The air in Mauville City was filled with the savory aroma of grilled meat and the creamy sweetness of desserts.
The annual Food Festival was in full swing, and the entire city was immersed in the carnival-like celebration.
The streets were teeming with people, their laughter and chatter merging into a boisterous ocean of sound that seemed to make the city's neon lights shine even brighter.
As for the darkness and gloom behind the scenes, it had long been obscured by this cheerful atmosphere.
The Food Festival would last for three days. On the second day, the previously overcrowded "electric three delicacies noodles" shop closed its doors without any warning, causing a small stir.
But the diners' regret didn't last long because today, a shop named "Mauville Three Delicacies Noodles" suddenly appeared at the same location.
The noodles were the same, but the taste was even better, and the price was more affordable.
The diners forgot about the old shop almost instantly, and a long queue formed at the new shop's door, making it an overnight sensation throughout the festival.
Singing Cafe was also located on this food street.
At this moment, the bustle and commotion outside the shop had nothing to do with Ariel in the corner.
Thick soundproof glass completely isolated the noise from the outside world, and soothing jazz music flowed slowly through the air.
Ariel sat by the window, his fingertips unconsciously tracing circles on the cool tabletop.
Outside the window was the festival's revelry, the tangible happiness of ordinary people.
Inside, there was only him and a cup of coffee that was gradually getting cold.
He had just finished a job.
Or rather, a commercial acquisition targeting the Fumino Family, led by Team Rockets and finalized by Mauville Corporation.
Fumino Tosh's face—transitioning from arrogance to terror and then to despair—and that final, heart-wrenching Roar still echoed in his mind.
"You dare play me?!"
Ariel picked up his coffee cup, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.
Play?
No, that was merely stating a fact.
From the very beginning, this was a crushing defeat born of information asymmetry.
Fumino Tosh thought he held the trump cards of his Pokémon and his family, but he didn't realize that from start to finish, he was just a pawn on the chessboard, without even the right to struggle.
By now, he had likely confessed all his family's culinary secrets under Team Rockets' torture, and for him, the one who revealed it all, the only result would be death.
As for his son, Fumino Alec... Ariel felt no ripples in his heart.
That playboy should currently be facing Officer Jenny, writing a self-reflection with a face full of snot and tears.
The mischief of a good-for-nothing brat had unexpectedly become the last straw that broke his father's psychological defenses.
How... ironic.
He took a sip of coffee, the slightly bitter liquid sliding down his throat and clearing his thoughts further.
As a freshly ordered coffee was served, Ariel's thoughts pulled back from his memories.
He focused his attention on the gains from this operation.
With a thought, he felt the several presences within him that were closely connected to himself.
Sandile's aura had stabilized significantly, and its level had increased by two, now reaching Level 26.
It was another big step closer to evolving into Krokorok.
Inkay's dark psychic fluctuations had also solidified, and its level increased by one, reaching Level 22.
What surprised him the most was Sneasel.
This little fellow's growth speed exceeded his expectations, jumping two levels and overtaking Inkay to reach Level 23! That cold, sharp aura had become even more piercing.
And this was just the appetizer.
Ariel reached into his coat and pulled out two items.
One was a small cloth bag that felt warm to the touch, containing fine sand.
The other was a pair of small glasses with lenses as black as ink.
Pokémon items: Soft Sand and black glasses.
These were the spoils of war given to him by Laic afterward, the reward for this mission.
Ariel remembered clearly that in the game, the boost provided by such battle-enhancing items was a fixed 20%.
But in this real Pokémon world, everything was much more complex.
Items were categorized into different grades, and the boost provided by their quality fluctuated between 5% and 20%.
The most common ones on the market were ordinary goods with a 5% to 6% boost, costing over a hundred thousand league coins, which slightly wealthier Trainers could afford.
Those with a boost exceeding 10% were of superior quality; their prices would increase exponentially, and they were often unavailable even if one had the money.
As for legendary items that could reach a perfect 20% boost, every single one was enough to cause a bloodbath in the black market. Their starting price was at least ten million league coins, treasures that even Elites and Champions would covet.
Ariel looked at the two items in his hand.
According to the information provided by Laic, this bag of Soft Sand and this pair of black glasses both offered a 13% boost to move power.
13%!
Taking either one out to the market would fetch a price of three to four million league coins, and they were rare items that might not be available even with money.
This harvest could be described as a massive windfall!
A sense of satisfaction welled up in Ariel's heart.
This was power, the very thing he pursued by taking risks and walking in the darkness. Every bit of strength gained made him feel incredibly grounded.
He glanced around. There weren't many people in the cafe, and his seat was in a corner, so no one would notice him.
"Come out."
He said softly.
With a flash of white light, Sandile and Inkay appeared in the empty seats beside him. They were sensible enough not to make a sound, only looking around curiously.
"These are for you two."
Ariel handed the Soft Sand to Sandile and the black glasses to Inkay.
The way Pokémon items merged with Pokémon varied wildly.
When the Soft Sand approached Sandile, the bag of sand directly transformed into a streak of light and merged into Sandile's body. Beneath its skin, it was as if an extra layer of flowing sandy patterns appeared, giving the ground beneath its feet a sense of heaviness.
Sandile squinted its eyes comfortably and let out a low growl, feeling the surge of Ground-type energy within its body.
As for the black glasses, the style was a bit different.
Inkay happily took the small sunglasses. Its two large eyes blinked, and then it extended its tentacles to carefully place the sunglasses on its head.
The size was neither too big nor too small; it was just right.
The pitch-black lenses paired with its naturally somewhat dorky appearance instantly gave it an indescribable air of flashiness, looking very much like a mob boss from a movie.
It even shook its body proudly, waving its tentacles in the air as if saying, "Look at me, am I cool?"
Ariel couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
This boost in combat power was a real and significant upgrade!
The power of Sandile's Ground-type moves and Inkay's Dark-type moves had both increased by a chunk out of thin air.
In the battles to come, this 13% boost could very well be the key to deciding victory or defeat.
He nodded with satisfaction and recalled the two Pokémon.
Just then, a waiter approached Ariel.
"Sir, please follow me."
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