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

Outside Su's Pet Shop, a long queue had formed.

Under Su Bai's strict rule of "No proper queue, no sale," even the most arrogant rich second-generation kids behaved like obedient little lambs.

Inside the shop, the first customer after the Pokémon battle event had already taken his place.

"Boss! I'm the first one!"

Zhang Qun huffed as he carried his overweight Gible, earnestly handing over a black crystal card.

"I want to draw another one!"

Su Bai took the card and glanced at the visibly plump Gible in his arms.

"What? Got more money again?"

He asked with amusement, "Didn't you say your dad wouldn't give you any more unless Gible proved useful?"

Garchomp, being a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, was weak in early stages and required a long training period—something that Gible exemplified perfectly with its chubby appearance.

Meanwhile, the other three had already evolved their starters, while Gible—despite similar training—showed no sign of evolving.

Especially Wang Tao's Grotle, which was well on its way to its final evolution.

After all, starter Pokémon in the original setting were designed as top-tier picks for rookie trainers, courtesy of the Pokémon League.

Fast growth, high base stats, and balanced attributes—perfect for a first partner.

But pseudo-legendaries? They're late bloomers by nature.

Hearing Su Bai's question, Zhang Qun grinned sheepishly.

"My dad's not some old fossil. He went to the exhibition too!"

"After seeing Grotle's performance, I swear he was more anxious than me!"

Su Bai nodded in realization.

As a businessman who managed to build a vast business empire across Haicheng and nearby cities, Zhang Qun's father was obviously a sharp investor.

And Grotle had really outshone the rest.

To be honest, if someone like that wasn't willing to invest, it's doubtful he'd have made it this far in business.

"Well then, let's begin."

"Same rules as always—no swaps after the draw!"

Su Bai pulled out the Pokédex and watched as Zhang Qun eagerly pressed his hand into the scanner.

This guy really had luck on his side. And if anyone could afford to raise a pseudo-legendary, it was definitely him.

That two hundred million target… Without a pseudo-legendary, it might actually be impossible.

Just as Su Bai was zoning out, a startled cry rang out beside him.

"Boss! What is this Pokémon? It's so small… and sticky!"

Sticky?

Su Bai immediately honed in on that keyword.

"No way…"

When his eyes landed on the Pokédex screen, even as the shop owner, he couldn't help but gasp in shock.

"HSSSS—Are you seriously hacking?!"

He could hardly believe what he was seeing!

That sticky-looking, unimpressive Pokémon on the screen…

Was a Goomy!

"H-Hacking? What do you mean? I never cheat in games!"

Zhang Qun looked nervous. After all, this Pokémon didn't look particularly strong.

Unlike Gible, which at least looked fierce with its massive jaws, this one looked like it'd cry if you poked it!

Of course, Su Bai was just joking when he said that.

But even he hadn't expected it—Zhang Qun really was the chosen one!

"Haha, this little guy's kinda cute. What's it called again… Goomy? It really is sticky!"

Among the few early customers allowed to stay in the shop, Liu Yunlan leaned in closer.

Seeing the seemingly weak and docile Goomy on the screen made her chuckle.

"No worries. You've still got Gible, right?"

"It's not like you can just pull pseudo-legendaries out of thin air!"

Wang Tao patted Zhang Qun's stiff shoulder.

"Train that Gible well. Once it evolves, you'll be unstoppable!"

Su Bai finally snapped out of his disbelief.

He gave Wang Tao a look and said, "Do you even realize what you're saying? You're trying to console someone who just hit the jackpot!"

"Goomy's final evolution is a pseudo-legendary too!"

"A Pseudo-Legendary?!"

Wang Tao's hand froze mid-air.

His voice cracked like he'd just seen a ghost.

"You're telling me… that little snot-blob thing is a pseudo-legendary?!"

Su Bai took Zhang Qun's card and swiped it at the Rotom-powered register.

"Total: 80 million yuan!"

Rotom's mechanical voice confirmed it.

Only a pseudo-legendary could command such a sky-high price!

As Goomy slowly crawled like a little sticky orb toward Zhang Qun's feet…

He finally snapped back to reality!

He gently placed Gible down and carefully cupped the 30cm-long Sliggoo in his hands.

"E-Eighty million… My dad's money is all gone again in one go… Is this really a pseudo-legendary?"

Even he couldn't believe his luck.

Su Bai rolled his eyes. "What, you think I sell fake goods? You think this is some scam?"

"You're Zhang, not Liu! I'm not afraid of you!"

"This shop deals fairly with everyone!"

"…Zhang? What does my surname have to do with anything?"

Zhang Qun didn't get the reference, but realized his words might've sounded accusatory.

He quickly bowed his head, "Sorry, sorry! That's not what I meant!"

"Forget it. With luck like yours, what can I even say?"

Su Bai waved it off, then added, "There are still a lot of people in line. But since this is a pseudo-legendary, I need to give you a few tips."

"Just like Gible, Goomy also requires two evolutions before reaching its full potential."

"But unlike Garchomp's physical dominance, Goodra—Goomy's final form—is a special attacker."

"It also has very high Special Defense, making it a great counter to special-type roles."

"So, when you train it, focus on that direction."

"Also, your Goodra has the Hydration ability. In rain, it heals all negative effects."

"But keep in mind—when the ability triggers, Goodra will fall asleep, though it wakes up quickly as long as it keeps raining."

"And very important—evolving into Goodra requires rain and sufficient battle experience."

"If the conditions aren't met, it simply won't evolve."

Since Zhang Qun was a top client—single-handedly contributing two pseudo-legendaries, that's 160 million yuan already—Su Bai made sure to be thorough, even if the line outside was long.

"Whoa~ So this little guy really is a pseudo-legendary? You're so lucky!"

Liu Yunlan had initially found the Goomy underwhelming, but the moment she heard the word "pseudo-legendary," her attitude flipped completely.

Her big, bright eyes were full of envy.

Her sister, Liu Yunshuang, shot her a look.

"Yeah, yeah, good thing you didn't draw a pseudo-legendary. If you had, I'd be completely broke!"

Even as an A-tier idol singer, shelling out 80 million was no easy task.

Even the Growlithe she bought for 10 million had already stretched her thin!

This opening day, starting off with a major sale, left Su Bai brimming with energy.

But seeing the group crowding near the shop entrance, blocking others from entering—

Su Bai immediately waved them away.

"Whatever you're chatting about, take it elsewhere. Don't block my business, or I'll toss you all out!"

Su Bai's words carried more authority in this shop than even an S-rank Awakener. Even Liu Yunshuang instinctively stepped aside.

And with another pseudo-legendary pulled before their very eyes, the customers in line could barely contain themselves anymore!

Before Su Bai could even see their faces, a stack of colorful, premium cards was already slapped onto the counter.

A booming voice followed:

"I'll buy TEN!"