After leaving the unmanned power plant, they continued heading south, crossing a rocky hill. Ash and his group stood on the high ground and looked down ahead. They could already see the general shape of a small town in the distance.
The town was wrapped in thick fog. Although it was broad daylight, the area seemed to be surrounded by some kind of barrier and was very dim.
Most of the buildings in the town were of a strange purple color. If you kept looking at them, you might even feel a little creeped out, as if you were being watched by this town.
Weird and spooky.
If Gary hadn't passed away, he probably would have loved this place.
In fact, Misty really wanted to persuade them to take a detour. After all, there was no gym here, and it was said to be haunted. It wasn't a place for beautiful girls to go. It would be better to head directly west to Saffron City.
But Ash rejected her immediately.
Even though there were still a few days until Gary's seventh day, he still had to go to the town's famous Pokémon Tower to burn incense for his best friend.
Just as the three of them finished their rest and were about to set off again, the Pokédex suddenly made a mechanical sound, which was quite loud.
Ash remembered that he had also heard this joyous voice when he unlocked the 2H trainer achievement.
"Beep, beep. Congratulations to Trainer Ash for unlocking the achievement: [Stab the God]."
He scratched his head and thought, "Your IP signal really isn't working. We've been walking for more than half an hour, and you're still poking me?" I think I should ask Professor Oak to change to a different model next time.
However, the name of this [Stab the God] was really something. The three of them were very interested and immediately asked to rest for ten more minutes so they could study this new achievement.
Previously, there were only three achievements: the scattered food chain, the longevity bond, and the road to the movie star. Now, there's a new one?
The three of them looked up and down at the Pokédex, and indeed saw several new achievement options.
"[God Stab]: Defeat a legendary Pokémon (1/1)."
Brock nodded. Although the Zapdos wasn't completely defeated, Ash did earn its recognition, so it shouldn't be a problem to get this title.
In fact, it's not the Pokédex's fault that the signal was delayed for such a long time. It's just that a 2H-level trainer suddenly defeated a legendary Pokémon, which is almost unbelievable.
No one would believe it if told.
It really makes the system struggle.
The three of them looked at the Pokédex again and found that this [Stab a God] achievement was only the first level, just like Pikachu is still a [Rookie Trainee] in the [Road to Movie Star] achievement.
"[Three Stabs of the Gods]: Defeat three legendary Pokémon (1/3)."
"[Kill a God Like a Dog]: Defeat thirty legendary Pokémon (1/30)."
The three of them: "."
What an arrogant achievement!
Outrageous!
After this title is broadcast, aren't they afraid the legendary beasts will come after them?
Is it really possible to defeat legendary Pokémon as easily as beating regular ones? Even top trainers, like world champions, probably can't do this, right?
The three of them continued to scroll down and found more branch achievements related to legendary Pokémon.
"[God of Crotch]: Ride a legendary Pokémon for 10 minutes (0/1)."
"[Powerful Divine Beast Trainer]: Capture a legendary Pokémon (0/1)."
And then there was an ultimate achievement above this [Powerful Divine Beast Trainer].
"[The Godly Beast Trainer with the Wrath of Heaven and Earth]: Release all regular Pokémon and only keep legendary Pokémon, with the number of legendary Pokémon reaching 10."
Ash and his two companions: "."
It does sound ridiculous.
These achievements were supposed to be gradually revealed after Ash collected 8 badges and joined the league. They can be considered new milestone goals.
What's the fun in just training regular Pokémon? Of course, it's more fun to have legendary ones in your grasp, treating them like pets.
Ash's eyes lit up. Hearing these titles, a surge of enthusiasm and confidence suddenly welled up in his heart as he looked into the distance.
There's still a bright future ahead!
Suddenly, a sly look appeared in his eyes, and he asked tentatively:
"Speaking of the Pokédex, I've unlocked quite a few achievements. You're just giving me titles; can you give me some tangible rewards?"
After so many days, anyone who's not a fool can tell that this Pokédex is special. Maybe it can really give out rewards.
Ash isn't greedy—just give him a Pokémon as strong as the Dragonite he encountered last time.
If not that, two eggs would be great so he could unlock the [Egg-Laying Rooster] achievement.
"Beep Beep."
The Pokédex started working, as if it was searching for something, and then made a sound half a minute later.
"System update successful! Beep. From now on, every time you unlock an achievement, Trainer Ash will receive a special reward."
"The reward for unlocking [God Stab] is now being distributed. Please check it, Trainer."
Upon hearing this, Ash and the others were overjoyed. They actually got a reward just by asking?
"Ahem."
A minute later, the sound from the Pokédex changed. It was no longer mechanical, but a human voice, starting with a classic cough.
Ash scratched his head. The voice was a little hoarse but sounded familiar.
"Hello everyone, this is a special episode of Professor Oak's lecture. Today, instead of a lesson, I'll sing a song for you."
**Reward: Professor Oak's song, which has the effect of calming the mind and body.**
Ash and the others: "???"
"1, 2, 3, go, my home is in the east…"
Ash's eyes were filled with determination. His hands moved at lightning speed, faintly covered with a strange green light. Sonic booms roared, and even the air distorted.
At this moment, his hand speed reached the peak of his career—one he might never reach again in his lifetime.
He turned the Pokédex's volume down to vibrate.
"Pokédex, I don't need any more rewards in the future. Delete all this stuff!"
Ash roared loudly.
Is this a reward, or are we going to suffer from Oak's singing again?!
He had heard Professor Oak sing before, and only the odd girl, little Blue, could applaud with a smile, while both Gary and Ash fainted on the spot.
**Old Fat Tiger.**
"Buzz buzz buzz."
Since the Pokédex was set to vibrate, it couldn't make normal sounds and could only produce an endless "buzzing" sound.
Seeing this, Ash became even more annoyed and nearly smashed the Pokédex.
Shit! Is this really a Pokédex designed by Professor Oak to torment him?!
In the end, Ash stuffed the Pokédex back into his pocket. The three of them walked toward the distant town of Lavender Town with dark expressions, a place dotted with mysterious and noble purple.
In other words, a ghost town.
If you don't run into a few wandering ghost Pokémon, you're not really in Lavender Town.
Even Ash, who had just arrived, wanted to take Red for a stroll.
**Red**: "."
I feel attacked.
When arriving in a new town, the first thing to do is visit the local Pokémon Center for some free rest and services. The three of them followed the map straight ahead.
However, the townspeople they met along the way were in no rush. They all walked very slowly, hands behind their backs.
The residents here seemed very leisurely.
What's even stranger is that most of the townspeople were either elderly or children; there were almost no young or middle-aged people.
The three didn't think much of it. The town wasn't big, with no special buildings except for a purple tower in the northeast, radiating a gloomy atmosphere. That must be the Pokémon Tower.
But first, they needed to head to the Pokémon Center to rest up.
As they pushed open the door, they coincidentally bumped into a bald old man with white eyebrows coming out. He had a kind and gentle face.
Seeing that the three were unfamiliar, the old man smiled and asked, "Are you three not from around here?"
"Just passing through," Ash answered honestly.
Hearing this, the old man smiled knowingly and asked mysteriously:
"So, do you believe there are ghosts in this world?"
Ash replied without hesitation:
"Believe it, I have one with me."
Old man: "?"
Why don't these outsiders play by the rules?
---
**(End of Chapter)**