Since they had completed their missions, the group didn't waste any time. In about half a day, they arrived at the transit town, Greenveil Town.
"Stop! Please show your Alliance ID cards!"
As soon as they reached the entrance, two guards stopped them and required them to scan their Alliance identification cards before entering.
Beep~
"Welcome to Greenveil Town, Icarus of Aoki Town!"
Soon, the group finished scanning their IDs and entered the town.
"Icarus, it's just like when outsiders come to Aoki Town—really simple. I thought it would be like Pewter City with two or three layers of inspections."
As soon as they entered, Airi spoke to Icarus.
"Yeah. Inspections in towns like this are mostly just for show."
Icarus nodded.
He had long understood the situation in Aoki Town and had talked with the guards before. Although there was a high-tech surveillance system at the town entrance, he learned from them that it was already several generations outdated, and the blacklist database was only updated every few years. It provided some protection, but not much.
Large cities were different. They used the latest surveillance systems, and their blacklists were updated in real time.
Did the leaders of these small towns not know?
Did the Alliance higher-ups not know?
Icarus believed they probably did—but simply chose to ignore it.
After all, the adult world wasn't purely black and white.
These small towns likely served as supply points for people operating in the gray areas between legality and criminality.
Many towns depended on those people for income. If Alliance territories completely rejected them, they would simply be pushed into joining criminal organizations.
Wasn't there even a black market in Aoki Town?
It served as a buffer zone between the legal and illegal worlds.
"But this place really is smaller than our town. It looks like there's only a small Pokémon Center and a Pokémon Shop. There's not even a Pokémon House."
After looking around, Stone voiced his observation.
The Pokémon Center was only two stories tall, while the Pokémon Shop was a single-story building. Compared to Pewter City's facilities, it was even smaller than those in Aoki Town.
Without the Poké Ball logo and Alliance signs, it would have looked like an ordinary convenience store.
"Ahem… Keep your voice down, Stone."
Hearing Stone loudly criticizing the town while standing in its streets, Icarus quickly coughed in warning.
Fortunately, there weren't many people nearby.
"Oh… right, sorry."
Stone rubbed his head awkwardly and lowered his voice.
"It's normal. This place is close to both Pewter City and Mt. Moon. Most locals prefer Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon, so they either catch them themselves or buy better ones in Pewter City."
Icarus quietly explained.
"Oh, that makes sense."
Stone nodded in understanding.
"Let's go eat first, then we'll head to the Pokémon Center and turn in the missions."
After finishing their brief assessment of the town, the group found a restaurant with a Pokémon dining area and enjoyed a hearty meal together.
Afterward, they headed to the Pokémon Center.
Inside, it was indeed much smaller than Pewter City's grand facility. The decoration was simple and practical, more like a hotel than a major medical center.
Still, despite its size, it contained everything necessary:
Treatment area
Rest area
Mission counter
The mission area was packed, however, forcing them to wait in line.
More than half an hour later, it was finally their turn.
They handed over their completed mission materials along with their Alliance ID cards.
Since Icarus had reached the high-tier Ordinary level, his efficiency had increased significantly. He now accepted more missions than before.
On average:
Over 30 Alliance Merit Points per day
Around 100,000 Alliance Currency daily after selling materials
In fact, any hardworking high-tier Ordinary Trainer could theoretically save enough to exchange for a starter Pokémon.
Of course, the true cost was far higher than the listed price.
Airi'sMudkip, for example, had effectively cost over 7,000 Alliance Merit Points.
First, they transferred the merit points to Stone and Airi.
Afterward, they sold excess materials and valuable captured Pokémon through both the general store and the local black market before splitting the money.
Over the last three to four days, Stone had earned around 200,000 Alliance Currency.
Not a fortune—but enough to leave a little surplus.
Unfortunately, as Kangaskhan continued developing, its food expenses were rising rapidly.
To help him, Icarus had asked Luna to tell a small white lie.
She claimed that there had been a breakthrough in Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon food formulas and began supplying Stone's Pokémon food at a "discounted research price."
In reality, Icarus simply wanted to help.
If Stone hadn't insisted on paying, he wouldn't have charged him at all.
Even the discounted price made Stone suspicious.
Had they sold it at a loss, he would have refused outright.
Fortunately, Luna's extensive theoretical knowledge allowed her to bury him under enough technical jargon that he happily accepted the explanation.
After all, a 20% cost reduction from a minor breakthrough sounded reasonable enough.
That evening, inside a hotel room, Icarus and Stone sat together for a private conversation.
"Stone, the pressure is getting heavier, isn't it?"
Icarus got straight to the point.
"…Yeah."
Stone smiled bitterly.
"A little."
"Actually, if you hadn't asked to talk tonight, I was planning to go hunting outside town."
"Then have you thought about the invitation from the Pewter Gym?"
Icarus asked.
"I'm not looking down on you."
"Right now, your support helps me a lot."
"But have you thought about your future?"
Looking at Stone, who had already put on his hunting gear, Icarus patted his shoulder.
"No."
"I won't go."
Stone's expression immediately changed.
"My life belongs to you, Icarus."
"Because I'm still useful to you, I can't leave."
"As for the future…"
"When I become useless, I'll leave on my own and retire back home."
"That'll be enough."
"Nonsense!"
Icarus immediately raised his voice.
"You blockhead!"
"Do you really think I treat you as a tool?"
"Fine!"
"Even if I did treat you as a tool, which is more useful—a temporary tool or a long-term one?"
"When you reach the Elite level, your lifespan and your Pokémon's lifespan will increase."
"Then we could explore together for decades!"
"The Elite path is incredibly long."
"But you're talking about retiring while leaving me alone to wander the world?"
"I…"
Startled by the sudden outburst, Stone tried to answer.
But the words stuck in his throat.
"What?"
"You think I want to squeeze a few more years out of you and then let you retire comfortably?"
"No!"
"I never thought that!"
Stone's face turned red.
"I want to keep helping you forever!"
"Then what will you use to keep up with me?"
Icarus fired back.
"And what about Kangaskhan?"
"What happens to her?"
"She likes you so much."
"Her talent is incredible."
"Are you going to let her waste her life?"
"She could become Elite-level."
"Maybe even Gym Leader-level."
"But because you lack ambition, she'll spend her life stuck in mediocrity!"
"Kangaskhan…"
Stone froze.
Countless memories flooded his mind.
The tiny Kangaskhan who watched television beside him.
The young Kangaskhan forcing herself through painful training sessions.
The little Pokémon who never complained.
"So…"
Icarus softened slightly.
"Not just for me."
"For Kangaskhan."
"For Graveler."
"For Big Sandslash and Little Sandslash."
"You need a stronger backing."
"If you join a Gym and gain an Elite-level mentor, your future will be far better."
Silence filled the room.
This was the tragedy of ordinary Trainers.
Even if they obtained highly talented Pokémon…
Even if they managed to secure starter Pokémon…
Without resources, they could only slowly grind forward through missions.
Maybe after ten or twenty years they would succeed.
But how many people could maintain that determination for decades?
Most eventually became little more than foundation stones supporting the Alliance.
For talented commoners, joining a major Gym or influential family was usually the best path.
After a long time, Stone finally raised his head.
"…I understand."
"I'll seriously think about it."
"Not just for myself."
"But for Kangaskhan and the others too."
"Good."
Icarus nodded.
"No rush."
"Maybe we'll find a huge opportunity in Mt. Moon."
"If that happens, none of this will matter."
"I hope so."
Stone forced a smile.
But both of them knew it was mostly wishful thinking.
After their talk ended, Icarus returned to his room.
Stone left town alone to hunt.
"Icarus…"
As soon as he entered, Airi wrapped herself around him.
"When we reach Cerulean City…"
"…will you stop wanting me too?"
Icarus nearly choked.
"What do you mean 'stop wanting you'?"
He immediately began explaining everything from the beginning.
By the time he finished, Airi finally understood.
"Oh…"
"The Gym really would be good for Stone."
Though she understood logically, sadness still lingered in her eyes.
At the same time, her determination strengthened.
No matter what happened in Cerulean City, she would avoid being recruited by a Gym.
After all, from her perspective, staying beside Icarus mattered more.
What she didn't know was that Icarus was struggling with the same issue.
Cerulean City was approaching.
If Airi also attracted attention from a Gym…
What would he do?
Deep down, he hoped she would remain by his side.
After all, she possessed a Naturally Extraordinary talent.
Even if it was the weakest form of Naturally Extraordinary, a Gym Leader had personally traveled to investigate her.
That alone proved her future potential.
At the very least, becoming an Elite-level Trainer seemed almost guaranteed.
And unlike Stone, she wasn't burdened by overwhelming financial pressure.
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