Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game.

In the hotel lobby's buffet restaurant, Xia Chen and Ming Yi were having breakfast with the elves.

"Hey, didn't you say you weren't going to challenge the gyms? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

The one who asked this question was, of course, Naruto, whose goal was to challenge the dojo.

Xia Chen, who had originally vowed "never to challenge gyms during the trip," replied weakly, "Who knew that the Moneypick would be captured as soon as we arrived? We've only been in Brightlight City for a day, we can't just leave right away, can we? If we have nothing to do, we might as well go and challenge some gyms."

The money-gathering spirit, enjoying its meal at the table, rolled its eyes. "Is it my fault?"

Mingyi, without any suspicion, nodded and said, "Then let's go together. I just heard that the Brewmaster Gym is quite difficult. If we can't beat it, let's see you do it first."

Mingyi, who debuted around the same time as Xia Chen, only had Serperior and Cinderace barely reached the Elite level, making it quite difficult for her to challenge the gym.

"Hmm, how about going this afternoon? I need to go with Suo Cailing to pick up some things this morning."

The money-gathering spirit looked up in surprise. "Take something? Take what?"

Xia Chen smiled in response, "Don't you have a little treasure chest in your habitat in Niangguang City? Aren't you taking it with you when you move?"

"Chirp."

Suo Cailing's eyes sparkled, and he nodded with a look of gratitude.

He had already thought of it before I even mentioned it; Xia Chen really cares about me!

It was better to be early than late. After breakfast, Xia Chen and Ming Yi followed the guidance of the Money-Seeking Spirit to its habitat, a sewer not far from the Brewing Light Tower.

The Niangkwang Tower is the landmark building of Niangkwang City and naturally the most bustling place. You can find quite a few coins here every day just by picking them up, and even more flow into the sewers through various pipes.

In addition, its secluded location and restricted access made it a secret base for the money-stealing spirits.

Given Xia Chen's size, it was naturally difficult for him to squeeze through even the smallest gap into the pipe, so he didn't go down with Suo Cailing.

However, Little Dragon and Sticky Baby are the right size.

Although there shouldn't be any dangerous Pokémon in the sewers, Xia Chen still had Little Dragon accompany the Money Spirit down there, just in case something happened to the Money Spirit.

When necessary, the fast and flying Little Dragon can take the Money-Gathering Spirit with it on its way.

So, Xia Chen and Ming Yi randomly found a milk tea shop by the roadside to sit and wait, while Xiao Duolong accompanied Suo Cailing into the sewer.

…………

The dark side of bustling cities reveals that there are actually quite a few creatures living in the sewers.

Commonly found here are the Rattata family, the Muk family, and Skunk Poo. Sometimes, other small Pokémon abandoned by their trainers also inhabit this area.

This was Doronmecia's first time in this place. The dark environment, the pungent smell, and the sewer sprites scrutinizing her with wary eyes—everything seemed so terrible.

"Chirp? (You elf, you must have never been to this place before, have you?)"

The calm voice of the money-seeking spirit echoed in the empty tunnel.

Little Duolong shook his head honestly.

Before meeting Xia Chen, he lived on Dragon Island. After meeting Xia Chen, he would never need to go to the sewers, so he had never been there before.

"Chirp. (The humans above the city are very concerned about the cleanliness of the city's surface and won't allow elves like us to live there. We only go out when we're foraging for food each day; the rest of the time we stay here.)"

Suo Cailing quietly recounted his past.

Little Dragon wasn't good at heart-to-heart talks and didn't know how to comfort it. He just stared at the Money-Seeking Spirit with his big, bulbous eyes, trying to soothe the Spirit's sadness with his comedic talent.

Sure enough, Suocailing was amused by Xiaoduolong's comical appearance, and his originally gloomy mood lightened considerably.

Stopping its grumbling, it pointed ahead and said, "Jiwa (My dwelling is over there, follow me.)"

The two elves quickened their pace and hurried toward the dwelling place of the Money-Seeking Spirit.

However, before they even reached their destination, they heard a loud argument.

"Hey? (Get out of my way! Do you want to die?)"

"Tap! (This is the treasure of the Money-Stealing Spirit; you are not allowed to take it!)"

"Tap! (You little rascal, it didn't come back all night, it must have died out there! This thing doesn't have an owner! Or are you going to try and take it from me?)"

"Bang! (You're talking nonsense! It's so clever, it won't die!)"

"Thud! (I said it's dead, so it's dead! You abandoned creature of humanity don't belong underground at all. Taking you in was already an act of kindness. Want to test the sharpness of my front teeth?)"

"Click! (My front teeth aren't bad either!)"

Clearly, this is two Rattata cubs arguing over the Money Spirit's little treasure trove.

No, maybe it's more than just arguing. Judging from the voices of the two elves, they might start fighting at any moment.

"Messi? (Do you need my help?)"

Little Dragon said he would definitely help the little Rattata who was standing on the side of the Money-Grubber.

Suo Cailing pondered for two seconds, then shook his head.

"Jiwa! (I'll do it myself!)"

After saying that, Suo Cailing walked straight over, with Xiao Duolong following far behind.

…………

Even in the sewers, the Money-Stealing Spirit is relatively weak, so its lair can only be located in a corner.

This place not only faces multiple dangers, but is also filled with sludge that is almost permeating the air with a foul stench.

In front of a makeshift cardboard hut, two purple mice, one large and one small, are locked in a cold standoff.

The smaller one stood in front of the paper house, refusing to budge, while the larger one bared its front teeth, looking ready to pounce.

Whether judging by its imposing presence or its size, the little Rattata guarding the paper house is at a significant disadvantage.

But it showed no sign of backing down; its taut body indicated that it was ready to fight at any moment.

The dominant little Rattata pressed closer, emitting threatening screechs from its mouth, as if it were about to pounce and bite its opponent at any moment.

A seemingly ordinary battle between wild elves is about to erupt.

Just then, an angry voice broke the deadlock.

"Jiwa! (I'm still alive and well, get out of my way!)"

The two little rascals turned their heads at the same time, looking in the direction of the sound, only to see that the owner of the paper house, the Money-Seeking Spirit, had returned.

Their reactions were naturally different.

The person guarding the hut was overjoyed, while the little Rattata, who wanted to seize the treasure, let out a disdainful cry.

"Thud—(You're not dead? Well, you're lucky you ran fast. That's all you're capable of. Why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to test how sharp my front teeth are?)"

Clearly, even though the original owner of this place has returned, the arrogant little Rada shows no sign of feeling guilty or afraid.

This money-grubbing spirit has neither its own kind nor the strength to protect itself, so it's easy to bully it.

But to Little Rada's surprise, the money-grubbing spirit, which it had always seen as cowardly, did not turn and run away this time, but instead took a step forward with a strong stance.

"Squeak! (I'm saying, you stinky rat with half a broken front tooth, get out of my way!)"

The money spirit's precise taunt enraged the little Radamanthys, as the half-broken front tooth from a previous fight had always been its greatest pain.

"Damn it! (You're asking for it!)"

With a roar, Little Rada lunged towards the direction of the Money Spirit.

…………

The fighting style of the sewer spirits is unpredictable; they rely entirely on sheer ruthlessness.

If we have to name a move, it would be the simplest one: [impact].

Without a doubt, the little Rada, who charged straight at them, was easily dodged by Socaling with a quick movement.

Little Rada didn't take it seriously.

This guy is known for his speed, but apart from that, he's a complete waste of space.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Little Rada suddenly realized, to his surprise, that the Money-Gathering Spirit, having dodged his attack, was actually charging towards him.

Although both are [impact] attacks, the Money-Seeking Spirit, due to its incredibly fast speed, performs it as if it's a flash of lightning.

Little Rada, who never expected the other party to retaliate, was knocked over.

The little Rada, which had been tumbled several times by the force of the impact, regained its footing and looked at the Money Spirit with annoyance and embarrassment.

How dare that thing!

"clatter!"

Rattata could no longer contain its anger and pounced with a shriek. The two Pokémon, no, plus the smaller Rattata, the three Pokémon engaged in hand-to-hand combat in the most primitive way.

Little Duolong watched from behind, shaking his head in disbelief.

He can't even use a single skill. This guy needs to train hard when he gets back.

Even so, Little Dragon did not intervene. He could tell that although the larger Rattata was indeed stronger than them, the difference in strength was limited.

With Justice II striking once, the Money-Seeking Spirit was not in any danger.

Just as Little Dragon predicted, under the combined attack of the Money-Grubber and the friendly Little Rattata, the big Little Rattata quickly couldn't hold on and fled in disarray.

"Bang! (You just wait, I won't let you get away with this!)"

Before running away, it didn't forget to utter some harsh words.

Seeing that the conflict had subsided, Little Dragon drifted leisurely to the side, leaving the time for farewell to the two former companions.

…………

"Hey (You seem a little different than before)."

At the entrance of the paper house, Rada looked at his companion, whom he hadn't seen for only a day, with some confusion.

Suo Cailing understood his partner's meaning; indeed, many changes had occurred within him overnight.

With trainers, with a strange system, and most importantly, with a brand new future that no one had ever imagined before.

After a long silence, the Money-Seeking Spirit replied, "Jiwa. (I might have to go.)"

Little Rattata wasn't surprised; when it saw the Dragon Mesia that had come with the Money-Grubber, it vaguely guessed what had happened.

"Huh? (Have you been captured by a trainer?)"