Chapter 22: Paralysis Bomb

The imagination was rich, but reality proved stark. At times like these, the bond between trainer and Pokémon was truly put to the test. If a Pokémon could not precisely grasp the meaning behind its trainer’s words, it would struggle to respond appropriately.

Hu Yang shared his idea, but the Bud’s face showed clear confusion.

Hu Yang: "..."

Alright, he would explain in more detail.

For the next five minutes, Hu Yang carefully dissected the advantages and disadvantages of the two moves, the benefits of combining them, and his conjectures on how they might be merged. He broke down every aspect, word by word, so Bud could understand.

After an initial bout of bewilderment, Bud did not disappoint Hu Yang’s expectations and finally grasped his meaning. Bright light blossomed in Bud’s eyes. In that moment, it felt as if its inner channels had been opened, a window thrown wide in its mind.

So it could be done like this?!

A path it had never considered appeared before it.

“Ni!” Bud was elated.

Seeing this, Hu Yang quietly exhaled in relief. He said, “Shall we give it a try?”

Bud nodded vigorously.

Hu Yang stepped aside, while Bud, brimming with determination, took its place before a large stone, eyes filled with fighting spirit.

Hu Yang: “Try to fuse Paralyzing Powder into the core of the Seed Bomb!”

“Ni!”

Bud began to charge up. On its first attempt, lacking experience, it tried to inject Paralyzing Powder into the newly formed Seed Bomb, but a misstep caused the Seed Bomb to detonate.

The pale yellow powder was instantly scattered by the shockwave. Hu Yang frowned, opened his mouth to speak, but inadvertently inhaled a bit of the Paralyzing Powder.

Immediately, he lost control of his body, as if under total anesthesia; his muscles spasmed unconsciously, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Hu Yang: "..."

Bud, also paralyzed, wore a mortified expression: “Ni…”

“Gah?!” The ancient moonbird in the river jerked its head up, alerted, with a wildly flapping Magikarp in its beak.

Gengar, who had followed along to watch, said nothing.

It couldn’t help but feel this human seemed a little unreliable.

After five minutes, the paralysis gradually faded.

Bud was deeply apologetic.

Hu Yang comforted it, “It’s alright. Try again, you’ll definitely manage!”

At least, the accident had proved the feasibility of his idea.

On the second attempt, Bud clearly learned from the previous mistake. Under its steady control, it successfully produced a seed containing Paralyzing Powder.

This brand new “Seed Bomb” was launched, exploding against the stone. At the moment of detonation, a vast amount of powder sprayed out at astonishing speed, covering an exaggerated ten-meter radius.

Fortunately, Hu Yang had prepared this time, standing well out of range.

“Ni!”

Success on the second try—Bud called out in excitement.

Hu Yang stepped forward and praised, “Excellent work!”

To succeed on the second attempt—such a feat in a web novel would earn the comment, “This child is terrifyingly talented.”

However, the casting time for this move was nearly identical to the time needed for Seed Bomb plus Paralyzing Powder. But anyone could see that this was simply due to Bud’s lack of familiarity; once it mastered the technique, the time would surely be halved.

There was plenty of room for improvement.

Hu Yang spent the entire afternoon accompanying Bud in practice. With each repetition, Bud became more adept at using the combination move.

To better command it in battle, they discussed and named the new move “Paralyzing Bomb.”

When Hu Yang checked Bud’s information, the move list had changed as expected.

[Species: Bud ♂]
Type: Grass, Poison
Ability: Leaf Guard
Base Stat Total: 280 (HP: 40, Attack: 30, Defense: 35, Special Attack: 50, Special Defense: 70, Speed: 55)
Known moves: Absorb, Paralyzing Powder, Seed Bomb, Paralyzing Bomb (Paralyzing Powder + Seed Bomb)
Current mood: Excited
Physical state: Moderately fatigued (mentally tired)
Friendship: 55 (Your bond is steadily deepening)

The friendship had unknowingly risen to 55, mostly accumulated bit by bit during their daily interactions, though Hu Yang paid it little mind.

Evening approached.

Hu Yang put the drowsy Bud in its Poké Ball to rest, took the fish caught by the ancient moonbird in his other hand, and started walking home step by step.

Before he reached his doorstep, he was intercepted by Nishida Gang, who grabbed his arm.

Hu Yang: “What’s up?”

Nishida Gang, face alight with excitement: “Come with me somewhere!”

“It’s almost dark,” Hu Yang reminded him.

Nishida Gang: “Exactly! That shop only opens after sundown!”

Hu Yang: “…What kind of shop?”

Nishida Gang: “A place that brings joy and relaxation!”

Hu Yang’s heart skipped a beat—could it be some kind of pleasure house?

He was surprised; he hadn’t expected someone so honest-looking to be that sort.

Nishida Gang, a little speechless: “What’s with that expression? It’s not what you’re thinking. Just come and see for yourself!”

Seeing his insistence, Hu Yang had no choice but to follow.

They left the school, hailed a taxi, and soon arrived at a shop whose sign read “Sweet Café.”

Inside, the décor was cozy, with pink hues that radiated a girlish charm.

The lady owner, in work attire, was polishing utensils behind the bar.

A row of Eevees and Tailchus sat bored on the sofa. When guests arrived, their eyes suddenly sparkled.

As they ran over, chirping “Bui!” all the while, Nishida Gang, clearly familiar with the place, called out to the bar, “Two Moo Moo Milks, please!” He