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[Congratulations, Host, on acquiring a employee]
[Reward: Employee Dormitory, 1000 Poké Coins]
[Note: Employees at the Pokémon Nursery will not have their strength suppressed and do not need to purchase Pokémon. They only need to gain the Pokémon's and the manager's approval]
"Wow, an unexpected gain."
Dak's eyes lit up instantly, as if they were fitted with light bulbs.
The employee dormitory wasn't the main point; the real deal was the 1000 Poké Coins. There's so much he could do with those 1000 Poké Coins.
That's a considerable fortune! Equivalent to 10 million Berries.
"What's up?"
Bon Clay was still focused on wiping the Pokémon egg, only to hear Dak suddenly say something that seemed nonsensical to him.
"It's nothing, just check if your strength has been restored."
"Let me see... it really has!"
Upon hearing Dak's words, Bon Clay carefully placed the egg on the grass and tried to exert some force. Surprised to feel his strength return, he looked at Dak in amazement, "How did this happen?"
"Now that you're a part of the Pokémon Nursery, the suppression that affects outsiders naturally doesn't apply."
Dak explained matter-of-factly.
"This is amazing. If we lure those big-time pirates here, couldn't we easily take their heads for a bounty? Wouldn't that solve all our store's development issues?"
Bon Clay clenched his fist, beginning to contemplate how to use this rule to hunt down pirates with bounties.
"No, we're running a business here, and integrity is key. We can't do that, or else who would dare to come here to shop in the future?"
"We cannot actively antagonize any forces and must try to maintain a neutral stance, not getting involved in disputes between two forces unless they strike first or break the rules. Otherwise, we cannot act."
"Your identity has changed now. You're no longer the free agent you used to be, but a member of the Pokémon Nursery. It's important to maintain the Nursery's reputation and standing externally, got it?"
Dak immediately shook his head to dispel Bon Clay's idea.
The development of the Pokémon Nursery mainly relies on completing main quests or through Poké Coins.
It's a slow and steady process, and chasing after a few pirates' bounties, risking making others afraid to do business with them, is a shortsighted approach.
Selling Pokémon eggs or Pokémon, then providing various services related to Pokémon, that's the sustainable business model that can continue indefinitely.
Although it might be slower to earn money this way at the start, it's a model that can grow steadily and sustainably.
As for Bon Clay's suggestion, once the money from the bounties is gone, there's no further income.
"Alright."
Bon Clay nodded, accepting this explanation.
It wasn't his fault, as his identity had just changed, and Dak hadn't informed him about the Poké Coins and main quest.
"Come with me, let's check out the employee dormitory."
Dak looked around and noticed a new door on another wall, presumably the entrance to the employee dormitory.
The door was located to the left, leading Dak to guess that a female employee dormitory door might appear to the right in the future.
"Oh? Sure, sure."
Bon Clay's eyebrows lifted, curious about where he would be living.
The two approached the door, and Dak pulled it open.
Dak's bedroom was no different, except that only Dak and Darkrai lived there, while this space was for all male employees.
Though, currently, Bon Clay was the only employee.
Inside were four single beds, with bedding already prepared.
"It's getting dark today, go out and buy some necessities tomorrow."
Dak handed the remaining twenty-some thousand Berries to Bon Clay, who nodded and accepted without saying much.
He was someone who lived day by day, spending whatever he earned, without any luggage or savings.
"Did we have no customers today?"
Dak exited the employee dormitory and looked towards the store's entrance, now covered by a curtain.
As Dak was about to spend the 1000 Poké Coins in the Poké Mart, the curtain at the store's entrance was suddenly lifted.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Nursery."
He immediately closed the mart, focusing on the store's entrance.
"Uh?"
A puzzled voice sounded, and the person at the entrance paused before stepping into the store.
"What's wrong, Dak?"
Bon Clay, hearing Dak's voice, came out and first looked at Dak standing in place, then at the person opposite him.
"Why is he here?!"
The next moment, his entire body tensed, instinctively adopting a combat stance, with sweat breaking out on his forehead rapidly.
"Bon, stay calm, every guest is a visitor."
Although Dak was also somewhat surprised, he gestured to Bon Clay to remain calm.
The visitor was a man who had gained a notorious reputation on the seas over the past two years, many calling him the world's greatest swordsman.
However, Dak thought this title was a bit premature for the man at this stage.
"Hey, Dak, this guy is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a representative of the World Government..."
Bon Clay couldn't remain as calm as Dak in the presence of this man.
Being a native pirate, he had grown up immersed in the strength of various powers, feeling the deterrence of the Seven Warlords of the Sea more directly than Dak.
"Bon! You can't speak that way about a guest!"
Dak walked up and tapped Bon Clay on the head.
This action somewhat calmed Bon Clay, who then remembered the terrifying suppression power of their shop.
Now, this Warlord shouldn't be able to defeat him, right?
Thinking this, Bon Clay relaxed and lowered his guard to observe how Dak would handle the guest, having never served one himself.
"Welcome, Mister Mihawk, are you here to buy eggs?"
Dak nodded at Bon Clay's composure, then turned and bowed slightly to the newcomer.
"..."
Mihawk didn't respond, not even lifting his gaze to Dak or Bon Clay.
He drew his giant black sword, Yoru, with one hand and swung it to the side, then narrowed his eyes.
His instincts were correct; his entire body was under some form of invisible suppression, reducing his physical capabilities to those of an ordinary person. Even a simple swing of his sword felt tiring.
The only thing not suppressed was probably his combat experience and swordsmanship, the 'software' aspects.
"Interesting."
(End of Chapter)