Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

"The Mystic Water, huh… Looks like these treasure chests really can yield something good."

Su Bai nodded as he stared at the screen, the azure glow of the Mystic Water glimmering gently.

In the current climate, items like this were still considered luxury goods.

Most Trainers wouldn't dare spend large amounts of points on battle tools. After all, whether it was raising Pokémon or pulling moves from the TM lottery, there were already plenty of ways to drain those precious Breeding Points.

In fact, for many Trainers, their short-term goal was simply to save up enough to afford an evolution item for their partner Pokémon.

And since Breeding Points could only be earned through nurturing Pokémon, their sources were limited.

A Mystic Water cost three thousand points and increased Water-type move power by 20%—an incredible buff—but few people could justify the cost.

So not only had Psyduck evolved into Golduck during the battle, but it had also secured a rare item for its Trainer.

It was a huge win on all fronts.

"What a beautiful necklace…"

Murong Nan carefully examined the pendant.

The teardrop-shaped jewel shimmered with a strange, rotating power within.

As a specialist in Ice-type abilities, Murong Nan had a strong affinity for Water-types as well. She could sense the deep, elemental power stored within.

However, this power seemed incompatible with the Awakened energy system.

She could sense it—but not utilize it.

But that was expected. Su Bai had explained before that Awakened powers and Pokémon powers originated from different sources.

With a soft smile, she gently placed the Mystic Water around Golduck's neck.

Her Empoleon was far too proud to fight a teammate over loot—no doubt it would scoff at the idea of "stealing from a little brother."

Even if Psyduck had evolved into Golduck, to that proud penguin, a little brother was still a little brother!

"Gooollduck!"

Despite its evolution, Golduck clearly hadn't changed too much in personality.

Still a bit dopey… though it did seem slightly braver than before.

With a wave to the wild Pokémon, it followed Murong Nan and Liu Yunlan deeper into the forest.

Back at the Pokémon Center, the spectators gave collective sighs of satisfaction—like they'd just watched a well-crafted movie.

For Trainers, exploration wasn't just about seeing the world—it was about getting to know the Pokémon world more intimately.

And the more they learned, the more they came to see just how expressive and emotional Pokémon could be.

The foul-mouthed but honorable wild Golduck, the Voltorb that refused to surrender, the aggressive Beedrill swarm that fought to protect their home…

Each encounter left a vivid impression in the viewers' minds.

However, with five groups exploring at once, it was hard to focus on any one story for too long.

Even as the drama of Golduck wrapped up, attention quickly shifted to another screen—drawing everyone toward Ding Yue and Li Xiaoyu's team.

Su Bai turned his gaze to their feed… and immediately went speechless.

Li Xiaoyu currently had four Eevee.

Two of them had already evolved—one into Jolteon, and one into Umbreon.

The other two were still in their base form.

And now? On-screen, Li Xiaoyu was squatting down, completely surrounded by yet another Eevee.

"…Are you kidding me?"

Su Bai stared, stunned.

Eevee was supposed to be a rare species—a symbol of the Pokémon franchise itself.

Even in games, catching a single Eevee wasn't exactly easy.

Especially back in Gen 1, with those dreaded random encounters and no overworld visibility…

Su Bai vividly remembered how much he strained his eyes staring at a tiny handheld screen for hours on end, just hoping to find one.

Honestly, he suspected his lifelong need for glasses might've started then and there.

And now?

Eevee were basically lining up to join Li Xiaoyu's team.

What was going on?!

"There, there~ good girl~"

Li Xiaoyu was beaming with a full-on auntie smile.

She and Ding Yue had just been walking through a thicket when a shadow suddenly dashed out from the bushes.

Before she could even react, the shadow—an Eevee—had rolled over and started rubbing against her pant leg.

"…So cute!"

"Here, eat this—this is the good stuff, straight from the Pokémon Center. High-grade energy cubes!"

Li Xiaoyu's eyes were filled with joy.

The more time she spent around Eevee, the more she adored them.

The fluffy ruff of fur around their necks, their affectionate personalities—absolute heart-melters.

The energy cubes she was feeding it weren't some homemade knock-offs either, but premium Pokémon Center-brand ones.

To make Pokémon care more accessible, especially for civilians, the system had introduced mass-produced, standardized energy cubes.

Still, the quality of those produced at official Centers far exceeded anything someone could make at home.

Even among everyday Trainers, many still splurged on them to treat their Pokémon once in a while.

"Good girl~ Eat well~"

Li Xiaoyu fed the Eevee while pulling out a Poké Ball with her other hand.

After the fluffy critter had happily finished its snack, she gently tapped the Poké Ball to its forehead.

"Come on, Eevee. Let's go home~"

"Eee-vui?"

The little fox tilted its head in confusion.

Click.

The Poké Ball opened, a flash of light enveloped the Pokémon… and just like that, it was captured.

No resistance. No shaking. Nothing.

Just like when Wang Tao had captured that Voltorb—clean and easy.

Another Eevee, caught.

"This is just unfair…"

Ding Yue stared, half in disbelief, half in despair.

She watched Li Xiaoyu casually catch another rare Pokémon and almost burst into tears.

Comparison really was the thief of joy!

Not long ago, Ding Yue had tried to catch a Rhyhorn—a fierce, intimidating beast that had once sent Xiao Zhang flying.

The thing refused to submit, fighting tooth and nail.

After wrestling with it for ages, she was forced to give up in frustration…

It was soul-crushing.

"…She's like a one-ball cheat code for Eevee."

Su Bai's face twitched as he muttered.

He just couldn't understand it—how did Li Xiaoyu attract so many Eevee?

Other Trainers fought tooth and nail to earn a single partner.

Meanwhile, Eevee practically begged to follow her home.

"Alright, alright! Can we move on now?!"

Ding Yue huffed, clearly sulking.

Li Xiaoyu, meanwhile, released her new Eevee and skipped along, glowing with joy.

But just as they were about to continue…

The nearby grass rustled again.

This time, a new Pokémon emerged—its body radiating intense heat.

It paused for a moment upon spotting the two Trainers and their teams.

Then, with a cautious expression, it started backing up… step by step.

Ding Yue and Li Xiaoyu exchanged a quick glance.

Fresh off her envy, Ding Yue wasted no time.

Without hesitation, she pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it straight at the fiery creature!

Unfortunately, in her rush, her aim was off.

The ball missed—landing just beside the wild Pokémon.

Startled, the creature flinched.

Its expression hardened. Furious now, it scraped its feet against the ground.

Flames exploded across its body.

In a flash, it leapt into the air—soaring high, far higher than they'd imagined.

And then—

like a blazing sun—

It came hurtling straight toward them!