Elf-like Life

Chapter 57, The Perfect Apple After 8 Years

At this crucial juncture, what little elf wouldn't love treasure?

Even when Charmander shouted for everyone to stop, it was no use; everyone rushed towards the red treasure chest!

Charmander, on the other hand, once again activated his sixth sense, and all the signs told him that there was definitely something wrong with this treasure chest.

From a human perspective, this treasure chest is 100% a trap; it would be a miracle if there were a treasure chest in such a damp and dark place.

However, it was too late.

The little dragon's shouts weren't even as fast as the lobster soldier's crab claws.

Not only did it smash the red treasure chest open with a single plier, but the chest also made a creaking sound as it slowly opened, and a blinding light burst out.

Pikachu is super excited:

"It's so bright! The treasure chest is about to open! What treasures are inside?!"

Treasure my foot!

It's probably some kind of mercury trap, or maybe it'll unleash a barrage of needles the moment you open it. In short, this kind of treasure chest is shrouded in malevolent energy, and opening it would definitely be a disastrous experience.

"Everyone lie down! Watch out for the hidden weapons in the box!"

Charmander shouted again, and Pikachu and Soldier Lobster could hardly bear to watch anymore.

At this moment, the little fire dragon lay prone on the ground, warily keeping a distance of more than 1 meter from the red treasure chest, fearing that any hidden weapons that might suddenly explode from inside would harm innocent people.

"Snap!" (The treasure chest opens completely)

However, everything was normal, not as Charmander had imagined.

Hey hey hey,

No hidden weapons, no traps, and no mechanisms triggered?

Pikachu has always admired Charmander's bravery, but it never expected that he would be defeated by a small treasure chest this time. (Pikachu covers its mouth and laughs.)

"Pfft, Charmander, what are you doing? Why are you so scared by a treasure chest? This isn't like you at all!"

Charmander looked annoyed.

"Hey, why are you guys so hesitant to open a treasure chest? When you see a big treasure chest like this, of course you should open it right there, understand?"

Lobster soldiers are never ambiguous when it comes to opening treasure chests.

Treasure chests are a series of treasures hidden deep within the labyrinth, and they are the most coveted gifts for every expedition team during their adventures.

Treasure chests are generally available in three sizes: large, medium, and small.

Large treasure chests are too heavy to move, so expeditions usually open them on the spot and distribute the treasures inside if there are many.

Medium and small treasure chests can be taken away according to the expedition team's needs and opened later.

Alternatively, you can take the little treasure chests to the Natural Bird Fortune Teller in Treasure Town for a fortune telling session, and have the Natural Bird owner help you open the treasure chests.

I've heard that treasure chests that have undergone divination can also have a luck bonus, making the treasures inside even better.

Let's see what treasures are hidden inside this large red chest!

The next moment, the huge treasure chest appeared to be empty, with nothing inside at all; the four corners of the chest were not filled at all.

Then an apple rolled out of the treasure chest.

It rolled around once.

Two laps,

Three laps

Finally, stopping and looking further inside, you can find a yellowed note with specific information about the large treasure chest:

Want my treasure? It's all here!

Yes, this is an incredibly precious and perfect apple. Today I'm burying it here, waiting for someone destined to find it someday.

ha?

There's only one perfect apple in such a huge red treasure chest?

The lobster soldier felt tricked as soon as he finished reading the note. To be honest, this was the first time he had encountered such a ridiculous treasure chest in all his adventures so far, and opening it only made him angrier:

"Hey, that's it?"

"Who's playing a trick on me? There's only one perfect apple in such a huge red treasure chest?!"

You could call that perfect apple some kind of rare and exceptional apple, but in reality, it was worse than anyone imagined.

That perfect apple had been buried in the treasure chest for at least eight years.

It must have expired a long time ago.

The little dragon immediately thought of the black bear in the desert, who had collected green pepper and shredded pork fried rice with a shelf life of 10 years.

This perfect apple is like the green pepper and shredded pork fried rice – it's preserved so well that it looks like it was just picked, and it's also preservative-free and additive-free.

"But I still wouldn't mind eating this perfect apple." Pikachu leaned closer to examine it carefully.

"This apple is definitely eight years old; you can't just eat it."

Based on the knowledge I've learned, it's not impossible to preserve a perfect apple from 7 years ago so well; this is related to the environment deep within the Great Crystal Passage.

Naturally formed caves are generally the best place to store food.

Moreover, the entrance to the Great Crystal Passage is behind the waterfall, so very few Pokémon are usually found there.

In addition, the humid environment and the surrounding amethyst ensure that even if the perfect apple lies quietly in the treasure chest, the moisture on its peel will not evaporate, but will always be covered with a layer of water droplets.

If things continue like this, it can be preserved for another 10 years.

Speaking of which, the only person who seems interested in the perfect apple is probably the adorably silly guild leader of the Jigglypuff Guild.

The owner of this treasure chest is quite amusing; he and that chubby little guy could be good buddies, known as the Perfect Apple Buddies.

The lobster soldier suddenly got excited:

"Hehe, I've got it!"

"This perfect apple must be the president's favorite. If we bring it back as a gift for the president, we can get another year-end bonus!"

Charmander is not interested in perfect apples, but Jigglypuff is an absolute fanatic.

All food is junk food to Puffy Ding.

Even the most exquisite delicacies cannot compare to a small, perfect apple.

Moreover, this apple is a rare delicacy that has been preserved for 8 years, so President Fat Cat will definitely love it.

"Hey, it's decided!"

The lobster soldier was quite careful, using some special methods to preserve the perfect apple before taking it away.

Before we even got close, the entire large crystal passageway suddenly trembled!

[!] Boom, thud—

What was that sound? An earthquake?

Charmander instantly became alert, Pikachu also sensed something was wrong, and the Shrimp even heard a series of surging sounds, seemingly above their heads.

【!】Boom, swish swish swish swish swish—

The sound of flowing water from the waterfall?

No, the waterfall is clearly outside, but this is definitely the sound of flowing water, and a powerful, surging sound at that!

Is there a celestial river at the top?

Pikachu suddenly realized something—that sound was definitely not a good omen!

There is a clear underground river above everyone's heads, and that underground river is inevitably related to the formation of the natural cave.

Moreover, once the entire cave is shaken, the direction of the underground river will change accordingly, which may lead to natural phenomena such as backflow and erosion.

"Oh no! Everyone get out of here! It looks like the Dark River is coming!"

Charmander + Lobster Soldier: "Dark River?"

In the final moment, it was all too late.

It turns out that the red treasure chest was the mechanism that triggered the underground river's surge. Once touched, it would cause a strong tremor in the main passage, eventually sweeping all the explorers away.

Swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish—

boom--

An undercurrent surged in, then instantly reversed course!

Everything changed in an instant.

The three little ones, unable to escape in time, were instantly swept away by the surging waves, struggling and flapping their tiny paws:

"Waaaaaaahhhhhh!" (X3)

As expected, something happened! The classic scene is back, with the underground river flowing backwards. So, what book is the recommended read for tonight? That's right, it's from the great author BaGeZi, "Starting as a Pokémon Trainer," a super good Pokémon novel!

(End of this chapter)