Chapter 60: Alder and Infernape

A new order was just processed, and the computer hadn’t even rested before it beeped again.

This customer was from Unova again!

“If I keep this up, I’ll have conquered Unova before even dominating Kanto—this all started with the Ancient Explorer. Unova people really are well-informed. Meanwhile, are Kanto people just never leaving their homes?!”

This customer was a normal one—his ID was 【Infernape】.

Infernape is considered quasi-legendary in Unova.

“Wait, Infernape—could that be Alder? Hah.”

Customer: 【“Hello, I’m Alder.”】

Guang Tai: “.”

The atmosphere sank into an awkward silence; Doublade and Lillipup both looked puzzled.

What’s wrong with this guy? Is he harder to deal with than that liar from just now?

“Oh, this is the Unova Champion!”

Guang Tai slowly came to his senses and replied: “What exactly do you need?”

【“I saw something called Herbal Juice on your store page—it seems to enhance a Pokémon’s vitality? To be honest, one of my Pokémon may be nearing the end of its life, and I’m searching for medicine to heal it.”】

【“Before this, I inquired everywhere and finally learned that in Kanto, there exists a secret medicine capable of instantly restoring any Pokémon that has lost spirit and energy. But its potency is extremely strong—I fear my Pokémon won’t withstand it. Then I found your shop.”】

【“Honestly, I doubted at first that juice could enhance vitality—but then I remembered that nature itself contains all sorts of miraculous berries, capable of restoring health and curing status conditions. Perhaps one such berry could save my Pokémon. And Kanto’s Potch Juice is renowned worldwide. I realized this, so I sent you this email.”】

Guang Tai added the customer as a friend, and Alder then described his critically ill Pokémon in detail.

Unsurprisingly—it was Infernape!

Cresselia once mocked Alder in Black/White, saying that since his longtime partner died of illness years ago, he no longer trains seriously—this confirms that Alder’s Infernape didn’t die of old age.

After entrusting the Elite Four to protect the Pokémon League, Alder wandered Unova aimlessly, no longer engaging in serious battles.

“Herbal Juice—the kind you need to enhance vitality—costs 50,000 yuan.”

【“50K? Only 50K?!”】

Alder seemed incredulous—but that was normal. At this price, such medicine was absurdly cheap—even ridiculously so.

Guang Tai patiently replied:

“I can’t guarantee its effectiveness. Just try it first. If it doesn’t work, I have other medicines to try. As for price—if medicine is too expensive, it loses its purpose as medicine.”

“But shipping will take longer.”

【“I understand. Kanto and Unova are far apart, but it’s just a matter of time—I’ll find a way to keep my Infernape alive until then.”】

【“In my youth, I was obsessed with battling—and that left my Pokémon with hidden injuries. It’s all my fault.”】

【“Thank you again for your help!”】

Guang Tai paused, then suddenly remembered Wave Splash. He quickly sent a message:

“By the way, do you know the place called Linkwood?”

【“Linkwood? I’ve never heard of it.”】

Alder clearly didn’t understand. Guang Tai recalled: Linkwood could only be accessed using Dr. Juniper’s C Device—meaning, before the C Device was invented, the forest appeared to outsiders as just an ordinary woodland.

“It should be the forest at the center of Unova.”

【“Oh! You mean Central Forest? I know that one. They say you can dream impossible things there—it’s a dreamlike forest. A researcher is studying it and has already made some progress. Do you need my help with anything?”】

“Yes, a Pokémon might appear in Central Forest. I’m searching for it. Its appearance is…” Guang Tai sent his reply; Alder responded quickly:

【“I see. I’ll keep an eye out for that Pokémon. If it’s connected to the legendary Dream Forest, perhaps the researcher knows something.”】

Alder then stopped sending messages.

He’d been entrusted to find Linkwood—and to save Infernape.

“If Infernape really survives, even if Cresselia gains the Legendary Dragon’s approval, what does it matter? Alder, stripped of his main Pokémon, is called the weakest Champion—but what if that aging Infernape still lives?”

Alder had two Infernape. After the older one died, he became deeply passive and stopped training seriously.

“The worldline has shifted now. I hope my Herbal Juice works.”

“And that secret medicine in Kanto—probably refers to the oldest herbal shop in Blue City. I should go buy a vial. Then I can replicate it—even improve it.”

Blue City's pharmacy is a time-honored brand with no online store—you must visit in person. In the game, this potion cures even a Psyduck's innate headache—it's incredibly miraculous!

But no medicine, no matter how potent, is more than a temporary lifeline. For a Pokémon with abundant energy, recovery is natural. But for one already gravely ill with hidden injuries, the secret medicine might backfire—its potency is too extreme.

Guang Tai was thinking he’d done another good deed, completed a new order, and was about to fire some glass containers when the computer beeped again!

Come on, this is the third time—three in a row?!

【“Your carving skills are excellent. Old man here was recommended to you—can you do custom sculptures?”】

This request was for a statue—but different from Cresselia’s. This was for a Gym sculpture!

Guang Tai focused intently.

“What style of sculpture do you want?”

【“Heh, your sculptures are so lifelike—they look like authentic relics from ancient times. Old man wants to commission a Pokémon called Machamp. Have you heard of it?”】

【“If you haven’t heard of it, no problem—I’ve got photos. Just copy the poses.”】

Machamp?

Wait—recommended here, and calls himself “old man”?

"Could this be Ma Shide from Kai Island? But I remember his dojo doesn't have any statues... Ma Shide and Steelix are old acquaintances, right?"

In the game, Ma Shide, one of Kalos’s former Champions, is active on the Isle of Armor. His son Haid told us that years before the game began, Steelix visited the Isle of Armor to craft some Oran Berries for Ma Shide—and Haid saw Steelix’s technique and tried replicating it with machines.

When the player crafts an Oran Berry, Haid explains he spent years developing the machine and still can’t replicate Steelix’s berry-making skill—making machine-made berries extremely rare.

Undoubtedly, in the game, Steelix is the gold standard of craftsmen—even in the machine age, he still slaps synthetic machines across the face.

Ma Shide is a gaming enthusiast—he’d definitely try online shopping. But Steelix is old-fashioned; all internet-related matters are handled by his granddaughter Chi.

Guang Tai thought for a moment, then received the photo the customer sent.

Indeed—it was the One-Hit Machamp and the Combo Machamp!

Two Pokémon sculpted into statues and placed in front of a dojo?

Come to think of it, the dojos in the game are strangely empty. If you placed two statues there, they’d look far more majestic!

“Custom large statues cost 200,000–400,000 yuan,” Guang Tai replied. “Two would be 400,000–800,000. Can you accept that price?”

【“400,000 is fine.”】 The reply came quickly: 【“Old man trusts your skill—your store page already proves your craftsmanship. Your sculptures are simply divine!”】

【“Old man can’t wait to receive the statues. I’m already excited—those days will be thrilling!”】

“Thank you for trusting my skill. I won’t let you down,” Guang Tai replied.

But why does he keep adding tone particles at the end of his messages? Guang Tai was baffled.

But today’s earnings—were substantial!

After the suspected Ma Shide stopped messaging, Guang Tai heard the mailbox beep a fourth time—but this message wasn’t from a customer. It was from 【Steelix】.

【“Your sculptures are incredible. I looked closely—they’re indistinguishable from real ancient artifacts. Without a label, no one would guess they’re fakes.”】

【“Your shop has drawn a lot of attention lately. People have asked me how to find you. You live far from Kanto, in the Great Mountains, right? If you have time, come to Hiyabu Town before year’s end.”】

【“I’ll teach you the technique for crafting Berry Poké Balls. Your current skill level is sufficient to inherit this art. If you want to learn, come find me.”】

The complete Berry processing technique—meaning, the missing skill of weaving the netting inside the ball can only be learned from Steelix.

Modern Poké Balls use technology; the Shining Pearl Poké Balls have no internal netting at all—meaning, the netting is Steelix’s exclusive technique!

“I’ll have to travel to Kanto after autumn begins.”

“Huh? Another message?”

“If you allow it, I’d like to visit your shop soon—I sincerely wish to purchase rare stones—Zygarde·Dawn?”

(End of Chapter)