Pokemon: This Trainer is Too Cautious!

The Golbat flew to Cynthia's side. Its sharp wings, like steel blades, easily flicked the ropes, severing them instantly.

"Cough, cough, cough, are you trying to kill me?!" Cynthia struggled free of the ropes, stood up, and looked at Ace. "Couldn't you have been a little gentler?"

"Gentler? If I were gentler, not only would you die, but I'd die too."

Ace had Aerodactyl drag the bodies of the Team Rocket members together. He looted their valuable belongings, then the Weepinbell's dissolving fluid was sprayed directly onto the corpses.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle..."

The strong acid began to corrode the flesh, and a pungent odor started to fill the air.

Cynthia retrieved her belongings from the woman who had captured her. Seeing her lost Poké Balls and Pokémon Egg again, Cynthia breathed a sigh of relief.

She was initially a bit uncomfortable with Ace's actions of killing and destroying the bodies, but she didn't say anything.

She knew very well that the battle they just had was a fight to the death.

If Ace had been soft-hearted, it would have been Ace and Cynthia lying there, their bodies being dissolved.

"Is this what you meant by getting into trouble?" Cynthia walked to Ace's side, looking at the slowly corroding bodies, asking with a mix of determination and helplessness.

Ace didn't speak, but his silence was an acknowledgment.

"I understand." Seeing Ace's silence, Cynthia spoke, "I guess I really will have to stick with you for a while now."

"Why?" Ace asked without turning around, his gaze somewhat unfocused.

"Your appearance has been noted by these Team Rocket members, and they know I've been in contact with you. If I don't go with you, I'll probably be caught again soon, and then they'll use me to threaten you," Cynthia told Ace. "So, to be safe, I'm safer with you. Besides, I can fight too; I can at least help you, can't I?"

Ace fell silent. Before him, several side quests appeared.

Side Quest (Mortal Enemy): The host has become a mortal enemy of Team Rocket. There's no possibility of reconciliation between the two parties. Therefore, disrupt Team Rocket's plans and defeat Team Rocket's three executives. Quest Reward: 30,000 gold coins, plus quest points based on completion rating.

Side Quest (Train Cynthia): Cynthia is the future Champion of the Sinnoh region. Befriending her brings countless benefits. Guide Cynthia in battle and raise her trainer level to 10 (4/10). Quest Reward: 5,000 gold coins, plus quest points based on completion rating.

Side Quest (Full Team Assembly): A typical trainer carries six Pokémon. Please capture your fifth Pokémon. Quest Reward: 100 gold coins, Pokémon Egg hatching, plus quest points based on completion rating.

Three quests appeared. The first was self-explanatory; Ace would have done it even without the system's prompt.

As for the second quest, it meant Ace had to take Cynthia with him.

Setting aside the quest points, the allure of 5,000 gold coins alone was something Ace couldn't bear to give up.

The last quest, however, was intriguing.

Why was the system so eager for Ace to assemble a team of six Pokémon? Was there something special about it?

Though Ace wondered about this, he knew he had to complete the quests.

The Team Rocket-bred Pokémon Egg had already consumed too many of Ace's resources, yet it still showed no signs of hatching.

If he could hatch it now in one go, it would indeed save Ace a lot of trouble.

He also wanted to see what kind of extraordinary Pokémon this little creature was, having consumed so many of his resources without hatching.

"Alright, we'll journey together for now," Ace said, his gaze gradually focusing. "But your current strength is too weak. If you're coming with me, you'll have to keep up with my pace."

"You agreed?!" Cynthia felt a sense of unreality. The guy who wouldn't agree before was now agreeing so readily?

Instantly, Cynthia thought of a possibility.

Perhaps this boy saw her in danger and was afraid something would happen to her, so he decided to travel with her.

Why would he be afraid of something happening to her?

He must have fallen for her!

Being in danger herself, she naturally wouldn't let the person she liked get into trouble, so he'd rather face the danger alone.

Plus, considering their differing statuses—one a commoner from the lowest social stratum, the other a young lady from a prominent family—he was probably worried she'd look down on him.

But now that she was in danger, he had to step up and protect the girl he liked, which is why he agreed to travel together!

Yes, it must be like that!

Ace glanced at Cynthia, who was initially surprised, then slowly blushed. He frowned slightly and asked, "Are you catching a cold?"

He reached out and felt Cynthia's forehead. Thankfully, it was a little warm, but likely not a fever.

In Cynthia's eyes, the "beautified" Ace was "thoughtfully" "worrying" about whether she was sick.

Those furrowed brows must be signs of internal tension and concern.

It was fortunate Ace couldn't read minds; otherwise, if he knew Cynthia's thoughts, he'd probably reply, "Girl, you're overthinking it. I just don't want you getting sick and slowing me down."

It just goes to show, even the future Champion of Sinnoh was just an ordinary young girl right now.

Who doesn't have their infatuated years?

Fearing that Cynthia's illness would delay their journey, Ace had to offer his tent first, letting Cynthia change out of her already soaked and frozen clothes into dry ones.

The wet clothes were placed by the campfire to dry.

When Cynthia emerged, Ace's eyes lit up.

Cynthia was wearing a black sleeveless T-shirt with two black arm sleeves, black wide-leg cargo pants, and black sneakers.

This all-black outfit was exceptionally vibrant and eye-catching.

With a hair tie in her mouth, she managed her golden hair, walking towards Ace. She secured her neatly tied golden hair into a ponytail and fastened a rhinestone hair clip onto it.

"Where are we going tomorrow?"

Cynthia didn't seem to care about the still-corroding bodies not far from the tent. Ace gave her a thoughtful look; she really was a broad-minded girl. Otherwise, after what she just experienced, an an ordinary girl would be puking uncontrollably.

"The Abandoned Power Plant." Ace poked the campfire with a stick, making the flames burn brighter.

"The Abandoned Power Plant? What for?" Cynthia tilted her head, looking at Ace, not understanding why he was going there. Was he going to catch an Electric-type Pokémon?

"To catch a Pokémon, and also to see if the information I have is correct." A glint flashed in Ace's eyes. He had a bold idea!