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Chapter 9 - Attributes, Evolution, and Pichu

"Pichu."

Holding a red apple in its little paws, Pichu looked curiously at Chen Mo as he explained things to the camera.

[Pichu—was its name decided based on the sound it makes?]

[Such a cute little guy.]

[This is so annoying. Streamer, can you stop moving around in front of the camera? You're blocking my view of Pichu.]

[Yeah, yeah—streamer, you're in the way.]

Chen Mo smiled helplessly.

He turned his head and glanced at Pichu, who was staring at the dark camera lens with brimming curiosity. After a moment's thought, he simply pushed the camera closer toward Pichu, causing himself to disappear from the frame entirely.

[That's more like it. At least you know what you're doing.]

[Well-behaved. Reward!]

[Seeing it like this, Pichu is even cuter—what do I do, I really want to raise one QAQ]

[Hold on. It looks cute, sure, but who knows if it's dangerous? Better wait for the streamer to finish explaining first.]

"Pichu is an Electric-type Pokémon. It usually lives in forests. If Pichu itself doesn't resist living with you, then it's not particularly dangerous—but you should still be mentally prepared to get zapped and feel tingly every day."

At this point, Chen Mo noticed that the chat had started asking what exactly attributes were.

Figuring the timing was right, he gathered his thoughts for a moment before continuing.

"Every Pokémon has an innate area it excels in. Some are good at flying, some at controlling water, others at using fire or electricity. These innate tendencies are what we call attributes."

"Generally speaking, Pokémon can be classified into the following eighteen attributes."

"Fire, Water, Bug, Grass, Poison, Electric, Ice, Steel, Dark, Dragon, Normal, Fighting, Ground, Rock, Flying, Psychic, Ghost, and Fairy."

"A Pokémon usually has one or two attributes. Some Pokémon may have their attributes change or gain an additional one after evolving. For example, the Metapod we talked about earlier is a Bug-type Pokémon, but after it evolves into Butterfree, it gains an additional Flying attribute."

In the Pokémon world, everything Chen Mo had just said was the most basic common knowledge—something even rookie Trainers knew.

But in this world, it felt as though he had pushed open a brand-new door for the countless viewers who knew almost nothing about Pokémon.

[I know this one! I once saw a fire-breathing dragon in a news report. Going by what the streamer said, that must've been a Dragon-type plus Fire-type Pokémon, right?]

[I've been watching for a while now, and I don't doubt the streamer's Pokémon explanations at all—but there's one thing I really want to know. Where did you learn all of this?]

[Suddenly feels like I'm living in a fantasy world.]

[I have a question, Mo-baby. When you mentioned Pokémon evolving, do you mean things like Metapod turning into Butterfree—breaking out of a cocoon?]

Because Chen Mo had previously used real-world butterflies as an analogy to help explain Metapod and Butterfree, many viewers had subconsciously assumed that evolution simply meant "breaking out of a cocoon," without realizing how special and diverse Pokémon evolution actually was.

Now, as the popularization continued, those rigid preconceptions began to loosen.

Some viewers had already sensed that something didn't quite add up.

Which was exactly the effect Chen Mo wanted.

Though Chen Mo had never been a teacher, after spending so many years as a student, he understood one thing well: if you just dump all the basic Pokémon knowledge into people's heads at once, the effect would likely be mediocre. Slowly guiding them, then teaching key concepts through well-timed examples, left a much deeper impression.

"Breaking out of a cocoon is just an example to help you understand Pokémon evolution," Chen Mo said with a smile.

"But not all Pokémon evolve through cocooning."

"For instance, the Rhyhorn we encountered earlier. After gaining enough nutrients and experience during its growth, it will evolve into a Pokémon called Rhydon. Both its appearance and its strength undergo massive changes—and this process of evolution is often completed in an instant."

"Evolution is a phenomenon that exists widely among Pokémon. There's a theory that evolution is an important way for Pokémon to survive—to become stronger and move toward a more 'perfect' state. But whether this theory is completely correct remains to be verified, because there are also some Pokémon that are born unable to evolve at all."

After this series of explanations, the livestream audience couldn't calm down for a long time.

[Sounds incredible!]

[Pokémon can actually evolve? That's way too amazing.]

[Truly unbelievable creatures—evolving in an instant. I can't even imagine that scene.]

[Honestly, as long as I keep following Mo-baby, I feel like one day I'll get to witness Pokémon evolution with my own eyes.]

[Pokémon that can evolve and ones that can't… I really want to dig all the Pokémon knowledge out of the streamer's brain.]

[To be honest, I still don't fully understand evolution. Streamer, please write a book—I'd definitely buy it!]

[So… does this Pichu evolve too?]

"Pichu?"

Noticing Chen Mo's gaze, Pichu—who was completely immersed in the delicious apple—lifted its small head slightly, confusion filling its eyes.

Chen Mo gave it a friendly smile, then turned back to continue explaining to the livestream.

"Pichu is a Pokémon that can evolve. Right now, it's in its juvenile stage. After evolving, it becomes an Electric-type mouse Pokémon known as Pikachu."

"It's just as cute, and its ability to control electricity improves by leaps and bounds."

That single sentence was enough to completely hook the audience's curiosity.

[Mo-baby, how about we discuss something—take Pichu home and raise it?]

[I support this! I really want to see what Pichu looks like after evolving into Pikachu.]

[Honestly, I think Pichu is already cute enough. Evolution or not doesn't matter—streamer, please take it home. I'm begging you. No Pichu means I'll die.]

[If you don't take Pichu home, I'm unfollowing this stream.]

[Didn't the streamer say it himself? Pichu is dangerous—it can generate electricity. If it loses control, people could die. Absolutely shouldn't be raised.]

[Classic half-listening. Mo-baby also said that if Pichu accepts its caretaker, there won't be any danger.]

[Hurry up already! Mo-baby, here's an idea—doesn't Pichu like apples? Just use apples to lure it! I don't believe this little foodie won't fall for it!]

Watching the flood of comments urging him to "kidnap" Pichu, Chen Mo's gaze involuntarily drifted back to the little Pokémon.

Born with natural alertness and the instincts honed by living in the wild, Pichu lifted its head again, tilting it slightly. Its puzzled gaze met Chen Mo's hesitant eyes perfectly.

"Pichu?"

Monday already…

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