Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom (200 - 398)

Chapter 331: Shellder's Surprising Quality

After diving into the water, Cain realized there were more Pokémon than he had imagined.

Slowpoke stayed close to Cain, while Cain held onto something on Gyarados's head, which could have been a horn or something similar, as they swam towards the bottom where the Shellder colony resided.

He activated the system with all its functions, scanning the surroundings.

As they approached the muddy bottom where the Shellders lived, Cain discovered something special.

Surprising data appeared before him.

Pokémon: Shellder (Blue)

Gender: Male

Level: 5

Type: Water

Ability: Shell Armor

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Bubble Beam, Water Pulse, Aqua Ring, Mud Shot

Basic Moves: Tackle, Water Gun, Withdraw

Learned Moves: Iron Defense

TM Moves: None

A Shellder with blue-level quality!

It was the first time in this life that Cain had seen a wild Pokémon with a blue-level quality.

It had remained hidden underwater without emerging.

It was probably due to its low level, and its companions instinctively protected it.

Shellder looked at the Slowpoke next to Cain with curiosity, its large eyes shining, as if it were thinking.

Slowpoke, using its telepathy ability, connected with Cain to communicate what was happening.

"Slowpoke, is this the Pokémon you mentioned?" Cain asked.

"Yes." Slowpoke nodded. That special attraction between different species was unique, though it didn't know exactly why.

With such a low level, capturing the Shellder wouldn't be difficult, especially with Slowpoke's presence, whose invisible allure was working. Shellder, unaware of what had happened to its companions, was quickly captured with a Pokéball.

Satisfied, Cain returned to the shore, where the Shellders lay incapacitated. He ordered his Pokémon to return them to the water.

He had achieved his goal perfectly. Although Shellder wasn't a Shiny Pokémon, its quality was good enough to not need that trait.

Perhaps, if he was lucky, Slowpoke could evolve into a Slowking and maintain that quality.

The most important thing was that this blue-quality Shellder had extremely high value, even if it was a common Pokémon.

Cain even considered training Shellder to a high level, maybe up to 50 or 60, teaching it Shell Smash, and then evolving it with a Water Stone. A Cloyster of that caliber might even have the power to defeat Dragon-type Pokémon.

However, that idea was soon dismissed.

Training a weak Shellder up to level 60 would require time and resources that Cain couldn't afford at the moment.

Besides, Cain already had Sneasel as his Ice-type Pokémon, and Sneasel's skills in that type were impressive. Eventually, it might also have the power to defeat Dragon-type Pokémon.

Not to mention that before evolving, Shellder was only a Water-type. Although Cloyster would gain the Ice-type upon evolution, who could guarantee that its skill in that type would be strong?

What if it turned out to be a Cloyster specialized in Water-type moves?

What made Cloyster truly strong for Cain was its ability as an Ice-type Pokémon after evolution.

Therefore, training this Shellder wasn't worth it, as it offered no guarantees. It was better to keep it for when the time came to evolve Slowpoke.

Perhaps this could enhance Slowpoke's quality to an extraordinary level, thus strengthening an already formidable Pokémon.

He stored Shellder's Pokéball in a secure pocket and watched as his Pokémon returned all the Shellders to the water.

After completing everything, Cain sat to wait for a while until Miyamoto, who had been training on his own, returned.

He didn't ask about Cain's results.

As a subordinate, he knew he shouldn't ask.

After Cain looted the entire Shellder colony, the Pokémon in the area were frightened, so there were no more incidents while searching for the point cards.

Besides, Miyamoto didn't have much skill with Water-type Pokémon, so he didn't attempt to capture more Pokémon.

Once they found all the points marked on the map fragment, this fragment lost most of its usefulness, remaining only as a reference for the area.

With the seven point cards Cain found, he added a total of 27 points, which surprised him.

Those 27 points brought Cain to a total of 100 points.

Miyamoto also received a good number of points. If Cain needed a few more points to secure first place, he could ask Miyamoto for all his points.

After all, among the top ranks, it was possible to bring a few extra people from the trial island. Cain could secure a place for Miyamoto, and he would have no objections.

So, even though the points were in Miyamoto's possession, Cain considered them his for now.

The search for point cards in the waters made the morning pass quickly.

Then they lit a fire on the shore to cook.

After eating, as they walked a bit further, Slowpoke communicated with Cain through telepathy.

"Master, I can now detect the location of the coordinates I left earlier. I can now use Teleport, although transporting many people will consume more energy." Slowpoke's childlike voice resonated in Cain's mind.

Could Slowpoke now use Teleport?

Cain's eyes sparkled.

After thinking for a moment, Cain called Miyamoto.

"Yes?" Miyamoto responded.

"We're going to separate for a while. I feel that searching for points together isn't as efficient. It's better to split up and look for map fragments separately. If you encounter anyone, deal with them. The goal is to gather as many points as possible."

"Since you've regained some of your strength, you can choose to capture Pokémon on your own."

Miyamoto was surprised. Free to act alone?

"Understood. But regarding what I'm carrying with me..."

"Don't worry. That poison takes a month to take effect. If you can leave the island, there will be no problem. If you don't make it, the antidote wouldn't serve you anyway." Cain understood his concern.

With that clarified, there were no more issues.

Separating to gather points?

Would it be unnecessary to face Vexor?

"I'll place a telepathic mark on you. As long as you stay on the island and aren't in a special space, I'll be able to find you."

"Yes! I'll help the master get more points!"

(End of Chapter)