Pokemon: This Trainer is Too Cautious!

"Wait, what's this?"

Ace returned the Pokémon egg to Cynthia. It was likely a Rhyhorn egg, and Ace had no need to covet it.

But as he handed the egg back to Cynthia, Ace noticed the culprit that had tripped her just now.

It was a protruding rock, but within that rock, there was an unusual color, completely unlike the rock itself!

A glint flashed in Ace's eyes. He put down his backpack, took out the pickaxe from it, and vigorously struck the rock.

The pickaxe, purchased from the system, was incredibly powerful, instantly chipping away the protruding part.

"What are you doing?"

Cynthia put away the Pokémon egg, looking at Ace suddenly chiseling the ground, momentarily confused.

As for Cynthia's question, Ace completely ignored it.

He held the rock in his hand and used the sharp pickaxe to pry it open. Soon, a small, round stone fell into Ace's hand.

The stone resembled the marbles Ace used to play with as a child in his past life, with a twisted, purplish-pink substance inside.

"Mewtwo Evolution Stone Y: A precious item that allows Mewtwo to Mega Evolve into Mega Mewtwo Y."

"Side Quest (Mewtwo's Bond) completed. Quest evaluation: A. Reward: 1000 gold coins, ten quest points."

As the Mewtwo Evolution Stone Y was obtained, the side quest showed as completed.

Ace stared blankly at the evolution stone, unable to accept it for a moment.

Mewtwo was a man-made Pokémon created by Team Rocket using Mew's DNA. Although the games featured two Mega Evolutions for Mewtwo, Ace had thought that Mewtwo's evolution stones were likely man-made.

But now, a living, breathing Mewtwo evolution stone had appeared in Ace's hand, making him feel as if an invisible hand was orchestrating the world.

"Please rest assured, Host. The formation of the evolution stone is a natural evolution of high-level energy, not driven by a behind-the-scenes manipulator."

The system, sensing Ace's inner turmoil, immediately popped up to explain.

"Then what is the evolution of high-level energy?"

Ace immediately asked. If he didn't get a clear answer, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep well for days.

"Host's current authority is insufficient. You will know once your trainer level exceeds 50."

Ace: "..."

What was this?

It offered a bit of comfort but didn't allow him to understand.

This made Ace even more frustrated.

"What is that thing?"

Cynthia leaned closer, glancing at the evolution stone in Ace's hand.

"None of your business."

Ace immediately put it away, tucking it into an inner pocket of his clothes, keeping it close to his body.

"Hmph, stingy."

Cynthia grumbled, thinking that since she'd already seen it, she could always ask her grandmother about it later.

With the side quest complete, Cerulean Cave held no more appeal for Ace.

He took Zubat, turned, and left the cave, heading towards the exit.

"...You! I curse you to never have a girlfriend!"

Watching Ace ignore her once more, Cynthia was furious, silently cursing him in her heart. Yet, her feet didn't stop moving; she directly followed Ace's footsteps, heading out of Cerulean Cave.

Noticing Cynthia following, Ace quickened his pace.

After rushing out of Cerulean Cave, Ace immediately recalled Zubat and released Aerodactyl.

When Cynthia followed him out of the cave, she saw Aerodactyl grabbing Ace's shoulders, then flapping its wings and soaring high into the sky.

"You... just you wait!"

Cynthia, without a flying Pokémon, stomped her foot in anger, only able to watch Ace fly away.

"Riolu, did you remember his Aura?"

Cynthia asked her Riolu. In response to Cynthia's question, Riolu nodded. It had already memorized Ace's Aura, so as long as the distance wasn't too great, it wouldn't lose him.

"Hmph, trying to shake me off? Dream on!"

The highly competitive Cynthia was thoroughly provoked by Ace's actions. It would be too embarrassing if she lost track of him!

Thinking this, guided by Riolu, Cynthia set off, chasing after Ace's direction.

Aerodactyl landed with Ace in an open area near a water source. Starving, it was temporarily unable to carry Ace in flight.

"It's almost noon. Let's have lunch first. There's fresh meat, and it'd be a waste not to eat it."

Ace stroked Aerodactyl's head, then put down his backpack and took out a piece of frozen meat, tossing it to Aerodactyl first.

Aerodactyl opened its mouth wide and caught it. Though frozen meat was tough, it was no problem for Aerodactyl's teeth.

While Aerodactyl crunched on the frozen meat, Ace had already taken out all the remaining frozen meat, wrapped it in a mesh bag, and tossed it into the nearby water to thaw.

Afterward, he released Lapras to guard the meat, while Ace released Zubat and Weepinbell to help gather some firewood.

By the time Ace had the campfire lit, the meat had also thawed.

"One portion of meat soup, and one grilled meat. Rhyhorn meat, protected by its tough hide, is surprisingly tender and smooth."

Ace took out his packed kitchen utensils from his backpack, filled a stew pot with some water, and after it boiled, he prepared the meat.

Then he divided the fire into two parts: one for stewing large cuts of meat, and the rest for grilling on an iron plate.

Sprinkling his homemade seasoning, several meat steaks were prepared.

Ace's appetite wasn't too large. He saved two palm-sized grilled steaks for himself, and the remaining cooked steaks were distributed to Zubat and the others.

After quickly eating two steaks, Ace's meat soup was also ready. He happily drank a large bowl and ate another piece of stewed meat. Ace felt quite full.

The Rhyhorn meat was fine-textured and nutritious. Ace stroked his belly, which felt like he was three months pregnant, and could feel his body gradually becoming more powerful.

"So fragrant! Save some for me!"

Just as Ace was digesting for a while and preparing to process the remaining meat, Cynthia, panting and sweating profusely, arrived with an equally winded Riolu.

Completely oblivious to manners, the two immediately grabbed a steak from Ace's iron plate and desperately stuffed it into their mouths, not caring if it was hot.

Because they ate too quickly, Cynthia's eyes rolled as she choked, and Riolu was in a similar state. Both human and Pokémon choked in perfect sync.

Ace sighed and reluctantly scooped some meat soup, offering it to them.

The soup had already cooled down and wasn't hot to drink. Both human and Pokémon quickly gulped down the soup, narrowly avoiding choking to death.

"What exactly do you want?!"

Ace looked at Cynthia, who had recovered her breath, and said with a headache, "We have no connection, do we? Can you please stop following me?"