ALL NOVEL Chapter 10: The Little Sous-chef Is Here!
Five days had quickly passed.
On this day, the Pokémon came to the shop to eat as usual. Most of them would bring one or two gifts when they arrived, sometimes a flower, sometimes a berry, or even parts of their bodies. Regardless of whether the gift was light or heavy, Diancie would gladly accept it.
After receiving the hair of a Munchlax, Angie later received, one after another, Espurr's claws, Dedenne's whiskers, Bellsprout's roots, and scraps of skin from a Sudowoodo.
According to the analysis of his Eye of Observation, they could all be used to create move learning devices.
Unfortunately, the device for making move learning was too expensive, and Angie simply couldn't afford it.
Listening to the joyful laughter of the Pokémon outside, Angie steamed buns while unconsciously humming a little tune.
Suddenly, a wave of gasps came from outside, and Angie's heart trembled. Could something have happened? He quickly peered out from behind the doorframe, only to see a group of Pokémon gathered together with their heads down, seemingly looking at something while calling out excitedly.
What was going on? Angie was extremely curious, but the crowd was too dense, and he couldn't see a thing, not even Diancie, who was also caught up in the excitement.
However, judging by Diancie's reaction, it didn't seem like anything bad had occurred.
Hmm?
Gradually, Angie seemed to notice strands of blue and white light seeping out from the crowd.
That was...
Angie's eyes widened.
"Fu~fu~~"
Suddenly, a cry rang out, and Diancie emerged from the crowd holding a brand-new Pokémon—it's a Spewpa!
It turned out the Scatterbug that often came to eat at Angie's place had evolved!
The food that Angie prepared had effects comparable to Pokémon food. Over the past few days, Scatterbug had been able to eat its fill at Angie's home every day, and once it accumulated enough energy, it naturally evolved.
Through the Eye of Observation, Angie observed Spewpa in Diancie's arms from a distance, and its data naturally appeared in his view.
...
[ Spewpa ]
Type: Bug
Ability: Shed Skin
Gender: Female
Level: 9
Moves: Protect, Harden, Stun Spore, Bug Bite.
[ Individual Values (IVs) ]
HP: 5
Attack: 6
Defense: 9
Special Attack: 12
Special Defense: 17
Speed: 8
...
It had indeed reached the level to evolve, but its stats were quite average.
After the evolution of Spewpa, everyone was very happy, and the atmosphere in the shop became even more lively.
In order to celebrate the evolution of Spewpa, everyone even wanted to share their food with it, but unfortunately, Spewpa was a transitional form between Scatterbug and Vivillon. During this form, it wouldn't eat anything except for some dew until it completed its evolution.
It must be said that the Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau are very united with one another. They celebrate each other's joys and mourn each other's sorrows; whenever a Pokémon is in trouble, the others will unhesitatingly lend a helping hand.
Angie really liked the Nebel Plateau and the way the Pokémon interacted with each other. He was also quite fortunate that the system had placed his residence here.
Pulling his gaze away from Spewpa, Angie opened his system interface and saw the task bar displaying:
[ Entertain 50 Pokémon, Deadline: 10 days. (50/50) — ( Completed, the reward is waiting to be collected) ]
As of today, he had completed his second task. It had taken one more day than expected but was still five days ahead of the deadline set by the system.
Angie immediately collected the reward, and suddenly a pop-up appeared on the task bar.
[ Congratulations, Host! You have received a reward: Physique +1! ]
In an instant, Angie felt a surge of power coursing through his body. At that moment, he felt like he could knock out a Tauros with one punch!
Hahaha~~ That's an exaggeration.
He then checked his personal information interface.
...
[ Angie ]
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 16 (+500)
Physique: 3
Intelligence: 2
Culinary Rating: A rookie cook whose dishes are edible.
...
His physique had indeed increased by one point, but unfortunately, there was no achievement reward this time, so his intelligence hadn't increased.
Although Angie hadn't quite figured out the function of intelligence, since the benefits of increasing Physique were so evident, intelligence points could not be without purpose.
He would explore this slowly in the future.
Next, he looked at his happiness points: 7900.
With not even 10,000, Angie felt a bit heartbroken.
The morning quickly passed, and Diancie saw off each Pokémon that finished breakfast, calling out to Litwick: "Litwick, remember to bring Pancham to help in the afternoon!"
"Mmhee~"
I Got it!
Litwick replied loudly.
What Diancie mentioned was naturally about having Litwick help with planting vegetables. Although this plan had been established a few days ago, Angie still had to choose which vegetables to plant and select the seeds, so it had been delayed for a few days.
After spending a few days together, Diancie had become completely familiar with Litwick, but unfortunately, Litwick still seemed reserved, flustered, and even afraid when facing Angie.
After sending off the Pokémon, Diancie began cleaning.
Angie had previously discussed with Diancie that they would only operate in the morning. A busy half-day was enough, and for the remaining half, they could do other things or leisurely play around, having a laid-back day without any responsibilities.
After all, he could no longer endure hard times.
While Diancie cleaned the hall outside, Angie tidied up the kitchen inside.
Just as he was about to put the unused dough into the refrigerator's fresh-keeping compartment, he turned around and saw a Pokémon standing not far away, staring at him intently.
Angie was startled and almost dropped the dough in his hands.
Oh no, I've been discovered!
"Munchlax, what are you doing here?"
However, to Angie's surprise, Munchlax did not show the same fear as the other Pokémon; instead, it tilted its head calmly and asked,
"Gaga"
Are you a human?
Unfortunately, Angie couldn't understand Pokémon language.
"Angie? Munchlax? What are you two doing?"
Just then, Diancie walked in with a food tray.
Angie explained, "Munchlax doesn't know how it ended up in the kitchen."
Diancie slapped her forehead, "I thought something was off when I sent everyone away just now. I felt like someone was missing, and it turned out to be you!"
"Ga~ga~~"
Munchlax grinned widely and then asked the same question again. This time, with Diancie acting as a translator, Angie finally understood.
"Yeah, that's right." He answered a bit sheepishly, fearing he might scare Munchlax away.
"Gagaga~~"
But everyone says humans are bad and will bully us.
Munchlax said in confusion.
"Gagaga~~"
But I think you smell so good; you don't seem like a bad guy at all.
Saying this, it leaned closer to Angie and sniffed.
"Ga~"
So fragrant~
Angie had just finished steaming buns, and the aroma lingered on him. However, the smell of the buns wasn't particularly strong, especially since it had been a while since he had finished steaming them. Yet, Munchlax could easily smell it.
Angie was a bit surprised; this Munchlax had a remarkably keen sense of smell!
At that moment, Diancie explained to Angie, "The buns you eat every day are made by Angie. Do you still think he's a bad guy?"
Upon hearing Diancie's words, Munchlax's eyes instantly widened, shining brighter than two light bulbs.
"Ga~ga~~~"
Really? Is that true?
Angie felt as if Munchlax was looking at him with stars in its eyes.
"Y-yes, that's right." Angie nodded, then couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid of me?"
"Gaga"
If you can make delicious food, you're not a bad guy.
Munchlax answered with unwavering certainty.
"Ga~ga~~"
You're amazing! So amazing!
Angie thought: Is this the belief of a foodie?
He seemed to see a hint of admiration in Munchlax's gaze.
Just then, Diancie suddenly exclaimed, "Angie, there's a temporary mission!"
A temporary mission?
This was the first time Angie had heard of such a thing!
"What is it? Let me see quickly," Angie said hurriedly.
Diancie walked over to Angie, displaying the mission pop-up for him to see.
[ Capture a Pokémon with culinary talent and make it your sous-chef! Do you accept it? ]
[ Yes ]
[ No ]
A Pokémon with culinary talent?
Angie instinctively looked at Munchlax, who was curiously observing him across the way.
Could it be referring to Munchlax?
It made sense; the timing of this temporary mission was too coincidental—it must be about capturing Munchlax.
Thinking about it, the number of Pokémon coming to eat in the future would surely increase. If he had no helper and had to cook alone, wouldn't he be worn out?
It seemed the system had considered the situation thoroughly.
I accept!
Angie made his decision.
At that moment, Munchlax was filled with confusion. It couldn't see the system interface and only saw Angie and Diancie gesturing at the air, almost thinking they were losing their minds.
After accepting the mission, he looked at Munchlax and asked, "Munchlax, would you like to stay with me and learn how to cook?"
"Ga~"
Learn to cook?
Munchlax looked puzzled.
"Yeah!" Angie nodded. "Once you learn to cook with me, you can make delicious food by yourself anytime you want."
As Angie spoke, Munchlax's eyes sparkled brighter, with glistening drops forming at the corners of its mouth. It wore a look of longing as if it could already envision itself showcasing its cooking skills and feasting on tasty dishes.
"What do you think? Do you want to follow me? You can eat to your heart's content every day at my place, and you'll never have to go hungry again." Angie kept enticing Munchlax.
"Ga!!!"
I want to learn how to cook!
Munchlax suddenly clenched its fists and said with determination.
Angie showed a look of surprise at this, "Once you decide, you can't back out, okay?"
"Ga~ga~~"
I won't back out!
Munchlax nodded vigorously.
"Then it's settled; I look forward to your guidance." Angie extended his right hand toward Munchlax.
"Ga~"
Munchlax solemnly shook Angie's hand.
At that moment, as the human and Pokémon clasped hands, the system task interface changed.
[ Capture a Pokémon with culinary talent and make it your sous-chef! — ( Completed, the reward is waiting to be collected. ]
Of course, Angie immediately claimed the reward.
The system promptly displayed a message.
[ Congratulations, Host! You have received the temporary mission reward: Physique +1, Individual Value +1, Culinary Training Room unlocked. ]
Seeing the rewards, Angie was taken aback. He understood the Physique +1, but what was this Individual Value +1? And what did it mean for the Culinary Training Room to be unlocked?
At that moment, he caught a glimpse of his personal information interface. Beneath the happiness points and shop sections, a new box labeled "Individual Value" had appeared, showing a lonely number "1."
Instinctively, Angie clicked on the Individual Value box, and the personal information interface immediately popped up with three options.
[ Diancie ]
[ Komala ]
[ Munchlax ]
Among these options, Diancie and Komala were both darkened, while Munchlax's option was highlighted.
He tried clicking on Diancie and Komala, but unsurprisingly, nothing happened. However, when he clicked on Munchlax, a pop-up immediately appeared with six options.
Health: 29 (+)
Attack: 16 (+)
Defense: 20 (+)
Special Attack: 6 (+)
Special Defense: 10 (+)
Speed: 31 (+)
Clearly, Angie had guessed correctly; this Individual Value was for Pokémon. Diancie and Komala couldn't be improved because Diancie's six individual values were already maxed out, and Angie couldn't inspect the Individual Values of Komala.
"Diancie, come over and take a look."
To confirm his guess, Angie called Diancie over, and sure enough, he was right.
Since Diancie and Komala couldn't gain Individual Values, this one point of Individual Value would certainly go to Munchlax, and it was precisely this point of Individual Value that he had earned.
With that in mind, Angie clicked on the Attack option, and in an instant, the Individual Value number turned to zero, while Munchlax's Attack Individual Value increased from 16 to 17.
Under the Eye of Observation, Munchlax's current stats were as follows.
...
[ Munchlax ]
Type: Normal
Ability: Thick Fat
Gender: Male
Level: 18
Move: Tackle, Lick, Defense Curl, Recycle, Covet, Bite, Take Down, Charm, Seed Bomb, Brick Break, Counter.
[ Individual Value (IVs) ]
Health: 29
Attack: 17
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 6
Special Defense: 10
Speed: 31
...
Inexplicably, Munchlax seemed to sense changes within its body. It instinctively clenched its fist but didn't understand what had happened, so it decided to brush it off.
Not only had Munchlax's data changed, but Angie's personal data had also been updated.
...
[ Angie ]
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 16 (+500)
Physique: 4
Intelligence: 2
Culinary Rating: Edible Beginner.
...
Looking at the shiny number "4" in the physique section, Angie couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Ahaha~~ I've gotten stronger again!"
Right, right! There's still one reward left—the training room is unlocked!
Angie quickly turned to ask his guide Pokémon—Diancie.
"Diancie, what is the Culinary Training Room?"
However, Diancie actually decided to keep him in suspense.
"First, clean up the place, and then I'll tell you!"
Left with no choice, Angie continued tidying up the kitchen.
Munchlax, feeling that it was already part of the family, hurried over to help. But it had never done such chores before and had no idea where to start.
Seeing it floundering, Angie patted its head and said, "Munchlax, just watch me and learn. Once you've learned how to do it, you can try it by yourself, okay?"