Master Craftsman of the Pokemon World

“I originally planned to buy more Cursed Charms this time. Seriously, don't compete with me for the merchandise.”

“Are all the people who buy Cursed Charms psychics?”

Unova Region, Undella Town.

A woman wearing jeans, a work shirt, adorned with feather ornaments, and various strange ancient pendants, with purple hair and dark skin, was currently viewing the Lumiose's shop interface.

The charm page once again became unavailable for purchase. Reiha scratched her hair in annoyance and could only turn her attention to the newly listed items.

Are the newly listed items sculptures?

A Gengar sculpture, huh?

“The special effect is that it makes it easier to find items hidden in dark corners.”

“Eh! Isn't that very useful to me! When 'archaeologizing' in ruins, some things are hidden too deeply, and I'm troubled by that.”

“Gengar!” Beside Reiha, the Gengar who had once sent a cursed email to Lumiose was also there. It stared at the product interface on the computer, pointing at the “Gengar Sculpture” and giggling.

“You want this sculpture too, Gengar?” Reiha chuckled softly.

“Gengar!” Gengar raised its hand, its chubby body swaying to show that it wanted it very much!

“Okay, it just so happens that this thing is useful to us, but if there was a special effect of the sculpture that could allow us to walk through walls, that would be even better.”

Reiha fantasized in her mind for a moment, then shook her head, throwing out this unrealistic idea!

Tomb raiding—no, 'archaeologizing'—those maze-like walls are indeed quite annoying, but that's also the fun of exploring ruins. If that fun is lost, then the joy of obtaining ancient artifacts will also be reduced.

“Oh dear, I heard rumors that Unova has underwater ruins. After all, this place is a treasure trove steeped in a long history, but I haven't seen anything. Are they just boring rumors after all?”

“The prepared Cleanse Tags can't be used either. It seems I have to set off and return to Paldea. Unova hasn't been very peaceful lately. A group called Team Plasma is promoting boring nation-building doctrines here.”

“Speaking of which, if it were a tool craftsman, perhaps they would make some achievements in ruin exploration. Even I was almost deceived by this antique sculpture. At first glance, I thought it was a real ancient artifact, but the description page says it's a replica.”

“Can the history of a replica be considered history?”

Reiha became interested in Lumiose: “If I buy it in advance and have it sent to the Paldea region, I should be able to receive these sculptures at the same time when I return. Perhaps this craftsman can provide me with more special items in the future, and even those sealing stakes that I saw in ancient documents. If I find these things or inform this craftsman, he should be quite interested, right?”

“But I still need to collect more historical data. Four Pokémon, as treasures, have passed through the hands of many people. Human desires and curses have gradually attached themselves to them…”

“This ancient Paldean legend, how were the Pokémon sealed? What tools were used to seal them? If I can unravel this mystery—yes, this craftsman will be helpful to me someday.”

“If I can find the sealing location of the Treasures of Ruin, I might as well have him help me pry open those seals.”

Reiha thought, modified the address, and purchased the Gengar sculpture.

Kanto Region, Sevii Islands.

The dual champion of Kanto and Johto, the former Dragon-type Elite Four member, Lance, and the former Ice-type Elite Four member, Lorelei, had an informal match on the Sevii Islands, and the result of this match was Lance's victory.

In the eyes of others, this might be very normal. After all, Lance is the champion, and Lorelei is just a former Elite Four member.

However, Lorelei, as the person involved, did not think so.

Dragon-type Pokémon have a weak resistance to Ice-type moves, so although Lance is the strongest in the Indigo Plateau, he often lost in battles with her. The Elite Four members would originally spar with each other to ensure that their strength would not decline, but this time was different from before!

“How about it? The Focus Sash, when held by Gyarados, prevents your Lapras from defeating my Gyarados even when using Thunderbolt! This is the bond between me and my Dragon Pokémon!”

Lance's mental state was somewhat excited at this time. After buying a strange item from that unknown craftsman, Lance simply tested it and, after discovering that it really worked, immediately took his Dragonite to the Sevii Islands.

The former Ice-type Elite Four member resigned from her position on the Indigo Plateau to protect her hometown, and this position was replaced by a new Elite Four member.

But for Lance, after Lorelei, this “targeter,” left, Red also left the Indigo Plateau. Although he became the new champion, he always felt that this championship was taken for nothing.

The weakness left, but it doesn't mean the weakness disappeared.

Dragon-type Pokémon are weak to Ice-type, and Gyarados can't withstand Electric-type attacks either. Coincidentally, these two moves are Lorelei's strengths!

“Thank you, Lorelei. Now my Dragon army is no longer afraid of Ice-type and Electric-type moves! Dragon-type is the strongest!”

“The strongest? It's clearly that strange item that's working!” Lorelei couldn't help but retort, holding her forehead, while Lance laughed loudly: “No! The person who sold me the item said that as long as I and my Pokémon have a strong bond, then even if we receive more attacks, my Pokémon will not fall!”

“This is the bond between me and my Pokémon! And those who have no bond with their Pokémon can only use this item to withstand one hit in the face of an attribute disadvantage and a one-hit-kill situation!”

Lance's mood was quite cheerful now. Lorelei was speechless, but soon asked him: “You can buy strange items, can't I buy them too? Seriously, I don't know what you're so proud of! And just now, you only withstood three attacks. The first time was with the help of the item, and the next two times were just pure luck. Weren't you defeated the fourth time?”

“Also, what's the name of the shop?”

“Oh, Lorelei, are you returning to the League? But the Elite Four is already full.” Lance actually seriously considered it for a moment: “If you want to return to the League, you need to defeat a current Elite Four member.”

“I have no intention of going back. I'm just an ordinary Pokémon trainer now. Isn't it normal to buy items?” Lorelei waved her hand: “The Sevii Islands still need me. What if Team Rocket appears again? I heard they haven't disbanded and are still active.”

“Is that so…” Lance nodded, then recommended Lumiose's item shop to Lorelei.

“How about it? He's a craftsman who sells magical items. It is said that the tools he makes will bring different improvements to Pokémon and trainers.”

Lorelei became suspicious: “It is said… Who said that?”

Lance: “It's a new Elite Four member. He has psychic powers and also bought a rare item from this shop, a Light Clay-made Light Orb, which can enhance the power of Psychic-type Pokémon and has the effect of extending the duration of Light Screen and Reflect.”

“Oh right, let me see too if this shop has any new items… Eh? Dragonite and Dratini sculptures?!”

The latest novels are available on Liǔ.9.Shū.bā!

Lance's eyes lit up immediately. After seeing the description below, he immediately placed an order without hesitation!

“Haha, a sculpture that can nullify status conditions. Lorelei, this time your signature Ice-type freeze will be sealed! And on the contrary, my Dragon army never deigns to use status conditions. True battles rely on one's own strength!”

“You're an idiot.” Lorelei suddenly had a speechless expression: “I can also ask the craftsman to customize some Pokémon sculptures for me. They will also have special abilities, right.”

“I see in the product descriptions above that each sculpture has a different effect and matches their own attributes.”

“If I also order Lapras, Dewgong, and Cloyster sculptures, or buy some unique items, won't you lose again?”

She said this, and Lance was unable to refute for a moment and could only mutter: “That side will definitely sell more useful items. I'll definitely win then!”

Lorelei ignored Lance and sent an email to Lumiose.

Just as she said, she clearly saw the changes in Lance after he obtained the item. Of course, she had to buy such a powerful item herself!

Paldea Region, Cortondo Town.

“This work… can be called avant-garde art!”

A man with vine-colored curly hair, wearing a wine-red shirt, and a gaunt face saw Lumiose's shop while searching for works of art.

And the ancient sculptures inside instantly attracted him!

This man is the Gym Leader of Cortondo Town, known as the Sculpting Artist, Kofu!

However, just as this man was excited, another tall man with long yellow hair, wearing a green jacket, gray pants, and a red bow tie next to him was also nodding. He was Hassel, the Dragon Tamer of the Dragon family:

“Indeed, Kofu, such superb antique imitation technology is in itself an avant-garde art!”

“Yes! Retro-style art can transport people through time. That retro and nostalgic atmosphere deeply attracts everyone. Compared to the chaotic modern life, the past makes people feel simple and comfortable, giving people the illusion of classicism and eternity. This is the strong charm of retro-style art!”

“This is truly a treasure shop!”

“Oh, there's a Dratini. This Dratini… avant-garde art! I want to have an in-depth exchange with this craftsman… no, with this art master!” There seemed to be a ball of light brewing in Kofu's eyes!

“There will be an art exhibition in the second half of this year, and I hope to invite this artist to attend!”

“My inspiration is surging! Retro style… like the sculptures of ancient times in the ruins, mysterious and wonderful!”

Hassel: “The Dragonite's shape is also very good! And these sculptures are also written to have unique effects… It's really incredible. Could it be a marketing label attached by the merchant to boost sales? But in any case, it's still worth buying this kind of artwork at this price!”

“Anyway, let's place an order? Let's get familiar with the other party first and then invite him!”