"Th-That's… a Pokédex?! Captain Icarus, you're seriously rich!"
Even though it had been painted black, the shape was unmistakable. Takashima's eyes were glued to it, shock written all over his face.
"Haha, it's nothing—just a first-generation model," Icarus said casually, finally enjoying the same admiration he once felt from others.
"Even first-generation Pokédexes are expensive! Their prices are always marked up!"
Takashima still couldn't look away, his eyes full of envy.
---
"Alright, enough staring. Let's get to work. Have your Pokémon keep watch."
Icarus quickly gave orders. Both sides' Pokémon spread out to guard the surroundings.
Then, he picked up a Poké Ball and slotted it into the Pokédex.
"Click!"
"Beep—Data loading…"
---
Pokémon: Rattata
Type: Normal
Category: Mouse Pokémon
Height: 0.3 m
Weight: —
Evaluation: A common Pokémon, but not to be underestimated. Its sharp incisors can gnaw through even hard materials.
Aptitude: Ordinary
Strength: Beginner Mid
Status: Severely injured, unconscious
Suggestion: Send to Pokémon Center immediately
---
"Nice start!" Takashima leaned in excitedly. "Ordinary aptitude right away—and the Pokédex is so detailed!"
"Yeah, not bad," Icarus replied calmly, setting that Poké Ball aside before testing the next.
"Beep—Aptitude: Ordinary Low."
Both of their expressions darkened slightly.
---
"Click."
Icarus released the unconscious Rattata onto the ground.
"Takashima, take care of it. You can still sell the materials."
"Got it, Captain."
Takashima nodded, pulling out a knife and efficiently finishing the job.
---
Meanwhile, Icarus continued testing.
"Beep— Ordinary Mid."
"Beep—Ordinary Mid."
A few decent ones in a row brought a genuine smile to his face.
---
Soon, Takashima returned after packing up the materials, his eyes drifting back to the Pokédex.
"Captain… testing like this is kind of repetitive. Why don't I try? I've never used a real Pokédex before…"
His tone was eager—almost pleading.
---
Icarus hesitated for a moment… then handed it over.
"…Alright. You can try."
"Thank you, Captain! Thank you!"
Takashima took it with excitement, immediately exploring its functions.
---
Icarus stepped aside, watching silently.
Hooked.
Now let's see how far you go.
---
Takashima quickly figured out the basics and started testing.
"Beep—Ordinary Low."
"…Just bad luck," he muttered, forcing a smile.
"Haha, give me that one. I'll handle it," Icarus said casually.
"Right, right—thanks, Captain!"
---
"Don't worry about low aptitude," Icarus added while working. "That's normal. Just toss those balls to me."
He moved aside, quietly processing the "waste" Pokémon.
---
Takashima continued:
"Beep—Ordinary Low."
"Beep—Ordinary Low."
"Beep—Ordinary Mid…"
---
Soon, more than a dozen Poké Balls had piled up beside Icarus—nothing but materials.
Only two remained.
---
Takashima picked one up, slightly nervous.
"No high aptitude yet…"
"Beep—Average High Aptitude."
"…!!!"
"Captain! Captain Icarus! Did you hear that?! High aptitude! We completed the second mission too!"
His excitement was obvious.
---
"Nice," Icarus said, a bit surprised himself. "You're lucky."
After all, high aptitude Pokémon were rare—even among dozens.
---
Grinning, Takashima picked up the final ball.
"Beep—Average Low."
"…Damn it!"
He couldn't help but curse.
---
"Haha, that's still a great haul," Icarus laughed. "Give me the Pokédex back—and the valuable ones too. Let's sort everything."
"…Okay."
Takashima hesitated.
For just a moment—
A thought flashed through his mind:
If this Pokédex were mine… I wouldn't be stuck like this…
---
But then his gaze shifted—
To Weepinbell.
To Pidgeotto.
Healthy. Strong. Controlled.
---
That thought faded.
Reluctantly, he handed everything back.
---
Icarus accepted it smoothly, as if nothing had happened.
"Not bad. Twenty-three Rattata total—four average-mid, one high aptitude."
He quickly calculated.
"With materials and rewards… we made about 120,000."
---
"…What?! That much?!"
Takashima froze.
The number hit him harder than any battle.
---
And that—
Was exactly what Icarus wanted.
-------------Author---------------
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