Hoenn Region, Verdanturf Town.
In front of a farm, a teenager stood before the gate, covered in dust as if he had traveled a long distance.
"Whew… it's been a year. I'm finally back. I wonder how Grandpa and Grandma are doing? What are they up to now?"
"Dree~ Dreep~"
Resting on Dante's head, a small dragon with dark green and yellow scales opened its drowsy eyes. Recognizing the surroundings, it chirped excitedly.
It quickly leapt off Dante's head and flew straight into the farm.
Dante let out a helpless smile, then pushed open the farm gate.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm home!"
Seeing no one respond, Dante scratched his head but didn't think much of it.
It was nearing dusk. His grandparents were probably feeding the Pokémon around the farm. Not hearing a response was normal.
Following the familiar route in his memories, Dante walked unhurriedly toward the family villa.
Looking at the scenery he had grown up with, he couldn't help sinking into nostalgia.
He wasn't originally from this world. In his previous life, Dante had simply been an ordinary office worker.
One day, after working overtime too late and almost being late for work the next morning, he rushed out anxiously—only to be sent flying into the Pokémon world by a cement truck.
And now, it had been sixteen years since he came to this world. Unlike the anime of his previous life where children started traveling at ten, here the minimum age was fifteen.
A year ago, when he turned fifteen, the standard transmigrator system awakened on schedule.
However, right after giving him a Pokémon egg, the system immediately went offline, leaving behind only a basic system panel.
The Pokémon egg it gifted him hatched seven days later—revealing the green-and-yellow little dragon that had just flown inside into the farm.
Yes, it was that Pokémon—Dreepy, and a shiny one!
Dante had been ecstatic at the time.
"What the heck?!"
A pseudo-legendary.
And shiny.
Anyone could imagine how excited he had been.
In his previous life, he loved Dragapult—known as the "Mini Giratina"—and never expected the system to give him such a massive surprise right away.
With Dante feeding it high-grade vitamins every day, the little Dreepy quickly grew past its infancy.
Full of spirit, Dante set out on a journey with his little dragon, ready to punch Metagross and kick Steven Stone to the curb.
But while imagination was beautiful, reality was harsh. In his excitement, Dante completely forgot just how weak a pre-evolution Dreepy actually was.
After being defeated by a Caterpie, Dante had thrown his head back in despair, then run home miserably to grab the starter his grandfather prepared—a Mudkip from Hoenn.
He still remembered Grandpa's half-smiling, half-smirking expression when he saw Dante return defeated. Even with two lifetimes' worth of thick skin, Dante nearly couldn't endure the embarrassment.
But after Mudkip joined his team, the journey finally became smoother.
He experienced many things over the year—danger, prosperity, countless sights. In the end, after discussing with his partners, he decided to return home.
In his previous life, Dante had been exhausted enough. After traveling in this world, he realized that life on the farm was still the happiest.
Just as Dante was about to step through his villa door, a large purple fatty suddenly rose up from the ground. It stared at him blankly for a moment, then pounced forward with a delighted cry.
"GEENGAAAR~!"
"Hahaha! Gengar, long time no see! You've gotten even chubbier!"
Dante was knocked to the ground as he hugged the big purple ghost Pokémon tightly.
This was his grandmother's Pokémon. It had watched him grow up, always making silly faces and gestures to cheer him up. The bond between them was extremely deep.
After all—who could possibly refuse a purple chubby ghost who giggles at you all day long?
"Geng, geeeng!"
Hearing Dante's teasing, Gengar hopped off him and flexed its tiny chubby arms, making a bodybuilder pose—showing that it wasn't fat, it was strong.
Dante chuckled. With a thought, Gengar's stats appeared before his eyes.
Pokémon: Gengar
Level: 70 (Early Elite Four Level)
Potential: Elite Four Tier
Gender: Male
Ability: Cursed Body
Moves: Mean Look, Shadow Ball, Dream Eater, Hypnosis, Will-O-Wisp, Destiny Bond, Thunderbolt, Protect, Substitute, Sludge Bomb, Shadow Claw, Sleep Talk, Confuse Ray, Lick, Hex, Night Shade…
"You've gotten stronger again. You've already broken into the Elite Four-level, haven't you?"
"Gengaaaar~!"
Gengar puffed out its chest proudly, looking extremely pleased with itself.
Dante patted it with a smile. "Alright, alright, you're the strongest. Where are Grandpa and Grandma? Why don't I see them?"
This world was real—Pokémon strength levels were clearly categorized.
Gengar being Elite Four-level meant it was already close to the peak.
As for Champion-level, Gengar would likely never reach that realm.
Champion-level was not something easily broken through. The gap between Elite Four and Champion was enormous.
Even a dozen Pokémon as strong as Gengar would lose to a single Champion-level Pokémon.
And Gengar's talent had basically reached its limit. Breaking through further would be extremely difficult.
Unless an incredible opportunity appeared, it would probably remain Elite Four-level for life.
"Geng~"
Gengar pointed toward the deeper area of the farm. Dante immediately understood—just as he guessed, Grandpa and Grandma were feeding the Pokémon.
He handed the spatial backpack on his back to Gengar. "Could you help me carry this upstairs? I'm going to find them."
"Gengar!"
Gengar nodded enthusiastically, patting its belly with its tiny hands as if saying leave it to me, then floated upstairs with the bag.
Dante chuckled, taking four Luxury Balls from the belt on his waist.
"Come on out—this will be our home from now on."
"Swamp!"
"Flor~"
"Togepi~!"
"Feo~"
The Mudkip that Grandpa gave him had long since evolved into a towering, three-meter Swampert, while Florges, Togepi, and Leafeon were all captured during his travels.
The moment they came out, a little egg-shaped Togepi angrily charged at Dante's legs, slapping them with its tiny hands.
"Togepi!! Togepi Toge—!!"
Dante laughed helplessly and picked up the Togepi, soothing it gently.
"You're the one who got bored and tired from traveling and insisted on going back into the Poké Ball. How is this my fault?"
"Togepi!"
(Not listening, not listening—!)
Togepi clearly wasn't having it. It crossed its tiny arms, eyes shut, face scrunched in displeasure.
Swampert, Florges, and Leafeon all laughed at the scene.
Dante sighed. Togepi evolved through friendship, and since she hated Poké Balls, he always carried her outside. Now she was mad.
Helpless, Dante extended one finger, wiggling it in front of Togepi.
"Toge~?"
The little creature instantly lit up with joy, nodding rapidly and rubbing affectionately against her Trainer.
She knew exactly what that meant: today she could eat an extra ice cream.
Seeing her blissful expression, Dante couldn't help chuckling softly.
He turned toward the silly-looking Swampert, the gentle blue-flowered Florges, and the lively, innocent Leafeon.
"This world… is just too wonderful!"
(End of Chapter)