"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock!"
Pikachu released a burst of electricity, completely overwhelming the "phoenix chick"Spearow. The attack was so decisive that the Spearow didn't even get the chance to call its flock before it fainted.
By the time it woke up, Ash would already be long gone.
Are there any higher-level Pokémon around here…?
Early in the morning, Ash had brought Pikachu and Magikarp into Viridian Forest to grind levels. Unfortunately, most of the Pokémon here were quite weak—generally around Lv.10–Lv.14, which fell into the Rookie Tier.
According to the system, Pokémon levels were roughly divided like this:
Level
Rank
Lv.1–9
Infant Tier
Lv.10–19
Rookie Tier (First Gym level)
Lv.20–29
Normal Tier
Lv.30–39
Elite Tier
Lv.40–49
Quasi Gym Leader Tier
Lv.50–59
Gym Leader Tier
Lv.60–69
Quasi Elite Four Tier
Lv.70–79
Elite Four Tier
Lv.80–89
Champion Tier (Rare)
Lv.90–99
Minor Legendary Tier
Lv.100–109
Major Legendary Tier
Ash had gained a much deeper understanding after seeing the Potential displayed by the system.
In simple terms, Potential represented the maximum growth limit of a Pokémon. Very few Pokémon could break through their own limits.
But something puzzled him.
Why didn't Pikachu's Potential appear?
The system only showed three question marks (???).
Could Pikachu's potential simply be too high to measure?
The more Ash thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Maybe Pikachu's hidden talent was something like "god-tier in one hand, chaos in the other"—so strong that even the system couldn't evaluate its upper limit.
After three hours of training, Pikachu reached Lv.18, while the Shiny Magikarp had climbed to Lv.16.
Ever since it started holding the Lucky Egg, Magikarp's level had been rising rapidly.
Even though Magikarp wasn't actually battling—just watching from the sidelines—it still gained experience.
Right now, Magikarp only knew Splash, which was completely useless in battle.
And since Ash didn't have any TMs, he'd have to wait until Magikarp evolved before it could learn better moves.
"Ash, what are you thinking about?" Misty suddenly placed a hand on Ash's shoulder and leaned around from the other side.
[ New Quest Triggered!]
Help Misty overcome her fear of Caterpie.
Reward:
Potential Enhancement Candy
Rare Candy ×3
Ash jumped slightly from the sudden pat, and the system instantly issued the quest.
"Nothing," he replied quickly.
"If it's nothing, then why did you jump?" Misty asked suspiciously.
Ash obviously couldn't say he'd been startled—that would just get him laughed at.
Just then, he noticed a Pokémon staring blankly at the trio—one boy, one girl, and one mouse.
Baby Rayquaza?
Starting the game with Rayquaza, huh?
Ash was just about to reach for a Poké Ball—
When Misty suddenly screamed.
"A BUG!!!"
"Ash, let's get out of here!"
She backed away in panic, clearly terrified of the Caterpie crawling nearby.
"Why leave?"
"I'm going to catch it," Ash said calmly, pressing the center button on the Poké Ball in his hand. The miniature ball instantly expanded to full size.
He threw it directly.
No need to let Pikachu attack—Caterpie had basically no resistance anyway.
The Poké Ball struck Caterpie's head, opened with a flash of red light, and absorbed the Pokémon inside. It fell onto the grass and shook a few times.
Then it stopped.
Capture successful.
Ash's eyes lit up.
This Caterpie was already Lv.6, just one level away from evolving.
Pokémon: Caterpie
Level: 6
Nature: Modest
Potential: Quasi Elite Four Tier
Ability: Shield Dust
Moves: Tackle, String Shot
Held Item: None
Friendship: 70
"Ash, why did you catch a Caterpie?" Misty shouted from beneath a nearby tree.
"To raise it, of course."
Ash held up the Poké Ball in front of her and grinned.
"Don't tell me… someone's actually afraid of Caterpie?"
Misty clenched her teeth.
What was wrong with being afraid of Caterpie? Did it eat his rice or something?
"No. I'm not. I'm definitely not afraid of Caterpie," Misty insisted, delivering a triple denial.
"Then why don't you come take a look?"
Ash pretended to release the Caterpie.
Before he could, Misty lunged forward and grabbed him, pinning him against a tree.
"Don't! Don't! Don't release it!"
"Okay, okay! I won't!" Ash surrendered quickly.
He was pretty sure he'd just heard something in his body crack. There was a good chance one of his bones had suffered.
Misty snorted and released him, immediately backing far away from the Poké Ball containing Caterpie.
"…There's really nothing to be afraid of," Ash muttered.
He rotated his arm slightly and felt a sharp ache.
She really was a super-strong girl—no wonder she could carry a bicycle while walking.
"But I…"
"Ahhh!"
Another Caterpie suddenly crawled out from the roadside.
Misty shrieked and instantly hid behind Ash, clutching his clothes tightly.
Ironically, the Caterpie was even more frightened.
Misty's high-pitched scream scared it so badly that it rolled away in panic.
That girl is terrifying…
Ash twitched slightly.
Even the "baby Rayquaza" was scared away. Truly terrifying.
Misty, still unaware the Caterpie had already fled, remained hiding behind him.
"Hurry and chase it away!"
"It's gone already," Ash said.
Only then did Misty cautiously peek out.
Seeing the Caterpie was gone, she let out a long sigh of relief.
Ash glanced sideways at her.
She was so pretty, yet terrified of Caterpie.
Getting that Rare Candy reward might actually be quite difficult.
"What kind of look is that?" Misty noticed his gaze.
Feeling his breath near her face, she blushed and quickly stepped back.
"L-let's leave… let's leave this place!"
Ash froze for a moment.
In his previous life he had been perpetually single. When had he ever been this close to a girl?
"…Alright."
After that, Ash continued searching for Pokémon battles.
However, considering Misty's fear of bugs, he only challenged Pokémon like Sandshrew and Rattata.
Pokémon: Sandshrew – Lv.14
Pokémon: Rattata – Lv.10
The two were fighting each other.
But Sandshrew's defense was simply too high. Rattata's Tackle ended up sending itself flying backward.
Finally, Rattata gave up and scurried away.
Ash gave Pikachu a look, signaling it to step forward.
"Quick Attack."
Sandshrew was focused on a nearby Berry and didn't notice Pikachu charging in.
Pikachu slammed into it, knocking it backward.
Angered by the sneak attack from a yellow mouse that looked suspiciously similar in color, Sandshrew became hostile.
It had been planning to enjoy a peaceful meal.
Instead, it had been attacked.
Pikachu bounced between rocks, dodging the Sand Attack thrown by Sandshrew.
"Quick Attack again."
Ash didn't bother using Electric-type moves. Against Sandshrew, Quick Attack would deal more effective damage.
Although Sandshrew had high defense, Pikachu's speed was overwhelming. The Sandshrew soon fled in panic.
"Finally leveled up," Ash said as he saw Magikarp gain another level.
Only three levels left before evolution.
Whoosh—!
A sudden gust of wind swept through the forest.
Ash immediately knew what had arrived.
Pidgeotto.
It was probably targeting the Caterpie.
"Pikachu, guard the Caterpie."
Pikachu stood protectively in front of the Poké Ball containing Caterpie, electricity crackling across its cheeks.
But Pidgeotto's attack was only a feint.
Its real target wasn't Caterpie at all.
Instead—
It swooped down and snatched the Shiny Magikarp that had just jumped into the air, grabbing it and flying into the sky.
"????"
Oh, so that's how you want to play it?