Chapter 668: Goht

The rear section of Goht’s estate—no, mansion—stood a rather extravagant mountain peak.

The mountain’s vegetation coverage was sparse, likely due to Goht’s personal preferences, making him favor such rocky terrain for his residence.

It clearly suited Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon, and every corner inside was probably personally inspected by Goht himself.

Driven by the butler, several off-road vehicles soon stopped at the mountain’s base.

From here on, everyone had to get out and walk.

It wasn’t that the road couldn’t be driven up—it was simply better to ascend on foot.

They hadn’t been walking long when.

Luo Mu suddenly noticed Milotic’s expression seemed odd, and he asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Still brooding over the earlier battle?

Milotic didn’t lose—he even won against Nimo with a type disadvantage, perfectly proving “the old ginger is the spiciest.”

The thirty-year-old sly uncle had toyed with twelve-year-old Nimo (crossed out).

But when Milotic had casually revealed his age to him, Luo Mu had indeed been stunned.

That meant Milotic and Goht were nearly ten years apart. Given their relationship, they weren’t quite a “friend across generations,” but they were among the rare few close friends with such a large age gap.

In response to Luo Mu’s question, Milotic only stared blankly and shook his head. “You’ll understand when we get there.”

After saying that, Milotic’s sage-like detachment grew even stronger.

Seeing his vacant stare, Luo Mu suddenly had a premonition that something extraordinary was about to appear.

Glancing at Nimo, Ash, and the others eagerly walking ahead, Luo Mu quietly grew curious.

Soon, the group reached the trail leading up the rocky peak.

A massive figure stood there.

Sensing their arrival, the giant rose and, with an action utterly incongruous with its appearance, affectionately rubbed its head against Goht’s raised hand.

This giant’s species was Beldum, its entire body encased in hard iron armor, resembling a true monster.

Yet now, this “monster” was a loyal giant before Goht, moving with extreme care in their interactions, radiating an atmosphere of “tough guy with a soft heart.”

Goht introduced the Beldum to everyone.

It was not the same Beldum that had confronted Groudon that morning as Goht’s main Pokémon.

That Beldum’s armor was still undergoing liquefaction from prolonged high-temperature exposure and was receiving the most professional treatment.

This Beldum was one Goht had “inherited” from his father, Zorua.

It was nearly a hundred years old, passed down from Goht’s great-grandfather’s generation, having played a vital role for Dewford Mining, then a small company, and now Goht had brought it here to spend its final years in peace.

It also kept the rocky mountain under its watch, since Beldum couldn’t stay idle.

As Goht spoke, Luo Mu’s gaze settled on this “old veteran” of the Zorua family.

Indeed, though only a faint moonlight illuminated the scene now,

just from the armor’s sheen and wear, it was clear this Beldum was as old as Goht claimed.

Compared to Goht’s young, vigorous Beldum, the difference was instantly obvious.

Goht whispered something to Beldum, and its gaze turned toward the group.

After a moment, it nodded gently.

Goht often brought promising young trainers up the mountain; Beldum was used to it.

Besides, this group didn’t look like troublemakers.

After Beldum nodded, Goht smiled and said to everyone, “Alright, let’s go inside.”

He led the way.

Ash and the others began whispering among themselves.

“The Pokémon Goht raises—how exciting!”

“There must be tons of Rock- and Steel-types here!”

“I wonder how many Pokémon Goht keeps?”

Among the younger ones, Nimo, Ash, Max, and May chattered the most.

After walking a long stretch of trail, Goht stopped the group before a cave.

To ensure Pokémon lived in a natural environment with minimal human interference, no electric lights were installed, making the cave at night look like a bottomless beast’s gaping maw.

It was somewhat frightening.

Before Luo Mu could summon Luxray to do its usual job, the ever-silent, efficient butler acted.

“Lumineon, take care of this.”

A Pokémon resembling a firefly appeared before them, making Luo Mu feel an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.

Its tail emitted a soft glow, illuminating the surroundings without being harsh.

Before his transmigration, Lumineon had been nearly invisible.

It stood out nowhere—its appearance wasn’t particularly handsome, beautiful, or cute, its battle strength was negligible, and its popularity was abysmal.

The only Pokémon less noticeable than it might have been something like the fifth-gen Cradily?

If, in some future he didn’t know about, new Mega Pokémon emerged,

the odds of either Lumineon or Cradily being chosen were nearly zero; instead, Pokémon like Deshark or Milotic might have been added instead.

But now, Lumineon’s light dispelling darkness felt gentle and warm.

It was the most authentic embodiment of the phrase: “Pokémon are woven into every part of human life.”

Under Lumineon’s illumination, the group entered the cave.

But when they saw the Pokémon inhabiting the cave, everyone froze in place.

Inside the unexpectedly spacious cave, a group of Pokémon clung to the rock walls with their tail claws, hanging upside down in quiet, bat-like rest.

They were slate-blue, shaped like handleless mallets, with irregularly round heads and a single red eye centered on each.

These Pokémon were the famed “semi-legendary” of Hoenn, officially called “Pokémon that mature late,” with a final evolution base stat total of 600—Metagross!

Steel and Psychic-type, capable of emitting magnetic force.

By continuously emitting magnetism, Metagross repelled planetary magnetic fields, allowing it to float in the air despite lacking wings and having a heavy iron body.

Roughly estimating, at least a hundred Metagross were resting in this single cave.

“.”

The air fell silent.

May, Max, and Brock had their mouths gaping wide enough to fit an egg.

Anyone with even basic knowledge could see the value of this Metagross colony alone was incalculable.

If notorious Pokémon poachers learned of this many Metagross here, peace would be impossible for years.

“. This is.”

Agatha’s lips twitched—if Metagross were replaced with Dragonite, even the ancient Dragon Clan would be vastly outnumbered.

Especially when Goht mentioned there were other caves in the mountain, each teeming with more Metagross, Agatha nearly went numb.

Was Hoenn’s wealth really this insane?

Luo Mu’s lips twitched slightly—he’d never imagined he’d witness the real-life scene described in fanfiction: “Goht’s Metagross cover the mountainside.”

No wonder Goht could produce such a rare shiny Metagross—it was pure, unadulterated money poured into it.

Just feeding all these Metagross, the minerals they needed to absorb must be astronomical.

Then Goht led the group to other caves for further inspection.

Almost every Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon with a population in Hoenn could be found on this rocky mountain.

Common wild species like Geodude, Nosepass, Graveler, and Rhinoshield were all present.

But fossils were extremely rare.

Since the group included several fossil Pokémon, Goht could only sigh in response.

Fossil revival technology was still far from mature—not only were usable fossils nearly impossible to find, but habitat conditions also mattered.

In fact, Goht’s own fossil Pokémon were kept in simulated environments built by Dewford Mining at his estate.

Though a few fossil Pokémon had survived from ancient times in some remote corner of the world, such cases were too rare for Goht to breed them in bulk.

He smiled and added, “But if any of you have a favorite fossil Pokémon, I can take you to my collection room—it holds many fossils.”

“If you find one you like, I can arrange for you to try reviving it at Dewford Mining.”

Even Milotic, accustomed to his friend’s extravagance, felt a sharp pang in his chest hearing Goht speak of astronomical revival costs as if they meant nothing.

Compared to Goht, his own wealth was pitiful—he was still saving up by hosting Milotic Cups and Super Contests just to revive a single fossil with Gyarados genes.

After touring the mountain, Goht could no longer suppress his urge to spend, and addressed everyone: “This is my humble token of appreciation.”

“If any of you are interested in a particular Pokémon, try interacting with it—if it accepts you, you may capture and take it away.”

“And as for fossils, just as I mentioned.”

To Goht, money was just a number; the various Steel- and Rock-type Pokémon he raised without restraint had grown stronger on the mountain.

Among these groups, some special individuals wished to venture into the outside world, so he often sought worthy Trainers for them.

If a Trainer and Pokémon could mutually choose each other, Goht saw it as a win-win.

At once, Ash raised his hand excitedly, “Me me me, Mr. Goht!!”

After Ash, Nimo was second, pulling in Tyson and Jasmine.

After hesitating, May timidly raised her hand too.

Her sister getting such luck made Max, who hadn’t even received his starter Pokémon, envious.

Goht knew May and Max—he knew they were the children of the “Gym Leader closest to the Elite Four,” Wallace—and readily agreed.

But as he mentioned, to take a Pokémon, you must gain its approval.

If you try to forcibly take a Pokémon, not only would Da Wu himself not allow it, even the Bonsly guarding at the mountain’s base would refuse.

Milotic didn’t need it, and Agatha declined Da Wu’s “thank-you gift,” saying he specialized in raising Dragon-type Pokémon.

Finally, Da Wu turned to Luo Mu and Geodude.

They two were the only ones who hadn’t made a decision yet.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Geodude mustered up the nerve to ask: “Mr. Da Wu, about the fossils—”

Somewhat embarrassed, Geodude’s dark face flushed with an unnatural red—likely from shame.

Before Geodude could finish, Da Wu smiled and said: “Of course.”

“You’re a Rock-type specialist, Geodude. It’s only natural you’d want a fossil Pokémon with ancient charm.”

“Thank you, Mr. Da Wu!” Geodude’s squinted eyes slowly opened; too excited to speak further, he could only repeat those words.

Yes.

Which Rock-type specialist doesn’t long for mysterious, ancient fossil Pokémon?

Back when he dug for fossils with Ash in the Fossil Valley, though he showed no sign on the outside, he truly yearned for those fossil Pokémon.

Kabuto, Omanyte, Aerodactyl.

With Geodude’s decision settled, all eyes turned to Luo Mu.

Da Wu looked at him too—his gaze, unlike when he looked at the others, carried unmistakable resolve.

Luo Mu, who had intended to decline like Agatha, read meaning in Da Wu’s eyes and immediately understood one truth.

—Anyone could refuse this “thank-you gift,” but he, Luo Mu, was the one Da Wu was determined to give it to.

With that thought rising in his mind, Luo Mu could only submit.

Now, he still couldn’t escape the inevitable path of a Pokémon fanfic protagonist—being showered with gifts by Da Wu.

After a few seconds of thought, Luo Mu sighed and raised his hand: “Let’s skip catching a Pokémon. Instead, may I see what’s in your collection? I’ll just pick one item at random.”

(End of Chapter)