The Viridian forest , draped in eternal green, forever alive with nature's breath.
Viridian City, a place where nature thrives and flowers bloom all year round.
Its prosperity is thanks to the great Viridian Forest that borders it. Within that endless sea of green lie rare resources and Pokémon, drawing countless adventurers to explore.
Together with Cerulean Cave and Mt. Moon, it is regarded as one of the three must-visit adventure sites in the Kanto region. That alone speaks of its value.
Not to mention those who break the law by capturing and selling rare Pokémon ,even just collecting the medicinal herbs within Viridian Forest is enough to make anyone jealous.
....
At this moment, along Route 1, a mature, elegant woman walked beside a teenage boy.
"Mrs. Mira… can I really walk inside the city with my identity?" Silas asked nervously.
After all, he was an illegal resident, and Viridian wasn't some small town. He'd heard terrifying stories about the jenny family here.
Mira cast a glance at the Swellow circling high above, vigilant as it guarded them.
"Don't worry, little Silas. As my apprentice, your identity will naturally be taken care of," Mira replied, her tone full of calm confidence.
Instead of entering Viridian directly, the two turned off the main road, slipping into the forest.
Mira unfolded two black robes from a small square bundle bag. Silas donned one, concealing his figure before following her into a hollowed-out tree.
Inside was another world entirely. A pitch-black tunnel gave way to the smell of smoke, food, and noise.
Silas froze for a moment, dazed. A year at sea, and he had nearly forgotten the feeling of such liveliness.
The black market.
As the name suggested, it was a hidden marketplace, unrecognized by the League. By law, the sale of Pokémon and Pokémon eggs was strictly forbidden. But for those seeking profit, where there was demand, there was always supply.
Over time, the black market had grown into a vast underground industry, tolerated by the League itself. After all, crushing it completely would drive desperate people into open rebellion.
And, more importantly the profits were simply too great. Even League officials themselves took part in dividing the spoils.
....
"This is the black market. Speak as little as possible," Mira whispered, teaching him like a true master. "Everyone here is cunning. Show the wrong detail, and you'll be stripped bare."
The market split into two areas: the stalls and the commercial street.
The stall section was crowded and noisy. Most wore concealing robes like Silas, though each kept a Pokémon at their side for intimidation as much as protection.
Few walked without one. Those who did risked being seen as weak prey.
As they passed, Silas witnessed a burly man pick on someone without a visible Pokémon. Just as the crowd prepared to watch him die, the man released a Nidoking. In a single strike, both the thug and his Pokémon were annihilated.
Silas's heart skipped. 'That Nidoking must be at least level 30…'
The victor, however, was quickly taken away by enforcers of the black market. He didn't resist, simply followed quietly.
"What happens to him?" Silas muttered.
"He'll pay a fine and be released," Mira explained. "There is order here, yes but the profit always comes first."
....
With Mira's Swellow at their side, no one troubled them.
"Pokémon eggs! Pokémon eggs for sale! Fifty thousand Pokedollars a piece!" a vendor shouted.
Silas asked for permission and stepped forward. Over thirty eggs lay displayed, identical in color.
"What species?" someone else asked.
"All Spearow," the vendor replied curtly. "Fifty thousand Pokedollars each. No bargaining."
Silas retreated quickly, uncomfortable in the press of people. Mira leaned in, her tone calm:
"They're Spearow eggs. The seller must have wiped out an entire flock."
'But why so expensive for such a common Pokémon?' Silas thought.
"This isn't strange," Mira explained patiently. "Though Spearow's potential is average, it evolves early into Fearow at level 20. Many raise one as a mount or scout, then sell it later with little loss."
Silas glanced at the crowd, many already paying for eggs with eager hands. His face was calm, but envy stirred in his chest. To soar through the skies that dream belonged to every human, himself included.
"Want one? Then buy," Mira said softly, noticing.
"I… only have about ten thousand coins," Silas admitted, embarrassed.
"Go. Choose one. I'll cover it," Mira chuckled.
Silas's eyes lit beneath his hood. Flattered, he finally stepped forward, choosing an egg and paying an extra five thousand Pokedollars for a cheap incubator.
(Note: This Spearow will only serve as a logistical flying tool, not a main partner. Beyond Chapter 50, there will be no Spearow-related plot.)
....
After sweeping through the stalls, Mira led him into the quieter commercial street.
The shops here looked deserted, but those who entered were anything but ordinary. Their Pokémon were strong ,level 30 at minimum.
"Come. Today we'll solve your 'illegal resident' problem once and for all." Mira pushed open a shop door.
Inside, cobwebs clung to corners, dust drifting in the air. An old man with a white beard lounged behind the counter.
"Prices are marked. Take what you want," he muttered lazily.
Mira only smiled. "Take me upstairs."
At once, the old man stiffened, all pretense gone. With reverence, he led them to the second floor.
When they emerged much later, Silas clutched a card. His name was etched into it.
From today, he was an official resident of the Pokémon League.
"So easy…" Silas whispered.
"The League's own people do business here too," Mira said with a sly smile. "The owner of that shop is backed by someone high up in the League's population bureau."
Then she leaned closer, her tone firm. "This identity will let you walk freely. But before Gym Leaders or higher authorities, it won't hold. Remember that."
Silas exhaled slowly, his earlier joy tempered. "…Even so, it's enough."
.....
They sold off crates of sea-gathered resources like water-types , rare herbs, and more ,profiting from the difference between Hoenn's abundance and Kanto's scarcity.
Before leaving, Mira bought Silas an older but still-functional Pokédex (Generation III model).
Grateful, Silas bowed deeply.
.....
Viridian City.
"Mira's letting me walk free like this… isn't she afraid I'll run?" Silas wondered.
But the truth was obvious. She held too many of his secrets. Even if he did flee, as an ordinary civilian he had no path upward. Following her was the only chance to rise perhaps even to become a Breeder one day.
He roamed Viridian's streets, the bustle washing over him. It felt like a burden had finally lifted.
Billboards lit skyscrapers advertising new Pokéblocks, wilderness survival kits, and even spatial backpacks.
"Tch. Two hundred thousand Pokedollars for the basic model? Forget it…"
He finally reached a Pokémon Center.
"Good afternoon, Miss Joy!" Silas greeted openly, showing no guilt despite his past.
"Good afternoon, trainer. What can I help you with?" Joy asked, her gentle smile like a spring breeze.
"Hello, I've just arrived in Kanto. I'd like to register," Silas said politely.
It's not that he was particularly polite, but Nurse Joy and the Joy family behind her had a very special status in the Alliance.
As two enormous families that would never collapse, the Joy and Jenny families held terrifying power within the Alliance. One monopolized medical care, while the other controlled police work.
It can be said without hesitation that as long as you were active in any region, you would inevitably have to deal with these two families.
Even your personal information was often first known not by the Alliance's official database, but by the internal databases of these two families.
Because of that, the Joy and Jenny families always had the highest priority in discovering talented trainers and would quickly move to recruit them, sometimes even through marriages or mentorship.
'But there's nothing we can do about it. After all, the Joy and Jenny families can only give birth to girls.'
Due to this peculiarity, the dream of countless men was to marry into one of those families.
Having a wife who looked like Nurse Joy or Officer Jenny was the fantasy of countless trainers.
Joy nodded. "Your regional pass is valid for three years. Remember to renew it when the time comes."
He paid another two hundred Pokedollars to rent a room for the night.
"Ordinary residents like me… no free treatment, no free stay. If I were League-affiliated, this would all be free…" he muttered, staring at the small room before lying back on the bed and drifted into sleep.
.....
Viridian City was ranked eleventh in Kanto, behind cities like Pewter and Cerulean. Its fame came from its Gym Leader, Giovanni, known as the "Earth" Leader who claimed that so long as he stood upon the ground, he would never lose.
Giovanni's popularity alone kept Viridian thriving.
In truth, power here was shared between Giovanni and the elected mayor. The League could only advise and oversee but it could not directly control the city.
That was why noble families and high officials monopolized all resources and opportunities.
Silas sighed.
The League's president, Charles Goodshow, was said to have been born a commoner, a reformist voice. Yet his attempts were constantly blocked by the entrenched system.
.....
The next morning, Silas stocked up before leaving things like fruit wine, study books like Encyclopedia of Berries, Customs of Kanto, and Life at Sea.
By the time he was done, his purse held only three thousand Pokedollars.
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(End of chapter)