"All the Pokémon have been assigned to tasks. Altogether, you can obtain nine hundred thousand points. Adding the points from the previous mission, you now have a total of one million one hundred and ten thousand points."
"You've exceeded the standard of one million points, which qualifies you as a Two-Star Hunter. Here's your badge; please keep it safe." The receptionist took out a golden star engraved with "Two Stars" and handed it to Cain through the window.
Learning from the previous experience, after analyzing the data, she made sure to check for any special Pokémon, like the Nidoran with the Hustle ability.
Fortunately, this time, the Pokémon were fairly standard, and the price calculation went smoothly.
A task list was handed to Cain. The light-green-quality Arbok was purchased for four hundred thousand Pokédollars, the eight members of the Nidoran family for a total of four hundred thousand Pokédollars as well—equivalent to one Arbok, and the Mankey that Cain caught on the way was worth one hundred thousand Pokédollars.
Compared to the market sale price, this is a bit lower, but for the Guild's purchase price, it's quite reasonable.
If Cain were to sell these Pokémon on the open market, he could get a higher price, but he doesn't have that kind of time.
Another important point is that when Pokémon are submitted to the Guild as part of a mission, you also get the same amount of points as Pokédollars.
So, after completing the mission, Cain received a total of one million one hundred and ten thousand Pokédollars and one million one hundred and ten thousand points from the Hunter's Guild.
Cain plans not to use these points for now. At the moment, he doesn't urgently need any specific Pokémon, and with five Pokémon requiring training, his current resources aren't abundant, so he needs to manage them efficiently. He isn't looking for quantity in Pokémon, but quality.
Once his current Pokémon are well-trained, Cain might consider purchasing more from the Hunter's Guild to form a second team.
By selling all the Pokémon to the Guild, Cain successfully advanced to a Two-Star Hunter.
The biggest difference between a Two-Star and a Zero-Star Hunter is that the former can accept up to three tasks simultaneously and can take on higher-level missions with better rewards, though also with increased difficulty.
He found an available computer, swiped his hunter ID card, and began browsing the list of Two-Star Hunter tasks.
Since he will soon head to Mahogany Town, Cain selected tasks based on Pokémon he might encounter along the way or once he arrives there.
The number of Two-Star tasks is significantly lower than that of Zero-Star tasks. Cain chose a mission to capture a Swinub and another to capture an Onix.
Mahogany Town, which could actually be considered more of a small village due to its size, has few inhabitants. Surrounded by mountains, some of which are snow-covered year-round, it is home to many Ice-type Pokémon like Swinub.
Onix, being a Rock-type Pokémon, is quite common in the mountains, and due to its size, is easy to spot.
After leaving the Guild store, Cain had completed his main task for the day at the black market.
However, since he'll soon be venturing into the wild again, he needed to replenish supplies such as healing sprays and Poké Balls, as he had used many during his Pokémon captures.
After completing the mission, Cain had a total of 2.4 million Pokédollars, slightly less due to some previous expenses.
He went to the Pokémon supply store to buy some wilderness survival materials and restock his Poké Balls, spending only ten thousand Pokédollars, which for Cain isn't much.
Then he visited an information shop in Mahogany City's black market, where he bought information about possible Onix locations and asked about a meditation jewel that, according to system analysis, could enhance psychic training speed.
However, even the information merchants knew nothing about it, making Cain doubt the existence of such a jewel.
When Cain returned to the small black room through Team Rocket's transport matrix, no one was present, so he quickly changed back into his original League trainer outfit and put his mask on again.
As he left Team Rocket's small shop, the moon was already high in the sky.
Under the moonlight, Cain walked along the empty streets toward the luxurious hotel he had reserved earlier.
Fortunately, although the streets were deserted, the hotel was still lit up, and the lobby staff was very helpful when Cain entered.
Back in his hotel room, Cain released all his Pokémon.
If space and circumstances allow, Cain prefers to keep all his Pokémon outside their Poké Balls. It makes everything more lively and helps strengthen their bonds and coordination.
While Poké Balls provide a comfortable and spacious environment, they still give a feeling of confinement.
Tonight was a rare night without night training.
In the previous days, both Cain and his Pokémon had been constantly on guard due to the potential threat of wild Pokémon attacks in the wilderness, so they hadn't rested well.
Even with Gastly keeping watch, he needed to be able to wake them if necessary, right?
So today, instead of training, Cain used techniques he had learned in his past life to massage each of his Pokémon, helping them relax and reduce any injuries from training and battles.
While Cain was massaging his Pokémon, Skorupi, who was asleep, suddenly woke up. His blue eyes sparkled, and he quickly climbed down Cain's arm.
The other Pokémon, worried about hurting little Skorupi, froze as they felt him crawling on them.
But Miltank, the only female in the team, understood how to care for little Skorupi.
Miltank gently lifted him off Slowpoke's back and offered him a bottle of fresh milk. Skorupi closed his eyes in delight and began drinking happily.
With Miltank's warm milky scent, Skorupi felt cozy in her arms. Also, with Cain's familiar scent on the other Pokémon, Skorupi wasn't afraid of them.
In this harmonious environment, a comfortable, peaceful night passed quietly.
(End of chapter)