Trainers returning from the Kingdom of Roc

Chapter 5: Green Tributaries

The ride-hailing car sped along the winding, ascending viaduct towards the outskirts of the city.

The view outside the car window clearly divides two worlds: on one side is a steel forest meticulously constructed by human civilization, brightly lit and orderly; on the other side is a natural wilderness with undulating contours.

In this world, the boundary between Pokémon and humans is a 'line' that is mutually recognized and carefully maintained.

Cities are fortresses and homes for humans, while the wilderness is a kingdom where Pokémon can roam freely.

This is not a simple alienation, but a fragile balance achieved after a period of adjustment. Human activity space has indeed been restricted as a result, and many unauthorized explorations have been prohibited. However, in exchange for this restriction, large areas of Pokémon habitats have been preserved intact.

You should know that mythical beasts truly exist in this world.

Those magnificent beings that are almost the embodiment of nature possess power that transcends the ordinary, connecting them to mountains, oceans, atmosphere, and even time and space.

Everyone knows that any large-scale ecological destruction or wanton encroachment could anger these transcendent beings that safeguard the balance, and the resulting losses would not only be economic figures, but sometimes even issues of the region's survival.

This was Hou Hao's first time venturing into an officially permitted wilderness area. He was practically pressed against the car window, his nose leaving a small white mark on the glass.

Although his family owns an aquarium and keeps all kinds of water-type Pokémon, and he himself has seen and eaten them, there is still a big difference between farmed and wild Pokémon.

In contrast, Luo Yan sank deep into his seat, covering half his face with his hood, his breathing steady and long—he was making the most of this trip to catch up on sleep.

He barely slept last night while checking access data and potential Pokémon ecology reports for the Green Tributary area.

Moreover, for someone with countless "wilderness experiences" like him, adequate rest is more important than the excitement before setting off.

The journey passed by amidst Hou Hao's barely suppressed restlessness and Luo Yan's tranquil sleep.

When Hou Hao finally couldn't help but shake Luo Yan's shoulder, the ride-hailing car had already come to a smooth stop in a brightly lit transition zone.

"Luoyan, look, we've arrived at the entrance to the green tributary."

Luo Yan pulled down his hood and rubbed his dry eyes.

The view outside the window is no longer a pure urban landscape, nor a wilderness, but a well-equipped and well-lit entrance hub.

The most eye-catching sights were the tall figures at the entrance, dressed in uniform, sharp dark uniforms, each accompanied by a sharp-eyed, muscular Growlithe.

These Growlithe dogs are well-trained, sitting quietly at their trainers' feet, their alert eyes constantly scanning the path leading to the wild and the people and vehicles passing by, their nostrils twitching slightly as they catch any unusual scent in the air.

These personnel are part of the alliance's security forces deployed to key border areas.

Their duties are significant and clear: first and foremost, to act as a living barrier, using their own abilities and those of their partner Pokémon to prevent overly curious or aggressive wild Pokémon from accidentally entering or trespassing into human urban areas, thus ensuring basic safety and order on both sides of the border.

Secondly, they are also the first line of defense when venturing into the wilderness, undertaking the responsibility of emergency rescue in the wild.

Whether it's a trainer who has encountered an accident, a researcher who needs help, or even a Pokémon in trouble, they can seek help from them or through the outposts they have set up.

Their pairing with Growlithe is classic and effective. Growlithe is loyal, brave, has an excellent sense of smell, and is highly adaptable to harsh environments, making them an excellent partner for patrol, tracking, surveillance, and initial rescue missions.

The entrance lights made the signs for the green tributaries clearly visible, but further ahead, the road was parted by searchlights for a distance before being swallowed up again by the deep darkness of nature.

The clamor of human civilization comes to an abrupt halt here, replaced by a more primal, vibrant tranquility, and beneath this tranquility lies a thriving life force comprised of countless Pokémon.

Green Tributary, the name comes from the forests and rivers. Most of the Pokémon that live here are Grass, Bug, and Water types, with Bug types being the most numerous.

Of course, there are also quite a few flying-type bird Pokémon.

Hou Hao's excitement reached its peak, while Luo Yan also fully sobered up, her eyes regaining their usual calm and focus.

If it were in the past, Luo Yan might have been just as excited as Hou Hao, since they were both "good kids" at school before.

Perhaps "greenhouse walking grass" would be a more apt description.

But things are different now; Luo Yan has long since transformed from a walking grass into a giant eating flower.

"Did you bring your ID card?" Luo Yan asked, tilting her head.

Hou Hao, who was taking something out of the trunk, immediately replied, "Of course, how could I not bring something so important?"

He paused for a moment, then his voice weakened again.

"...But we're not registered as trainers, can we really get in here?"

"Don't worry, it's just an E-rank region. Every year, countless people come here with Poké Balls to try their luck, hoping to get a kill in one shot without battling."

"Really? Do they have a chance of succeeding?"

"What do you think?" Luo Yan countered. "Aside from Caterpie, Magikarp, and a very few humanoid succubi, do you see anyone who can catch Pokémon without battling?"

"That's true..."

Hou Hao scratched his head, then hoisted the almost full backpack onto his back; the enormous weight nearly made him lose his balance.

"How much stuff did you bring? Didn't I say that bringing two fishing rods and repellent spray would be enough?"

The repellent spray is specifically designed to repel wild Pokémon. It emits an extremely unpleasant odor. Although it is not needed in Rank E regions, it is still a necessity.

If immigration officers find that you are not carrying repellent spray, they will not let you in.

"Hey, I'm thinking of staying a couple more days. Catching Pokémon is no small matter. I've already told the housekeeper that I'll be staying at your place for the next couple of days, so it's fine if we go back tomorrow."

"So you're prepared to spend the night in the wild?" Luo Yan couldn't help but laugh.

He was only half-joking when he told Hou Hao that he would catch his starter Pokémon. After all, there's no such thing as someone catching Pokémon for you, and this is just an E-rank region, so there aren't any rare Pokémon here.

As the gym leader of the city's water-type gym, his father would definitely provide him with a starter Pokémon, so Hou Hao's starter Pokémon is unlikely to be the kind you can find anywhere on the street.

I only asked him to come along before so that he could accompany me and get used to my future study abroad experience.

I didn't expect this guy to actually take it seriously, and it seems he really wants to catch a starter Pokémon in the wild.

...