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

Upon closer inspection, Xia Chen chuckled even more. This idiot didn't even own a high-tech bicycle like himself; he was just riding on asphalt with two-wheeled skates.

Wait a minute...

Roller skates?

The triggering of the key item made Xia Chen pause for a moment. Upon closer inspection, he saw a golden high ponytail, a slender figure, and long, muscular legs.

This idiot... no, could this girl be... Kelney?

…………

"Thank you for the hospitality!" Korne patted her belly contentedly, revealing a cheerful and satisfied smile.

"Leo!" The small, blue-black dog Leo beside him made the same gesture.

"Yo..."

Zorua stared blankly at the blonde girl's flat stomach, then looked down at the empty iron pot, still unable to understand how so much food had gotten inside.

If I had such a big appetite, I probably would have starved to death while wandering.

Ralts tugged at the little fox's tail, reminding the newly arrived Zoroah, who was still quite socially awkward, not to say anything rude.

Aside from having a strained relationship with Eevee for certain reasons, Zorua still gives Ralts and Milotic a lot of face.

She lowered her head and continued eating the ghost-type energy cube that Xia Chen had specially made for her, a happy expression on her face.

Having experienced hardship, even the slightest bit of sweetness can fill her heart.

Chapter 138 All evil will eventually be brought to justice! (4k two-in-one)

Korni also saw her glorious results. She scratched her head shyly, "I'm so sorry, I ate too much. I didn't expect Xia Chen to make such delicious food."

Xia Chen shook his head nonchalantly. He was overjoyed to see the character he loved in his past life appear right in front of him.

After adding the ingredients back into the pot and cooking some more, Xia Chen asked, "Korne, are you traveling alone too? Just with Riolu, your only Pokémon?"

Xia Chen remembered that Korni had at least one Mega Mage and one Hawthorn, so there was no reason for her to only bring one Riolu on a trip.

"I also have a Machamp and a Kung Fu Weasel. It would be too expensive to keep them with me all the time. I usually have my grandfather bring them over when I go to the city to challenge the gyms."

Korne explained the second question first, but Xia Chen could tell from the way Leorio was secretly looking at her that Little Cucumber had probably accused the villain first.

Ignoring Riolu's subtle glance, she continued, "I come from Solo City, the westernmost city in the Kalos region. My goal is to collect eight Gym Badges to challenge next year's Luna Contest!"

As she spoke, Korne took out a box from her backpack and opened it with great pride. Inside, two dark-colored badges gleamed.

It was clearly the insect emblem of Shirahara City and the rock wall emblem of Haruka City.

They don't even have their own battle badge?

Xia Chen was quite surprised; it seemed her grandfather was rather strict with her.

However, although the Bug Badge and Rock Badge are indeed relatively easy early-game gyms to beat in the game, and are also countered by Korrina, who is proficient in Fighting-type moves, being able to obtain both badges shows that Korrina's combat strength at this stage is already quite good.

Xia Chen looked at Ke Erni, who was about the same age as him, and suddenly felt a little curious.

If I aim to collect badges by challenging the League Tournament, how many can I get?

Since the recruitment competition two months ago, I haven't experienced a closely matched battle in a long time.

At that time, Milotic was already able to defeat Gengar, who was at the peak of the amateur level. After two months of top-notch resources and careful training with the Secret of the Dragon Gym, how far had it grown?

And what about the current strength levels of Eevee, Ralts, and even Zoroa?

…………

"Hey, hey, hey, can you hear me, Xia Chen?"

Korni patted Xia Chen on the shoulder, waking him from his reverie.

Xia Chen smiled apologetically and said, "Sorry, I was thinking about something. What did you just say?"

Korne grinned, flashed her fist, and said, "How about a match?"

"Leo!" Leo threw a punch, but accidentally hit Zoroa, who was engrossed in eating.

Riolu, who had been attacked by the little fox with a glare, quickly ran over to apologize.

Xia Chen asked in surprise, "Now? Right here?"

Korne nodded matter-of-factly and said seriously, "That's right, as long as you have the will to fight, anywhere can be a battlefield!"

Xia Chen was quite interested in fighting Corinne, but he wasn't that "battle-minded." He stroked his chin and declined.

"It's too far from the Pokémon Center. That little bit of healing spray won't be enough to fully heal a Pokémon."

Korne scratched her head sheepishly.

Xia Chen asked, "You've never encountered this kind of problem before?"

Little Cucumber proudly declared, "Riolu and I have never lost! We've achieved a thirteen-game winning streak so far!"

Did Korne set her goal of a 100-game winning streak so early?

Thinking this over, Xia Chen suddenly asked, "Have you considered making a record for the winning streak?"

Korni paused for a moment, "Record? What do you mean?"

Xia Chen chuckled with a hint of mischievousness, "For example, if you defeat a Pokémon, you can leave its footprints as a souvenir."

This is exactly what Korney does in the anime, and Xia Chen always felt a strange sense of pleasure in doing this to these characters.

If I had to describe it...would the word "training" be more appropriate?

Korni's eyes lit up, and she patted Xia Chen on the shoulder again, saying excitedly, "This idea is brilliant! You've just said exactly what I've always wanted to do but never thought of!"

Xia Chen chuckled inwardly. He now understood the meaning of the phrase, "I feel like I've always lived in his shadow."

…………

Because of their agreement to have a proper 3v3 match in Baike City, Xia Chen, who was considered a close friend by Korni, gained a beautiful travel companion after lunch.

The two traveled side by side along the long Route 17, one on a bicycle and the other on roller skates.

During the conversation, Xia Chen learned some information: Cornet did not come from the direction of Fragrant City like Xia Chen, but from White Sandalwood City in the south.

It was quite a coincidence that we met on the road to Baike City.

Compared to Xia Chen's high-tech travel outfit, Ke Erni's attire looked rather shabby.

One person, one dog, one roller skate, and a small tent—this is how they've been traveling for over a month now.

Xia Chen was a little puzzled. Korne was from a dojo family and a direct descendant of the League. How could she be so shabby?

Then he thought of a possibility: the most memorable thing about Sara City in the game and anime is Mega Evolution.

Although there is no official explanation, the origin of Mega Evolution is most likely the mysterious boulder on the beach in Sara City.

In this era before Mega Evolution existed, the Sala Gym must not have been very wealthy.

Perhaps Korrina's current goal is to challenge the League in order to revitalize the gym?

Xia Chen didn't ask directly, as it would be impolite, but he still helped the girl quietly to the best of his ability.

Putting everything else aside, the reason of forging a good relationship with a gym leader with unlimited potential in the future is enough.

A week passed as the two traveled together, and they were getting closer and closer to Baike City.

However, this also means that they are moving further and further into the Alpine Mountains.

The intervals between rest areas along Highway 17 alone showed that they were in a desolate, uninhabited place, far from any village or town.

…………

On the ninth day of our journey together, around dusk.

Although it was still bright enough, they knew they might not find a suitable place to camp any further ahead, so Xia Chen and Ke Erni stopped their journey and set up camp in an open space by a mountain stream.

Korrina and Riolu were setting up tents on one side, Xia Chen was cooking by the stream, Eevee was looking for fresh berries nearby, Milotic used its huge body to block the stream, Zoroas was responsible for bringing the fish up, and Ralts was standing on Xia Chen's shoulders on tiptoe, acting cute.

Everyone performed their duties, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Before long, before the sky had completely darkened, the group and the elves sat around the table enjoying nature's bounty.

Several ordinary fish, some braised, some steamed, some boiled in soup, lie on the plate on the table, gazing at the starry sky, wondering why they have become a gift from nature.

"Wow... you can make so many different ways to cook fish, you people from Donghuang really know how to eat." Korni chewed on a piece of braised fish, her words a little muffled.

"Leo!" Riolu nodded in agreement and wolfed down his food with his trainer.

Xia Chen found it somewhat amusing. No wonder Korni and Riolu had such a deep bond; the two were practically identical.

"It's alright, eat more. If you're still hungry, let Zoroya go catch some more from the creek."

"Aba aba..." Korni was so moved that she burst into tears, and mumbled, "Xia Chen, it's so good to have met you on this journey! You're really my best buddy!"

Little Cucumber suddenly remembered something and excitedly said, "Don't you Eastern Huang have a tradition called... sworn brotherhood? How about we become sworn brothers?"

Xia Chen was somewhat taken aback by Ke Erni's absurd suggestion: to become sworn brothers with Ke Erni...

That sounds so cool!

Xia Chen admitted that he was tempted, and he was about to agree when Ibu next to him suddenly barked alertly.

He casually picked up Eevee, who cooperated by quietly pointing to his right rear from inside his arms.

Xia Chen knew that in this remote, mountainous area, Ibu's unusual behavior meant only one thing: danger was imminent.

…………

"Boss, we've struck it rich! We've struck it rich!"

In the dark, dense forest, a burly man with a buzz cut used night-vision goggles to observe Xia Chen, Ke Erni, and their elves in the clearing.

His hushed voice could not conceal his excitement.

"A shiny Ralts, Milotic, Zoroark, Riolu—all top-tier stuff! Damn, what's with the Eevee? What bad luck!"

The bearded man standing behind him couldn't help but breathe rapidly upon hearing the names of these elves.

Except for that Eevee, they're all big stuff!

The last lean man was also shocked, "Holy crap, after this he'll be set for life for three years!"

However, he immediately thought of something else: "The family background of someone who can raise such an elf... can we afford to offend them?"