After taking a short break for myself, I resumed my walk toward Viridian City with renewed energy.
There was now a small stream alongside the path. As I walked a brief distance, I spotted a red-haired girl—her hair tied into a side ponytail, wearing a yellow tank top, red suspenders, denim shorts that stopped at her thighs, and red high-top sneakers with yellow lining and white laces—fishing at the riverside.
Ding
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[Name]: Misty Waterflower
[Age]: 16
[Profession]: Expert Trainer
[Emotional State]: Serene, Calm
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I watched her for a moment, taking in her focused demeanor. She was clearly skilled, and I felt a pull to approach her.
Ding
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[Quest(s) Updated]
1. Unlock the Harem Mode - Befriend Misty:
As you bond with Misty, the system will recognize your potential to form deeper relationships. A new feature will be unlocked.
Reward:
- Instant Reward: Observe Lv. 2 will now also show Bond Level with female individuals.
- Harem Mode Unlocked after the quest.
- Title: Bonded (obtained after the quest)
- Special Ability: Charm (Passive) – Increases your Charisma by +5 in interactions with female companions.
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Ding
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[Name]: Misty Waterflower
[Age]: 16
[Profession]: Expert Trainer
[Emotional State]: Serene, Calm
[Bond Level]: Stranger
___________________________
This could be my chance to connect with another trainer, especially her. I took a deep breath and approached her, my heart pounding.
As Alex approached, Misty paused her fishing, her curiosity piqued by the newcomer. She noticed the determination in his eyes.
"Hey there! Catching anything?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
She looked up, "Not yet. Just enjoying the peace of the water. You?"
"Just started my journey and caught a couple of Pokémon," I replied, a hint of pride in my voice.
"Really? What did you catch?" she asked, her interest piqued.
"A Rattata and a Mankey," I said, grinning. "I'm hoping to catch more along the way."
"Nice! Mankey is a tough one to catch; you did well," she complimented, a smile breaking across her face.
Feeling encouraged, I continued, "I'm Alex, by the way. Just a fledgling trainer looking to make my mark."
As Alex introduced himself and shared his aspirations, Misty found herself smiling. He's passionate. I like that. Yet, a hint of caution crept in. But does he really know what it takes to be a great trainer?
"Misty," she introduced herself, extending her hand for a shake. "Nice to meet you, Alex. If you're looking to grow your team, I could give you some tips."
"Really? That would be awesome!" I exclaimed, grateful for her generosity.
As we chatted, I could sense the beginning of a friendship forming. Misty shared insights about battling strategies and the types of Pokémon commonly found in the area. When Alex asked about her experiences, Misty appreciated his eagerness to learn. He might surprise me, she mused, her competitive spirit ignited. Maybe I could teach him a thing or two about battling—and fishing.
Suddenly, a splash from the river interrupted our conversation. A Water-type Pokémon leaped out and into the water, causing both of us to turn.
"Looks like you've got a wild one to catch!" Misty said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Let's do it!" I replied, feeling ready for another challenge.
I took a step closer to the water, eyes scanning the surface for any signs of movement. Ripples began to form, and before I could react, a familiar red fish broke through the surface, flopping clumsily onto the riverbank.
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[Magikarp]
[Lv.]: 5
[Gender]: Female♀️
[HP]: 18/18
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"Magikarp," I muttered under my breath, half-disappointed.
Misty, however, seemed more serious than I expected. "You should catch it," she said, though her smile was tight.
"Really? A Magikarp?" I asked, giving her a puzzled look.
She crossed her arms, her expression stiffening slightly. "Everyone underestimates Magikarp, but if you train it right, it'll evolve into Gyarados, one of the strongest Water-types around." Her voice wavered ever so slightly, and though she didn't say it, I could see a flicker of discomfort in her eyes when she mentioned Gyarados.
I paused, noticing the subtle change in her demeanor. There was something behind that fear, but she didn't share it. Maybe we weren't close enough for her to open up about it just yet.
Instead of pressing, I nodded. "Alright, let's do this," I said, throwing an empty Pokéball toward the Magikarp.
The Magikarp, still flopping helplessly, was sucked into the Pokéball without any resistance. The ball shook a couple of times before clicking shut, signaling the successful capture.
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[Pokédex Updated]
Magikarp #0129
[Type]: {Water}
An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions but never more than seven feet.
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"Nice work," Misty said, her earlier enthusiasm returning, though she quickly glanced away from the water as if pushing down whatever troubled her.
"Yeah... thanks," I replied, a little surprised at how easily things were progressing. The idea of raising a Gyarados hadn't crossed my mind, but now, with Misty's input, it seemed like a good investment. Maybe someday, this Magikarp would become something far greater than its current helpless state.
After I captured Magikarp, we settled back down by the riverbank. Misty cast her fishing rod again, and I sat beside her, feeling the calm of the water flow around us.
—
End of Chapter 11