Chapter 16: A Profession That Burns Money

Hu Yang looked at the information about the Shy Bud and began to draft a suitable training plan for it.

“Shy Bud, base stats 280, already knows moves such as Paralyzing Powder, Absorb, Seed Bomb…” Recalling the data in his mind, Hu Yang murmured, “Not bad, at least much stronger than Magikarp.”

Speaking of base stats…

In this world, the base stats of different species of Pokémon vary. But whether in the games or in reality, the difference in base stats does not directly affect battles. Base stats determine the upper limit of a Pokémon’s life tier and the peak it can ultimately reach. What truly affects battle outcomes is how the trainer nurtures and trains their Pokémon, as well as their command ability. This is proven both in the games and the world he now inhabits.

Ordinarily, a Pokémon’s base stats do not change. Yet there are exceptions, such as Mega Evolution. After Mega Evolution, a Pokémon’s base stats increase because it has broken through its previous life tier, evolving into a higher form and undergoing transformation, though this state is not permanent.

Aside from that, some Pokémon’s base stats can change due to certain opportunities. Hu Yang remembered the enormous Dragonite near the lighthouse in the anime, as well as the super ancient Gengar, Alakazam, and Jigglypuff that appeared in the Kanto region.

Had they broken through their original base stat limits?

But those three were still in Kanto, far beyond his reach at the moment.

After recalling the storylines of those super ancient Pokémon, Hu Yang’s thoughts returned to himself.

For most trainers, this starting point would be considered average. But for him, it could already be called a perfect start. Besides, even if he were given a pseudo-legendary like Larvitar right now, he wouldn’t be able to afford raising it!

The resources needed to raise Larvitar are far greater than for Shy Bud. Even without supplemental nutrition, Shy Bud could survive in nature. But Larvitar… that one requires eating rocks to grow!

To evolve into Tyranitar and reach its perfect form, ordinary rocks are nowhere near enough—it needs rocks rich in rare minerals to grow healthily.

Yet Hu Yang had no intention of letting Shy Bud rely solely on photosynthesis for growth.

If he was going to do it, he would do it right. He wanted to provide Shy Bud with the best resources so it could become the finest Shy Bud.

“Foods favored by Grass-type Pokémon…” Hu Yang sat at his desk by the window, consulting nutrition books borrowed from the library. Shy Bud lazily sprawled on the windowsill basking in sunlight, its flower bud swaying gently in the warm rays.

The temperature was perfect today. Even the ancient bird wasn’t fussing to go out, but rested in the sunlight like Shy Bud.

The room was filled with a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.

“Found it!” Hu Yang flipped to the middle of the book and looked at the highlighted information.

Monthly nutrition recipe for the growth of Grass-type Pokémon (Note: Ingredients listed are mandatory)

Basic quality (priced under two hundred League coins)
Recipe: Two berries + three thick roots, or one small mushroom + four berries

Medium quality (priced between two hundred and five hundred League coins)
Recipe: Three berries + two thick roots + one fragrant mushroom

High quality (about one thousand League coins)
Recipe: One Golden Berry + two thick roots + fragrant mushroom

Perfect quality (usually over two thousand League coins)
Recipe: Three Spiky Berries + three thick roots + Bubble Rock + Golden Berry

Looking at the prices listed, Hu Yang felt a wave of despair.

But when he saw that even the basic food for Larvitar cost three thousand League coins, he realized just how economical Grass-types were.

Indeed, being a trainer was a money-burning profession!

Ordinary civilian trainers could never afford these foods for their Pokémon!

The gap between noble trainers and the rest was instantly made clear.

At that moment, Hu Yang shed tears of regret. Why hadn’t he added a function to modify League coins in his cheat tool?!

Fortunately, the recipe specified was what each Pokémon needed monthly for growth.

Rare ingredients like Golden Berry were extremely energy-rich, and a Pokémon usually needed a month to fully digest all its nutrients. Unless you had money to burn, it was not recommended to feed them daily, since excess energy would simply be wasted.

This meant he only needed to purchase these once a month.

Still, it was expensive!

One Pokémon costing at least two thousand per month—six would be twelve thousand… Hu Yang couldn’t even imagine that figure right now!

Looking at the freshly received salary in his pocket, he realized he would need to live frugally once again!

Gazing at the leisurely Shy Bud on the balcony, Hu Yang silently prayed:

“Dear, you have to work hard and live up to my investment!”

If he was going to buy food, he would buy the best. With this mindset, Hu Yang took out three thousand as Shy Bud’s growth fund, reserved one thousand for his own daily expenses, and saved the rest.

Since there were no classes today, Hu Yang took the ancient bird and Shy Bud on a trip to the center of Orange Blossom City, to the department store.

The department store in this world sold everything—from evolution stones for Pokémon to clothing and toilet seats. If you could imagine it, they could provide it.

Hu Yang had plenty of time, and since it was his first visit to the department store, he didn’t take the elevator. Instead, he rode the escalator, ascending floor by floor.

Perhaps because so many trainers travel in this world, the best-selling item in the store was the portable tent.

“High-tech?” Hu Yang touched the tent, feeling its material, and found it very lightweight and compact.

No wonder anime often showed trainers pulling tents out of their backpacks in the wild.

He had thought those backpacks were like Doraemon’s four-dimensional pocket…

Goods for ordinary people disappeared after the sixth floor. Beyond that, everything was for trainers.

Such as basic Poké Balls, spray-type healing potions, and all kinds of bizarre Pokémon accessories.

The compulsory exerciser developed by Devon Company, the soothing bell for calming Pokémon emotions, the silver spray for repelling wild Pokémon, the electric ball for boosting Electric-type moves…

However, these items were expensive, and Hu Yang didn’t need them. After wandering around, he continued upward.