Chapter 160: The Choice of the Pokémon

Although we will be right at your doorstep soon, some preparations are still necessary.

Suyi walked up to the second floor of the stronghold. Before he even stepped into the forging workshop, a wave of heat and the scent of metal washed over him. Inside the brightly lit workshop, the rhythmic, metallic clanging of hammering echoed steadily.

"Oh, you're here. Your equipment is ready. Try it on and see how it fits," the Second Fleet Master said, pointing to a set of armor and a weapon resting on the conveyor belt.

"Many thanks!"

Filled with anticipation, Suyi walked over to the gear and, with the assistance of a forging apprentice, donned the armor crafted from the Anjanath materials awarded by the *Hunter's Guide*.

*Clack.*

With the gear fully equipped, Suyi stretched and tested his movements.

The Anjanath's scales and hide were fused with metal and monster bone to form a sturdy suit of armor. A pendant fashioned from sharp fangs and claws hung across his chest, a cape made of black fur wrapped around his neck, and a knight-like helmet covered his head and face.

The moment he put it on, an aura of untamed bravery washed over him.

"So handsome, meow~" Palico Lucha circled around Suyi, who was fully armed, and chirped happily.

This set of armor was heavier than his previous leather hunter's set, but thanks to the Second Fleet Master's superb craftsmanship, it did not restrict his body's mobility. All he needed was a little time to get used to the weight.

The gear, forged from metal and monster materials, provided an overwhelming sense of security. It felt as though a wondrous power resided within the armor, protecting him and granting him the valor to fight.

"It fits very well," Suyi said with a smile, nodding.

Next, he picked up the iron sword and shield, upgraded from the initial rusted-iron blade. Both its durability and sharpness had been slightly enhanced.

Because the Dual Blades were temporarily out of commission and his monster materials were exhausted, he would have to make do with this sword and shield for now.

"Stay safe, and remember to come back here often to have your equipment maintained."

"Understood!"

Amidst the Second Fleet Master's parting advice, Suyi left the forging workshop.

Making his way to the Canteen, Suyi planned to grab a meal first. Though he was perfectly capable of cooking on his own, he had meal vouchers provided by the Commander anyway. It saved both time and effort, so it would be a waste not to use them.

As a regular here, the Handler and Field Researcher, Aibo, was already sitting at a stone table piled high with food and books, eating while flipping through the pages.

"Meow~" Lucha gave a cheerful greeting.

"Aibo, are you heading out on a hunt?" Aibo asked, turning her head as she spotted Suyi.

An image of a rather cursed internet meme involuntarily flashed through Suyi's mind.

Suyi hurriedly banished the eye-straining imagery from his thoughts and replied, "Strictly speaking, I'm heading out to gather materials, barring any accidents..."

"Then you need to be careful. If the Fulgur Anjanath really has left, another monster is bound to come and claim that vacant territory."

"Monsters clash frequently over territory, so the Ancient Forest is going to be restless for a while," Aibo warned.

"I understand," Suyi nodded.

"By the way, what has Aiden been up to lately? Is he also investigating the Ancient Forest?" Suyi asked casually.

"According to his handler, he seems quite obsessed with tasks involving the clearance of small monsters lately. Every time I see him accept a quest, he dashes out looking thoroughly excited," Aibo recalled.

"Is that so?" Suyi didn't dwell on it. He and Lucha arrived at the large stone dining table, ready to order.

"Caw~" A raven's cry caught Suyi's attention.

Following the sound, Suyi saw a Blue Raven wearing a white headband in the cooking area, waving its wing to greet him.

"Oh? Blue Raven? What are you...?" Suyi asked with some surprise.

"It's helping us out in the kitchen here," said the Chef, crossing his arms with a smile.

"Oh? Are you looking to study culinary arts?" Suyi asked curiously.

"Caw..." The Blue Raven nodded, conveying something.

Lucha tilted its head to the side and began translating for Suyi...

Having wandered through cities with no destination in sight, they had been fortunate enough to cross paths with Suyi, who gave them a much better choice.

Some of their companions chose a stable and peaceful life, while others refused to settle down, yearning for adventure and the desire to grow stronger.

At first, it hadn't been certain of its own desires; it had simply chosen to follow its leader into this new world as it always had.

After arriving here, its companions gradually found partners, went on battles and adventures, and soared across a broader world. That was when it began to seriously ponder what it truly wanted to do.

Then, it came to the Canteen, where it watched people eat their fill and wear expressions of profound satisfaction.

Having wandered the cities alongside its companions, it knew all too well the importance of food.

It had eaten plenty of food in the past, but most of it barely kept hunger at bay. Yet, on that particular night, the meat Suyi roasted for them was the happiest and most satisfying meal it had ever eaten in its life.

At that very moment, it understood: knowing its companions could fill their bellies happily and contentedly made it feel truly happy.

Therefore, it wanted to learn culinary arts here, so it could bring dishes that summoned smiles of satisfaction to its companions fighting and adventuring in this realm, to Suyi, and to the other hunters.

Deeply moved, the Chef wore an emotional expression and sighed with sentiment, "So that's how it is? No wonder the first time I saw you lingering near the stove, I felt a deep sense of mutual understanding."

"Choosing to cook so that one's comrades can eat their fill—our feelings are exactly the same."

The Chef seemed to drift into reminiscence: "Back when I was partnered with the Admiral, my weapon shattered right in the heat of battle."

As he spoke, he raised the broken blade he used for slicing meat, a look of fond nostalgia crossing his features.

"At the time, I wondered: did it break because the weapon itself had worn down, or because my own physical prowess had declined to the point where I could no longer withstand the onslaught?"

"From that moment on, I considered stepping away from the frontline of combat. And so, to ensure that tireless wanderer could always enjoy a hearty meal, I decided to take up cooking."

Crossing his arms once more, the Chef resumed his composed posture and declared, "Alright, since that's the case, I will teach you how to make dishes that bring true satisfaction!"

"Caw!" The Blue Raven nodded enthusiastically, letting out a spirited cry.

"Blue Raven, in the future, perhaps even more Pokémon will arrive here. Let's bring smiles to everyone through our cooking," Suyi encouraged.

"Caw!" The Blue Raven nodded earnestly.

"Now then, hunter, time to place your order," the Chef said.

"Alright." Suyi opened the menu and began to choose his meal.

The Chef took charge personally, cooking methodically alongside the culinary Palico. The Blue Raven assisted on the side by prepping ingredients, handing over seasonings, and stirring the soup pot.

Before long, a lavish feast was served at the table.

"Meow~"

"Caw~"

The culinary Palico and the Blue Raven both made inviting gestures.

A Canteen meal was a feast brimming with blessings and encouragement.

"Let's dig in!" Suyi removed his helmet.

"Meow~" Lucha stared at the magnificent meal, its eyes sparkling.

Large chunks of heavily sauced roasted meat were bitten into with gusto, chewed with absolute satisfaction. A skewer of flavorful prawns vanished into his mouth in a single motion, followed by crisp vegetables that cut through the richness, paving the way for the next round of ravenous feasting...

The Chef nodded approvingly. That's right, this was the correct way to enjoy a meal! Good food demanded an unbridled appetite and a whirlwind of consumption!

*Pop!*

Suyi produced two bottles of fruit juice. He and the cat chugged them down in one go, then let out long, deeply satisfied sighs.

"Thank you for the meal!" After letting his food digest for a moment, Suyi stood up.

"Safe travels," the Chef nodded.

Some friends had mentioned that Professor Oak was a former Champion, implying it was far-fetched for Hunter J to escape when confronted by two Champions.

In truth, Hunter J's strength was not negligible. If she focused entirely on evasion and stalling, holding off a Champion briefly wasn't entirely unrealistic.

As for Professor Oak, he had practically retired from active battling for years. In the anime, most of the Pokémon Professor Oak used were either lent to rookie trainers or kept at his lab for research purposes.

In short, Professor Oak hadn't engaged in serious battles for a long time. The condition of his powerhouse Pokémon might have severely declined, and some were likely elderly.

Furthermore, Professor Oak rarely traveled with heavy hitters, meaning the Pokémon he had on hand at that moment possessed very little combat capability. Rashly stepping into the fray would likely yield poor results, so it was best to leave everything in Cynthia's capable hands.

(End of this chapter)