ball was no different from an ordinary Poké Ball. Tetsuya even took out his own Poké Ball for comparison.
He then felt it by hand as well, but found nothing unusual.
Yet he still could not put his mind at ease. There were many ways to tamper with the interior of a Poké Ball. What he was worried about now was that Antel might use the same method he had used against Koga on him.
With doubts in his heart, he could not fall asleep no matter what!
Tetsuya tried to comfort himself, perhaps he was being overly cautious.
But such a cautious personality could no longer be changed. Moreover, Antel's auction of Golett was truly too strange, making it impossible not to be suspicious.
Better safe than sorry. Ninety thousand Pokédollar was a small matter. If he missed this Golett because of it, he would probably regret it for a long time. Although he would spend a great deal of time in the future earning Golett's recognition as its Trainer, in the face of its tremendous potential, any effort would be worthwhile.
As for guarding against Antel's sneak attack, Tetsuya had already made plans. First, he placed Golett's Poké Ball into the Spatial Pouch inside his sleeve.
Tetsuya asked Miss Joy for two more quilts, then sent out Pryce's Swinub and his own Piloswine.
He set the alarm clock for two in the morning.
"Piloswine, you guard the first half of the night. Use your Ice-type energy to lower the indoor temperature to at least ten degrees lower than outside. After two o'clock, switch with Swinub. If any other Pokémon enter the room, attack immediately without hesitation. Especially Ghost-type Pokémon!"
After Tetsuya finished giving instructions, both Piloswine and Swinub nodded.