It had taken days to reach Cerulean City.
And another just to rest.
Now, Elliot stood inside a dimly lit backroom, face-to-face with his latest buyer.
An Alchemist.
A specialist in Pokéblocks, Lures, and Repels.
And more importantly—the one who commissioned Beedrill Stingers.
On the table between them lay a sealed container, filled with 70 harvested Beedrill Stingers.
The Alchemist, a wiry man with sharp eyes and stained gloves, examined the container, whistling.
"You brought twenty more than required. Not bad."
He reached out to take them—only for Elliot to grab the container back.
"Nuh-uh," Elliot said, his voice firm.
The Alchemist raised a brow.
"What now?"
"I want 200 Pokédollars for every extra Stinger," Elliot said smoothly.
The Alchemist grumbled.
"Tch. That's robbery."
"No, it's called business. And don't try to rip me off," Elliot countered. "I'm already selling these below market value."
A tense silence.
Then, with a sigh, the Alchemist reached into a drawer, counting out an extra 4,000 Pokédollars.
With the commissioned 7,500 Pokédollars, Elliot's total now stood at 28,271 Pokédollars.
"Pleasure doing business," Elliot said with a smirk, slipping the money into his bag.
Elliot walked out of the backroom, hands in his pockets.
The Alchemist's shop was legal.
But this particular transaction? Not so much.
Selling Beedrill Stingers without League Taxes was considered illegal trade.
Of course, it wasn't illegal if you didn't get caught.
Elliot had no intention of getting caught.
But money wasn't his main goal in Cerulean City.
No.
He had one immediate objective left.
As Elliot stepped out onto the city streets, he looked ahead.
To the Cerulean Gym.
The Water-Type Gym.
Home to Misty, the Gym Leader.
A battle stood between him and his next step forward.
The chapter ended as Elliot strode toward the Gym's entrance, his Charmeleon's Pokéball in hand.