Chapter Twenty-Three: Xiaoguang and the Beginner's Quest

Zhao Fang returned to Chenghua City once again, this time to replenish his supply of Pokémon food. He was running low, and with the addition of Duralugia to his team, the consumption had essentially doubled. If not for the reward he’d received for assisting Officer Jenny with a recent capture, Zhao Fang would probably be fretting over where to find work or which tasks to accept next.

As soon as Zhao Fang entered Chenghua City, he felt a sudden tightness around his neck. He quickly reached out and patted Duralugia, soothing it. It seemed Duralugia was fearful of human cities, likely a result of its encounters with Roger or those two members of the Aqua Squad.

Zhao Fang first took Magikarp to the Pokémon Center for treatment. Although their recent battles in the wild hadn’t caused serious injuries, and Zhao Fang had already used healing medicine on Magikarp, he knew that proper treatment was essential. Any lingering damage could hinder Magikarp’s future growth, a risk he wasn’t willing to take.

“Miss Joy, are there any tasks I can take on?” Zhao Fang asked, taking advantage of the wait while Magikarp was being treated.

“How many badges do you have? And what’s your main Pokémon?” Nurse Joy replied kindly, her warm smile easing Zhao Fang’s nerves.

“Uh… I’m a new traveler, so I don’t have any badges yet. My Pokémon is Magikarp,” he said, a little embarrassed.

Nurse Joy’s expression didn’t change. As a member of the Joy family, dedicated healers, she was unfailingly gentle. Besides, after so much time at the Pokémon Center, she’d seen every kind of trainer.

“In that case, I can recommend some beginner tasks for you. These should suit your current level.” She tapped a few buttons on the machine beside her, and a list of tasks appeared for Zhao Fang.

[Help Grandma Rosie Find Her Cat]

[Poké Ball Lost in the Water—Please Help Me Retrieve It!]

[Balloon Stuck in a Tree]

Only these three tasks were available.

Zhao Fang’s eyes immediately went to the Poké Ball lost in the water. After all, retrieving something from the water would be simple for Magikarp. He tapped the option, and more details popped up.

[Poké Ball Lost in the Water—Please Help Me Retrieve It!]
[Task Issuer: Ah Zhe]

[Task Description: My Poké Ball fell into the waters beside the Normal-type Gym. It’s my only Poké Ball. Please help me!]
[Required Pokémon for Completion: Water-type or Psychic-type Pokémon]
[Task Reward: Forty League Coins]

There was no processing fee—either it had already been deducted, or the reward for beginner tasks was so small the League didn’t bother.

“Can I accept this task?” Zhao Fang asked.

“Of course. Please pay a deposit of twenty League coins, which will be refunded upon completion,” Nurse Joy nodded.

Without hesitation, Zhao Fang paid the deposit, then took the newly healed Magikarp’s Poké Ball and left the Pokémon Center.

“The water beside Chenghua City’s Normal-type Gym, huh?” He headed directly toward the gym.

Though only a few days had passed, the gym entrance was still lined with eager trainers. Mr. Qianli’s gym remained incredibly popular—a necessary stop for anyone collecting all the badges before challenging the Hoenn League.

Zhao Fang felt a twinge of envy, but he wasn’t qualified to challenge the gym yet. He quietly walked to the water’s edge and released Magikarp.

“Magikarp, dive in and see if there’s a Poké Ball. If you find one, bring it up for me,” Zhao Fang instructed, and Magikarp slipped beneath the surface.

Beside the Chenghua Gym was a small lake—not large, perhaps a hundred square meters, but Zhao Fang wondered how long it would take Magikarp to search.

It didn’t take long. Magikarp surfaced, balancing a Poké Ball on its head. Though dripping wet, it seemed intact.

Poké Balls are remarkably sturdy; only a powerful impact or a Pokémon escaping from inside can damage them. Ordinary immersion wouldn’t harm them.

With the task item in hand, Zhao Fang returned to the Pokémon Center, handed over the Poké Ball, and collected his reward.

Only two beginner tasks remained, and, hoping to earn some meal money, Zhao Fang accepted them both.

The balloon stuck in the tree was easy enough. Zhao Fang waited until no one was around, then had Duralugia climb up and retrieve it. The reward was thirty League coins.

Finding the cat took more time. Eventually, Zhao Fang found the creature, named “Little Tangerine,” hiding in the shrubbery behind a private residence.

“Little Tangerine, huh? You’re more like a Fat Tangerine!” Zhao Fang muttered in exasperation, staring at the pudgy orange feline. How did it get so overweight?

Just as he was about to ask the homeowner if he could enter to retrieve the cat, he noticed a pair of eyes watching him from the window.

Zhao Fang paused in surprise. The owner of those eyes quickly ducked out of sight, but Zhao Fang caught a glimpse of light green hair.

“Xiaoguang?” Zhao Fang was startled—he’d been so focused on finding the cat, he hadn’t realized he was behind Xiaoguang’s house.

Apparently hearing his voice, Xiaoguang peeked out again, gripping the window ledge, cautiously revealing half his face.

“Hello, I’m Zhao Fang from Weibai Town. May I come in to catch the cat? It’s a task I’ve accepted,” Zhao Fang said, feeling awkward but determined to explain.

Xiaoguang listened quietly, then withdrew without a word.

Zhao Fang wondered if Xiaoguang was shy, but soon heard the front door open. A burly man stepped out.

“Ah! You must be Zhao Fang. Xiaoguang just told me. Come right in,” the man said with a hearty laugh, leading Zhao Fang into the little courtyard.

After thanking him, Zhao Fang used Magikarp to block Little Tangerine’s escape route. To ensure the cat wouldn’t run, he secretly released Duralugia to help guard it.

As Zhao Fang approached to pick up the cat, he saw Xiaoguang at the window again, peeking secretly at him. Noticing Zhao Fang’s gaze, Xiaoguang flushed and quickly ducked out of sight once more.