Seeing Axel nod without hesitation, Gardevoir's lips curved ever so slightly.
She remembered clearly, soon, a Gym Leader–level Gengar would emerge here.
Normally, she wouldn't remember such a trivial matter.
But in her previous life, there had been a paparazzi reporter in Sinnoh, specializing in filming incidents involving Gym Leaders.
And that Gengar had made the headlines thanks to that paparazzo's push.
Because that Gengar was the ancestor of Melissa's Gengar.
When a certain Trainer had come for a Gym challenge, Melissa's Gengar directly fell to its knees in surrender.
That video stayed pinned at the top of the Trainers' forum for three whole days.
———
At noon, after lunch, Axel and the others came to an old mansion according to Gardevoir's guidance.
The grounds were overgrown with grass taller than a person, with mushrooms faintly visible inside.
The iron gate and fences were rusted all over, covered with old graffiti.
At a glance, you could tell this was a paradise for Ghost- and Grass-type Pokémon.
Seeing the eerie look of this mansion, Platinum instinctively leaned back, hiding in Axel's arms.
"Young lady, there's an old Eastern saying: men and women shouldn't get too close..."
The young lady blinked, "You and I still count as man and woman?"
Axel: "???"
The young lady patted Axel's shoulder with pity, "Just because I don't say it out loud doesn't mean I'll forget."
"We're besties, aren't we? What's wrong with a little hug? This place is really scary!"
Axel: "..."
For the sake of keeping a not-so-secret secret, and cutting off Platinum's fantasy completely.
'I'll endure!'
After dismounting, Axel tugged Platinum's sleeve and walked her inside.
Thanks to his psychic power, he also sensed there might be a decent Pokémon here.
If this Pokémon was willing to leave with Platinum, the problem of her Pokémon's strength would be solved.
Even more importantly, Platinum would gain a strong boost during this journey.
That way, Axel could also accept her payment with a clear conscience.
Creaaak~
The main door let out an ear-piercing creak. It hadn't been opened in ages.
With the sound, rustling immediately came from the grass.
Axel pressed his palms together apologetically toward the timid Shroomish.
"Sorry, we're not bad guys, we just want to take a look inside."
The Shroomish blinked, still keeping their distance, eyes full of wariness.
A few timid ones even started bawling.
'A dignified friend of Pokémon, and he scared a bunch of Pokémon into tears?'
'That'd spread as a solid reputation loss, right?'
If his private funds hadn't just run dry, forcing him to taste the bitterness of mooching, Axel would have summoned Mr. Fortune to throw money around, farming some goodwill points.
But there was still a money-powered woman behind him.
"Here, don't be scared, everyone!"
Looking at the cute Shroomish, Platinum's fear was instantly halved.
She rummaged in her waist pouch and pulled out a heap of top-quality Bitter Poffins.
A strong bitter aroma spread through the entire yard.
The Shroomish sniffed the scent, their eyes lighting up. Even the ones crying moments ago crowded around Platinum.
They loved bitter food the most.
While the Shroomish feasted, Axel suddenly felt a chill.
"Ah, something dirty's here!"
Before he could react, Platinum had already leapt into his arms, legs locked tight around him.
Her haute couture Balenciaga might as well not exist, Axel could clearly feel the warmth.
"Young lady, calm down," Axel helplessly set her down, his gaze falling on a dark shadow at the mansion's entrance.
Though he hadn't seen the creature's true form, the system had already identified it.
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— Haunter: Level 43 (Gas Pokémon. If the darkness seems empty but you feel eyes on you, Haunter must be nearby.)
— Type: Ghost + Poison
— Moves: Perish Song, Hypnosis, Curse, Hex, Pain Split, Mean Look, Encore, Toxic, Substitute, Protect, Will-O-Wisp...
— Ability: Levitate (Floats above the ground, immune to Ground-type moves)
— Aptitude: Gym Leader–level
— Held Item: None
— Traits: Mischief (Blue), Ghost Mastery (Blue)
• Mischief: Accuracy of control-type moves increases by 30%.
• Ghost Mastery: Ghost-type moves cast slightly faster, power increased by 30%.
[System Tip: This Haunter seems kind of broke.]
[System Snark: Feel like your DNA is moving? Wake up, host, it doesn't love you!]
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
"Damn you, stupid system, my DNA isn't moving!"
Axel mouthed denial, but his eyes were very honestly fixed on Haunter.
This Pokémon might only be Gym Leader–tier, but it matched his ideals perfectly.
"Haun?", Just as Axel thought about how to recruit this Haunter and make up for Platinum's strength, Haunter's voice echoed.
'You can see me?'
'Can you lend me 200 million to buy this mansion?'
'There's a construction team that wants to tear it down for a building. I'm worried they'll have no place to stay, so I haven't been able to leave.'
'If you help house the Shroomish, I'll be your Pokémon!'
The fire in Axel's eyes was instantly doused; his head cleared.
"Sorry, our battle philosophies really don't match!"
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