After the professor and the others went to work, Angie and Arven brought the breakfast that Ata had delivered and headed back to the Prairie. They planned to share the morning's food with the wild Pokémon.
Thanks to their interaction the previous night, the Pokémon in the Prairie were no longer afraid of Angie and Arven. As soon as they saw them approaching, the Pokémon immediately gathered around.
Pawmi scurried up to the food container, its nose twitching as it sniffed vigorously. It then began hopping excitedly, pointing at the box.
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Yummy, it smells delicious!
Hearing this, the other Pokémon became equally excited and eagerly reached out towards Angie and Arven.
"Alright, alright, calm down! Let's take turns, one at a time," Angie said, exasperated.
"Espartha!"
At that moment, Espartha let out a sharp cry, and a surge of powerful psychic energy burst from its eyes. Instantly, all the Pokémon fell silent, behaving obediently without making another sound.
Why so fierce…
"Good, now let's form a line," Angie coaxed.
The wild Pokémon glanced at Espartha, then obediently began to queuing up.
After feeding the Pokémon, Angie turned his head to Arven. "Arven, let's continue catching Pokémon."
"Okay!" Arven nodded enthusiastically. "What Pokémon should we catch today?"
Angie pulled out the distribution map of Pokémon that the professor had given them. After a quick look, Angie said, "Today, let's go for Nacli. They live in the rocky areas of the upper levels."
To be precise, they could be found in both the upper and middle levels.
The middle level's environment was similar to the upper level's, with grasslands, water edges, rocky areas, and caves. Both levels had Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl residing in their rocky zones.
Since both levels had them, Angie naturally chose the closer rocky area in the upper level.
"Let's head out, then!" Angie declared.
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
At that moment, Pawmi rushed to Angie's side, stood upright, and hugged his leg tightly.
"What's wrong, Pawmi?" Angie asked, puzzled.
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Pawmi began gesturing frantically with its small hands.
Angie guessed, "Do you… want to lead the way?"
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Pawmi nodded eagerly, then hesitated before tugging at Angie's pant leg.
"What is it now?" Angie asked.
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Pawmi made a big circle with its hands, then spread its arms wide, mimicking a long, cylindrical shape.
Angie finally understood. "You're asking me for last night's tomatoes and cucumbers?"
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Pawmi nodded joyfully.
Angie couldn't help but feel amused and exasperated at the same time. It wasn't like he needed someone to guide the way. Oh well, seeing how cute Pawmi was, he decided to let it have its way.
With that thought, Angie took out a tomato and stuffed it into Pawmi's little arms. "Satisfied now? Once we get there, I'll give you a cucumber too."
"Pawmi!"
Hearing this, Pawmi ran excitedly ahead.
Seeing this, Angie and Arven climbed onto Espartha's back and followed, with Dolliv and Charcadet riding on Oinkologne not far behind, while Mabosstiff brought up the rear.
With Pawmi leading the way, they quickly reached their destination.
The rocky area was true to its name—everywhere was covered in yellow-brown rocks. Only in a few cracks between the rocks did green plants like grass manage to grow.
Because of this unique environment, many Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon gathered here, including Lycanroc, Rockruff, Drilbur, Dugtrio, and even the rare Gible and Gabite.
Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl were also among them.
The moment Angie and his team arrived at the rocky area, they were surrounded by a group of enthusiastic Rockruff. The curious Pokémon circled around Angie, behaving just like the puppies Angie had raised in his previous life.
They're so cute! I really want to pet them!
Who could resist adorable and friendly puppies? Without hesitation, Angie slid off Espartha's back. The Rockruff immediately swarmed him, surrounding him completely. Some jumped into his arms, others climbed onto his shoulders, and a few even licked his cheeks with their soft, grainy tongues.
Heaven! Is this heaven?
Angie felt like his heart was melting from their cuteness.
"Good boys, such good boys!"
Angie happily sat on the ground, petting their backs, scratching their chins, and rubbing their bellies, thoroughly enjoying himself.
"Hahaha! That tickles! Don't lick there, Rockruff!"
True to what the Pokédex said, Rockruff were incredibly friendly and approachable.
Seeing how much fun Angie was having, Arven also got off Espartha and joined the pile of Rockruff. Before long, his joyous laughter echoed as well.
Rockruff were soft and very pleasant to touch, though the rocky ring around their necks was a bit prickly.
At that moment, a Midday Form Lycanroc suddenly appeared atop a large boulder.
"Awoooo~"
It howled into the sky. The Rockruff, hearing its call, immediately bolted away from Angie, leaving him and Arven in a suddenly empty space.
After calling the Rockruff away, the Lycanroc glanced down at Angie, as if he were some kind of criminal trying to abduct its pups.
Angie: "..."
Pawmi walked up to Angie at that moment, patting his leg with an expression that seemed to say, I understand everything.
"What's with that look?" Angie asked, both annoyed and embarrassed, scooping up Pawmi. He retaliated by tickling Pawmi under its arms.
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Hahaha~
Pawmi squirmed as it laughed uncontrollably. Even Pokémon weren't immune to the power of tickling.
After a bit too much tickling, Angie was zapped by a weak jolt of electricity from Pawmi. However, the tiny shock was nothing to someone like Angie.
After all, he had a constitution stat of 39!
Getting up from the ground calmly, Angie smoothed down his now static-ridden hair and, pretending to be unfazed, declared to his team, "We're here to catch Nacli. Rockruff and the others are just a distraction."
Arven, Charcadet, and Dolliv exchanged glances, then covered their mouths to stifle their laughter.
"Stop laughing," Angie said, frowning.
The moment he turned his back, they burst into silent fits of laughter again, careful not to make any noise this time.
A while later, Angie and his group spotted Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl in a sandy area.
The Nacli were leisurely burying half of their bodies in the sand, moving about as they pleased. From a distance, the sand glittered with bright, crystalline sparkles—the rock salt mixed within the grains of sand.
Meanwhile, the Naclstack and Garganacl rested in piles of rocks nearby, their eyes closed. Occasionally, one would open its eyes to glance at the Nacli before closing them again.
Angie didn't expect that the seemingly rare Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl would appear in such abundance here.
Noticing their arrival, the Garganacl and Naclstack opened their eyes one after another. Among them, an especially tall Garganacl stood up slowly, its gaze fixed on Angie as if asking: Human, what brings you here?
Angie activated his Eye of Observation skill.
...
[ Garganacl ]
Type: Rock
Ability: Purifying Salt
Gender: Male
Level: 56
Moves: Hammer Arm, Block, Tackle, Wide Guard, Harden, Rock Blast, Rock Throw, Mud Shot, Rock Tomb, Rock Polish, Salt Cure, Stealth Rock, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Power Gem.
...
[ Individual Value (IVs) ]
HP: 25
Attack: 31
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 14
Special Defense: 16
Speed: 2
...
After seeing Garganacl's level, Angie couldn't help but let out a startled Whoa!
Does it have to be this strong? At level 56, this was the highest-level Pokémon Angie had encountered since entering Area Zero.
Without beating around the bush, Angie addressed the Garganacl directly, "Garganacl, I'm a chef, and I'd like to capture two of your kind as companions."
"Garganacl~!"
Hearing this, the Garganacl assumed a battle stance. As the leader of its group, anyone who wished to capture its kin had to get through it first.
Most Pokémon weren't against being captured, but they required a display of the Trainer's worthiness.
"Espartha~"
Espartha immediately stepped forward to take action, but Angie stopped it.
"Espartha, can we let Komala handle this one? You'll have the next turn."
The Garganacl was at such a high level that Espartha might struggle to handle it.
Since Espartha had already fought once when Angie captured Dollive, it didn't object this time. It stepped back and made way for Komala.
Komala rolled lazily out of Angie's arms and wobbled onto the ground, facing the Garganacl.
"Garganacl, are we good to start?"
"Garganacl~"
Garganacl nodded.
"Then let the battle begin!" Angie shouted loudly.
As soon as Angie's words fell, Garganacl launched its first attack—a signature move of its kind, Salt Cure.
Salt Cure not only dealt damage but also inflicted a lasting Salt Cure status on its target, causing continuous HP loss. This effect was even more potent against Water- or Steel-type Pokémon.
Large clusters of gray crystals shot out from Garganacl's arms.
However, before the crystals could touch Komala, it had already vanished from its spot, leaving only a blur behind.
Komala tightly hugged its log, curling its body into a ball and rolling at high speed across the rocky ground.
It had used Defense Curl followed by Rollout.
Its speed was astonishing, and before Garganacl could react, Komala was already in front of it, slamming into it fiercely.
Garganacl hurriedly used Wide Guard, summoning a yellowish-brown barrier. Komala collided with the barrier and was sent flying into the air.
Angie muttered, "Komala, why not use a Ground-type move to counter it?"
But in the next moment, he realized that Komala's choice not to exploit type advantages was, in fact, a form of kindness towards Garganacl.
Komala spun rapidly as it descended from the air, slamming into the barrier again with incredible force.
A cracking sound echoed as the barrier began to shatter.
Angie was dumbfounded.
It's so strong!
With a loud crash, the nearly 3-meter-tall Garganacl was sent flying by a small body less than half a meter high. It smashed into a massive boulder in the distance, shattering it to pieces.
Angie: "Alright, forget what I said about type advantages."
Due to the Garganacl's exceptionally high physical defense, it didn't immediately lose its ability to fight after taking such a powerful hit.
Komala continued rolling rapidly, crushing the rocks around it one after another. It was about to ram into the Garganacl again.
This time, the Garganacl used Rock Tomb, attempting to block Komala's movements.
With a series of loud crashes, massive rocks descended from above, forming a circular barricade that trapped Komala inside.
Rumble, rumble, rumble...
Komala rolled swiftly along the edge of the rocks and then rammed into them with full force. The thick, wall-like rocks shattered instantly.
It became clear that in the face of absolute strength, any interference was futile.
Just as Komala was about to collide with the Garganacl again, the Garganacl suddenly raised its hand.
"Garganacl~"
I surrender!
Hearing this, Komala abruptly turned away, veering off course and crashing into a nearby boulder instead. It stopped rolling as the boulder disintegrated into dust with a loud crack.
The Garganacl felt a wave of fear surge through it.
That was close! That was so close! I was almost the one reduced to powder!
Seeing the Garganacl surrender, Komala rolled back to Angie.
Angie bent down to pick it up, brushing the dust off its fur, and softly said, "Komala, thank you so much."
Komala responded with a soft snore.
Angie walked over to the Garganacl and asked, "Are you alright?"
The Garganacl shook its head and pushed itself up with its arms, standing back on its feet.
Seeing this, Angie took out a berry and handed it to the Pokémon. "Eat this; it'll make you feel better."
The Garganacl didn't refuse, taking the berry and swallowing it.
Angie then asked, "So, can I capture some of your kin?"
The Garganacl didn't respond immediately but turned toward its kin and called out. The other Garganacl, Naclstack, and Nacli nodded one after another. Only then did the Garganacl turn back to Angie and nod, clearly giving its consent.
This time, Angie didn't use his Eye of Observation to pick among them. Instead, he looked at the Garganacl, Naclstack, and Nacli and asked, "Is there anyone who's willing to come with me?"
The other Garganacl, Naclstack, and Nacli didn't respond right away, though a few seemed slightly tempted.
Angie had demonstrated his impressive strength, and he also seemed gentle and kind. Many of them were actually willing to follow him, but the thought of leaving their companions made them hesitate.
"Garganacl~ Garganacl~"
At that moment, the leader Garganacl growled angrily at its kin.
Angie didn't understand what it said, but Espartha and the others caught it loud and clear.
The Garganacl leader had said, Are you all stupid? You've got such a great Trainer right here, and you're hesitating? Miss this chance, and you'll regret it forever! A good life is waiting for you!
Hearing the leader's words, one Garganacl and two Nacli finally stepped forward from the group.
"You three want to come with me?" Angie asked.
He had initially planned to capture one or two at most, but since three were willing to follow him, he had no objections.
Seeing the three Pokémon nod, Angie tossed Poké Balls toward them. With flashes of red light, the Garganacl and the two Nacli were captured.
A loud pop confirmed their capture, and Angie excitedly ran over to pick up the Poké Balls.
Garganacl and Nacli GET DA☆ZE!
Angie hadn't expected a Garganacl to willingly join him.
The salt produced by Garganacl wasn't just high-quality and rich in minerals—it also had healing properties. Simply sprinkling it on an injured area could accelerate the recovery of any wound.
Garganacl's salt was incredibly expensive in the outside world and always in short supply. Every time Angie visited the supermarket, the shelves were empty.
The moment Garganacl's salt hit the shelves, it would be snapped up instantly. If you weren't quick or lucky, you wouldn't stand a chance of getting any.