ALL NOVEL Chapter 51 – Return
As Floyd and his Pokémon returned to the safe zone outside the layer of Kemonohaji forest, which is situated on the external layer where the base is, he happened to meet Bianca and her Pokémon dining. Her hair was disheveled, and she seemed arguing with Swablu.
"Swablu, why have you become so picky? Eat your meal now," Bianca grumbled, attempting to untangle the Pokémon from her hair.
"Tweet, Tweet…" Swablu persisted, appearing to want to communicate something.
However, unable to comprehend, Bianca remarked, "You weren't like this before."
"Tweet, tweet," Swablu gestured with her left wing towards her food and then shook her head.
Bianca, sampling the food, found nothing amiss and said, "There's nothing wrong with it. Why won't you eat?"
"Tweet, tweet," Swablu continued to shake her head.
Overwhelmed, Bianca muttered, "Swablu," struggling to free her hair from the Pokémon.
From behind, a voice teased, "Oh, Bianca, surprisingly, you can speak normally."
Startled, Bianca turned and blushed, "Floyd…?"
"Good morning," Floyd greeted.
Stammering, Bianca replied, "G-g-good… morning."
Floyd sighed, thinking she was back to where she was having a social phobia.
"Tweet…" (Brother Floyd, good morning).
Floyd, with a smile, said, "Good morning, Swablu. What are you arguing here?" and then directed his question to Bianca.
Embarrassed, Bianca responded, "It…it's Swablu."
"Tweet" (Brother Floyd, I want to eat your food), Swablu conveyed with pleading eyes.
Curious, Floyd observed Poochyena, Tailow, and Chikorita dining. He then noticed the untouched food meant for Swablu and handed it over, saying, "You seemed picky today. Here, have this."
Bianca hesitated, but Swablu eagerly accepted.
He reassured, "It's alright. It's my job to feed all the breasts here." Addressing the other Pokémon who looked enviously, he added, "Come, I have more for you."
The three Pokémon eagerly approached, their eyes shining. They hesitated a moment and then dived into the food.
Pleased, Floyd noted that this particular food, which was even lower quality than Novice grade Pokéblock, but it's more abundant.
Wrapping up, Floyd mentioned, "Bianca, I'm heading out. If they need more food, come to me." He intended to visit Chansey since his Pokémon were injured and hesitated to use the expensive healing powder, especially with a free healer available.
Continuing on, Floyd encountered Chen Yu and others, who greeted him, "Youngest, good morning."
A bit frustrated by the new nickname given by Le Mai Linh the previous night, Floyd courteously responded. He felt a tad bitter, thinking, 'Ryota should be the one called 'youngest'.'
He then told Chen Yu, "Chen Yu Captain, I need to inquire about the berries. I'm preparing Beast's food."
Chen Yu replied, "You're in luck. We're heading there, and Le Mai Linh and her group should be present there as well."
Floyd understood that Le Mai Linh, Ivan, and others were already on an external task, though it wasn't dangerous compared to where he went.
"Where's Kang Jihoon vice-captain?" Floyd asked, scanning the area but not seeing him.
"He's in the beast's sanctuary with the other group. He's busy arranging their locations in there, and later we will also meet up with the caterpillar beasts with Professor Kanraku," Chen Yu answered.
"Perfect timing. I'm also heading there. You can hand over the berries to me when we're there," Floyd said.
"I see, but be cautious. Always be alert; they might inadvertently hurt you," Chen Yu warned, raising his hand in a farewell gesture as he and his group left.
Floyd exhaled a sigh. He knew people were still cautious around beasts.
Continuing on their journey, Floyd and his Pokémon soon reached the Beast's Sanctuary. There, he saw Chansey, and again, Growlithe, with an added Happiny trailing behind. The previously timid Chansey now exuded confidence and had become quite popular among the Pokémon.
Floyd quickly approached her. Observing Floyd's arrival, some Pokémon grew tense, while others relaxed, recognizing him. Most had a favorable impression of him compared to other humans.
"Good morning, everyone. Chansey, good morning," he greeted.
"Chansey~" Chansey responded with a nod and a smile.
"Happi-ny~" Happiny greeted enthusiastically, remembering that Floyd was the reason she was here.
"Good morning, little one," Floyd greeted Happiny before turning his attention to the slightly nervous Growlithe, "And you too, good morning."
"Awrrr" Growlithe was not scared anymore and nodded, but still stepped back cautiously.
"Chansey, I need your assistance. Horsea is injured," Floyd got straight to the point.
Upon seeing the unconscious Horsea in Floyd's arms, Chansey hurriedly approached, took the Pokémon, and activated her healing abilities.
While Happiny observed with confusion, Chansey worked swiftly. In a matter of minutes, Horsea stirred awake.
"Horsea~" Horsea seemed puzzled by her surroundings.
After Chansey briefed her on the situation, Horsea noticed Floyd and looked somewhat dejected, presumably recalling her earlier battle.
Floyd quickly approached her and gently patted her head. "I'm sorry, Horsea. This was really my fault."
Seeing Floyd's familiar comforting demeanor, Horsea's eyes lit up.
"I should've first let you practice melee attacks first, and not let you face a Pokémon that resists your type. It's my fault, in our next training, we'll add melee combat. But you to be honest, did your best. You even managed to defeat a Pokémon that had the type advantage over you."
Horsea's expression turned somber as she hurriedly moved closer to Floyd, communicating, "Horsea, Horsea." (Look at me, I'm in such a pitiful state, so hurt. Can I be excused from training?)
"After you recover, we'll resume our training. And don't worry, I'll increase your food portion," Floyd reassured.
"Chansey, I also need your help; Axew and Dratini also require assistance," Floyd said, a touch of embarrassment in his tone.
"Chansey?" Chansey directed her gaze towards Axew and Dratini, studying them intently.
A few moments passed.
"Chansey, Chansey, Chansey!" Chansey reprimanded Floyd, her mouth puckering in a clear show of disapproval.
"We've been fighting inside the forest against wild beasts. It's just our routine, although there have been a few accidents this time," Floyd responded, his cheeks reddening under Chansey's stern gaze. The shift in her demeanor was stark; the once timid Chansey now resembled a scolding mother.
"Chansey!" After her initial rebuke, Chansey carefully inspected Axew and Dratini, searching for any signs of black injury but found none.
"Rest assured, I always administer healing powder to them, ensure they receive proper nutrition, and even give them massages," Floyd quickly explained, hoping to allay her concerns.
Chansey sighed in relief upon hearing his assurances, and started healing each of them but her expression remained stern, still somewhat upset with Floyd.
Two hours later, Kang Jihoon's group made their appearance, arms laden with an assortment of berries.