Chapter 52: Pure Pendant

Guang Tai sighed with satisfaction.

During the charcoal-burning process, there was no other work, so he returned to the hut and displayed all usable items on the shelves; as for the wood carvings, the choice of Pokémon subjects didn’t matter—this was more flexible than stone carving, requiring no individual testing of effects and allowing faster carving.

“By the way, what would happen if I carved a human?”

The thought arose in Guang Tai’s mind and refused to leave; originally, he had considered making human sculptures to see what would happen, but lately he’d been too busy to find time for it.

He acted immediately, beginning to carve wood—among recent “famous figures” he’d seen, only Wang Luo came to mind.

“Carving Wang Luo… will it summon Kyurem? Nah, better pick someone else.”

“Hmm, what about Cilan?”

Mentioning Wang Luo naturally brought Cilan to mind—wasn’t that obvious?

Come to think of it, Wang Luo, Wu Si, and Cilan all have the same face—could ancient Sinnoh people’s genes really be that powerful?

Guang Tai quickly began carving; his chisel continuously shaved the wood, occasionally chiseling away unsightly spots, until a wooden statue of Cilan was complete.

‘Artifact: Small [Ancient Wood Carving]—Style of the Divine Capital Ruins.’

‘Description: A wooden statue carved in ancient style, depicting Sinnoh Champion Cilan.’

‘Artifact Effect: Archaeology—Can obtain only one lost knowledge from a single ruin.’

“Huh? Why didn’t it show ‘some enthusiasts will pay high prices’? Can’t this be sold?”

“The effect is Archaeology—gaining lost knowledge from ruins. That’s Cilan’s profession. So if I carve someone’s likeness, the effect ties to their profession—then what if someone has no extra profession, just a Gym Leader?”

Guang Tai immediately chose another Gym Leader who “had no side job.”

“Calem.”

He is the father of the protagonist in the Three Gems series; depending on the chosen character, he becomes either the father of Yuki or Yuki’s counterpart. In the anime, he’s Yuki’s father; in the manga, he’s Ruby’s father.

Calem is simply a man who seeks raw power; though in the Special Episodes he once worked for the League, in the games and anime he has no side job or League position—only the title of Gym Leader.

‘Artifact: Small [Ancient Wood Carving]—Style of the Divine Capital Ruins.’

‘Description: A wooden statue carved in ancient style, depicting Calem of Orange Island Gym.’

‘Artifact Effect: General Power—Slightly increases the strength of Normal-type Pokémon that train near the statue over time.’

“Ah, so it boosts the corresponding type’s power!”

“Then what about someone with no job and no matching type?”

Guang Tai quickly carved his third figure.

Red!

A former Champion who stepped down, with no side job, who trains daily on Mt. Silver until he goes off-grid—known as the Mountain God of Mt. Silver, and arguably one of the strongest beings in the Pokémon world?

‘Artifact: Small [Ancient Wood Carving]—Style of the Divine Capital Ruins.’

‘Description: A wooden statue carved in ancient style, depicting Kanto Champion Red.’

‘Artifact Effect: Battle Heart—When any Pokémon gains EVs, all Pokémon you own gain the same EVs simultaneously.’

“Red’s carving is for grinding EVs?”

For nearly the entire day, Guang Tai was absorbed in wood carving; his skill improved subtly but significantly, and later figures became lifelike, shedding their initial stiffness.

Finally, after careful thought, Guang Tai carved Wang Luo after all.

Surprisingly, Wang Luo’s carving’s effect was increased bond with Pokémon?

Was this a joke at his expense? He claims to treat Pokémon as tools and insists he’s a Pokémon tamer, yet the very first Pokémon he raised—Pichu, needing friendship to evolve—had long since evolved into Plusle.

He talks harshly, but inwardly cares deeply for his Pokémon.

“Putting them all together looks like a display of figurines.”

Guang Tai muttered to himself, staring at his hands—after countless repetitions of carving, his woodcarving skill had visibly improved.

Stone carving, however, advanced more slowly, due to the greater difficulty of working with stone versus wood.

“Even basic craftsmanship, when honed over years of repetition, can become a unique and exceptional art.”

‘Due to repeated completion of tasks, you gained knowledge.’

‘Woodcarving Expert: Woodcarving efficiency and skill +25%. Carved works appear older and more beautiful.’

June 27, cloudy weather.

The month was ending, and the climate of the Divine Capital had grown slightly warmer.

Yesterday brought many events: charcoal burning, wood carving.

Today, Guang Tai would not carve wood, but focus on custom stone carvings and producing large quantities of talismans.

Also, the crafting of the King’s Rock and the Pure Pendant.

First, Guang Tai worked with his Pokémon to craft talismans in the workshop—it took little time.

Double-Edge was swiftly cutting fabric, but Guang Tai noticed that now, instead of slicing directly with its blades, it was using psychic blades.

Its psychic blades, solidified like fine threads, showed clear improvement in its command of psychic energy!

“Psychic blades stretched into threads still retain their powerful strike—this feels almost like a new move?”

If I keep training like this, will I one day master Spatial Slash?

A. A. Space Cut?

Too bad—Ghost-type has no cutting moves at all, and the only Ghost-type moves Double-Edge can use are Shadow Sneak and Shadow Claw, and it doesn’t even know Shadow Claw yet.

So he could only practice Psychic-type cutting moves—but if he mastered Psychic Blade, it might become incredibly powerful!

Guang Tai didn’t disturb Double-Edge, instead preparing ancient rock and ancient crystal to craft the Pure Pendant and King’s Rock.

Though he had his own unique polishing technique, crystal polishing required caution; thinking of Lilligant’s leaves, he had an idea.

So Guang Tai went to the herb field, where Lilligant immediately greeted him cheerfully!

“Waa!”

Guang Tai picked up Lilligant, who emitted a pleasant hum, as if singing a tune. Inside the workshop, he explained her next task, and Lilligant was brimming with enthusiasm!

She had waited for this day for so long—finally, she could join the carving work!

She removed the leaves from her head; once Guang Tai had carved the rough shapes of the Pure Pendant and King’s Rock, her work would begin.

Natural King’s Rock is a stone that naturally formed into a crown shape, its surface uneven; but artificial King’s Rock has sharp edges and a glossy sheen, like those in spin-off games, clearly showing human craftsmanship.

Guang Tai continued crafting the stone shell of the Pure Pendant, also made of ancient rock, requiring carving.

After a long while, once Lilligant had finished polishing her side, Guang Tai completed his part.

‘Lilligant completed the craftsmanship! Gained experience and growth!’

‘Learned move: Repeat!’

‘Lilligant gained knowledge: Grass Polishing—Polishing precision for rock and crystal +15%.’

“Huh? Repeat!”

Guang Tai paused, watching the excited Lilligant, realizing the move he’d long awaited had finally appeared.

This move was the final piece of the puzzle to achieve victory!

“Huh—I must push harder too!”

Guang Tai wiped sweat from his brow and embedded the polished ancient crystal core into the stone shell.

‘Crafted Item: Pure Pendant (Style of the Divine Capital Ruins).’

‘Effect: A luminous, crystal-clear pendant. When carried, prevents stat drops from opponents’ moves or abilities!’

‘Craft Effect: Pure Spirit—Slightly purifies the minds of humans and Pokémon; due to the Divine Capital Ruins style, it slightly enhances psychic power and reduces fatigue.’

‘Gained knowledge: 1’

‘Eternal Pure Heart: Others find it hard to read your inner thoughts. Psychic defense +20%.’

‘Crafted Item: King’s Rock.’

‘Effect: When carrying, attacks occasionally cause the opponent to flinch!’

‘Craft Effect: Royal Demeanor—Pokémon’s approval of the bearer +20%.’

‘Gained knowledge: 1’

‘Royal Potential: Your charm +25%.’

New material clues:

【Day Stone / Night Stone.】

【Obtain Locations: Regirock, Ancient Spirit Peak / Traveling Merchant.】

【Corresponding Craft: Environmental Carving / Soul Forging.】

‘Due to repeated completion of tasks, gained knowledge 2.’

‘Talisman Master: Talisman crafting efficiency and skill +25%. Spiritual energy on talismans appears slightly enhanced.’

‘Spirit Medium: Your spiritual energy +25%. Greater mastery over spiritual energy.’

“The two most important evolutionary stones!”

Guang Tai exhaled deeply.

Of the three acquisition methods, Wang Luo’s was easiest—but if he only had one stone, he’d still need to find the other.

How easily could one encounter the legendary giant Regirock?

And for the stone to be on Regirock’s body makes sense—it seeks rare stones to repair its body, and evolutionary stones are among the rarest.

Guang Tai’s thoughts gradually calmed; he went to check yesterday’s charcoal, retrieved it from the slope outside, the charcoal made from oak wood. Though the kiln was crude, craftsmanship and materials compensated for the equipment’s shortcomings.

(End of Chapter)