Chapter 53: Shining Leaves

【Rare Material: 'Blazing Charcoal' from the Oak Forest.】

【Description: This high-quality charcoal is made by burning wood from the Oak Forest, said to purify water and air.】

【Effect: When carried by a Pokémon, the power of Fire-type moves increases by 20%.】

【Unique Effect: Fire-type move power increases an additional 15%. If carried for extended periods, Fire-type Pokémon gradually gain more Fire energy and unlock their latent potential.】

【Crafting Method: Flame Forging (B-): A technique that forges items using various material types. Items created with this method provide extraordinary boosts to Fire-, Steel-, and Psychic-type Pokémon.】

“Oh, I’ve unlocked ‘Forging Skill’!”

Now the workshop’s forge room can be used year-round! Burn pottery, make glass, forge metal!

And it’s not just about obtaining materials.

【Completed a crafting process!】

【Gained Knowledge: Accelerated Firing — Firing speed increased by 15%.】

The effects of crafted items match those shown for rare materials, and Guang Tai vaguely remembered that Blazing Charcoal was actually an item in Pokémon cards — black charcoal with flames spurting from its cracks.

Next, a clue for a random material appeared:

【Material: Leftover Food】

【Obtain Location: Workshop’s Berry Grove, Deep within the Shen Capital Forest, Nameless Berry Grove, carried by Washed-Cui Wobbuffet.】

【Corresponding Craft: Unique Leftover Meal Crafting.】

“Huh?”

Guang Tai paused, stunned.

While many items serve as both battle items and natural materials, he never imagined Leftover Food had a crafting method — and that it actually existed in the real Pokémon world?

Isn’t this just ordinary Pokémon leftovers from eaten berries?

In battle, eating them slowly restores HP, but that seems odd — if a Pokémon carries a whole berry, eats part of it in battle but doesn’t finish it, wouldn’t that simultaneously trigger both “berry HP recovery” and “leftover food HP recovery”?

“What if you carry a large Oran Berry, take a bite to restore HP to full in a pinch, then save the rest? You’d be invincible — one bite of leftover food restores a quarter of your HP!”

Though it was a joke, Guang Tai grew more convinced this tactic was viable.

“By the way, the ‘Leftover Meal Crafting’ method — is it just mixing together leftover berries?”

Like making juice?

Maybe you don’t need to stick to the game’s exact form, like using a half-eaten apple core.

If you make juice, it should be called ‘Leftover Juice’ — each sip restores one-sixteenth of HP.

“Could the Nameless Berry Grove be the original habitat of the Lilligant group? Usually, leftover food is carried by Comfey or Snorlax — why is it listed as carried by Washed-Cui Wobbuffet? That’s suspicious.”

June 29, clear weather.

As Charizard’s roar echoed again from the distant horizon, Guang Tai finished his final sculpture.

“All orders are complete!”

Guang Tai sat exhausted by the door; Double-Edge and Lilligant leaned against him — they had worked just as hard!

【Double-Edge completed its task! Gained experience and growth!】

【Gained Knowledge: Continuous Carving — Attack speed of cutting-type moves increased by 15%.】

【Learned Move: Pursuit!】

【Lilligant completed its task! Gained experience and growth!】

【Gained Knowledge: Rock-Breaking Power — Attack and Special Attack damage increased by 10%.】

【Learned Move: Grass Knot!】

Both these knowledges were gained through repeated labor — in Guang Tai’s view, their effects were quite impressive!

Charizard crashed down from the sky with a thunderous thud — but instead of its usual greeting, it panted heavily, staring at the weary Guang Tai and the two Pokémon, its expression torn between accusation and forced restraint.

Hmm, even clients aren’t easy!

“Aaa~”

Guang Tai: “You want to say something?”

Charizard: “.”

It had so much to say!

This is a remote area — how did you get so many orders?! Flying back and forth is exhausting for a dragon!

“Hah, you’re thinking something rude, aren’t you?”

Guang Tai analyzed Charizard’s expression — no need to guess much; it was clearly because his orders had increased lately.

“Next time, you might need to send several Pokémon to pick up my goods — one alone is too tiring.”

“By the way, let me treat you to some herbal juice — not bitter at all, very tasty.”

After returning inside, Guang Tai prepared some herbal juice.

Double-Edge and Lilligant drank it and immediately regained energy!

Charizard scratched its head — at first, it worried eating food here might upset its stomach and affect work, so it refused Guang Tai’s offerings. But seeing those two Pokémon seem so delighted…

Maybe try it?

Charizard took the cup skeptically, then downed it in one gulp.

Aaa~!

A refreshing sensation shot from its throat straight through its body, clearing its mind instantly!

This taste is amazing!

Oh, power and energy surged through it!

“Aaa!”

Watching Charizard’s excited state, Guang Tai smiled: “I noticed you’re obsessed with work, so I guessed your personality is ‘Diligent’ — this trait doesn’t boost or reduce any stats, but lets you accept any flavor.”

“Tastes good, right? This is my exclusive product — you can’t drink it anywhere else!”

Charizard stuck out its tongue and licked the empty cup, then looked at Guang Tai, slightly embarrassed.

“Want another cup? No problem.”

Guang Tai was about to go inside when Charizard made another sound — first, it admitted the wooden carving was truly extraordinary; after following Guang Tai’s advice and channeling its power into it, its flight speed shot up!

Dude, your items are seriously powerful!

Now, among all Charizard in Vermilion City, I’m the fastest! My coworkers are stunned!

“Ah, glad I could help — so did you beat that Dragonite?”

Guang Tai asked. Charizard sighed deeply, shook its head, and pointed upward.

A dark shadow appeared in the sky, diving down at incredible speed!

“Wuu~”

A plump belly, tiny dragon whiskers, delicate little wings, chubby tail and face!

It was Charizard’s colleague — the Dragonite who delivers express mail across the Kanto region!

So that’s how — it used “Quick Attack”!

Guess it still can’t compete.

The second Dragonite had come to assist Charizard with pickups!

Guang Tai patted Charizard’s back to comfort it, then turned to the chubby Dragonite.

“Do you offer petting services?”

“Wuu~” The Dragonite stepped forward and hugged Guang Tai — instantly, its softness relaxed every muscle in Guang Tai’s body.

No wonder this Dragonite outperforms Charizard.

Look how enthusiastic it is — why are you so cold? Sure, you’re diligent, but clearly everyone prefers a Dragonite who’s both capable and warm!

“Aaa~!”

Charizard glared at Dragonite’s behavior, visibly annoyed!

That’s my client — how dare you get so close to my client!

“Aaaw~”

Charizard poked Dragonite, signaling it to back off — but Dragonite didn’t sense its anger; instead, it turned and hugged Charizard, patting its back.

Faced with such an affectionate hugger, Charizard instantly lost its temper — it crossed its arms and turned away, pretending indifference.

Lilligant and Double-Edge had never seen Dragonite before — and Dragonite warmly hugged them too!

“Wah-wah!” Lilligant happily waved its leaves — Dragonite’s body was amazing — though it had nearly invisible scales, it was completely soft, not hard at all!

“Yowu~”

“Yopu~”

Double-Edge swayed its blade-like body — Dragonite’s hug had lifted its spirits greatly.

Too affectionate!

“Then please take these goods!”

Guang Tai offered Dragonite berry juice — after drinking it, Dragonite’s eyes widened in delight!

“Wu!”

Watching Dragonite’s blissful expression, Guang Tai glanced at Charizard, who sat with eyes closed, feigning aloofness, then smiled at Dragonite:

“This one was specially saved for you by Charizard.”

“Wuu~?”

Dragonite turned to look at the aloof Charizard — who huffed.

What can you do? You’re my colleague and friend — good things must be shared!

Dragonite smiled as it approached, patted Charizard, then gave it a hug.

“A combo of the cluelessly enthusiastic Dragonite and the tsundere hardworking Charizard—like the male lead and second male lead in a manga!”

Guang Tai silently muttered, while Charizard crossed its arms and told Dragonite that since the juice had been drunk, it was time to deliver the goods!

Work, work, stop hugging me!

“Awooo!”

Charizard shoved Dragonite away, grabbed the cargo, then flapped its wings and soared high into the air!

“Wuu~” Dragonite waved goodbye to Guang Tai, flicking its tail, but as it left, it seemed to remember something, reached into a pouch on its body, and handed something to Guang Tai.

“Awooo~~”

This is a thank-you gift for the tree juice! It’s just something I found by chance on the road—if you don’t mind, take it! Charizard found this too, and said to give it to you!

Next time I’ll pass by and bring you some rarer good stuff!

“What’s this…?”

Guang Tai took the two gifts: a “golden leaf” and a “silver leaf!”

【Valuable Material: Shining Leaves (Two Types)!】

【Description: A magical golden leaf. No tree capable of growing such a leaf has ever been discovered.】

【Description: A magical silver leaf. No tree capable of growing such a leaf has ever been discovered.】

【Knowledge Gained: 2】

【Leaf Mutation: Any tree or bush you cultivate has a 10% chance to grow multiple golden or silver leaves.】

【Mysterious Inscription: This is a mysterious knowledge; writing it according to its content, combined with the corresponding arcane craft, allows creation of uniquely powerful items, and can also carve secret seals into fixed structures (requires one of: Psychic, Spiritual, or Wave energy).】

【Craft Gained: 1】

【Mysterious Credential Crafting (A): A craft to create special credentials using Pokémon materials, natural materials, and special leaves! Using special leaves grants unique abilities to the corresponding credentials.】

【Drawing credential tickets allows you to reach specific special locations (requires the correct drawing technique).】

【Items That Can Be Crafted: “Weakness Insurance (Silver)” and “Empty Strike Insurance (Gold)”】

(End of Chapter)