After the professors went to work, Ange and Arven headed to the plains again with the breakfast Ata had delivered, intending to give the morning's food to the wild Pokemon.
Because of the contact they had the previous night, the Pokemon no longer feared Ange's group. As soon as they saw them coming, they immediately surrounded the humans and their Pokemon.
Pawmi scurried up to the box containing the food, its nose twitching as it sniffed. It then jumped up and down excitedly, pointing at the box.
Paw paw~ Tasty food, it's tasty food!
Hearing this, the other Pokemon excitedly reached out their hands toward Ange and Arven.
"Alright, alright, be quiet, let's do this one by one," Ange said helplessly.
Espa~~
At that moment, Espathra let out a cry. A powerful psychic force erupted from its eyes, and instantly, all the Pokemon became as quiet as chicks, obediently stopping their noise.
Why be so mean...
"Be good, let's form a line."
The wild Pokemon glanced at Espathra and obediently lined up one by one.
After feeding the Pokemon, Ange said to Arven, "Arven, let's continue catching Pokemon."
"Mhm!" Arven nodded. "What Pokemon are we catching today?"
Ange took out the distribution map given by the professors and looked at it. "Let's go catch some Nacli today. They live in the rocky terrain of the Upper Layer."
To be precise, they were in both the Upper Layer and the Middle Layer.
The environment of the Middle Layer was similar to the Upper Layer, featuring plains, watersides, rocky areas, and caves. Both rocky areas were inhabited by Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl.
Since they were in both layers, Ange naturally chose the closer rocky area in the Upper Layer.
"Then let's head out!" Ange said.
Paw paw~
Just then, Pawmi quickly ran to Ange's side and stood up to hug Ange's calf.
"What is it, Pawmi?" Ange asked in confusion.
Paw paw~
Pawmi kept gesturing with its two hands.
Ange asked tentatively, "Are you... going to lead the way for me?"
Paw paw~
Pawmi nodded happily and repeatedly. Then, it pulled at Ange's pant leg somewhat sheepishly.
"What now?" Ange asked.
Paw paw~
Pawmi first drew a big circle with its hands, then spread its arms to gesture a long strip shape.
Ange understood now. "You want the tomatoes and cucumbers you ate last night?"
Paw paw~
Pawmi nodded with delight.
Ange didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It wasn't like he absolutely needed a guide. Fine, for the sake of its cuteness, he would let it take advantage of him!
Thinking this, Ange took out a tomato and stuffed it into Pawmi's arms. "Is this enough? Once we reach the place, I'll give you a cucumber."
Paw!!!
Hearing this, Pawmi ran ahead excitedly.
Seeing this, Ange and Arven hopped onto Espathra and followed. Dolliv and Charcadet followed closely behind riding Oinkologne, with Mabosstiff trailing right behind them.
With Pawmi leading the way, they quickly arrived at their destination.
As the name suggested, the rocky terrain was filled with tan-colored rocks everywhere. Only in a few crevices between the rocks did green plants, like grass, grow.
Because of this unique environment, many Rock-type and Ground-type Pokemon gathered here, such as Lycanroc, Rockruff, Diglett, Dugtrio, and the rare Gible and Gabite.
Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl were also among them.
As soon as Ange's group reached the rocky area, they were surrounded by a pack of enthusiastic Rockruff. They circled Ange curiously, looking exactly like the little puppies Ange had seen in his previous life.
So cute, I really want to pet them.
Who could refuse such friendly and cute little puppies?
No sooner said than done, Ange rolled off Espathra's back. The Rockruff immediately swarmed him, surrounding him completely. Some jumped into his arms, some climbed onto his shoulders, and some even licked his cheeks with their soft, textured tongues...
Heaven! Is this heaven?
Ange felt his heart melting from the cuteness.
"Good boys, such good boys!"
Ange sat on the ground happily, petting the back of one, scratching the chin of another, and rubbing the belly of a third. He was having the time of his life.
"Hahaha~~ It tickles, it tickles! Rockruff, don't lick there!"
As the Pokedex said, Rockruff were indeed very easy to get close to.
Seeing how much fun Ange was having, Arven also got off Espathra and ran into the pile of Rockruff. Before long, cheerful laughter came from him as well.
Rockruff were soft and very nice to pet, though the ring of rocks around their necks was a bit prickly.
Suddenly, a Lycanroc in its Midday Form appeared on top of a giant boulder.
Awooo~
It let out a long howl toward the sky. Hearing this cry, the Rockruff instantly ran away from Ange. The area around Ange and Arven became empty all at once.
After calling away the Rockruff, the Lycanroc gave Ange a deliberate look, as if Ange were some criminal who had been kidnapping underage babies.
Ange: ...
At this time, Pawmi walked over to Ange's side and patted Ange's thigh with an "I understand" expression.
"What's with that face!" Angered and embarrassed, Ange grabbed Pawmi and scratched it vigorously under its armpits.
Paw paw~ Hahaha~~
Pawmi squirmed around from Ange's scratching. Even a Pokemon couldn't withstand the power of being tickled under the armpits.
Having tickled Pawmi too much, Ange received a small electric shock. However, this weak current was nothing to Ange.
He had 39 points of Physique!
Calmly rising from the ground, Ange smoothed out his hair which had been shocked into a bird's nest. He looked at the Pokemon and said with forced composure:
"We are here to catch Nacli. Rockruff and the like are just passing clouds."
Arven, Charcadet, and Dolliv glanced at each other, then covered their mouths and chuckled secretly.
Ange kept a straight face. "No laughing."
Arven and the others immediately stopped laughing. As soon as Ange turned around, they laughed even harder, though they made no sound.
After a while, Ange's group spotted Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl in a sandy patch.
The Nacli were leisurely burying half of their bodies in the sand, walking back and forth. From a distance, sparkling crystals shimmered in the sand; those were rock salts mixed in with the grains.
Meanwhile, the Naclstack and Garganacl were lying in the nearby rock piles resting with their eyes closed. However, they would open their eyes from time to time to glance at the Nacli.
Ange hadn't expected to find so many Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl here, as they were relatively difficult to see on the outside.
Sensing Ange's arrival, the Garganacl and Naclstack all opened their eyes. One exceptionally tall Garganacl slowly stood up. It stared directly at Ange, as if asking:
Human, what business do you have?
Ange's Eye of Observation activated.
Garganacl
Type: Rock
Ability: Purifying Salt
Gender: Male
Level: 56
Moves: Hammer Arm, Block, Tackle, Wide Guard, Harden, Rock Blast, Rock Throw, Mud Shot, Rock Tomb, Rock Polish, Salt Cure, Stealth Rock, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Power Gem.
Individual Values
HP: 25
Attack: 31
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 14
Special Defense: 16
Speed: 2
After seeing Garganacl's level, Ange let out a silent "holy crap." Was it really this strong? A level 56 Pokemon was the highest-level Pokemon Ange had seen since entering Area Zero.
Ange didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly to the Garganacl, "Garganacl, I am a chef. I want to catch two of your kind to be my companions."
Garg~
Hearing this, Garganacl assumed a battle stance. It was the leader of the pack; if he wanted to catch its kind, he had to pass its test.
Most Pokemon didn't mind being caught, but they had to test if you were worthy of catching them.
Espa~~
Espathra was about to step forward, but Ange stopped it. "Espathra, let Komala take this one, okay? You can fight next time."
This Garganacl's level was too high; Espathra might not be able to handle it.
Since Espathra had already fought once when catching Dolliv, it didn't object this time. It stepped back several paces, yielding the spot to Komala.
Komala rolled out of Ange's arms onto the ground and appeared wobbling opposite the Garganacl.
"Garganacl, can we begin?"
Garg~ Garganacl nodded.
"Then let the battle begin!" Ange shouted loudly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Garganacl launched the first attack. It used its species' signature move, Salt Cure.
Salt Cure deals damage to the enemy while inflicting the Salt Cure status. Under this status, the enemy continuously loses health. If the enemy is Water or Steel type, this effect is even stronger.
Large clusters of gray crystals shot out from Garganacl's arms.
However, before the crystals could touch Komala, it had already vanished from the spot, leaving only an afterimage.
It held its log tightly and curled its body into a ball, rolling at high speed across the rocky ground.
Komala used Defense Curl + Rollout.
It was incredibly fast. Before Garganacl could react, Komala was already in front of it, slamming into it with force.
Garganacl quickly used Wide Guard. A tan-colored barrier suddenly appeared. Komala slammed into it and was bounced into the air.
Ange thought: Komala, why didn't you use a Ground-type move that's super effective?
However, in the next second, Ange realized that Komala not using super-effective moves was actually a form of kindness toward Garganacl.
Komala's body spun rapidly as it fell from the sky, slamming hard against the barrier.
With a cracking sound, the barrier shattered.
Ange was dumbfounded. Too strong!
Boom~~
With a loud explosion, Garganacl's massive body, nearly 3 meters tall, was sent flying by the tiny body that was less than half a meter tall. Garganacl smashed into a giant boulder in the distance, shattering it.
Ange thought: Fine, forget what I said about type advantages.
Because of Garganacl's exceptionally high Defense, it didn't immediately lose the ability to fight after taking one hit.
Komala was still rolling rapidly, smashing all the surrounding rocks as it prepared to slam into Garganacl again.
This time, Garganacl used Rock Tomb, attempting to seal Komala's movements.
With a series of loud bangs, huge rocks fell from the sky, trapping Komala in a circle.
Roll roll~ roll roll~~
Komala rolled rapidly along the edge of the rocks and then slammed into them with force. The rocks, thick as walls, instantly shattered.
It proved that in the face of absolute strength, all interference was futile.
Just as Komala was about to hit Garganacl, the giant Pokemon suddenly raised its hand.
Garg~ I give up!
Hearing this, Komala suddenly made a turn, slammed into a nearby rock, and then stopped.
With a loud boom, that rock was smashed into powder.
Garganacl felt a wave of lingering fear in its heart.
That was close, so close! The one turned into powder almost was me!
Seeing Garganacl surrender, Komala rolled back to Ange's side.
Ange leaned over to pick it up, patted the dust off its body, and whispered, "Thank you, Komala."
The only response was a snore.
Ange walked up to the Garganacl and asked, "Garganacl, are you alright?"
Garganacl shook its head and stood up, supporting itself with its arms.
Seeing this, Ange took out a Berry and handed it over. "Eat this, you'll feel better."
Garganacl didn't refuse and stuffed the Berry into its mouth.
Ange asked, "Then can I catch your kin now?"
Garganacl didn't answer Ange directly. Instead, it looked at its kin and let out a cry. The other Garganacl, Naclstack, and Nacli all nodded. Only then did the Garganacl turn back to Ange and nod, clearly agreeing.
This time, Ange didn't use the Eye of Observation to choose. Instead, he looked at the group and asked:
"Does anyone want to come with me voluntarily?"
The other Pokemon didn't respond immediately, though a few seemed slightly eager.
The strength Ange had shown was very powerful, and he looked very gentle. They were actually quite willing to follow him, but they hesitated at the thought of leaving their companions.
Garg~ Garg~
Just then, the Garganacl leader cried out angrily at its kin a few times.
Ange didn't understand, but Espathra and the others understood perfectly. The Garganacl leader was saying: Are you all stupid? You'd better choose such a good Trainer quickly. If you miss this chance, you won't get another!
Good days are waiting for you!
Hearing the leader's words, one Garganacl and two Nacli finally stepped out from the pack.
"All three of you want to come with me?" Ange asked.
His original intention was to catch one or two, but since three were willing to go, he had no objections.
Seeing the three Pokemon nod, Ange threw Poke Balls at them. With flashes of red light, the Garganacl and the two Nacli were drawn inside.
A clicking sound followed, signifying successful captures. Ange walked over happily and picked up the Poke Balls.
Garganacl and Nacli GET DA☆ZE!
Ange hadn't expected that a Garganacl would be willing to follow him.
The rock salt produced by Garganacl was not only of high quality and rich in minerals but also had healing effects. As long as it was sprinkled on an injury, any wound could recover quickly.
The rock salt produced by Garganacl was extremely expensive in the outside world and was always in short supply. Every time Ange went to the supermarket, he could only see empty shelves.
As soon as Garganacl's rock salt arrived, it would be bought out immediately. Without some skill, you couldn't grab any at all.