Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 229 Handsome Researcher: Madam, are you home alone?

"Handsome Researcher: Madam, are you home alone?"

Bai Zhou sat on the comfortable sofa in the living room.

He turned his gaze away from the television screen playing an unknown movie and instead focused on the gentle-looking woman beside him.

The beautiful woman always wore a gentle smile.

"Handsome Researcher: Where's that kid, Akira? I don't think I've seen him—"

"Mom: Xiao Chi is home too, but he's still sleeping upstairs. What's wrong? Is there something you need to talk to him about?"

Her mother's voice was as gentle as ever, and a perfectly appropriate look of confusion appeared on her face, but then she seemed to remember something and suddenly spoke.

"Mom: Oh, I almost forgot, Professor Oak just messaged me and told me to go to the lab to see him."

"Mom: You came here for this too, right? I'm so sorry, I'll wake him up right away."

As she spoke, she stood up and nodded apologetically to Bai Zhou.

Then, completely unaware that Gengar was in the corner of the living room, curiously rummaging through the cabinets and tilting the picture frames all over the place.

She walked straight to the stairwell and called up in her calming voice.

"Mom: Little Red! Wake up! The handsome researcher is here to see you! He seems to have something urgent to tell you!"

Bai Zhou didn't stop her. Instead, he gently patted the little hand of Ralts, who was sitting next to him and seemed a bit reserved and curious.

It is meant to relax and make it feel at home.

Before arriving at this "initial house".

Bai Zhou always believed that his role in the dream world was as a "player" logging into the perspective of the protagonist, Xiao Chi, to play the game.

It wasn't until the "mother" NPC opened the door and, after a brief conversation, invited him inside.

He was surprised to find that he was not logged in as the protagonist, Xiao Chi, but as the "handsome researcher" NPC who was one of the beginner guides in the game.

The most direct evidence is that, in addition to interacting with his own Pokémon, when he talks to the "Mom" NPC, his own words are automatically converted into the classic dialogue box format in the game and clearly displayed at the bottom of his field of vision.

The name displayed next to the dialog box is "Researcher Shiqi".

However, this discovery was not of great significance to him.

It doesn't matter which identity or perspective you log in from, as long as you can explore what you want to explore and conduct the "experiments" you want to conduct.

What can't be done—well, that's not the point.

The key point is that the NPCs in this dream world seem to be even more intelligent than the NPCs in the Pokémon game, which uses an AI thinking model.

They will react in a relatively reasonable and pre-defined manner based on Bai Zhou's various behaviors.

Of course, that's all.

After some simple testing and analysis by Bai Zhou, it was found that the behavior patterns of these NPCs were still based on the underlying character design logic.

It will only react to events within a specific scope that are consistent with its role.

For example, this "mother" NPC completely ignored Bai Zhou's order for Gengar to "explore" the house, but gave a precise answer to his question about Red's whereabouts.

However, this is already exaggerated enough.

Although it may still be essentially a piece of "code," it undoubtedly adds an amazing sense of realism to this dream world.

Judging from the conversation with the "Mom" NPC, the current timeline of the dream world should correspond to the beginning of the game.

This is the moment when the protagonist, Red, is about to go to Professor Oak's lab to receive his starter Pokémon.

The main reason Bai Zhou didn't stop "Mom" from calling Xiao Chi downstairs was that he wanted to test her.

Will challenging these key NPCs allow Pokémon to gain experience points in battles, just like in a normal game?

In addition, he also wanted to try whether he could give the protagonist, Xiao Chi, a mission, just like in the game, by using his current identity as a "handsome researcher".

What?

You asked how Red could participate in Pokémon battles before he even received the starter Pokémon?

Who says you can't battle without Pokémon?

This is a no-rules battle! Since when did no-rules battles become a rule that both sides must have Pokémon?

If there are no rules, doesn't that mean anything is allowed?

"Alright, Gengar, come back. The test is over."

Bai Zhou called out.

Upon hearing this, Gengar, still somewhat unsatisfied, put a rather old-looking Poké Ball figurine back in its original position (though it was crooked), and slowly floated back to Bai Zhou's side.

Bai Zhou bent down, picked up Ralts who was still full of curiosity about the unfamiliar environment and looked around with wide eyes, and walked to the stairwell.

They waited patiently for the "protagonist," Little Red, to make his appearance.

Then----

Then he saw Xiao Chi appear somewhat flustered from the second-floor stairwell, then lose his footing and tumble down the stairs with a "glug glug".

Well, how should I put it?

This feels a bit... a bit silly and cute, plus a bit... silly.

This doesn't seem to fit his impression of the quiet, calm, and reliable game protagonist, Xiao Chi.

Bai Zhou's expression turned strange, and a hint of doubt arose in his heart.

Xiao Chi quickly got up from the ground, dusted himself off, and walked briskly to Bai Zhou as if nothing had happened, as if to greet him.

He opened his mouth, tried to speak, but ultimately—

No sound was made.

"Little Red: ————"

OK!

He's mute!

That's perfect! The taste is just right!

Bai Zhou's slight doubts about the character instantly vanished, and his face once again revealed the NPC's signature warm smile.

He decided to start using his current identity to issue "missions" to the protagonist.

"Handsome Researcher: Professor Oak has been waiting for you at the lab for a long time, but you haven't gone there yet, so he asked me to come and check on you."

At this point, his smile became even more "kind" and "meaningful".

"Researcher: But before that, you need to come with me to the battle arena outside. Professor Oak has asked me to conduct some simple battle tests on you."

A battle test?

At this moment, Crimson, who is logged into Little Red's perspective and experiencing the dream, is completely dazed, but what follows is immense joy!

Not only can the NPC mom interact with you like a real person, but now she's even triggering hidden events that aren't even present in the beginning of the Pokémon game!

This is double the surprise!

Moreover, he keenly noticed that the "handsome researcher" NPC in front of him seemed to be quite different from the NPC of the same name in the Pokémon game.

The Gengar floating beside him, and the rare Ralts in his arms, are clearly Pokémon with whom he has formed a deep bond!

In addition, there's that unique, languid yet reliable aura that emanates from within—

Rather than calling him a mere NPC in the game, he's more like Bai Zhou in real life!

Crimson became increasingly certain that the dream he was having was a perfect adventure tailor-made for him by his subconscious!

He almost didn't want to wake up from this beautiful dream!

Just as Crimson was lost in her own thoughts, Shiro, carrying Ralts, turned and walked out of the room first.

Chi Hong naturally dared not delay and quickly followed after her mother under her gentle gaze.

We arrived at the familiar lawn outside, the battlefield.

Bai Zhou looked at "Little Red" who had obediently followed him out and a knowing smile appeared on his face, as if his plan had been successfully executed.

It seems my prediction was correct; just like in the game, I can indeed issue mission orders to the protagonist, Xiao Chi!

This proves a great deal.

Based on his current identity as a "handsome researcher," and according to the basic settings in the Pokémon games.

Not only Red, but also Green, Blue, and even some gym leaders, can theoretically be given tasks and made to carry them out.

In this way, the value and operability of this dream world are greatly enhanced for him!

Without dwelling on his thoughts, Bai Zhou walked to the Trainer Command Area and gently placed the Ralts in his arms onto the soft grass.

Ralts understood, took small steps to the center of the arena, then turned around and assumed a battle stance.

Bai Zhou then looked at Chi Hong standing opposite him and spoke in a tone befitting an NPC, with a hint of business.

"Handsome Researcher: Before you head to Professor Oak's lab, Professor Oak has asked me to conduct a simple battle test on you."

"Handsome Researcher: All you need to do is persevere in the battles as much as possible, showcasing your potential and willpower. So, are you ready?"

This is... a battle against Brother Bai Zhou!?

A sharp glint flashed in his blood-red eyes!

He had lost count of how many surprises this dream had brought him!

In reality, he had longed for a Pokémon battle with Bai Zhou for a very long time, but this wish has not yet been fulfilled.

Unexpectedly, this long-cherished wish was to be fulfilled ahead of schedule in this wonderful dream in such an unexpected way!

His immense excitement almost made him agree immediately.

But his remaining rationality made him raise his hand, pointing somewhat uncertainly to the Gengar floating beside Bai Zhou, and then to the empty space beside him.

No problem at all for battles! I couldn't be happier!

But Brother Shirazu—I don't have any Pokémon I can command right now?

"Do I need to borrow Gengar from you for this battle?"

Crimson thought anxiously to herself.

However, these words, once again, were transformed into a silent dialogue box by the rules of the dream.

"Little Red: ————"

Bai Zhou looked at the pop-up dialog box in his field of vision, and then at "Little Red's" obviously puzzled expression and the gesture of pointing at Gengar, and immediately understood what he meant.

Instead of answering directly, he turned to Gengar, who was floating to the side watching the commotion, and said, "Gengar, don't just stand there, you, be the referee."

Upon hearing this, Gengar immediately broke into a funny grin on its chubby face and cheerfully responded.

"Genga!"

Then, it happily floated to the referee's box at the edge of the field.

It even went so far as to pull out a small red and green flag from its belly, which connected to another dimension, and solemnly held it up.

The referee is in position.

Bai Zhou then turned his gaze back to the crimson, his tone becoming exceptionally "serious" and "professional."

"Handsome Researcher: Alright, no need to worry about the referee anymore. Look, Gengar is in position. As long as it gives the order, the flag will fall, and our battle test will officially begin."

crimson:???

No!

This isn't about whether there's a referee or not! I don't even have any Pokémon to battle with!

How can a trainer battle without any Pokémon?!

Chi Hong looked incredulous, inwardly cursing wildly.

However, Bai Zhou did not give him more time to sigh or explain.

In the center of the arena, Ralts was already bowing slightly.

A serious light shone in his orange-red eyes, and a faint spiritual energy began to gather between his small palms, clearly indicating that he had entered a state of combat readiness.

"Gengar: Clang—Gar—(Battle begins—)"

With a drawn-out, ceremonial shout, Gengar suddenly swung its referee flag downwards!

The battle has officially begun!

Red looked at Ralts, who was already in a fighting stance opposite him, and then looked at his own empty surroundings.

Finally, looking at Bai Zhou across from him, who had a "I'm very serious" expression, he was completely bewildered.

How am I supposed to fight this?!

"Handsome Researcher: Ralts! Psychic!"

Bai Zhou's command came to an end.

In the arena, a faint pink light appeared in Ralts' eyes.

It slightly raised its two small hands, and an invisible spiritual force quickly gathered and compressed within them, forming a ball of energy that slightly distorted the air.

With a clean and decisive forward throw from Ralts, the ball of psychic energy, imbued with a mental impact, was launched.

It traced a faint path, heading straight for crimson!

"No! Brother Bai Zhou, wait a minute! This isn't right!"

Crimson screamed inwardly, but only a silent dialog box came out.

"Little Red: ————"

However, despite his shouts, his physical instincts, honed over years in treacherous wilderness and fierce battles, were far faster than his sarcastic reactions!

As the psychic ball hurtled towards him, Crimson reacted almost reflexively with a swift side slide followed by a smooth forward roll.

The movement was executed in one smooth motion, not only narrowly avoiding the direct hit of the psychic ball, but also taking the opportunity to close the distance by several meters!

The psychic ball grazed his back and struck a large tree behind him, causing leaves to fall in a rustling sound.

"Wow? That movement technique—it's got something!"

Bai Zhou's eyes lit up as he watched Chi Hong's smooth little combo.

He originally thought that a simple telekinetic technique would be enough to lull the "unarmed" protagonist to sleep and render him unable to fight.

Then see if the system pops up the battle results screen.

Unexpectedly, this guy's reaction and physical abilities far exceeded expectations. He not only easily dodged the attack but also closed the distance.

This, on the contrary, aroused Shiraishu's strong interest in "research".

"Handsome Researcher: Good reaction! How about this move? Ralts! Use Illusion Beam to block his movement!"