Stone Town was one of Kanto's most famous mining hubs. Beyond the high-quality Evolution Stone veins that made the town renowned, it also produced various rare metals essential to cutting-edge technology—even including several once-coveted gold mines.
In the past, Stone Town had discovered multiple gold veins with impressive yields. But after years of relentless extraction, those deposits had long since been exhausted.
Now, the town's wealthy elite were already considering industrial transformation. They understood that mineral resources beneath the earth were not infinite—sooner or later, they would all be depleted.
With substantial investment, Stone Town had gradually built a new reputation. In addition to its mining fame within Kanto, its emerging tourism industry had gained recognition not only across Kanto but also in Johto and the Orange Islands.
Most notably, one attraction in particular—Evolution Park—had become an exceptionally popular tourist project.
Visitors to the town needed only to pay an 800 Pokédollars entrance fee (half-price for children under twelve) to explore and dig for treasure within the park.
The so-called Evolution Park was built atop a vast Evolution Stone vein. Tourists frequently stumbled upon stones of decent quality—or even rare metals—while exploring.
The local Eevee clan and several influential mine owners had jointly pledged that any Evolution Stones or rare metals discovered within the park would belong entirely to the finder. Visitors could choose to sell the stones back to the local mine owners or keep them.
A single high-quality Evolution Stone had a market price starting at 50,000 dollars. Even flawed stones with poorer luster or weaker elemental energy rarely sold for less than 20,000.
One could easily imagine the appeal: for just 800 dollar, anyone could freely explore the grounds. With a stroke of luck, finding even a few stones would amount to a windfall. One high-quality stone alone nearly equaled half a year's income for an average family of three.
As soon as Evolution Park launched, it caused a sensation across Kanto's online forums. Tourists from Johto and the Orange Islands also traveled there by reputation.
The influx of visitors naturally boosted Stone Town's secondary industries—restaurants, lodging, and other services saw dramatic economic growth. It was safe to say that the Evolution Park transformation project had been an enormous success.
Kael deeply admired the genius who had conceived the idea. It was proof that brilliant minds often thought alike across different worlds. In his previous life, Arkansas's famous Crater of Diamonds State Park had operated under a similar concept.
"Finders keepers"—that unchanging principle was the greatest selling point of both parks.
Not only could visitors keep whatever they discovered, but each Evolution Stone could also be officially appraised by local staff and issued a certification. Evolution Stones from Stone Town were known to sell more easily than those found elsewhere.
...
Stone Town was not far from Dark City. Both were located between the Safari Zone and Cinnabar Island. The difference was that Stone Town nestled at the foot of a mountain range, while Dark City lay across a lowland plain.
After roughly an hour's ride, Kael drove his motorcycle through layers of forest, grassland, and lakes. Before him spread a vast stretch of dark-brown earth, neatly plowed into rows. To the uninformed, it might have looked like farmland freshly tilled for spring planting.
In truth, this fifty-acre expanse was the core area of Evolution Park.
From a distance, he could see numerous families wandering about with digging tools, overturning stones and soil, occasionally breaking into delighted laughter.
Upon entering Stone Town, the most eye-catching sight was the row of garden villas lining the streets. The town's per capita income was high, and its wealthiest families were far from miserly. They regularly funded road construction and housing improvements.
Children born in Stone Town enjoyed free education and medical care until the age of twelve.
The streets were wide and spotless—no worse than those of some second-tier cities. Kael slowed his motorcycle and cruised through the bustling main road.
His destination was the massive modern villa built against the mountain at the very rear of town. According to bounty hunter protocol, he needed to inform the employers of his arrival first.
After riding up a 200-meter incline, he stopped before a towering iron gate over five meters high. Even from outside, he could hear the murmur of a lively crowd within.
Kael parked in the outer lot and stepped forward to press the doorbell set into the wall.
Soon, an elderly man approached briskly. Dressed in a tailored suit, his graying hair slicked neatly back, posture straight and dignified, he exuded meticulous professionalism at a glance—clearly the villa's butler.
"Good day. My name is Karl. You may call me Butler Karl." The tall man—easily over 185 centimeters—smiled with perfect etiquette, revealing six teeth as he extended a white-gloved hand.
"Are you attending the banquet held by the three young brothers, or were you invited by the family elders?"
Kael withdrew his hand with a faint smile. "I'm a bounty hunter."
No further explanation was necessary. The moment Karl heard the word "bounty hunter," he understood the purpose of his visit. Placing his left hand over his abdomen and gesturing toward the gate with his right, he gave a slight bow.
"Sir, please follow me."
...
Inside the villa, long tables draped in white cloth were arranged in rows, laden with an array of delicacies, fruits, and wine. Near the open-air fountain, a small band played light, pleasant music.
A group of boys and girls gathered together, chatting animatedly and occasionally breaking into bursts of laughter.
"Everyone, please look this way!" A teenage boy with spiky golden hair, dressed in a white tank top and tight yellow trousers, stepped into the center of the crowd.
"That's eldest Eevee brothers, Sparky," Butler Karl said quietly as he led Kael forward, offering a polite introduction.