Pokémon Simulation: Hunting The Protagonists

"How about I add a low-quality Thunder Stone…?" Jayden suggested hesitantly, biting his lip.

"You think I'm easy to fool?" Ethan's face darkened instantly as he feigned anger.

He stood up and called toward the living room. "Luna! Show him out!"

"Wait, wait, Cousin! Don't get mad! We can negotiate!"

Jayden broke into a cold sweat and frantically grabbed Ethan's arm.

Seeing Ethan sit back down, Jayden finally exhaled in relief. "Then… how about a mid-quality Fire Stone?"

"Luna! Show him out!!"

Jayden almost cried. "Cousin, stop messing with me! Just tell me what you want!"

Ethan's eyes glinted, a sly smile appearing on his face. "I want that Thunder Stone and Fire Stone you mentioned… plus the abandoned Pokémon shop at 25 North Street in Lakeside City."

"The Pokémon shop?" Jayden looked confused and quickly searched it up on his phone.

Sure enough, his father owned a shop on North Street. However, the shop had been a disaster. The area was practically deserted, and they'd been losing money since day one.

They'd tried to sell the place countless times, but no one wanted it.

Jayden was puzzled. Why would his cousin want such a worthless place?

"I… I'll have to ask my dad," Jayden said hesitantly. After all, it wasn't entirely up to him.

"Of course. Just bring all the paperwork this afternoon, and we'll finalize everything with my parents."

Ethan wasn't the least bit worried that Jayden's family would refuse.

At this point in time, Jayden's father was probably still pulling his hair out over the shop's lack of buyers.

What they didn't know was that in two months, a large corporation would buy the entire street for redevelopment, and the value of the shop would skyrocket several times over.

Ethan was the only one who knew this secret.

He patted the couch next to him, signaling Jayden to sit down. Wrapping an arm around his cousin's shoulders, Ethan smiled warmly.

"Jayden, I've always believed you were destined for greatness."

"This Master Breeding House slot… it's perfect for someone like you."

"You might feel like you're losing out now, but think about it. What if you get a starter-tier Pokémon or even a pseudo-legendary? You'd be the envy of every new trainer in Lakeside City!"

Jayden's eyes began to sparkle with excitement.

"Imagine other trainers showing off their Caterpie, Rattata, or Pidgey, while you stand there with a Charizard or a Dragonite. All eyes will be on you!"

"While others are still learning the basics, you'll already be winning tournaments."

"While they're figuring out battle strategies, you'll be challenging gyms."

"While they're still starting out, you'll be aiming for the Elite Four!"

"And in the future, you'll become the Pokémon League Champion! The entire Shenzo Region will chant your name!"

"And it will all be thanks to this smart decision you're making today!"

Jayden, swept up in Ethan's vivid picture of the future, felt his eyes well up with emotion.

"Cousin, do you really think I can become a champion?"

"Of course. Believe in yourself!" Ethan patted him on the shoulder with an encouraging smile.

After a full round of emotional manipulation, Jayden went from hesitating to being utterly determined. Now he saw the breeding house slot as his ticket to becoming the next Pokémon League Champion.

Jayden left reluctantly, promising to settle everything with his father.

As he walked away, Jayden felt a surge of admiration. People always said my cousin was a spoiled, useless rich kid… but they were wrong!

He's so generous! He's giving me such a valuable opportunity without hesitation!

"Cousin, don't worry! I'll handle the paperwork today!" Jayden called back confidently.

Ethan's expression didn't change until Jayden disappeared around the corner. Then, his warm smile melted into a cold sneer.

"Champion? You'd better pray you survive tomorrow first."

In his previous life, Ethan hadn't made this deal. The next day, he'd gone to the breeding house and gotten caught in a terrorist attack.

He survived but spent ten days in the hospital, only barely recovering in time for school.

Because the breeding house was temporarily closed after the attack, Ethan missed the chance to get his starter Pokémon ahead of others.

In a twist of fate, Jayden had left Bellsprout and Pidgey behind in the previous timeline. Ethan ended up raising them himself, which led to his deep bond with Bellossom.

But as for what might happen to Jayden tomorrow… Ethan didn't care at all.

In his past life, after his parents' disappearance, his uncle's family seized his parents' assets under the guise of "family unity."

When Ethan tried to reclaim what was rightfully his, they humiliated him mercilessly.

The worst betrayal came when his uncle's family sold him out to curry favor with Tyler, the so-called "Child of Destiny."

In a desperate attempt to impress Tyler, Ethan's uncle sacrificed not only him but also his beloved sister figure Elena.

Elena and Bellossom refused to submit to Tyler's demands. In retaliation, Cassandra, one of Tyler's followers, killed them both.

It was this tragedy that finally broke Ethan and drove him to leap off a cliff in despair.

Now, reborn and armed with knowledge of the future, Ethan was determined to change his fate.

Tyler had always been favored by the world itself. Step by step, he grew stronger while Ethan was trampled into the dirt.

But not this time.

[Cassandra, my dear uncle's family…]

[You'll all pay for what you've done.]

A dark glint flashed in Ethan's eyes.

The heavens had chosen him as Tyler's enemy. If that was his role, then so be it.

"Tyler… even if the world loves you, so what?"

"You have fate, but I have the system."

"I know every step you'll take in the future."

"From this moment on, I'll always be one step ahead of you."

"I'll steal your women, your Pokémon, your opportunities, and your glory."

"And in the end… I'll destroy you completely."