Chapter 78: The Wild Bidoof Has Come to Challenge! (Requesting First Subscription >)

“Goodbye, everyone! Our workshop is just outside the forest—if you ever want to visit, you’re always welcome.”

“But in winter, we might leave, so keep an eye on the season!”

Guang Tai and the Pokémon set off on their return journey; Miss Xincui Qun’er also bid farewell to her kind, and the Pokémon of this orchard could finally live in harmony, understanding one another.

Meanwhile, the legendary giant Regirock traveled with Guang Tai, as Guang Tai had asked it to help craft ancient stones.

So, for the next few days, it would stay near the workshop.

On the way back, Guang Tai detoured to the Celebi shrine to see if anything had respawned—and indeed found a strange palm-sized stone.

【Rare Material: Hard Stone】

【Effect: A stone that will never crack. When carried, the power of Rock-type moves increases—this is a hard stone from a bygone moment, worn smooth by time.】

【Crafting Skill Obtained: 1】

【Ancient Awakening Craft (B-): An ancient technique of infusing natural energy into stone, requiring “Awakening Power,” used to craft “Ancient Bracelets.”】

Ancient Bracelet!

Guang Tai hadn’t expected to gain this craft—he was overjoyed!

With the Ancient Bracelet craft, he could now make jade versions of TM devices!

As they crossed the forest, Regirock saw Guang Tai’s workshop.

“That’s my workshop—what do you think? Not bad, right?”

“For the next few days, I’ll rely on you to work with us—please wait a little longer.”

Regirock digging everywhere… come to think of it, isn’t it just a Pokémon version of Goh?

When Guang Tai returned near the workshop, Doujianshao immediately spotted a small pit on the ground and hurriedly called Guang Tai over to check.

Celebi had already left, so this pit couldn’t have been dug by it.

The Diglett also denied it.

“Another one’s come—another Pokémon we didn’t know about. Now we can confirm: like Lilligant, it’s drawn here by the fertile soil and lush crops.”

Doujianshao made a suggestion.

It decided to keep watch tonight—to find out who dug this pit!

Though the Pokémon that dug the pit hadn’t damaged any crops, the more harmless it seemed, the stronger Doujianshao’s curiosity grew.

“Yowww~!”

Hey, this situation is just like when Celebi spied on Lilligant before!

At that moment, under Guang Tai’s startled gaze, an Unown E floated up from the workshop’s roof!

A wild Unown E appeared!

Unown E emerged and landed before Guang Tai.

“Anong.”

Unown E greeted Guang Tai; the other Pokémon, having never seen such a strange creature, were drawn to it. Seeing Unown E approach Guang Tai, Miss Qun’er instantly tensed!

Don’t touch my Trainer!

Miss Qun’er quickly blocked Unown E, startling it—but upon closer inspection, she realized: Oh! This was the evolved Lilligant!

Doujianshao also floated up, looking at itself, then at Unown E!

Hey, you’re floating too!

Unown E looked around at the Pokémon, even spotting the legendary giant, and was greatly surprised—then declared it had lived here all along, just never shown itself!

Now I can finally step out! This family should have its own strength too!

I’ve come to join your family!

“You’ve been living here all along?” Guang Tai was stunned, then chuckled:

“Is this abandoned workshop considered a ruin?”

Unown typically dwell in ruins or temporal rifts—but living in one’s own home? Could this abandoned workshop truly be some mysterious relic?

“Anong.” Unown E made a sound.

You’ve all wondered about that small pit—I know exactly what it is.

Let me reveal the truth to you!

Midnight.

Bidoof crept back onto the land once more.

From afar, it saw Regirock—the giant who roamed the forest, causing commotion among powerful Pokémon. But unlike other strong Pokémon, this giant never fought for territory—only dug for stones!

The giant who once stirred up the forest now stood motionless outside, looking lonely, like a statue from a distance.

Bidoof instantly grew nervous!

From long observation, the rock giant rarely attacked other Pokémon unless provoked—like that persistent Scyther that kept taunting it.

But!

Bidoof had once seen that Scyther driven off by the giant in just a few moves—and before the giant awoke, that Scyther had been the forest’s little tyrant!

Bidoof crept “guigui suisui” near the giant, found a spot it couldn’t see, and slipped into the herb patch.

Come to think of it, why is this giant here at a human workshop? Did that human really subdue a giant?

That’s too impressive!

Bidoof unconsciously felt a flicker of admiration—but then looked at the mighty rock giant, then at its own frail form, and a wave of inferiority surged back.

Forget it. I’m too weak to be worth capturing.

Where’s Lilligant? It wasn’t outside last time either.

“Anong~”

As Bidoof glanced around, sinking into its midnight self-doubt, Unown E materialized from thin air!

Oh! You’re back again?

Have you thought about what I said today?

“Nn.” Bidoof shook its head, saying it was too weak—no human would like it.

At best, they’d only care about the herbs on its body.

“Anong.” Unown E winced.

You’re even more emo than I am!

Why so insecure? Calling you timid isn’t right—calling you cautious feels like self-deprecation! Unown E flew right in front of Bidoof and urged it:

“Anong!”

Have some confidence! Here’s an idea: challenge the workshop master directly. If you win, you’ll see just how strong you are!

Don’t underestimate yourself—every Pokémon is strong. Even Lilligant was once weak, and now it’s incredibly powerful!

“Nn?!” Bidoof gasped, then glanced at the distant, dazed Regirock.

I challenge a legendary giant? Are you serious? I’ll die!

“Anong?”

Only then did Unown E realize: Bidoof’s insecurity came from misunderstanding Regirock’s presence—it quickly explained!

No! That giant is a client of the workshop! He’s just standing outside because he has nothing else to do!

Bidoof stood there, mouth agape, and after a long moment, its gloom lifted.

So that’s how it is—he’s a guest. I misunderstood.

But fighting the workshop master… never mind Lilligant, who’s now so strong—what about that floating Pokémon shaped like two swords? It looked powerful too!

Bidoof’s heart pounded. A faint feeling arose: this choice might shape its future.

But most humans only care about rare plants on a Pokémon’s body—even other Pokémon do. If I appear before them, even if they accept my challenge, and I lose, all the rare plants I’ve gathered will be ripped off!

I’m so weak—this outcome is almost certain!

“Anong.” Unown E was speechless.

You’re too cautious—you’re already thinking about failure before even starting!

“Anong!”

Sometimes, you just need courage to move forward—don’t overthink it!

“Strong Pokémon, weak Pokémon—that’s just someone else’s opinion. Sometimes, you need to believe in yourself.”

A sudden voice made Bidoof whirl around—it saw the human step out from the workshop’s back door!

I’ve been spotted!

Ever since Guang Tai entered the workshop, he’d simply come out the back door of the forge and sat there, watching Bidoof unseen.

He’d waited until midnight—and finally solved the mystery of the pit. Just as Unown E said!

“It’s really ‘Bidoof!’” Guang Tai was thrilled!

“Nn!”

Bidoof panicked, trying to flee—but Miss Qun’er appeared out of nowhere, gliding gracefully to block its path and scooped it up!

“Doreli!” Miss Qun’er smiled. Bidoof tensed, then froze.

A Pokémon I’ve never seen… wait, the scent is familiar.

Is it “Lilligant”?!

Bidoof stared in disbelief at Miss Qun’er—it couldn’t believe that in just one day, Lilligant had changed so much!

Powerful. Beautiful. That was Bidoof’s first impression of Miss Qun’er.

“Yowww~”

Doujianshao floated out, its eyes turning as it stared at Bidoof—and even the legendary giant turned its body to approach.

The Bulbasaur looked nervously at Guang Tai!

This is bad!

Every day you come digging holes, and now you’ve been caught by a human—your back plants are all going to be pulled up!

You talk about challenging, but right now I feel not the slightest chance of winning!

“Oh, the plants on your back.”

Here it comes! Bulbasaur sadly closed its eyes.

“You’ve cultivated them well! These soils are from the Blackberry Fruit side, aren’t they? I could tell the moment I touched them.”

Guang Tai patted Bulbasaur’s head, and the latter opened its eyes in surprise.

Then Guang Tai pointed to the herb field:

“My cultivation isn’t bad either! Otherwise, how would you have been drawn here? I have many rare herbs here too—for example, this one: it’s Revival Grass.”

Guang Tai pointed to the Revival Grass; Bulbasaur cautiously looked at the herb—it had sensed the vigorous life force within it over these many days.

“Do you want to learn my cultivation techniques?” Guang Tai began to tempt.

“Nn…” Bulbasaur hesitated, but over these many days it had indeed observed this place, especially the Lily Root Doll—it had even evolved and grown quite strong.

Guang Tai’s words lingered in its heart:

“Do you want to grow stronger? Do you, want to challenge me?”

“Why not give it a try?”

At Guang Tai’s gesture, Young Lady Qun lowered Bulbasaur to the ground; at the same time, Unknown Totem E floated over to Bulbasaur’s side to soothe it, and Bulbasaur sensed no malice from anyone, gradually calming down.

The first step is always the hardest, but once you begin, the rest becomes a little easier.

Young Lady Qun squatted down; the pink flower atop her head, shaped like a Wang Guan, released a sweet fragrance—the scent that encourages allies!

“Duo Lei Li!”

Young Lady Qun encouraged Bulbasaur, and Unknown Totem E encouraged it too; Bulbasaur smelled the fragrance and finally mustered its courage!

If I grow stronger, I can better protect the plants I’ve found!

If I grow stronger, wild Pokémon won’t dare steal herbs from me anymore!

And I truly want to learn better cultivation techniques—I want to learn!

So I must make Guang Tai recognize my strength, acknowledge my power—then even if I’m captured, I won’t be looked down upon!

Bulbasaur looked at Guang Tai and, for the first time since its birth, let out a challenge—its cry for recognition!

“A wild Bulbasaur has come to challenge you!”

(End of Chapter)