Pokémon Simulator: Stealing Opportunities from the Destiny Child

『Your Oddish has undergone 215 days of training, and the proficiency of "Hidden Power" has significantly increased. Current level enhancement: +10.』

『This enhancement consumed 200 points in total.』

『Oddish's current skill enhancement "Hidden Power +10" has reached full integration. Remaining comprehension time: 39 minutes.』

"Hoo—" Ethan let out a long breath.

After spending four days, he had finally completed enhancing most of Oddish's skills.

Next, he only needed to capture the shiny Gastly, head to Misty Mountain, and find a perfect-quality Sun Stone. Then, Oddish would evolve into a Bellossom.

In just five days since getting Oddish, he had raised it from an ordinary Pokémon to a level 30 advanced Pokémon with astonishing combat power.

Even a Champion trainer couldn't achieve such a feat.

Oddish was definitely the most confused Pokémon during this period.

All it did these past few days was sleep, or be on its way to sleep.

Then, every time it woke up, a flood of memories about practicing various moves would surface in its mind.

It knew all of this was its trainer's doing.

Thanks to him, its appetite had grown several times bigger, and its belly was now round and chubby.

Oddish was deeply troubled—it must have gained quite a few pounds!

After finishing his meal, Ethan put Oddish back into its Pokéball.

He packed various outdoor exploration items, including repellent spray, healing potions, all-purpose medicine, berries, and Pokémon food.

After saying goodbye to Luna, telling her he would be away for a few days, Ethan left home and took a taxi to the northwest part of Lakeside City.

He leisurely made his way toward the Forest Mansion.

The Forest Mansion on Northwest Street was a large villa surrounded by dense woods and trees.

It was once the residence of a wealthy family, but now it had become an abandoned house overtaken by vines and weeds.

There were many rumors circulating among the local residents.

Some said the homeowner's daughter had been brutally murdered during a home invasion, and the criminal set the house on fire before leaving. Her spirit was said to haunt the house ever since.

Others claimed the homeowner, driven mad by financial ruin, accidentally killed his daughter. Realizing what he had done, he left the villa and ended his life in a place unknown.

Still, others believed the homeowner was a seemingly elegant but actually twisted serial killer who preyed on women at night, bringing them back to the mansion to torture them to death.

The strange noises heard from the mansion at midnight were said to be the cries of those victims.

Ethan stood quietly beside a group of teenagers eagerly sharing these ghost stories.

He nodded after hearing them recount all the different versions of the tale.

"Now that I think about it, Elena's afraid of ghosts, isn't she?"

"Maybe I should bring her here to play sometime!"

Just imagining Elena sobbing with tears streaming down her face, throwing herself into his arms, made Ethan's heart flutter a bit.

After asking for the exact location of the Forest Mansion, Ethan walked north along the street.

Before long, he saw the villa surrounded by overgrown vegetation, its entire structure wrapped in thick vines.

Despite the front gate being locked and warning signs posted all around, Ethan paid no attention. He jumped over the fence and walked up to the front door.

It was broad daylight, yet the dense trees around the villa blocked out most of the sunlight, giving the place a gloomy and eerie atmosphere.

A faint breeze swept through the gaps in the windows and doors, producing a creak, creak sound.

Even though Ethan had lived two lifetimes, he couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.

He released Oddish from its Pokéball and took it with him into the villa.

Inside, the place was a complete mess—garbage and empty cans were scattered everywhere, and muddy footprints covered the floor.

It was clear that many people had visited this famous haunted house.

Some were homeless people seeking shelter, while others were online influencers or paranormal enthusiasts looking for thrills.

Since no sunlight could penetrate the interior, Ethan couldn't see the layout clearly. He took out a flashlight and decided to explore the rooms one by one.

Thanks to his system's Data Eye, Ethan was confident he could immediately spot the shiny Gastly if it appeared.

The dimly lit rooms exuded a sinister aura.

Occasionally, the sound of objects falling to the floor echoed, and there were sudden knocking noises from unknown sources.

Oddish shrieked in fear and clung tightly to Ethan's hand, refusing to lift its head.

After all, it was just a little girl barely a month old.

Ethan had to comfort Oddish while continuing to follow the sounds deeper into the house.

He reached a locked door on the second floor.

Just as Ethan was about to leave and check the next room, the system notification suddenly rang.

『Shiny Gastly (Lv. 18) detected. Distance: 10 meters.』