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

"Finally, some real progress!"

Su Bai let out a long breath, then pulled out his key and unlocked the front door of Su's Pet Shop.

The moment he stepped inside, a small shadow zipped straight up to him.

"Oh? Rotom, you're back already."

"So that Boss Li guy really was up to no good, huh?"

Su Bai chuckled, reaching out to pat the hovering Rotom on the head.

For it to return so quickly, it was clear that Boss Li had no patience at all—he must've tried to make a move on Rotom almost immediately.

"Roto-rotom!"

Rotom circled around Su Bai once, then suddenly had a bright idea. It darted into the old television mounted on the wall.

The TV, which had been powered off, flickered to life in an instant.

Bold, bright-red letters appeared across the screen:

"Rotom's Adventure!"

Complete with a large red exclamation mark!

"Pfft—Rotom's Adventure? Are you serious?"

Su Bai couldn't help but laugh. Trust Rotom—this highly intelligent Pokémon—to come up with something like this. As a Plasma-type Pokémon, it had no trouble generating images like this at all.

As the opening text faded away…

The screen transitioned to a dark, gloomy basement.

It was clearly Rotom's first-person perspective, and as it floated around, the camera angle revealed the eerie surroundings.

It was unmistakably a dungeon-like place.

Iron cages filled the room, with several Death Beasts trapped inside. Their rotting stench and low, menacing growls filled the air.

"So this is a contract summoner's work environment? Looks more like a butcher's shop to me…"

Su Bai snorted in disgust. Even before he had acquired the Pokémon Home system, he'd never had a good impression of contract summoners.

After all, awakening a profession was partially based on personality. A cheerful and sunny person could never awaken into something as gloomy as a summoner.

On-screen, Boss Li—now dressed completely differently—appeared with a sinister grin.

"Let's see what kind of creature you really are."

"I refuse to believe I can't tame you with my spiritual domain!"

"Once I figure out how you work, that punk who robbed me blind is dead! Selling me that thing for a whole hundred million? Think I know nothing, do you?!"

His expression twisted with rage—clearly still bitter over Su Bai demanding such a high price.

Su Bai raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He didn't take the threat seriously in the slightest.

After ranting and cursing for a while, Boss Li finally pulled out a ritual dagger.

Su Bai recognized it immediately—every summoner carried one of these ceremonial blades. It was used to link their spiritual domain with a Death Beast.

Just as he'd expected: Boss Li couldn't wait even a moment before starting the ritual.

Even knowing what was coming, Su Bai found the footage strangely satisfying to watch.

Boss Li didn't hesitate—he drove the blade toward Rotom.

But instead of the expected spiritual connection, what he got was—

A blast of intense electric shock that surged back up the dagger and slammed into him!

Rotom used Thunderbolt!

On-screen, the scheming summoner immediately convulsed violently!

What few strands of hair remained on his head stood on end, crackling with static.

After a few moments, the current stopped.

Li Jian stood there with a dazed expression. His charred face twitched, mouth hanging open as he let out a puff of black smoke.

Then—

Thud!

He collapsed straight to the floor, unmoving.

Su Bai winced at the sound.

"Ouch… that landing had to hurt."

But still—that felt so satisfying.

Anyone who dares to pull this kind of stunt on a Pokémon deserves every bit of punishment.

Now it made sense why Boss Li hadn't shown up at the battle to defend the city.

Even summoners—who weren't front-line fighters—were required by Eastern Divine Federation law to be present during city defense.

Not even someone like Li Jian would dare disobey the Constitution.

Turns out… he didn't skip it—he got electrocuted unconscious.

The footage didn't end with his dramatic downfall.

Rotom glanced around, and the screen shook briefly.

The next moment, a wave of bone-chilling cold swept through the screen, so intense it could be felt even just by watching.

"Huh? Did Rotom change to its Frost Form?"

Su Bai blinked in surprise. What was it planning to do?

The answer came instantly.

A violent blizzard burst from Rotom, sweeping across the entire dungeon.

All the chained-up Death Beasts instantly became the targets.

It wasn't clear what tier those monsters were—but within moments, every one of them had been frozen solid into grotesque ice sculptures.

"Ah, that explains it…"

"So Pokémon really despise Death Beasts, huh."

Su Bai suddenly understood.

The very aura of Death Beasts was fundamentally opposed to the vital energy that Pokémon possessed.

Even Ghost-types weren't truly aligned with death the same way these things were.

From what Su Bai had seen so far, even the gentle and elegant Meloetta would show no mercy when dealing with Death Beasts.

No wonder Rotom reacted so fiercely.

As Rotom floated back toward him, Su Bai smiled and gave it a pat on the head.

Rotom chirped happily and dove back into the cash register—its favorite spot.

That old register had really become Rotom's home now.

"Now that Rotom's back, I should take inventory of what I've earned these past few days."

Su Bai placed the Pokédex on the table and opened it up.

He still hadn't claimed the Ditto from before.

And now, there was also the newly unlocked random special Pokémon draw.

"Before I draw the new one, let's claim Ditto first."

With a tap of his finger, the Ditto stored inside the Pokédex burst into a streak of light—and appeared before him.

"Soft and squishy."

Su Bai crouched down and poked Ditto with his finger.

Ditto was one of those Pokémon that every player in the series had at least one of.

After all, with its ability to breed with nearly every egg group, it was practically a must-have for anyone into hatching.

Ditto stared up at Su Bai—then suddenly swelled and shifted.

Moments later, an exact replica of Su Bai stood before him.

"Uh… wow. It's identical. Well, except the eyes are a little… blank."

"Other than not being able to talk, this could easily fool someone."

Su Bai circled around the clone version of himself.

Good grief—this isn't just similar. It's too perfect.

After pulling an all-nighter defending the city and hauling supplies, Su Bai's clothes had some grime on them…

Ditto even copied the mud stains perfectly!

"Melo~?"

Meloetta floated around the Ditto clone curiously, then glanced back at the real Su Bai.

She wore a puzzled expression.

Looks like even Pokémon weren't used to seeing something like this.

"Alright, change back. You're freaking me out."

Su Bai finally gave the order. Having a duplicate of himself silently standing there felt a little too horror-movie for comfort.

Still, maybe he could have Ditto transform into someone else and work as a shop assistant later…

Save on labor costs!

"Now then… time to draw the random special Pokémon."

Su Bai's gaze settled on the Pokédex screen.

Almost as if it sensed what was coming, Rotom zipped out of the register, hovering nearby excitedly.

Meloetta and Ditto both turned their attention to the Pokédex as well.

Su Bai smiled faintly, finger hovering over the glowing button.

"Alright then. Time to meet our new partner."