Chapter 93: A New Journey

After examining the mural, Hu Yang prepared to leave.

The lower level of the Stone Cave was engulfed in darkness, and aside from the Geodude and Noibat residing there, as well as Pokémon like Nosepass and Cacnea, there was nothing else worth exploring.

Just as he turned to leave, Daigo suddenly called out to him, "Hey!"

Hu Yang paused, turning back. "Yes? What is it?"

Daigo pulled out his phone. "I still don’t have your contact information."

Last time, he had unilaterally given his number to Hu Yang.

On nights when he couldn’t find any stones, he often sat by the window with his phone, waiting for a call from Orange City.

But the call never came.

Hu Yang was stunned; he thought he must have misheard.

By Arceus!

The Champion of Hoenn, the young master of Devon Corporation, had proactively asked for the contact information of a small, unknown trainer like him!

What merit or virtue did he possess?!

Daigo was unaware of Hu Yang’s inner thoughts.

He hesitated for a moment and then carefully recalled that they had never formally introduced themselves since they first met.

So he extended his hand and said, "Hello, I’m Daigo."

Was this an attempt to make friends?

No, Hu Yang reasoned calmly, it was more likely that Daigo recognized his talent for mining stones.

Unfortunately, Hu Yang no longer lacked money and probably wouldn’t be stocking up at Meteor Falls anymore.

However, he could consider selling one of his Keystone stones to Daigo later.

Daigo was quite an interesting person.

Usually so serious, but whenever the topic of stones arose, he seemed like a different man.

In this world, he didn’t have many human friends, so it wouldn’t hurt to befriend Daigo.

With that thought, Hu Yang also extended his hand, shaking Daigo’s. "Hello, I’m Hu Yang—the Hu from Hu Yang tree."

He gave Daigo his phone number. Before leaving, Daigo seemed like he wanted to say something else, but he remained silent until Hu Yang walked away.

Hu Yang almost laughed.

Daigo must have been about to ask if he had gone mining recently.

...

Their visit to Wudou Town concluded.

After leaving the Stone Cave, Hu Yang returned to the White Sea Lion ship with his Pokémon.

The captain saw him return and asked, "Respected Trainer, do you plan to return to Kanaz City next?"

Hu Yang pondered seriously.

Actually, he had originally planned to first go to Kenna City to craft a Keystone bracelet, then return to Kanaz City, and from there, transit to Orange City to take Lurula and officially begin his badge journey across the Hoenn region.

But since he had already obtained the badges from Kanaz City and Orange City, there was no point in revisiting those places.

Instead of that, it made more sense to take Lurula from Orange City eastward to visit Ancient Rose Town and Whitecap Town.

He wanted to see what the first small town players encounter in this world looked like in reality.

Then he could walk through the southeastern forest beyond Whitecap Town on the way to Kenna City.

He could experience that kind of hiking adventure like Ash’s.

He still had over a million league coins left; the treasures inside Gengar’s body didn’t need to be sold for now.

With that in mind, Hu Yang said, "Let’s go back to Kanaz City."

...

On August 10th,

The White Sea Lion officially arrived at Kanaz City.

After bidding farewell to the crew, Hu Yang took his Pokémon and boarded a bus back to Orange City.

The scenery outside the window quickly receded, and memories flashed through Hu Yang’s mind.

Before long, the direct bus stopped at the Orange City station.

Stepping off, Hu Yang gazed up at the azure sky with deep emotion.

After three months, he had returned to his very first "home" in this world.

Maybe in the future, he would be wealthy and become a renowned and powerful trainer like Daigo.

But Hu Yang would never forget those impoverished yet warm days.

Not only for him, but for Gengar as well, this place was the first city it saw upon awakening in this new era.

Gengar floated beside Hu Yang and whispered softly, "I really like this place."

Hu Yang nodded, looking at the familiar streets ahead. "Me too."

Since it was the weekend and school was on break, the streets were relatively empty.

Hu Yang took out a key from his backpack and opened the dormitory door. A scent of time instantly wafted out.

He released all his Pokémon except Magikarp, informing them that they would no longer be living here.

Gengar drifted over to its treasured Poké Ball container, opened it, and used its claws to tuck away its cherished Christmas hat, Gengar doll, and other items inside its body.

Roserade pointed to its little nest, asking Gengar for help.

Roserade had a big sister personality and often looked after Gible, so it also cared for Gengar at times.

Generously, Gengar absorbed the nest into its body.

Garchomp, now evolved from Gible, approached its small nest, looked down at its own body, then at the size of the nest.

After hesitating for a moment, it arched its body, attempting to crawl inside, but it was too big—the nest could no longer contain it.

Seeing this, Garchomp’s face fell with sadness.

Hu Yang was speechless.

He said, "It’s okay. I’ll buy you a new one at the new home."

Yet Garchomp still looked unhappy.

Whether human or Pokémon, there was always a special attachment to things used for a long time.

Now, seeing its little nest about to be discarded, Garchomp’s shoulders slumped as it turned back, big eyes pleading pitifully at Hu Yang.

"Nuat… (Can’t we keep it?)"

Hu Yang sighed.

Deciding not to argue, he waved his hand decisively and said, "We’ll take everything with us!"

Gengar lay on the desk, letting Hu Yang stuff things into its body.

Garchomp’s black Charizard chandelier, Magikarp’s large aquarium, Roserade’s automatic little fan, and Pokémon books Hu Yang had bought—all the memories of their life together were packed inside Gengar.

Soon, the room emptied, returning to the state it was in when Hu Yang first arrived.

This dormitory would later welcome new occupants.

Just as Hu Yang checked for any forgotten items, Gengar suddenly emitted a distressed cry from the desk:

"Hu Yang, Hu Yang, I feel so uncomfortable!"

Startled, Hu Yang quickly rose and saw Gengar clutching its stomach, face contorted in pain.

Gengar said, "My belly is about to burst..."

Panicked, Hu Yang hastily told Gengar to expel the items inside.

But then Gengar grinned mischievously and said, "You fell for it!"

Hu Yang was speechless.

He grabbed Gengar’s ears and scolded it sternly.

"You’ve lived for a thousand years, how can you still act like a child who loves to play pranks!"

Slowpoke and Noctowl stood together, watching the scene blankly.

"What a headache," said one.

"Gah," replied the other.