The moment the reply file from the encrypted communication channel finished downloading, the air in the private room of the Saffron City café seemed to freeze.
Adam's palm holding the mouse was slightly sweaty. He took a deep breath and opened the document labeled [Rescue Team of Time Optimization Suggestions and Future Planning].
The instant the document loaded, everyone unconsciously leaned forward.
However, as the scroll bar rapidly shrank, their expressions gradually shifted from initial excitement and anticipation to surprise.
There were way too many words, weren't there?
Even engineering manuals for cutting-edge tech products weren't this long!
The youngest member of the team, a planner named Linn, had the strongest reaction.
He couldn't help muttering under his breath: "So many words... what even is all this?"
This mysterious Wind Studio leader had boundless creativity. Being able to create Emerald and propose a game concept like Mystery Dungeon was genuinely brilliant.
But when it came to specific level design and numerical balance, areas requiring extensive experience and data support, deep down he still felt that professionals like them, formally trained and tempered at major studios, should be more reliable.
Now seeing the other party throw over such an exhaustively detailed document, he vaguely felt like he was being micromanaged.
He even began doubting whether joining this studio where he couldn't even meet the boss face-to-face was the right decision.
Adam frowned but didn't respond, simply gesturing for everyone to quiet down. Then, as the most experienced programmer, he began reading aloud from the document's opening section.
However, his very first paragraph left everyone stunned.
[Regarding all core content for Rescue Team of Time's first playthrough, including the main story progression, all dungeon level structures and monster distributions, the complete numerical system for moves and items, and even Pokémon recruitment conditions and evolution methods, I have completed the final draft myself.]
[What you all need to do is strictly follow this blueprint and use your technical expertise to perfectly implement these designs.
Only in the game's second playthrough or subsequent updates may you freely develop content based on your understanding of the game. Please understand.]
The room fell silent.
One person independently completing all core design for a game of this scale?
How was that workload even possible?
The dissatisfaction on Linn's face was instantly replaced by disbelief, his mouth hanging slightly open.
He was already seriously doubting whether this guy was bluffing or had some fundamental misunderstanding about the complexity of game development.
No matter how you looked at it, this wasn't something one person could accomplish alone, right?
Was he seriously making claims this outrageous?
He began to think his choice might really have been a mistake.
However, as Adam continued reading, everyone's expressions gradually shifted from doubt to shock, and finally to complete awe.
The document went on to elaborate on specific optimization directions in detail.
First, regarding map design: it was no longer just simple random generation but proposed the concept of "themed dungeon clusters." For example, surrounding the starting village should be lower-difficulty gentle dungeons like "Wigglytuff Guild Forest" and "Sandshrew Cave." As the story progressed, more challenging and visually impactful areas would appear, like "Dark Forest," "Stormy Seas," and "Lava Mountains."
Each dungeon cluster had unique trap mechanisms, weather effects, and exclusive wild Pokémon populations. Some even concealed secret passages to special dungeons, with interconnections between them.
Next came the move and item system, which was even more absurd.
When Adam read "approximately 1,472 moves currently planned for the system, covering commonly used moves of all types plus some special variants, with each move having independent power, accuracy, PP values, type, range of effect (single target, straight line, room, entire field), and special effect descriptions, as detailed in the appendix"...
Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
This wasn't just a design draft anymore, was it?
This was a straight-up encyclopedia!!
The items section listed over two hundred items, from basic potions and berries to "Mystery Crystals" that temporarily changed terrain properties, to "Friend Bracelets" that summoned temporary allies. Each had detailed usage effects and acquisition methods.
The document emphasized that these values had been rigorously calculated to ensure balance across early, mid, and late game. Based on their experience, it genuinely seemed accurate.
Next came the section on character designs and dialogue.
The document clearly stated: "All Pokémon character portraits, pixel animations, dynamic dungeon behaviors, as well as all story dialogue, quest text, and entertaining Pokémon interactions need not concern you.
This studio possesses a unique 'Super AI' system capable of automatically generating high-quality, stylistically consistent visual resources and naturally flowing text content. You need only leave the corresponding interfaces and resource slots."
One bombshell after another left this group of former Dream Factory elites dumbfounded.
Whatever slight sense of superiority they'd had from working at a major studio was now completely gone.
Even Dream Factory couldn't pull off this kind of technology!
Each item hit them like hammer blows.
The document seemed to be nearing its end. Adam scrolled his mouse, preparing to read the final summary.
However, his finger suddenly stopped, his shoulders jerking sharply.
"What's wrong, Adam?" Linn couldn't help asking.
The others also cast puzzled looks.
Adam didn't speak. He simply slowly turned the laptop screen around, showing everyone the last few lines.
Those lines, written in a calm tone, read: [Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team of Time, upon official completion, will adopt a completely free release strategy, charging players no fees whatsoever, with no in-app purchases, purely as a gift to all Pokémon fans.]
"Huh??? Free?????"
Linn's voice cracked.
Adam stared at the screen as if confirming he hadn't misread.
The others exchanged glances, faces full of absurdity and disbelief.
Such massive content, such meticulous design, plus that Super AI they'd never even heard of... and it was free?
Someone murmured in a low voice.
"Comparing this approach to Dream Factory... forget it, there's no comparison."
"Yeah, there's really no basis for comparison..."
At that moment, an unprecedented surge of motivation quietly spread through the small room.
"Let's do this!"
---
Meanwhile, Cynthia exhaled softly, dispelling the tension from her battle with Sidney.
The end of Victory Road lay before her. She guided her character through the final stretch of dim corridor.
The view opened up to reveal a simply furnished hall with a trophy-shaped save point glowing faintly at its center.
She approached and saved, restoring all her Pokémon's HP to optimal condition.
Consecutively challenging the four Elite Four members, especially the last one, Ghost-type specialist Phoebe, had consumed tremendous mental energy.
The coordination between that Drifblim and Mismagius was unpredictably tricky. She'd nearly capsized several times.
After adjusting the moves and held items for Swampert, Sceptile, Rotom, Wobbuffet, Pelipper, and Ludicolo, she looked toward the door at the far end of the hall, carved with a Poké Ball pattern.
Beyond that door lay Hoenn's Champion Hall.
According to the game's background, Steven should be waiting for her.
Cynthia couldn't help feeling somewhat nostalgic.
That guy was an old acquaintance in the real world too. They'd even sparred a few times before.
She wondered what Steven's performance would be like in the game.
With that thought, she pushed open the door.
The magnificent hall interior was well-lit, with sacred and grand BGM playing.
However, the figure standing at the hall's center with their back to her was not the well-dressed, light-blue-haired Steven she'd expected.
It was a female silhouette in a black coat with long golden hair, her posture upright and familiar.
When that person slowly turned around, Cynthia's pupils contracted sharply, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her gaming device.
Because that face was unmistakably her own!
---
A bit earlier, in the villa in Cerulean City.
Kairos sat at his computer, the Emerald game editor interface displayed on screen.
He was setting up the final battle before completing the first playthrough: the Champion battle.
According to the original game, the Champion at this point should be Wallace. For players who'd already collected all eight badges with fully formed teams, the challenge level was basically nonexistent.
As such, Kairos felt this ending was a bit bland, lacking a climax that would leave even top-tier players with a lasting impression.
His gaze fell on a faintly glowing icon in the system panel.
[Special Intermediate Module: Mirror Match Module]
[Special Intermediate Module: Mirror Match Module]
[Module Effect: When loaded into a game created by the host, the game can generate a "Perfect Mirror" or "Enhanced Mirror" opponent matching the player's actual skill level or in-game level based on that player's real or virtual capabilities. This is the ultimate self-challenge!]
[Module Mechanics:]
[Host may select replication target: Player's in-game strength / Player's real-world strength]
[Replication Mirror: Advanced AI will 100% replicate the player's current team, items, move configurations, and common tactical habits. Defeating this mirror requires the player to break through mental patterns or deliver exceptional performance.]
[Enhanced Mirror: Super AI will use the player's team with IVs and EVs optimized to theoretical limits by the system. AI decision-making will be faster and more precise than the player!]
[Counter Mirror: Super AI will specifically use a perfectly counter-built team against the player's strongest team/core tactics. The player must temporarily change teams or develop entirely new tactics with their current roster!]
[Point Generation Rules: When players are crushed and experience frustration and unwillingness, they'll provide certain emotion points. When they finally find a method to defeat the mirror, they generate large amounts of positive emotion points. Specific output determined by actual mirror difficulty.]
[Additional Notes: The module deeply analyzes players' real or virtual battle records to construct highly realistic mirrors. Backend records player vs. mirror win rate changes and performance to intuitively reflect their progress.
Recommended that host reward players in-game or in reality when they first achieve victory against any mirror opponent, generating joy and accomplishment to catalyze emotion point generation.]
That's right, he'd used this module to enable the Champion challenge!
Players would face a shadow with identical strength to their own for battle, with this mirror mimicking the player's current in-game team strength.
As the game progressed, when players challenged the Champion again in the second playthrough, they'd face their real-world team in enhanced mirror form!
Thinking about this, Kairos felt some anticipation. He wondered what reaction and expression the first person would have when entering the Champion room and discovering the Champion was an exact copy of themselves?
That scene... should be pretty interesting, right?
---
At that moment, inside the Champion Hall.
Cynthia was completely stunned.
She stared at the on-screen "Champion" whose avatar was identical to her own character, momentarily forgetting to even operate.
Until the opposing "Mirror Cynthia" took the initiative and sent out her first Pokémon: Ludicolo.
Battle instantly commenced!
However, the subsequent developments subjected Cynthia to unprecedented pressure.
The opposing "self" commanded with an extremely sharp style, as if completely seeing through her thoughts.
Just as she was about to have Swampert use Bulk Up to boost stats, the opponent's Ludicolo pre-emptively used Fake Out to interrupt her setup.
When she calculated using Rotom's multi-type advantage to launch an offense, the opponent's Wobbuffet would enter at just the right moment, disrupting her offensive rhythm!
They were clearly the exact same six Pokémon: Swampert, Sceptile, Rotom, Wobbuffet, Pelipper, Ludicolo.
Yet the opponent seemed able to bring out these Pokémon's synergy to its absolute limit.
Every move choice, every rotation and defensive switch was terrifyingly precise.
Even she, a Champion, was being suppressed!
Attempt after attempt, Cynthia tried various openings and tactics but could never break through the mirror's impenetrable defense.
The opponent was like a cold mirror, clearly reflecting back all the hesitation in her tactics, habitual patterns, and subtle flaws, then exploiting them.
Just like that, Cynthia lost battle after battle as nearly three hours slipped away.
As yet another defeat arrived, Cynthia felt every cell in her body trembling!
This feeling of battling a "perfect self" wasn't discouraging at all. Instead, it made her incredibly excited!
This experience...
Was absolutely amazing!
Again!
Another defeat came.
Facing the black screen, Cynthia took a deep breath and began focusing intently on analyzing the reason for this loss.
The mirror seemed to have a clear grasp of her rotation patterns, especially skilled at predicting when she'd send out Pelipper to activate rain weather.
In that case, try using that against it instead!
Let's go again!