Handsome Researcher: "Alright, alright, I really can't do anything about you…"
Handsome Researcher: "Here—take these 10 Poké Balls. Go try forming a bond with a Pokémon of your own."
Handsome Researcher: "But remember, don't go too far. The Pokémon around Pallet Town are all very friendly."
"Heh. Looks like we can also choose our own starter Pokémon bond."
A smug smile appeared at the corner of Rei Akagi's lips as he finally guided Red out of the villa.
"The first step—Poké Balls—has been obtained."
"The second step is deciding which Pokémon you want to form your first bond with."
He deliberately paused, building suspense.
Gastly in his arms raised an eyebrow theatrically, playing along.
"As the game's producer, I secretly stuffed a lot—a lot—of special Pokémon into Pallet Town."
"But they're hidden in specific locations."
"Want a unique first partner bond?"
"Then… go find it yourself!"
"Holy crap! Dev privileges!"
"You can do that?! That wasn't in the PV!"
"How much stuff did you hide in the game, Teacher Salted Fish?!"
"666. The developer himself opening the back door."
"So the starter Pokémon aren't limited to the three starters? You can explore Pallet Town and find the Pokémon you like?"
"That's amazing!"
"Search every corner of Pallet Town carefully. The surprises are hidden in the details."
Rei Akagi smiled and confirmed it.
After demonstrating how to open the map, he guided Red off the main road and straight into a dense forest on the outskirts of Pallet Town.
Pushing through the branches, a forgotten trail appeared ahead.
Overgrown with weeds.
Clearly abandoned for a long time.
Following the path deeper into the forest, an old wooden cabin stood quietly among the trees.
The door creaked open.
Several beams of sunset light shone through the broken windows, forming a dreamlike soft glow in the floating dust.
Rei Akagi guided Red toward an old bookshelf.
After pressing the interaction key, Red surprisingly found a yellowed sheet of paper and a dull pencil tucked into the corner.
A dialogue box popped up.
Rei Akagi typed something into it.
Red:
"Seeking partners. Food and lodging provided. Interested applicants may contact me in dreams."
After writing the message, he placed the paper and a Poké Ball on a wooden table that was still barely standing.
Then he walked to the only piece of furniture that looked usable—an old sofa—and selected the interaction option.
"You're feeling sleepy. Would you like to rest?"
Rei Akagi clicked Confirm.
Red lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes.
Outside the window, the light rapidly shifted as the sun set.
The screen gradually became thick and blurry…
When it cleared again, the dilapidated wooden cabin had transformed into a brightly lit, luxurious hall.
An exquisite fireplace.
A magnificent carpet.
Towering bookshelves filled with books.
Everything radiated warmth and liveliness.
And the stars of this place—
Were Ghost-type Pokémon.
In the hallway and beneath the chandelier, several Gastly floated around, laughing and playing.
On top of a tall bookshelf, a Haunter wearing small round scholar's glasses carefully flipped through a thick book.
Near the warm fireplace, several chubby Gengar sat together, whispering as they warmed themselves by an illusionary flame.
Red sat up from the sofa.
At that moment, a Gastly—trying very hard to maintain a serious expression—floated over while carrying the paper and the Poké Ball Red had left earlier.
Gastly: "Gass!"
"Looks like this will be our first partner."
Rei Akagi's voice softened slightly as he subconsciously rubbed the Gastly in his arms, who was also staring intently at the screen.
The Gastly in his arms immediately copied the serious expression of the one on-screen, trying its best to look stern.
Rei Akagi controlled Red to respond.
Red accepted the Poké Ball.
Gastly visibly became happy—but still struggled to maintain its stiff, serious face.
Red: "I choose you, Gastly!"
The Poké Ball flew out and bonked Gastly on the head.
A flash of red light.
Gastly was pulled inside.
The Poké Ball shook in midair.
At the same time, the luxurious dreamlike scene began to ripple and blur.
When the sparkling capture effect appeared, the screen completely shifted.
Red opened his eyes in confusion.
The scene before him was once again the dusty, broken wooden cabin.
But this time—
There was a heavy Poké Ball in his hand.
"This… this presentation! The atmosphere! I'm blown away!"
"Every Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar had their own movements and personality! The detail! The ecosystem! This is unbelievable!"
"Abandoned cabin, dream transition, Pokémon community life… I'm at a loss for words. Every element feels meaningful!"
"No more talking. Already ordered. Ship it quickly."
Rei Akagi glanced at the chat, now completely flooded with excitement, and smiled faintly.
He pressed the Poké Ball button.
Gastly popped out and immediately rubbed its head against Red before naturally settling onto his head.
"Now that we have our first partner, it's time to head to the laboratory."
Rei Akagi guided Red out of the cabin and began the return trip.
Along the way, he intentionally slowed down to show viewers the peaceful rural scenery of Pallet Town, friendly NPC villagers greeting the player, and small interactive environmental details that enhanced the charm of the starting town.
Eventually, they arrived at the Professor Oak Pokémon Research Lab.
After exploring inside, they discovered that Professor Oak wasn't there.
Only Green stood in the center, looking impatient.
"Ahem. I'm sure many players, after not seeing Professor Oak here, would run off to search elsewhere."
"But…"
After controlling Red to exchange a brief, tense conversation with Green, Rei Akagi did something unexpected.
Instead of leaving the lab, he simply made Red stand still.
As if waiting for something.
Time passed.
About 30 seconds of in-game time later—
An old man rushed in hurriedly.
It was the previously "missing" Professor Oak.
"???"
"What a cruel design! Players who don't know this would run all over the map!"
"No! We must not let this scene spread! Let other players discover it themselves!"
"Daisy already said Professor Oak was in the lab. If someone's too impatient to wait, that's their own fault."
Rei Akagi smiled knowingly and didn't respond to the chat.
What followed was the classic sequence.
Professor Oak presented the three starter Pokémon, entrusted the player with the Pokédex research mission, and most importantly—
Assigned the goal of collecting eight Gym Badges to challenge the Kanto Pokémon League.
"Although we already have Gastly as a partner and technically don't need to accept Professor Oak's Pokémon…"
"But since we're already here—"
"Taking advantage of free stuff—ahem—I mean, accepting gifts from elders is a traditional virtue for Trainers!"
Rei Akagi decisively selected Bulbasaur.
The chat instantly filled with question marks.
"Regardless of appearances—even if it's a little ugly—the 'Garlic Toad'… I mean, Bulbasaur, is definitely a Pokémon with enormous potential."
"As the saying goes—"
"Sunny Day + Chlorophyll, Hypnosis + Growth + Leech Seed—"
"I am Venusaur."
"The strongest!"
"Garlic Toad?! The Bulbasaur Protection Society warns you!"
"Wait—that explanation actually sounds pretty solid. Teacher Salted Fish, are you secretly a Bulbasaur specialist? Or at least a Grass-type expert?"
"To be honest… I didn't fully understand it, but it sounded really impressive."
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789