After finishing breakfast, Ange and the others were ready to set off for the Great Crater of Paldea.
Just as they were about to board the airship, Nasir suddenly called out to Ange.
"Prince, I have a gift to give you," Nasir said.
"A gift?" Ange looked confused.
"Exactly, exactly," Nasir beckoned him over.
Ange approached, and suddenly two Poké Balls were pressed into his arms.
"These are..." Ange started.
"You'll know once you open them," Nasir said with a chuckle.
Feeling puzzled, Ange opened the two Poké Balls. They were pink Love Balls.
With two flashes of light, two Pokémon appeared before Ange. They looked similar yet distinct; they were none other than Oinkologne.
Male and female Oinkologne have different appearances.
The male Oinkologne has black skin with hot pink markings on its nose, hooves, and tail. Its tail can release a seductive scent that leaves female Pokémon infatuated.
The female Oinkologne has generally brown skin, while its nose, hooves, and the tip of its tail are pink. It releases a flower-like fragrance that can heal other Pokémon.
As soon as they emerged from their Poké Balls, the two Oinkologne huddled together affectionately. It was obvious they were a couple.
"You're giving them to me?" Ange asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes, yes!" Nasir replied. "My Oinkologne have very keen noses. They are experts at finding various rare ingredients in the wild. Once you find some good ingredients, you must treat me to a meal."
Ange was speechless.
"You're giving them to me... did they agree to this themselves?" Ange asked.
Nasir laughed. "They agreed. If you don't believe me, ask them yourself."
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
Sure enough, the two Oinkologne nodded repeatedly.
"See? I told them that they'd get plenty of tasty food by following you, and they agreed," Nasir explained.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
The two Oinkologne nodded even more vigorously.
"Alright then," Ange said.
Ange used his Eye of Observation to look at the two Oinkologne.
Oinkologne
Type: Normal
Ability: Lingering Aroma
Gender: Male
Level: 39
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Echoed Voice, Disarming Voice, Mud Shot, Dig, Headbutt, Work Up, Yawn, Take Down, Uproar, Double-Edge, High Horsepower, Belch.
Individual Values
HP: 30
Attack: 26
Defense: 21
Special Attack: 23
Special Defense: 11
Speed: 22
Oinkologne
Type: Normal
Ability: Aroma Veil
Gender: Female
Level: 39
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Echoed Voice, Disarming Voice, Mud Shot, Dig, Headbutt, Work Up, Yawn, Take Down, Uproar, Double-Edge, High Horsepower, Belch.
Individual Values
HP: 31
Attack: 19
Defense: 18
Special Attack: 15
Special Defense: 29
Speed: 21
Ange fell silent after reading the data. Both Oinkologne had quite good stats.
"You must treat my little darlings well! I raised them with great care," Nasir said.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
The two Oinkologne nodded as if it were only natural. They were indeed precious darlings that required careful pampering!
"You're really giving them to me?" Ange asked.
"Of course," Nasir nodded.
"Okay then," Ange looked at the two Oinkologne. "I'll be in your care from now on!"
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
The two Oinkologne nodded together.
After returning the two Oinkologne to their Poké Balls, Ange said to Nasir, "It's about time. I need to board the ship. I'll see you next time."
"See you next time," Nasir replied.
Ange waved goodbye to Nasir and boarded the airship.
The airship slowly took off, flying toward the Great Crater of Paldea. They reached their destination in less than an hour.
The place where the airship landed was called the Area Zero Gate.
The Great Crater of Paldea is located at the very center of the Paldea region. Two hundred years ago, the exploration team that surveyed it named its bottom Area Zero, a name that has been used ever since.
The Great Crater is surrounded by steep cliffs that are difficult to enter. Only the section near Medali is suitable for entry. Consequently, the League established an entrance there known as the Area Zero Gate.
After the airship landed at the gate, the two professors led Ange, Romeo, and the Azoth Kingdom research team down. They showed their entry permits to the guards and then led the group into Area Zero.
The professors explained to them that Area Zero descends into the ground in a spiral shape. Currently, observation stations have been established in the Upper, Middle, and Lower layers.
However, according to the professors' surveys, there were still parts below the Lower layer that they had not been able to enter.
Ange knew from the game that Area Zero also had a Bottom layer and the Zero Lab, and that in the game, the two professors eventually died in an accident at Research Station No. 4 in the Lower layer.
He just didn't know what the situation was like in the real Area Zero.
Under the guidance of the two professors, Ange and the others entered the Upper layer of Area Zero and headed toward Research Station No. 1.
Research Station No. 1 and Research Station No. 2 were located in the Upper layer, Research Station No. 3 was in the Middle layer, and Research Station No. 4 was in the Lower layer.
As soon as he entered the Upper layer of Area Zero, Ange saw vast stretches of lush green grass. Many Pokémon were active on the plains, including Raichu, Jumpluff, Rockruff, Meditite, Corviknight, Pawmi, Masquerain, and more.
Additionally, Ange saw sparkling crystals in the grass and by the river. These were Tera Crystals formed by the condensation of Tera energy leaking from deep beneath Paldea.
Ange and the professors soon arrived at Research Station No. 1. Once there, they and the research team became busy. Even Romeo was no exception, leaving Ange and Arven to stare at each other.
"Professor, can I wander around?" Ange asked the two professors.
Professor Sada looked up from her work. "Of course, but don't go too far. The wild Pokémon here sometimes attack people."
"Understood, I'll be careful," Ange replied.
"Ange, could you please look after Arven?" Professor Turo asked.
Ange nodded. "Of course. Go ahead and focus on your work, Professors. Leave Arven to me, and I'll leave Romeo to you."
The two professors smiled and gave Ange an OK gesture.
"Arven, let's go," Ange said, looking at the boy.
Arven nodded and followed Ange outside.
Once they were outside, Ange asked Arven, "Have you been here before?"
"I have, occasionally," Arven nodded.
"Then let's wander around and take a good look at where your parents work," Ange said as he released the two Oinkologne.
As soon as the Oinkologne came out, they began sniffing the green grass. Ange and Arven followed behind them.
"Honk honk~"
Before long, the female Oinkologne returned with a pile of mushrooms in its mouth. It placed them at Ange's feet, and they were all edible.
Picking up the mushrooms one by one, Ange patted the Oinkologne's head and praised it. "Great job. I'll make you something delicious later."
"Honk honk~" Tasty food, I love it!
The female Oinkologne ran off happily.
A while later, the male Oinkologne returned with several Sitrus Berries in its mouth, not forgetting to seek praise from Ange.
Ange quickly patted its head too. "Good job, good job."
"Honk honk~"
The male Oinkologne trotted off cheerfully as well.
Soon, Ange's hands were filled with a pile of ingredients.
Indeed, just as Nasir had said, these two Oinkologne were geniuses at finding ingredients in the wild.
Looking at the ingredients filling Ange's hands, Arven asked curiously, "Are all of these edible?"
"Yes! Why, are you interested?" Ange asked with a smile. He remembered that in the game, Arven was very skilled at cooking.
Arven hesitated for a moment and then gave a small nod.
"I'll teach you," Ange offered.
Ange introduced the ingredients in his hands one by one to Arven, who listened with great interest.
As the two walked, they suddenly saw the two Oinkologne squatting by the river with their heads together, seemingly whispering about something.
Just as Ange and Arven reached them, they saw the two Oinkologne dipping their tails into the river water. Their rears were wiggling back and forth, and a faint, mysterious fragrance wafted from them.
"Honk!!!!"
Suddenly, the male Oinkologne gave a startled cry. It quickly pulled its tail out of the water, and a Veluza was clinging to its tail, being dragged out of the water.
The male Oinkologne shook its tail incessantly until the Veluza fell back into the river with a splash. At the same time, a piece of snow-white fish meat fell at Ange's feet.
Seeing this, the male Oinkologne immediately ran to Ange to claim its reward.
"Honk~ honk~"
Ange stared dumbfounded at the Oinkologne and then at the fish meat on the ground.
What a unique way of fishing!
Veluza, the Shed Pokémon, is a Water and Psychic type. It possesses powerful regenerative abilities and sheds unnecessary flesh to sharpen its senses, which is where its name comes from.
The meat that Veluza sheds is said to be incredibly delicious.
Therefore, what had just fallen at Ange's feet was the excess flesh shed by the Veluza.
This was the first time Ange had seen Veluza meat.
"Are you using your tails to fish?" Ange asked, looking at the Oinkologne.
"Honk honk~" Yes, yes!
"Honk honk~" We are smart!
The two Oinkologne nodded in unison, their faces full of pride.
"Honk honk!!!"
At that moment, the female Oinkologne also gave a startled cry. Another Veluza was dragged up, biting its tail.
Flap~ flap~
The Veluza thrashed its body and soon broke free from the female Oinkologne's tail. Simultaneously, another piece of fish meat fell at Ange's feet.
Ange bent down to pick up the fish meat and sniffed it. He was surprised to find that the Veluza meat didn't have even a hint of a fishy smell; instead, it had a faint, fresh fragrance.
It really is a top-tier ingredient!
"It looks like we're in for a treat today," Ange said with a smile.
Just as he finished speaking, he noticed a notification from the System. Upon opening it, he saw that several new missions had appeared in the Mission List.
Needless to say, Diancie must have accepted them on his behalf.
The new missions were as follows:
[Ingredient Collection Mission] Capture at least 10 Veluza — To be completed.
[Seasoning Collection Mission 1] Capture at least 1 Smoliv, Dolliv, or Arboliva — To be completed.
[Seasoning Collection Mission 2] Capture at least 1 Nacli, Naclstack, or Garganacl — To be completed.
[Seasoning Collection Mission 3] Capture at least 1 Capsakid or Scovillain — To be completed.
The prerequisite for these missions was the previous mission where Ange accepted the invitation from the two professors.
Furthermore, these were just transitional missions. Once completed, there would be an ultimate mission.
This was the first time Ange had received so many missions at once, but he was very happy. More missions meant more rewards.
Let's do this!
After thinking it over, Ange said to the two Oinkologne, "I want to capture some Veluza. Can I trouble you for your help?"
"Honk honk~~"
"Honk honk~~"
The two Oinkologne agreed without hesitation.
Thus, Ange began assigning tasks to his Pokémon.
"Oinkologne, you're responsible for fishing up the Veluza with your tails."
"Honk honk~~"
"Honk honk~~"
The two Oinkologne nodded to show they understood.
"Komala, once the Veluza are fished up, please help defeat them."
Hearing this, Komala rolled off Ange with a rustle and landed on the grass, swaying slightly.
Clearly, it had agreed.
Ange couldn't help but urge, "Komala, take it easy later. Otherwise, the Veluza won't be able to handle it."
Ange could vaguely sense that his Komala was a powerhouse.
"Alright, let's begin," Ange said.
"Honk honk~"
"Honk honk~"
After responding, the two Oinkologne inserted their tails into the water at the same time. Just like before, their rears wiggled as they released fragrance into the water through their tails to attract the Veluza.
The male Oinkologne's scent, in particular, was devastatingly effective against female Pokémon when mixed into the water.
"Honk honk~~"
Sure enough, not long after they started, the male Oinkologne got a bite. It flicked its tail up with force, and a bright red Pokémon was tossed into the air.
Thud~
The Pokémon landed on the grass, flopped twice, and then went still.
Ange was speechless.
Arven was speechless.
It turned out to be a Magikarp! A female one at that.
Male and female Magikarp also have different appearances; the male's whiskers are yellow, while the female's are white.
"Sigh~~"
Ange let out a sigh, picked up the Magikarp, and put it back into the water.
"Honk honk~~"
Now it was the female Oinkologne's turn.
"Is it coming? Is it coming?" Ange asked expectantly.
"Honk~~"
The female Oinkologne let out a sharp cry and flicked its tail hard. A pink, chubby Pokémon was tossed up.
Roll roll roll~~~
After landing, the Pokémon rolled several times on the grass and took a long time to slowly get up.
"Ya-don?"
The chubby pink Pokémon tilted its head and looked at Ange's group with a blank, hollow stare.
"It's just a Slowpoke!" Ange said between laughter and tears.
He picked up the Slowpoke and put it back in the water. The Slowpoke wagged its tail and slowly sank beneath the surface.
I've heard Slowpoke tails are delicious too! Ange couldn't help but think.
Just as Ange put the Slowpoke back, the male Oinkologne got another bite.
"Honk honk~"
As it flicked its tail hard, a Veluza was finally tossed into the air. Before it could even land, a piece of fish meat automatically fell onto the shore.
Ignoring the meat for a moment, Ange shouted to Komala, "Komala, I choose you!"
Hearing the command, Komala leaped high into the air and slapped the Veluza. It used the move Knock Off. Following Ange's instructions, it didn't use a move that was too powerful or strike with too much force.
The Veluza couldn't resist at all; it was instantly slapped unconscious and fell onto the grass.