Chapter 97: Pulling the Plug with All Her Might

After Guang Tai exited the Ghost Expert group, he discovered a flood of new chat messages in the Dolls group—no, wait, the Psychic group!

After reading them, Guang Tai fell into deep thought.

Precognition seems unfairly overpowered!

They’re discussing this right inside the group chat—everyone claims they won’t abuse it, but in reality, each one uses it more enthusiastically than the last!

Wujiang is probably finished now; Nido has made it clear she’s going all out, and she’s likely already borrowing Pokémon behind the scenes!

“Sorry, Wujiang. The outcome of your proxy exam depends entirely on your bond with your Pokémon. My help ends here!”

Even if you can’t win, at least don’t lose your dignity!

You must bring honor to all Psychics!

At the same time, Guang Tai opened the Battle Company’s battle software, synced it to his computer, and attempted his first match.

Since the software recommended the Miege team, I’ll use Miege for my first virtual match and get some practice in!

“The items are a bit scarce, but there are plenty of berries, and common natural items that boost stats are available. Good, let’s begin!”

“This is just a simple trial!”

In virtual matches, the selection of Pokémon is extremely diverse, generated based on data published by professors from each region.

However, since the software was only recently developed and launched, some regions’ Pokémon data have not yet been uploaded, including various Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.

“Gengar, Sealeo, Goldeen, Headbutt, Spoink...”

………

Unova Region, Lutia Town.

“Wait, what kind of team is this? Who even plays battles like this?!”

“Stop it, you’re not even a Trainer! And ‘follow our workshop’? I’ll follow your head!”

Strange team encountered in battle software: Miege exploits endless loopholes, desperately trying to pull the plug!

I just wanted to open the software, enjoy a fun battle, and gain some experience—how did I end up matched with this weird player?!

This software is too smart—just who is winning these simulated battles?!

The slender girl with a large single braid gripped her head in frustration, staring at her account returned to the waiting screen. Though she’d desperately wanted to unplug, her love for battling kept her from quitting.

Losing is one thing; unplugging is another. Sometimes, as a Trainer, you must honestly admit defeat!

“Hmm… I feel calmer after venting. Encountering someone this strange in battle is still extremely rare!”

“To be fair, that guy is incredibly skilled—just unethical.”

“Indeed, there are countless Trainers out there, with all kinds of people and strategies. I’m still too early to go traveling and battle!”

“Through the battle software, I can understand battling even more—much more!”

The girl named Douzi realized she was still too inexperienced. Battling is all about winning—if you lose, you feel bitter. To grow stronger, she must accumulate enough experience before traveling!

Matchmaking, continue!

……

Kanto Region, near Pallet Town.

“...What kind of team is this? Koga’s Miege strategy? But completely different.”

“Interesting, just as you said...”

The girl wearing a sun hat watched the simulated battle on the software; her Bellossom was barely clinging to life. In a real battle, her bond with her Pokémon might have changed the outcome.

But this is a simulation—cold data doesn’t account for bonds between Trainer and Pokémon, or special circumstances.

【One side has chosen to surrender.】

Ye Zi clicked the surrender button, ending the torturous match. She’d never seen such a disgusting Miege strategy from Koga in Kanto—though Koga’s Sealeo was already low-class, charging straight in with a palm strike...

“Follow our workshop…” That phrase didn’t sound like a request—it felt more like mockery after the match. Won’t they just add you as a friend and rage at you?

【“This guy is truly despicable!”】

A message popped up on Ye Zi’s Poké Device, showing the ID: Blue!

【“How’d it go? Did you win?!”】

“No, I surrendered.”

【“Huh?! You’re… hey, no way!”】

“Well, software is just software—it can’t fully simulate real battles. So it’s only theoretical knowledge. In an actual battle, I’d never lose so easily.”

【“Ah, I just got matched with that weird user and thought you could help me get revenge!”】

“But he doesn’t even know you...”

Facing her friend’s complaint, Ye Zi could only offer helpless comfort, saying things like “next time for sure,” then shifted the topic to Blue’s business.

【“Business is going great! But lately, I’ve occasionally run into some strange trio competitors—they not only counterfeit goods better than me, but also produce them at an absurdly fast pace...”】

【“And! I finally wanted to play a game to clear my head, and I lost again—to someone who sells goods! I’m just so unlucky lately! Defeated by some no-name shopkeeper!”】

【“By the way, Ye Zi! Since Red can’t be reached, maybe you could help me with my unsold goods...”】

“I refuse!”

Ye Zi sent a ruthless reply!

Blue immediately sent back a crying emoji (;︵;`)!

How could such a warm hand type such cold words!

【“Fine… since none of you want to help me, I’ve got another great idea!”】

【“When I first followed that workshop, I thought: why not copy their products and sell them? Professional battle items—they look super catchy!”】

【“But the problem is, even though it’s just a small, unknown shop, the strange effects described on their items have me a little unsure.”】

Ye Zi raised an eyebrow and quickly replied: “You want me to buy them and test them, right?”

【“You’ve definitely been drawn to these battle items already! You’d buy and use them even without me saying anything!”】

【“If those items really work as described, I wouldn’t dare copy them—better to sell them as merch! Like, ‘This is the Aura Sash—Aura Sash Merch!’”】

“I have no idea what that even is... but I’ll buy one and try it out...”

【“Those items sound totally weird anyway—like an Aura Sash that lets Pokémon keep standing? That’s cheating!”】

Blue was still complaining somewhere, when Ye Zi suddenly sensed something—she looked down the road and saw that familiar, lazy, arrogant figure appearing in Pallet Town!

Green!

“Oh, you finally came back, Ye Zi. I’ve been waiting for you all day. Let’s battle—I’ll win this time!”

Battle... Ye Zi’s gaze flickered with doubt.

She’d been called back for some mysterious test, so she hurried home—it wasn’t far from Pallet Town.

But... Ye Zi’s eyes locked onto Green’s Pokémon: Sudowoodo...

Wait, isn’t that thing tied to its body...?!

Ye Zi: “Is that... an Aura Sash?”

So that’s his plan—he’s trying to cheat with an item!

Perfect!

Let me personally confirm whether these magical items actually work!

(End of Chapter)