"It's unexpectedly cute."
Jason pushed up his glasses, trying to get a clearer look at Larvitar.
Its entire body was covered in rough, gray-green, rock-like skin. A blunt horn jutted out from the top of its head, its red eyes were sharp and bright, and its short arms looked almost clumsy. Its abdomen was covered in a patch of red scales, and beneath one eye was a dark marking that resembled a tear stain.
"It feels kind of rough to the touch."
As Lucas gently stroked Larvitar's head, feeling the uneven texture against his palm, he couldn't help but comment with a hint of amazement.
"Larvitar is a Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon," Ren explained with a smile. "They're usually born underground and live in caves or mountainous regions, so their skin is naturally tough."
"And once it reaches its final evolution, it'll be covered in armor-like plates. You could practically call it a walking heavy armored vehicle."
"A heavy armored vehicle?"
Jason clicked his tongue and looked at the small Larvitar again, even more impressed.
As if remembering something, Jason took out his illustrated book and pointed it at Larvitar.
Beep—
Larvitar, the Rock Skin Pokémon.
Type: Rock / Ground.
Ability: Guts.
Known moves: Tackle, Leer, Rock Throw, Sandstorm.
It is born deep underground. It survives by consuming soil. After eating an entire mountain, it falls into a long slumber in order to grow.
The mechanical voice echoed in the shop.
Jason went silent.
He was seriously jealous.
Four moves right from the start. Aside from Diancie, this was the Pokémon with the richest move pool he'd seen so far.
And that description—eating an entire mountain?
"Larvitar has outstanding potential," Ren said calmly. "It's a truly exceptional specimen."
Even Ren was a little surprised. Pokémon like Larvitar were already rare enough, and this one was clearly above average.
"Boss, does it really eat dirt?"
Lucas asked, half-joking, half-serious. Even without deep knowledge, he could tell this Pokémon was extraordinary—and that only made him more satisfied.
"It's not exactly 'eating dirt,'" Ren replied. "Larvitar has an extremely strong appetite and needs enormous amounts of nutrients to grow."
"In the wild, they absorb minerals and energy from soil and rock. Saying it 'eats a mountain' is more of a way to describe how much it consumes."
"So you should be prepared, Mr. Lucas. This little guy is a real big eater."
Ren teased lightly.
"That won't be a problem," Lucas said with a faint smile, his calm confidence unmistakable. "I won't let my Pokémon go hungry."
From this moment on, Larvitar was his Pokémon—his partner.
Ding-ling—
The doorbell rang suddenly.
"Welcome—huh?"
Ren nodded apologetically to Lucas and Jason before turning toward the entrance. What he saw made him pause for a moment.
…Figures.
"Miss Lily, why are you looking at me like that?"
Ren blinked, slightly puzzled as he looked at the girl standing in front of him, her expression a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
Lucas glanced over briefly. It was the same girl from the video he'd seen last night. He soon turned back, continuing to observe Larvitar.
"Boss! You've gone too far!" Lily said angrily. "My image has been completely ruined by you!"
"You mean the video?"
Ren froze for a second, then immediately understood.
"But I asked for your permission beforehand," Ren said innocently. "You said it was fine."
That was true. Before uploading the video, he had messaged Lily and Jason for consent. If either of them had objected, he would've blurred their faces without hesitation.
Jason hadn't cared at all. And Lily—still riding the high of getting her Pokémon—had agreed without thinking much about it.
She just hadn't expected herself to look… that unrestrained.
"You're too sly!" Lily protested. "Boss, I trusted you so much!"
"Uh… Miss Lily, don't say it like that. People might misunderstand."
"I don't care! You tricked an innocent college student!"
"..."
Rolling her eyes, Emma ignored her friend's dramatics and walked over with her Pokedex.
Beep— Larvitar…
After recording Larvitar's data, Emma looked curiously at the small green Pokémon.
"It sounds incredible," she said. "Eating mountains and all. Isn't that kind of exaggerated?"
At some point, Lily had also wandered over. She scanned Larvitar as well, looking doubtful.
"It's about the same size as my Pokémon. Can this little thing really eat a mountain?"
"Larvitar is a quasi-legendary Pokémon," Jason said, lips twitching, his tone filled with envy.
My cousin's luck is ridiculous.
"A quasi-legendary Pokémon?"
Lily froze, then exchanged confused looks with Emma.
"They're Pokémon that stand just below Legendary Pokémon," Jason explained, though even he struggled to put it neatly into words.
"???"
Lily was even more confused.
"Let me put it simply," Jason said at last. "This Larvitar costs sixty million."
Silence.
"What… did you say?"
Lily stared at him in disbelief. Emma's eyes widened as well.
Sixty million?!
For a moment, the shop felt eerily quiet.