"By the way, tell me about your first day's harvest."
Feeling a bit awkward, Icarus quickly changed the topic and began observing the two of them.
Airi looked fine. Although her clothes were dirty, her spirit was high. Even Poliwag, who was chatting with Victreebel, seemed energetic and excited.
That wasn't surprising—Airi had already been hunting alone for over ten days.
On the other hand, Stone, who had been quiet the whole time, gave a simple, honest smile when he noticed Icarus looking at him.
"Hmm… he's dirty, but his protective gear isn't damaged. Still as straightforward as ever. Looks like taking down Pokémon isn't a mental burden for him."
Icarus focused on observing Stone first, then turned his attention to Geodude.
"Hey-cha~ hey!"
Geodude was chatting enthusiastically with Pidgeotto.
Although it had quite a few scratches, for a rock-type Pokémon, they were nothing more than superficial damage.
"But its eyes look a bit tired… and its movements seem weaker than before."
After a closer look, Icarus came to his conclusion.
---
"Ta-da! Look, Brother Icarus—we made a lot today!"
Airi didn't notice his observations—or simply didn't care. She excitedly opened her backpack for him to see.
It was packed full of various Pokémon materials—horns from Weedle, silk threads, poison sacs, Rattata fangs… her medium-sized backpack was completely stuffed.
"Not bad. But where's the meat?" Icarus asked with a smile, pleased with their results.
"It's with Brother Stone! I couldn't carry everything," Airi said, pointing at him. "Brother Stone, show him! Let Brother Icarus see how strong we are together!"
"Mm."
Hearing this, Stone opened his own backpack.
It was also completely full.
"Not bad at all. Stone, you should upgrade to a medium-sized pack today. You've definitely earned it."
"Yes, yes! You should! Then we can carry even more!" Airi added enthusiastically.
"Mm… alright," Stone nodded.
---
"By the way… have you two decided how to split the profits?"
Icarus suddenly asked.
"Split? Isn't it fifty-fifty?" Airi replied, confused.
"No. I take 30%, you take 70%," Shitou said quietly.
"Hey! Why?! No, Brother Stone—we should split it evenly!"
Airi immediately objected.
---
Icarus shook his head.
"No. A 50-50 split like that is actually the least fair—and it's bad for team stability."
"But isn't equal sharing the fairest?" Airi asked.
"No," Icarus replied calmly. "Fairness should be based on contribution and strength."
He continued:
"First, you're stronger—high-tier rookie, while Stone is mid-tier.
Second, you have more experience. Today, you were clearly carrying him.
And third—imagine this: when we form a three-person team later, I have two mid-tier Pokémon. My contribution will naturally be higher than yours. If we still split everything equally, would that be fair to me?"
---
"But Brother Shitou also contributed a lot!" Airi argued. "Geodude always stands in front and takes damage. And he's faster at processing materials than I am."
"Enough," Icarus cut in.
"We'll do 70-30 today, like Stone suggested. Starting tomorrow, it becomes 60-40. That's final."
"B-But…"
Airi hesitated, but under Icarus's firm gaze, she eventually nodded.
"…Okay."
---
Icarus sighed slightly.
"Airi, it's good that you're kind. But in the wild, fairness based on contribution is what keeps a team stable."
"If you don't learn this now, one day you'll realize people have been taking advantage of you."
"…I understand," Airi muttered, rubbing her eyes.
---
"You're okay with this, Stone?" Icarus asked.
"Mm," Stone nodded.
"Good. Let's head back."
---
The three of them returned toward town together.
Near the gate, Airi wrapped herself up again, and they entered safely.
---
At a street corner, Icarus stopped.
"Airi, you take Stone to sell the materials. I've got something to buy at another shop."
"Okay! See you at home, Brother Icarus!"
Airi waved and left with Stone.
Icarus waited until they disappeared into the shop—then quickly headed in another direction.
---
At a different store, he sold most of his haul: energy crystals, the Leaf Stone, and various materials.
"81,000. Is that acceptable?" the shopkeeper asked.
"Fine. Transfer it."
He kept six low-grade energy crystals—Rock, Ground, Water, Grass, Flying, and one more for flexibility.
As for Poison-type, Victreebel still hadn't fully absorbed the mid-grade one he already had.
---
When Icarus walked out—
he was officially a millionaire.
His balance now stood at:
1,010,000 Alliance Coins.
---
His mind immediately returned to one thought:
The third Pokémon.
Now… he finally had the means.
-------------Author---------------
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