After groggily waking up and proceeding to participate in the morning assembly, Dante and Pikachu once again found themselves in front of Chatot on the 2nd floor of the guild.
"Ehem! For today, I will give both of you tasks posted on this board."
"Huh? Is the task here different from the one's on the Job List?" (Pikachu)
"Correct. This board is the Wanted Lists Board, or the Wanted List for short. Here, Pokemons that have committed crimes are posted by the Magnezone Law Enforcer, to gain the help of various Explorations Teams in apprehending them."
"Outlaws!? What did they do?"
"Most of them are robbers. There are, however, some who steal the lives of other Pokemons for revenge or…simply for pleasure."
"That's horrible!!"
"YES! I can't fathom what goes in the mind of those Pokemons! Luckily, we only receive a few tasks of that nature in our guild. So be careful when choosing to accept the tasks here and make sure to carefully read every task description."
"Alright! I've already explained most of what you need to know. The rest can be figured out by the both of you. Remember! Be sure to choose carefully among the tasks posted here!"
After saying all of that, Chatot left the two of them alone.
"Dante, do you think we should skip the tasks here first and choose from the job list?"
Pikachu from the side timidly 'suggested' to Dante.
"Relax~ We'll take a look first. Remember, Chatot told us that most of the criminals here are just petty thieves. If they encounter us, I bet they'll just run away."
Dante took a look at the tasks and tried looking for Drowzee. As long as he can find him, then, he'll be able to warn the Azumarill siblings and try to see whether the plot will change.
Sadly, just as he remembered from the game, there was no Drowzee among the wanted lists. Dante remembered that Dugtrio will update the lists with Drowzee's picture after the two of them returned from the Town.
"By golly! You two are already taking on your first outlaws?"
A voice suddenly came from Pikachu and Dante's side.
"Hey Bidoof, you've stayed in the guild for a longer time. Can you give us any tips in choosing the tasks here?"
Pikachu, hearing Bidoof, also greeted him and then asked for some help. Pikachu and Dante already got introduced to everyone during last night's dinner. They learned that Bidoof is the latest to join the guild before the two of them.
"Yes sirreee! I've been stuck training for a long time before I was able to complete a task of my own! Here are some of the things Chatot taught me…"
After that, Bidoof goes on to explain what the apprentices were usually taught if they failed their first task.
The gist of it was that, ensure that you have everything and then make use of everything you have.
During every dungeon dive, you must ensure enough Oran Berries, Pecha Berries, Max Elixirs, Blast Seed, Sleep Seed, Stun Seed, Totter Seed, Warp Seed, Vile Seed, Violent Seed, etc.
In short, as long as you can pack it inside the Treasure Bag, then make sure to bring it. Bidoof told a story of how he had to bury tens of Blast Seed and then lure the outlaw there in order to defeat them.
"Warp Seeds and Escape Orbs are especially important yup yup! If the enemy is too strong, throw a Warp Seed and they'll go away. If you're in danger, then use the Escape Orb to get out!"
After hearing Bidoof's 'teachings', Dante was in a complicated mood.
'So…our guild is teaching the apprentices the pay-to-win method. Although the reliance on items is an interesting method, I don't think it would particularly suit both Pikachu and I in our journey to the top.'
"Now though, I'm trying to focus on defeating other Pokemons with the moves I learn. Chatot told me it was the next stage of the training yessirree!"
"Oh, there's a next part after using the items?"
Now, Dante was interested. He really thought the guild promotes their apprentices into becoming pay-to-win explorers.
"Yup yup, but Chatot forbid me from telling you guys."
"Why? You can't just stop talking now after saying so much!"
Pikachu from the side complained.
"Aw shucks, I'm really sorry you two. But it's the guild rules. Only Chatot can tell you the second stage"
"Awwww, not the guild rules again…"
Hearing that it was another rule of the guild made both Dante and Pikachu depressed. Both of them were really curious about what was the second stage of training after learning how to rely on items.
Dante even surmised that the first stage was just the probationary period, to learn whether an apprentice is qualified enough in terms of characters, strength, etc. and move on after to the real teachings.
"That's all the things I know that can help you. Be sure to ask for my help if you need anything yup yup!"
After that, Bidoof waved goodbye to the both of them and proceeded to head outside to team up and do some tasks with the other guild apprentices.
"Hmm, I don't think we've learned much about how to choose tasks from the Wanted List. How about you, Dante? Have you seen anything we can choose?"
"Let's go to the Treasure Town first and check whether we can buy some of the things Bidoof told us."
Dante was a bit concerned. According to the game, Bidoof should lead them to the Town and then introduce the various shops. There, they will meet the Azurill siblings, as well as Drowzee.
'I hope we are not going to be late…'
Dante and Pikachu headed towards Treasure Town in a bit of a hurry. Coming out of the guild, they met various Exploration Teams that wanted to enter the guild and take some tasks.
The both of them reached the Town after 20 minutes of hurried walking.
"Why are we rushing? We still have time to choose tasks after getting back."
Pikachu was a little confused about Dante's behaviour. Ever since they woke up in the morning, he noticed that Dante was a little absentminded. He only got better after they were choosing tasks, but then he rushed over the town when they hadn't even chosen a task yet.
The two of them had arrived at the town entrance when they saw a trio walking out.
One of them was a little blue mouse-like Pokemon, with a round shape as well as a round tail. The other looks to be his older brother, with a fatter round body, as well as the same blue color on the outside and a white color on the stomach.
The last one, who was in the lead, was a tapir-like Pokemon. His nose was long like an elephant, with a yellow-upper body and a brown-lower half.
Seeing the two of them, Pikachu nodded enthusiastically in response to the greetings of the two siblings while Dante just lowered his head after also nodding to the three of them.
Just as the two groups were about to pass by…