"Let's embark on a journey to Mount Boom; I'll accompany you," said the old man who goes by the name Bandalf.
But I halted him and replied, "No, I have my own method."
Bandalf peered at me, a blend of curiosity and suspicion in his eyes, and asked, "Your own way? What do you mean by that?"
"Well, it would be quicker to show you than to explain," I informed him.
I reached into my pocket, retrieving the intriguing 'Single Ring.' Gently, I pulled it out and examined it in my hand. It was a truly captivating sight, with its exquisite beauty and mesmerizing allure. What's more, it felt silky smooth to the touch, adding to its appeal.
As I lost myself in the otherworldly charm of the ring, I heard mysterious words emanating from somewhere.
"Wear me, and I shall grant you every desire. Do you long for your very own harem? Or perhaps true love? Maybe even a kingdom of your own, surrounded by adoring subjects? Whatever your heart desires, I can provide," the enigmatic voice whispered.
Could this ring truly possess such incredible powers? Was it as simple as donning it to have my wildest dreams fulfilled? The temptation was undeniable. Why not try wearing it for just a brief moment? I entertained the idea and brought the ring closer to my finger. However, before I could make a decision, I felt a sudden, sharp impact on my head.
*Bonk*
"No, Horni, touch some grass!" The old man scolded me, delivering a stern whack with his wand.
"What the hell are you doing, old man? And what's with the sound effect 'bonk'? How does touching grass relate to any of this?" I demanded, my tone furious.
"That's precisely what I want to know. What in the world were you thinking? I just explained the nature of that ring, and here you were, attempting to wear it!" The old man's voice held a furious edge as well.
I struggled to recall my intentions. Wear the ring? I couldn't recollect the momentary lapse of judgment. This situation was becoming increasingly unsettling.
"Sorry about that, old man. Just give me a moment; I'll get rid of it," I declared as I placed the ring on the ground beside Truck-Kun.
Then, I hopped into Truck-Kun and activated one of its skills.
"Acceleration!"
With a burst of speed, I raced straight through the 'Single Ring.' I slammed on the brakes and glanced back, curious about what had become of the enigmatic object, all while sitting inside Truck-Kun. Suddenly, a deafening, demonic scream pierced the air, forcing me to shield my ears with my arm. From the ring, a plume of black smoke billowed forth, vanishing into thin air.
That was an unexpected turn of events, and I was far from prepared for it. The experience had left me shaken. After a few minutes, I descended from Truck-Kun to inspect the aftermath. The 'Single Ring' lay shattered into pieces, crumbling like burnt wood before vanishing into thin air.
Suddenly, a familiar blue screen materialized, displaying some text.
*Quests Completed*
*Quest*
*Find a way to destroy the Single Ring.*
*Reward: Bandalf the Grey is one of the oldest and wisest beings in this world. He has mastered his own version of grey magic, known as Ban magic, along with several other forms of grey magic. Once this quest is completed, you can ask Bandalf to teach you one of his powerful magic skills.*
*You can speak with Bandalf to proceed further with the reward.*
I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief; the quest had been swiftly accomplished, and I didn't have to embark on a journey to Mount Boom after all.
But before I could savor my success, the old man interrupted my thoughts with a surprised and shocked expression, his eyes wide open. "Wh-what did you just do? There was no way the 'Single Ring' could be destroyed like that. Who are you?" he inquired.
I shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, as you mentioned, the 'Single Ring' couldn't be destroyed by anything in this world. The thing is, Truck-Kun and I aren't from this world, which is why we could easily destroy it."
"What? Does that mean you and you're weird summon are other worlders?" The old man's wide-eyed surprise was evident in his question.
"Yes, something along those lines. But enough about that; it's time for you to give me my reward," I demanded, eager to claim the promised prize for my recent accomplishment.
"Hmm... Your method differed from what I had in mind, but you completed the task admirably. I shall grant you the reward," he replied with a smile, his long beard receiving a gentle stroke.
"Great, now I-" I began to say when we were abruptly interrupted by someone who leaped in front of us from seemingly nowhere, eager to speak.
"Prepare for thrills as we take our stride, Team Pocket's on the scene, nowhere to hide! With Like, Share, and Subscribe, our fame we'll inscribe, Monsters and money, in our pockets they'll reside," they chanted enthusiastically.
"Like, Share, and Subscribe, that's right!" they exclaimed suddenly, emphasizing their mantra.
(Yes, do this or else I will be sad (◞╭╮◟))
Who were these bizarre individuals, and what on earth were they blabbering about? Their sudden appearance had caught me off guard.
The woman before me had striking, wavy blond hair that flowed gracefully down to her shoulders. Her attire was a bold statement in itself, featuring a tight-fitting, light grey uniform adorned with intricate patterns. A high collar added an air of authority, and a dark grey 'P' emblem emblazoned on the front contrasted with her outfit.
Her uniform was completed by a short skirt that accentuated her slender figure. A black belt cinched at her waist added a touch of flair, and knee-high black boots lent an aura of mystique to her presence. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief, giving her an aura of cunning determination.
Standing tall beside her was a man with sleek, silver hair that framed his face with a sense of refinement. Like the woman, his attire featured a light grey uniform adorned with intricate patterns. A high collar and a dark grey 'P' emblem emblazoned on the front added an element of sophistication to his outfit.
A black belt cinched his slender waist, and boots with ornate details completed his ensemble. His eyes, like hers, held a twinkle of mischief, revealing a hidden mischievous side beneath his polished exterior.
A unique and whimsical creature accompanied them, resembling a playful canine. Its soft, fur-covered ears perked up with curiosity, and a tail wagged with enthusiasm. Its cream-colored fur and expressive, bright eyes exuded an endearing charm.
This dog-like companion was a delightful addition to their group, bringing a touch of whimsy to their otherwise mysterious appearance.
"Are they your companions?" The old man, who stood beside me, wore a perplexed expression that mirrored my own confusion.
"No, I actually thought they were your companions, considering both you and they are wearing grey-colored clothes," I replied to the old man.
"Of course not. I've never seen them before. Who are you people? We're a bit preoccupied at the moment, so if you have nothing important to discuss, kindly take your leave," the old man declared, addressing the peculiar trio.
"They don't even recognize us? What a shame, considering we're about to become world-famous," the blond woman lamented.
"You can say that again. Once we snatch that weird summon, no one will be able to stop us," chimed in the strange talking dog.
"What a talking Kobold! I've never seen anything quite like this," the old man beside me exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.
A Kobold? Weren't those the goblin-like dog creatures? Come to think of it, this creature did bear a resemblance to a dog in some ways.
"As for who we are, I am Like," declared the man with silver hair.
"I am Share," said the blonde woman.
"And finally, I am Subscribe," stated the talking Kobold.
"Together, we are Team Pocket. Our goal is to seize all the Summons and money from people and tuck it safely into our pockets," the three of them declared in unison.
What do they want to steal things and put them inside their pocket? That sounds kind of dumb, to be honest.
"What the hell are you talking about? That weird talking Kobold thing doesn't even have a pocket. It's practically naked," I retorted, unable to fathom their strange intentions.
"No use in changing the topic. Give us your weird SumMon, and we'll let you go peacefully. Otherwise, you'll face our wrath," declared Share, the blonde woman, while pointing at Truck-Kun.
"Give you Truck-Kun? Do you seriously think I'd just hand him over because you asked? Stop this nonsense and buzz off. We've got plenty to deal with, as the old man said," I responded wearily, brushing off their absurd request.
But before I could blink, the three of them charged at me.