I beg you female trainers to give me money even if you lose!

Upon arriving in Dark Grey City, Yang Xiying completed a simple registration at the entrance and obtained the necessary clearance documents.

Next, we rushed to the Pokémon Center, completed a simple check-in procedure, and then headed straight to the Pine Gym in Pine City!

—By completing the trials here, you can obtain the Pyrenees Gym Badge!

"...Are you going to challenge my Pygmy Gym?"

Yang Xiying, standing at the entrance of the Dark Grey Gym, quickly attracted attention, but her explanation was rather unique.

My Dark Grey Gym?

Thinking this, Yang Xiying turned her gaze behind her, where a man with his eyes narrowed into slits was standing.

PS: This is the first step in the protagonist's growth, but don't expect me to write the emotions in a particularly delicate or good way.

Sweet romance? No way! This book is all about fighting monsters and saving the world along the way.

PS: When I got to the fourth year of Tale of Wuxia, I found that I could only take the path of the leader of the martial arts world, but then I had to choose between the two endings of the Love Saint Yaksha!

NO.100+101 Meeting an old friend in a foreign land!

The person was wearing a gray jacket with orange stripes on top and gray trousers on the bottom, a rather simple outfit.

He had spiky hair, sword-like eyebrows, and while his face wasn't exactly handsome, he had a masculine air about him, and he looked very familiar...

"Yes, it's only around two o'clock now, so I went straight to the Pewter Gym to challenge it and try to get my first badge."

Yang Xiying responded directly, and then asked questions.

"Also, sir, you just said this is your dojo, what do you mean...?"

"I am Brock, the Gym Leader of Pewter City. Hello, but it's surprising that you want to get your first badge."

The squinty-eyed man opposite her immediately stated his name and background, but he was also puzzled by Yang Xiying's words.

Because Yang Xiying looked to be around twenty years old, only a few years younger than him, and she still hadn't earned a badge.

"—You're a new Pokémon Trainer? Where are you from?"

"My name is Yang Xiying. I'm from Yan Country, but I started as a Pokémon Trainer in Pallet Town in the Kanto region."

"Pallet New Town?!"

Yang Xiying also began to introduce herself, which caused the other person to suddenly react, opening their narrowed eyes a few millimeters.

"Wha...what's wrong?" Yang Xiying asked, puzzled, seeing the other person's startled expression as if they had heard something terrible.

"Ah... cough, I'm sorry, before you, I had already received three Pokémon Trainers from Pallet Town as a Gym Leader."

Xiao Gang suddenly realized that his behavior was unsportsmanlike, and immediately came to his senses, explaining why he had acted that way.

"They all claimed to be novice Pokémon trainers who had just embarked on their travels, but their performance was different from what I had imagined..."

These guys made him question the meaning of life, and images from the past began to surface in Xiao Gang's mind...

"Umbreon! Round Eyes! Wish! Odd Light! Graft!"

"Nidoking! Earth Power! Ice Beam!"

The brown-haired, spiky-headed Pokémon passed the Level 2 Gym challenge with just two Pokémon. What if the opposing Pokémon had been at level 50?

That's enough to pass the Level 3 trial! No way! Where did you, a new Pokémon Trainer, get two Level 50 Pokémon?!

Moreover, the configuration is extremely reasonable, with the Life Orb containing the urgent need for Nidoking, although this has been demonstrated on television.

However, it takes months or even years to train to that level; the Ice Beam is not a move that Nidoking can learn simply by leveling up.

So the person opposite doesn't look like a rookie trainer who just went on a trip! Even if they trained before the trip, it doesn't make sense!

A true beginner shouldn't have Pokémon that are only level 10 or 20, and shouldn't train Pokémon based solely on personal preference.

You can't even remember type advantages, weaknesses, moves, and item effects?! Are you some rich kid out here experiencing life?!

But the name Oak is indeed... It's understandable that the legendary grandson of Professor Oak would have such a level of expertise.

So the next Pokémon trainer I encountered in Pallet Town seemed quite normal; he even brought an Electric-type Pikachu to challenge the Gym!

Here we have to mention why the trainers in the gyms basically all have Pokémon of the same type.

The reason is to help novice trainers recognize Pokémon of the corresponding types. Although schools teach type advantages and disadvantages, many trainers still can't remember them!

The best example is someone bringing a Bug-type Normal-type Pokémon to challenge their gym, and now there's an Electric-type one.

Although Rock-type Pokémon are not immune to Electric-type moves, in the Kanto region, common Rock-type Pokémon usually carry the Ground type.

With this, you become immune to Electric-type Pokémon, so using an Electric-type Pokémon to fight against it is simply reckless.

Therefore, as the Gym Leader, Brock should use real battles to make his opponents realize that challenging the Pewter City Gym with Electric-type Pokémon is a foolish act.

Given the situation on the other side, he'd probably be kicked out by the gym leader guarding the front before he even saw himself.

But in the end, it seems he was the fool, even though all five Pokémon the red-hatted guy was carrying were weak to Rock or Ground.

However, the Gym Leaders' Rock-type Pokémon did not fare well. First, Pikachu was completely helpless with just two moves.

—A high-five surprise attack + surfing!

Then there's Butterfly, whose compound eye hypnotic powder puts people into a state of sleep, which has begun to give his dojo disciples psychological trauma.

Finally, only Gyarados looks relatively normal... what a load of rubbish! Is this the kind of Pokémon a rookie Pokémon trainer could possibly catch?!

Although the opposing Pokémon's composition did have obvious weaknesses, it was already quite remarkable that they were able to maximize its advantages.

So are all the new trainers in Pallet Town monsters? One of them passed the Level 2 Gym Trial right after debuting...

However, Xiao Gang still regarded it as a coincidence. After all, there are always a few geniuses in the world, right?

But a month later, another new Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town came to visit, making Brock realize that if there's a second, there's a third!

Maximizing Pokémon's strengths and understanding type advantage—this is yet another old-school Pokémon trainer who calls himself a newbie!

Big Tail stands upright, coils up, cleans up, takes over and strengthens, Bulbasaur uses Leech Seed, Sleep Powder, Rooting, Flower Dance to interfere, Starmie uses Hot Water to harvest!

At this rate, Xiao Gang will have to pay a visit to Pallet Town to find out what its composition is, and how come there are so many genius trainers there?!

So when Xiao Gang heard that Yang Xiying was from Pallet Town, he couldn't help but have a stress reaction: You're a rookie Pokémon Trainer too?!

"That's it."

Yang Xiying understood what was going on; it turned out that the crimson and green leaves had given the Dark Grey Gym Leader a psychological trauma.

"...So, Mr. Xiaogang, do you still accept gym challenges here?" But Yang Xiying didn't dwell on this topic for too long and went straight to the point.

"I'm really sorry, but I can't accept this right now," Xiao Gang answered bluntly, leaving Yang Xiying looking puzzled. "Huh?"

You wouldn't be like Giovanni, only working a few days a month, would you? Speaking of which, gym leaders in games always seem to have some issues.

—It's either because I'm going out on business or I need your help with some kind of incident...

“…Because it’s Sunday today, I’m on vacation,” Xiao Gang explained at this point, while Yang Xiying’s expression became subtle.

The idea of ​​Sundays off sounded a bit fantastical to him, but he still wanted to try asking about it.

"...Can't we work overtime?" Because once he decides to do something today, he doesn't want to put it off until tomorrow.

“No, because I’m doing part-time work even on my vacation,” Xiao Gang shook his head, while Yang Xiying looked curious. “Part-time work?”

—It's true that most Pokémon Gym Leaders are not exactly good at their jobs...

“Yes, I’m a Pokémon breeder, and I also help maintain order in Pewter City,” Brock replied directly.

"You must have worked really hard," Yang Xiying said, understanding that this vacation was practically the same as not taking one at all!

"It's alright, the dojo isn't too busy on weekdays," Xiao Gang replied casually. "We only get two or three challengers a day."

"However, this way the salary won't be enough, so I also need to do some part-time work to make ends meet."

"Understood, I'll come back to challenge you next time. May I ask what your opening hours are?" Yang Xiying nodded, then asked about the opening hours of the venue.

“You can come anytime from Monday to Friday,” Xiao Gang replied, “and before that you can go and explore Dark Grey City.”

"There are still many places worth visiting here, such as the Science Museum, which has a lot of historical artifacts on display."

"—There are even fossils of extinct Pokémon on display."

"I understand," Yang Xiying nodded, then parted ways with Xiao Gang, having received some advice from him before leaving.

"By the way, Team Rocket has been quite rampant lately. They not only steal valuable items, but they even steal Pokémon."

"—You should also be careful as a Pokémon Trainer."

"Thank you for the advice."

So, where should we go for a stroll next...?

After leaving the Pewter City Gym, Yang Xiying also faced a choice: should she go back to the Pokémon Center or explore Pewter City?

Hmm, I guess I'll wander around Pewter City. You might become a beggar through hardship, or a great hero through leisurely strolls. In the Pokémon world, you have to travel around to find opportunities.

Let's go check out the Pygmy Science Museum that Brock mentioned. You can get good stuff there in the Pokémon games.

Earth's teachings, secret amber, especially the latter, is the fossilized remains of the extinct ancient Pokémon, the pterosaur.

There is now technology to revive ancient Pokémon, and if Yang Xiying could get her hands on it... she was quite interested in Aerodactyl.

It has speed comparable to Crobat and even greater power. Although its ability is not good and its moves are rather limited, it can Mega Evolve.

—If you used it as a mount, it would be incredibly cool.

Besides items and moves, you might also bump into a helpful person; in the HeartGold and SoulSilver versions, you can meet Daigo here.

This is a true heavyweight Pokémon trainer, the Hoenn champion, who travels all over the world because he loves rocks.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense for him to come to Fukahashi City in the Kanto region, since the theme here is stone, and there is also the resource-rich Tsukimi-yama nearby.

However, Yang Xiying didn't expect to meet this important figure, and those props and skills might have already been obtained by Chi Hong and his group.

But going to the Science Museum is just a waste of the 50 yuan entrance fee; it's practically free, you can just wander around.

Before long, with the help of his phone's navigation and directions from passersby, Yang Xiying arrived at his destination, paid the entrance fee, and went straight inside.

Then half an hour passed, and he really just browsed the science museum like an ordinary tourist, without any opportunities.

I can only say that I'm not destined to be the protagonist. The science museum's research lab that obtained the secret amber had a sign saying "No Trespassing" and was guarded by security personnel.

I didn't encounter any experts who taught Pokémon, nor did I meet any benefactors like Steven... oh no, I did have benefactors.

"Hello, welcome to the Dark Grey City Science Museum. I will now introduce you to..."

Not far from Yang Xiying, there were two slender women, one with pink hair and the other with green hair. Judging from their work clothes, they were probably the navigators here.

This is to make it easier for tourists to understand the local exhibits, and because of their good looks, many people are happy to be guided by them.

Yang Xiying also wanted to go, but quickly stopped herself because the two were acquaintances, even the kind who had had intimate conversations on the bedsheets!

Yes, they were elite members of Team Rocket, Resa and Rie, but now they've become staff members at the Science Museum...

As expected, Xiao Gang was right. The Rockets have been acting quite aggressively lately, so... Yang Xiying frowned and stepped back behind the others.

Regardless of what the other side wanted to do, Yang Xiying did not intend to get close to them, after all, they were members of Team Rocket.

Since they were all still wearing makeup, Yang Xiying just wanted to leave, even though that was somewhat inactive.

But he couldn't find any evidence to expose these people; at most, he could only try to stop them when they had already committed a crime.

The other side is hiding so well, and the timing of their crime is still uncertain. If they really want to cause trouble, they might have already left Dark Grey City.

So it's best to slip away first.

Yang Xiying went straight back to the Pokémon Center and locked herself in her room. Staying at home was definitely the most comfortable thing to do.

In addition, he also has to make videos, and each video requires dozens or hundreds of drawings, so he has to work even harder.

Yang Xiying stayed up until midnight, and it was almost one o'clock. It was time for her to go to sleep.

"Gurgle—" But his stomach suddenly made the sound of the author of Hedgehog Cat, only to find that he had finished all his snacks.

Furthermore, the Pokémon Center cafeteria is closed late at night, so he has no choice but to go to the Pokémon Center lobby.