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With a thought, Kael pulled his gaze away from the System panel and turned toward the transparent glass around him.
Even with the dimness outside, his new Machop body seemed to have a hint of night vision.
He could still make out vague outlines.
"…Hmm."
The room was small, but strangely empty.
A desk, scattered chairs, and some papers stacked on top.
Beside his life-support capsule stood a humming machine, signal lights flickering across its sleek surface monitoring his vital signs.
Aside from that, the room was bare.
Kael scanned carefully, noting no cameras in the corners. Only then did he relax slightly.
---
Inwardly, he whispered:
[Use Small IV Booster.]
A sudden warmth bloomed in his chest, spreading through his veins with the beat of his heart.
[Item: Small IV Booster has been used.]
[+1 Special Attack]
[+3 Speed]
The sensation was like sinking into a hot spring muscles loosening, pores unclogging.
Even the three tile-like ridges atop his head gleamed brighter, as if freshly polished.
Kael groaned softly with relief.
The stat gain wasn't dramatic, but the potential boost laid a golden foundation for future growth. His aptitude was now very high.
His eyes gleamed. No point waiting.
[Use Medium IV Booster.]
Warmth again coursed through him yet weaker than before.
"…Strange."
According to the System's notes, the medium booster should raise IVs by 10–15 points total, but this felt weaker than the small one!
Suspicion rising, Kael checked the System messages:
[Item: Medium IV Booster has been used.]
[+2 Defense]
[+1 Special Attack]
Beep!
[All IVs have reached the maximum of 31. Surplus IVs will be automatically converted into EXP at a 1:10 ratio.]
[+80 EXP]
"Wait—what!?"
Kael blinked. Then again. Then again.
It finally sank in.
"…I'm… perfect IVs?"
His heart skipped.
In the Pokémon world, a creature's potential was shaped by six stats: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
Each IV ranged randomly from 1 to 31 completely innate, unchangeable.
But now, thanks to the boosters, all six of his IVs were capped.
A flawless 6V Pokémon.
Among Machop, this meant he stood at the very top of the bloodline in terms of raw potential.
"…So that's why the second booster felt weaker."
He chuckled bitterly. "Figures my luck peaked in the shop roll… and now my boosters are just overkill."
Still, the pride glowed in his chest.
Even if it hurt to see some stat points converted into a measly [80 EXP], he couldn't complain.
"1:10 ratio though? That's robbery. More like 1:100 would be fair…" Kael grumbled, but the complaint was hollow.
The dawn of his path as Machop was built on perfection.
---
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the silence.
The door clanged open, lights blazed harshly, and a guard swaggered inside.
A fat man in a security uniform, reeking of alcohol. His gut strained his shirt, sweat gleaming across his swollen, ruddy face.
His squinted eyes swept lazily over the "sleeping" Machop in the tank. Then he lumbered toward the control panel beside it.
Burp.
He reeked of liquor as he muttered: "Should be about time…"
His small eyes glinted coldly, like he was looking at livestock. Thick fingers pressed a button.
Clang! Clang!
Metallic arms shot out from the machine. Kael barely had time to widen his eyes before two silver arcs snapped around his neck.
Whumm!
The pieces locked, fusing seamlessly into one.
A collar.
Cold, silver-white, pulsing with faint light.
The mark of captivity.
A shiver ran down Kael's spine. This wasn't just metal this was a symbol.
Chains around the throat of his new life.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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