To deal with Sabrina, the best candidate in Roy's mind had always been that Thousand-Year Gastly.
That guy is definitely a treasure.
It's a pity he couldn't capture it.
So Roy began to follow the original script's method.
He prepared to go to Lavender Town to deal with the Gastly Trio; it wasn't much of a detour anyway... On the way to Lavender Town, there was a continuous stretch of hilly terrain.
The grass was deep, and there were many wild Pokemon.
Roy glanced at his team; they were mostly from the sea route, and their levels were starting to stagnate.
Especially Squirtle and Pikachu; these two little guys were like slackers, only knowing how to eat and sleep every day.
Pidgeotto also hadn't really been trained properly.
Time for some grinding.
Roy stopped and turned to look at Delia and Misty, who were following behind him.
"Let's walk a bit slower today."
He paused.
"I need to do some level grinding."
Delia blinked and nodded obediently.
Misty clenched her fists excitedly: "I want to join too. I'm about to burst from boredom!"
Misty and Jiang Yu raised their hands together, and red light flashed repeatedly.
Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Pidgeotto, Squirtle, Charmeleon, Horsea, Staryu, and Starmie all landed at the same time.
Roy pointed at the grass ahead.
"Go on, do as you please."
The several Pokemon looked at each other.
Then, they instantly rushed out... For the next half day.
This hilly area completely turned into a grinding paradise.
Pidgeotto soared in the sky, its sharp eyes scanning the ground; upon spotting prey, it would dive, its wings glowing with white light as it struck fiercely.
Bulbasaur fought steadily, its Vine Whip snapping loudly; when encountering fast runners, it simply used Sleep Powder to clear the way.
Charmeleon was incredibly excited, the flame on its tail burning brightly as it chased Rattata and Sandshrew everywhere, catching them one by one with a scratch.
Squirtle followed behind Charmeleon, wanting to help but unable to, only managing to pick off weakened targets.
Horsea's level was lower, so it could only wander around the water's edge.
Thus, the grinding journey proceeded in full swing... Since everyone basically had enhancement items, the efficiency was very high.
Charmeleon was undergoing its Legendary Trial; it took down those small bugs and mice with a single claw, its attack power making even Roy raise an eyebrow.
Pidgeotto was even more ridiculous; its shadow was barely visible when it flew, with only the sound of the wind and the screams of Rattata to be heard.
Squirtle finally managed to get a few knockouts.
It panted, standing before a fainted Rattata, its small claws clenched into fists, a light of confidence appearing in its eyes for the first time.
Then, its body began to glow.
It was enveloped in white light.
Squirtle's body began to elongate, its limbs thickened, its tail grew longer, and the patterns on its shell became clearer and deeper.
A few seconds later, the light dissipated.
Wartortle stood there.
It looked down at its claws, then turned to look at the tail behind it, and then.
It suddenly looked up, its eyes filled with excitement.
"Wartortle! Wartortle!"
It spun around twice, its tail snapping loudly.
Roy looked at it, his lips twitching.
The previously bald and wretched little turtle had indeed become much more handsome.
Its build was sturdier, its gaze was steadier, and even its walking posture carried a hint of confidence.
Having finished its self-admiration, Wartortle turned to look in Misty's direction.
Misty was squatting by the stream, splashing water on her face.
Beside her, Staryu floated on the water, its light blinking.
Wartortle's eyes lit up.
It puffed out its chest and walked toward Staryu with a swaggering stride.
It stopped in front of Staryu.
Then, it raised a claw and waved at Staryu very gentlemanly.
"War~"
Staryu blinked.
Then, it silently turned around.
Giving Wartortle the cold shoulder.
Wartortle froze.
Roy saw everything clearly from the side and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Pikachu sat on his shoulder, covering its mouth with its small paws, its shoulders shaking.
"Pika pika~"
(That's hilarious~)
Wartortle turned back and gave Roy a resentful look.
Roy waved his hand.
"Don't look at me, keep trying on your own."
Wartortle sighed and silently squatted to the side, beginning to contemplate its life as a turtle... By evening.
The grinding session ended.
Roy opened the system panel, and a series of notifications popped up.
[Pokémon: Pikachu, Level: LV4 -> LV41]
[Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Level: LV32 -> LV33]
[Pokémon: Pidgeotto, Level: LV34 -> LV35]
[Pokémon: Wartortle, Level: LV15 -> LV18]
[Pokémon: Charmeleon, Level: LV16 -> LV18]
[Pokémon: Horsea, Level: LV13 -> LV15]
Perfect.
Everyone got their share; no one was left behind.
Roy closed the panel and glanced at the sky.
The sun had already set behind the mountains, leaving only a streak of dark red on the horizon.
"Let's go, let's continue on to Lavender Town."
...Lavender Town.
This place really had something about it.
Although it was only mid-afternoon, the entire town was gray and gloomy.
Not the gray of a cloudy day, but the kind... that seemed to rise from underground.
A faint mist drifted through the air, carrying an indescribable chill.
The houses in the town were all old-style buildings with black tiles and gray walls, and narrow windows.
There were few people on the streets.
The occasional passerby walked quickly with their head down, as if afraid of disturbing something.
Delia clung tightly to Roy's arm, leaning half her body against him.
"Roy... why does this place feel so eerie..."
Her voice was very low, and her eyes darted around.
Misty, beside them, also subconsciously leaned closer to Roy.
"I've heard... that Lavender Town has many ghost legends."
She paused, her voice trembling slightly.
"It seems bizarre events happen often... some hear crying in the middle of the night, others see Will-O-Wisps floating around..."
Delia's grip tightened.
"Misty, stop talking..."
Misty was scared herself, but she continued.
"If I had known, I would have bought some protective talismans at Maiden Gorge."
She seemed to remember something.
"I heard the talismans from Maiden Gorge are very effective, specifically for dealing with these things..."
Roy found it amusing.
He reached out and rubbed Misty's head.
"Don't be afraid, it's just some Ghost-type Pokemon playing pranks."
Misty looked up.
"Ghost-type Pokemon?"
"Yeah," Roy nodded. "Like Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar. They like to scare people, but they mean no harm."
Delia blinked.
"Really?"
"Really."
Roy glanced at the darkening sky.
At the end of the town, the silhouette of a tall tower was faintly visible.
That should be the tower where the Gastly Trio resides.
He thought for a moment and stopped.
"You two go back to the inn first."
Delia was startled.
"Ah?"
"It's pitch black in that tower, and the path isn't easy." Roy looked at the two of them. "If you come along and get scared, it'll just be more trouble."
Delia wanted to say something but swallowed it back.
She really was afraid.
Misty was also afraid, but she remained stubborn.
"I-I'm not afraid!"
Roy looked down at her.
Misty met his gaze for three seconds before admitting defeat.
"Fine... I'm a little scared..."
Roy smiled.
"Wait for me at the inn obediently; I'll be back once I'm done."
He paused, lowering his voice.
"Tonight... I'll keep you company. If you both come into my covers, you won't be afraid."
Delia's face turned red.
Misty also blushed, but she still curled her lip.
"Ah~ You big pervert Roy, we're not afraid at all. I'll protect Sister Delia..."
Despite her words, her hand gripped Roy's arm even tighter... After settling the two of them, Roy turned and walked toward the tower.
He casually asked a local for directions on the way.
When the person heard he was going to the tower, their expression changed.
"Young man, that place... is not clean."
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"How so?"
The person lowered their voice.
"It's haunted! You can hear laughter in the middle of the night, and sometimes you see shadows floating around!"
"Someone went in before and came out insane! They spent all day saying there were monsters inside!"
He looked Roy up and down.
"You want to go? I advise you not to; your life is more important."
Roy smiled.
"Thanks, I'll just take a look."
The person shook their head and sighed, then turned and left.
Muttering as they walked.
"Young people these days are so bold..."
...Following the directions, Roy arrived in front of the tower.
To be precise, it was a graveyard.
The tower was deep within the graveyard.
By now, the sky had already darkened.
The last bit of evening light was swallowed by the thick fog.
The fog was very heavy.
It rose from his ankles like it was alive.
As Roy stepped into it, the mist parted and then closed behind him.
It was very quiet all around.
Unnaturally quiet.
Not even the sound of insects.
Only the sound of his own footsteps echoed one by one on the stone path.
Roy walked forward.
Passing by tombstones, withered trees, and shadows of indistinguishable shapes.
The mist grew thicker and thicker.
Visibility was less than ten meters.
Then, he heard a sound.
Very soft.
Very thin.
Like a child's laughter.
Coming from all directions.
Roy stopped.
[Ding!]
[Triggered Quest: Give the Gastly Trio a Fright!]
[Quest Content: These three little ghosts like scaring people? Then let them taste their own medicine! Find a way to scare the Gastly Trio. Note: It must be unexpected and must truly frighten them!]
[Quest Reward: Courage Fist Technique—a special fighting skill. The greater your courage, the stronger its power! Punch ghosts if they block you, pummel gods if they stand in your way!]
Roy was amused after reading the quest description.
What on earth is this?
Scaring the Gastly Trio?
Not only was the quest bizarre, but the reward was even more so.
Courage Fist Technique?
The greater the courage, the stronger the power?
Isn't this that "I'm so crazy I'd even hit myself" kind of thing?
But then again.
At least it's something that improves my own strength.
Might as well take it.
Roy accepted the quest.
Originally, Roy was going to use the Thousand-Year Gastly to help Sabrina recover anyway; calling it now to help with an extra task was just convenient.
Roy took out the Warding Bell and shook it gently.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Three crisp rings.
Spread through the thick fog.
The surroundings instantly went silent.
Even the laughter from before stopped.
Then.
A mass of thick purple mist suddenly exploded!
Just three meters in front of Roy!
The purple mist rolled and condensed, finally forming a massive figure.
Thousand-Year Gastly.
It floated there, its round body flickering in the mist, with its signature eerie smile on its face.
It looked around, took a deep breath, and wore an enchanted expression.
"Ah~ Kid!"
"This place is quite nice~"
It turned to Roy, its eyes narrowing into slits.
"What is this? A ghost theme park?"
Roy casually explained: "This is the graveyard of Lavender Town."
Thousand-Year Gastly blinked.
"Graveyard? I like it!"
It floated around, sniffing everywhere.
"So many fresh soul auras... ah, there are a few over there who just died not long ago, their resentment is quite strong..."
Roy interrupted it.
"Hey, stop having fun. I called you here to help me with something."
Thousand-Year Gastly instantly floated back.
It approached Roy, the smile on its face becoming... more businesslike.
"Oh? Help?"
It paused.
"I can do that... but you know, for a senior like me, time is very precious..."
Roy was expressionless.
"I know, you'll be well-paid."
Thousand-Year Gastly's smile instantly brightened.
"Hehehe, I just love your straightforwardness!"
It rubbed its non-existent hands.
"What's the favor? Name it!"
Roy glanced into the depths of the fog.
The silhouette of that ancient tower was faintly visible.
"This is a long-term project." He withdrew his gaze. "For now, there's an ancient tower ahead where three little ghosts live."
Thousand-Year Gastly tilted its head.
"Little ghosts?"
"Yeah, three Gastlies." Roy nodded. "They like to scare people. When I go in later, they'll definitely try to scare me."
Thousand-Year Gastly blinked.
"And then?"
Roy looked at it.
"Then, you hide in the shadows."
"When they jump out to scare me."
He paused.
"You catch them off guard and give them a fright."
Thousand-Year Gastly froze.
"Scare them?"
"Yes." Roy nodded. "Frighten them so much they'll question their existence. Remember, they must not discover you; it must be completely unexpected."
Thousand-Year Gastly was silent for three seconds.
Then, it laughed.
Not that eerie laugh.
But the kind of laugh... from finding a kindred spirit.
"This scaring business?"
It floated up, spinning its body in the mist.
"Simple!"
"Too simple!"
It leaned in close to Roy, its eyes shining.
"I'm a real professional when it comes to scaring!"
"Let me tell you, I've lived for a thousand years. I might not be the best at everything, but in the field of scaring, if I say I'm second, no one dares claim to be first!"
It got more excited as it spoke.
"Do you know how to scare someone most effectively? It's not just jumping out and shouting; that's low-level!"
"What's high-level? It's the buildup! The atmosphere! It's making the prey scare themselves!"
"First, create an eerie atmosphere, then make a tiny bit of noise, let the prey's imagination run wild. When they've imagined the most terrifying thing..."
It suddenly opened its mouth wide.
"Then you deliver the fatal blow!"
Roy looked at it.
This old fellow really was a professional.
"Then I'll leave it to you," he said.
Thousand-Year Gastly patted its chest.
"Leave it to me!"
It paused, then leaned in again.
"About... the fee..."
Roy chuckled: "You money-grubber. After the scaring and the task are done, I'll see how you perform. The better the performance, the higher the bonus."
Thousand-Year Gastly's eyes lit up.
"Deal!"
The next second, its body burst apart, turning into a cloud of purple mist.
The purple mist dispersed, merging into the surrounding thick fog.
It vanished completely.
Even its aura was gone.
Roy raised an eyebrow; this old fellow truly had some skills.
He took a deep breath, lifted his feet, and continued toward the ancient tower.