Chapter Nine: Scallion Duck—From This Day On, I Am a Chef!

“How many times have I told you? Once the batter is spread evenly, you can add the ingredients. And why do you always insist on putting your wings on top? Are you trying to send me to prison?” Heath slumped into his chair, staring at the Scallion Duck before him, feeling utterly exhausted.

The Scallion Duck’s dedication was admirable, but Heath suffered for it. All the money he’d earned that morning had gone to buy ingredients, and now the Scallion Duck had ruined ten batches of pancake wraps.

Ten batches! Heath’s heart bled at the thought. Judging by the Scallion Duck’s enthusiasm, it seemed ready to make even more. If Heath didn’t come up with a solution soon, he’d be bankrupt at the hands of this bird.

Heath’s headache grew as he looked at the blackened tips on the duck’s wings. Wasting ingredients was a minor issue, but the bigger problem was that the Scallion Duck kept putting its wings on the griddle. The League was extremely protective of Scallion Ducks.

If someone saw this scene, Officer Jenny and her colleagues would likely storm in the next moment and pin Heath to the ground as a villain attempting to “eat roast Scallion Duck wings.”

“Alright, I’ll guide you through it myself.” Heath wiped his hands, deciding to personally hold the Scallion Duck’s wings and teach it properly.

With Heath’s help, the Scallion Duck finally produced a batch of pancake wraps that looked decent. Heath took a bite—slightly undercooked. Apparently, the duck’s control over the heat was lacking...

Heat control?

Heath remembered the skill machine he’d acquired that morning. Perhaps if the Scallion Duck learned Fire Punch, things would improve.

Heath wasn’t sure if the Scallion Duck could learn it, but with his golden finger, it was worth a try.

Heath took out the skill machine—a disc labeled “Fire Punch.” It looked suspiciously like one of those pirated discs sold on street corners, which made Heath hesitate. How was this supposed to work?

Heath examined the Scallion Duck—there didn’t seem to be anywhere to insert a CD.

“Would you like the Scallion Duck to learn Fire Punch?”

Heath’s spirits lifted, and he nodded quickly. Thankfully, his golden finger was powerful enough; otherwise, he’d have no idea how to proceed.

The disc vanished as soon as Heath confirmed, and the Scallion Duck froze for a moment, then looked at Heath in confusion, quacking softly.

“Give it another try,” Heath said, guiding the Scallion Duck to make another pancake wrap. This time, its control over the heat improved; at least the food was edible, though the taste left much to be desired.

Nervously, Heath watched as the Scallion Duck made a pancake wrap on its own, stepping in to guide it whenever he noticed mistakes. Eventually, the Scallion Duck placed the finished wrap onto a plate.

“The Scallion Duck has made a pancake wrap; you have received a special reward.”

“You have received a GS Ball.”

Heath was stunned. What kind of reward was this? What was a GS Ball?

The name sounded like a Poké Ball, but when Heath tried to open it, it wouldn’t budge. Still, his golden finger had granted it as a reward, and Heath tried to bargain, but his golden finger wasn’t exactly communicative, leaving Heath feeling somewhat deflated.

“Not sure what it’s for... I’ll hang onto it for now.” Heath shrugged. He vaguely remembered the GS Ball was some kind of prop from a movie, but couldn’t recall which one.

Still, the GS Ball was rather attractive, so Heath decided to use it as a decoration.

After making its first successful pancake wrap, the Scallion Duck became visibly excited, waving its scallion triumphantly and laughing with pride.

Heath couldn’t help but laugh at the duck’s antics—wasn’t it just a pancake wrap? There were still egg fried rice and other dishes waiting to be made.

“Scallion Duck, let’s go home.” Heath patted the duck’s fluffy head, enjoying the soft texture.

“Scallion!” The Scallion Duck nodded and followed Heath toward the Officer Jenny dormitory area.

When Heath returned to the dorm, Sister Maple hadn’t come back yet, and he was glad for the peace. He’d wanted to use her computer to look up rumors about Evergreen Forest, but found it couldn’t connect to the internet.

“The white figure... what exactly is it?” Heath was curious. Some said curiosity killed the cat, but others claimed it drove human progress.

Besides, his golden finger had specifically identified it as an important clue. Even if he didn’t trust the rumors, he could trust his golden finger.

Based on this clue, Heath now knew that there was likely something white and incredibly fast in Evergreen Forest—a Pokémon.

“What kind of Pokémon could it be? Something white...” Heath was at a loss. He remembered some Pokémon, but when it came to the color white, his memory was fuzzy.

As dusk fell, Officer Jenny Maple finally returned, dragging her tired body inside. Heath noticed immediately—her scent of sweat was unmistakable.

“Oh, Heath, you must be a god! Coming home to such delicious food, it’s fantastic!” Heath was suddenly hugged by a sweaty person, causing his hand to tremble and almost drop his spoon.

“Sister Maple!” Heath sighed helplessly. How could someone in her twenties be so childish, acting like a kid?

“Ha-ha, Heath is angry~” Officer Jenny Maple laughed, letting go and settling into a chair.

Heath looked at the mature and reliable Officer Jenny from outside, now acting so carefree, and handed her a clean towel.

“You’re soaked in sweat and not changing clothes—aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?” Heath said, feeling a bit exasperated.

Officer Jenny Maple was the first good person Heath had met after crossing over. She had taken him in and cared for him. She looked much like any Officer Jenny, except her eyes were larger.

She was a good person, young yet already the captain of Evergreen City’s security bureau, and the funds for Heath’s breakfast stand had been lent by her. To Heath, Officer Jenny Maple was not his blood sister, but even closer than one.

“What’s there to fear? With this body, I’ll never catch a cold... Arcanine!” Maple picked up her chopsticks, expertly snatched a piece of chicken, and tossed a Poké Ball. A majestic Arcanine stood proudly nearby.