New Mission
The entire crowd fell silent as one man began wailing loudly. He was Serena's husband, and his grief echoed through the air. The kid who had pointed them in the direction of the incident had caused a flurry of movement as everyone rushed to the scene.
Axel joined the crowd, his heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and urgency. As he arrived, he saw a group of doctors tending to a middle-aged woman covered in blood. He approached them, seeking answers.
"Elder Serena... Is she..." Axel's voice trailed off, already anticipating the worst.
The doctor's expression turned grave as he confirmed, "Elder Serena has passed away."
The news hit the members of the Venu family like a heavy blow. Some wept openly, their sorrow unabated, while others questioned the validity of the mission itself, doubting its worth.
Once the crowd had settled and emotions began to subside, Mark called Axel, along with A, B, and K, into a meeting room. The room, once filled with respected elders, now felt empty and desolate. Axel couldn't help but recall his encounters with Serena, remembering the time she had treated his Shedinja.
It saddened him deeply to think that she had met such a tragic fate. Yet, compared to the overwhelming grief of the others, he found himself managing a bit better, having witnessed numerous deaths during his time in the Tide.
"Mark, why have you called us here?" Axel asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"First and foremost, I want to offer my condolences to you, K. I know how close you were to Serena," Mark replied, his voice filled with empathy. K nodded, his face still marked by remnants of tears.
"Now, onto the matter at hand. Before Serena's passing, she indicated that the mission was a failure. Things didn't go as expected, and four participants lost their lives. Serena was instructed to come here and call for help.
We managed to trace their last known location through her phone, but it won't be an easy task. The area seems to disrupt radar signals, and Serena only had a chance to point it out on the map before she passed away."
Mark's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of the situation. Axel could sense the immense pressure resting on Mark's shoulders. If the leader were to fall, Mark would be next in line, a responsibility he clearly didn't desire. The situation had taken a turn for the worse.
"I'm ready to take on this mission," K declared, clenching his right fist. The pain in his eyes revealed the depth of his connection with Serena. She had been his mentor, and her loss had hit him particularly hard.
"K, I understand the pain you must be feeling right now. That's precisely why I'm entrusting this mission to you," Mark replied, his voice filled with a mix of compassion and practicality.
"You, along with Axel, A, and B, are some of the strongest individuals we have at the moment. No other trainers here possess a king-ranked Pokémon, and those who have pseudo-king-ranked Pokémon are needed for the family's defense. Axel is the only one who has a pseudo-king-ranked Pokémon suitable for this mission."
Mark paused for a moment, his gaze shifting between the members of the group before continuing, "This mission won't be easy, and there's a chance you might not return alive. Are you sure about this?"
"I'm certain," K replied resolutely, determination etched into every word. Axel observed the unwavering conviction in K's eyes and felt a surge of respect.
A and B followed suit, confirming their commitment to the mission. Now, only Axel remained undecided, caught in a quandary. While he desperately wanted to join the rescue effort and save their comrades, the magnitude of the challenge loomed before him. Even Serena, with her king-ranked Pokémon, hadn't survived. Axel, on the other hand, lacked such a powerful ally.
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Ding!
A main quest has been issued.
Main quest: According to Serena, only five members of the Venu family remain alive in the forest. Rescue one or more of them and return alive.
Rating: B
Rewards: Dependent on the number of individuals rescued by the host.
---
It had been a while since Axel received a main quest, the last one being Shedinja's ascent to king-ranked, though the subsequent punishment denied any reward. He pondered the quest's feasibility, contemplating the possibility of it being impossible to achieve.
"System, is it possible for you to issue an unattainable quest?" Axel inquired, his skepticism evident.
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Ding!
No, there might be a slim chance of success, but the system will never issue an impossible quest.
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"Then why did you assign me the quest to become the Champion within two years when it has never happened in the history of this world?" Axel pressed further, his confusion growing.
This discrepancy had confounded Axel greatly. Initially, he believed the task to be challenging but within the realm of possibility. However, through his experiences and observations, he had come to realize its impossibility.
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Ding!
System calculating... Analyzing the world's history...
Ding!
The system has recognized that achieving the task within two years is impossible. The mission's specifics have been revised, and the host will be rewarded.
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"Huh... So, the system can also be wrong?" Axel mused, a mix of surprise and realization washing over him.
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Ding!
Reward: The removal of rewards from Shedinja's main quest has been restored.
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"Can you, the almighty system, be mistaken as well? I thought you were the greatest," Axel probed, seeking further clarity.
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Ding!
The host is incorrect. The system is a part of your soul, an extension of yourself. Although the likelihood is minuscule, the system can also make errors.
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"Show me the details of the Champion's main quest," Axel requested, his curiosity piqued.
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Ding!
Main quest: Gather all eight badges and become a Champion within five years. Additional rewards for achieving it in less time.
Rating: AA
Rewards: Determined based on performance.
---
The rating had upgraded from 'BB' to 'AA,' signifying a significant change. Axel then shifted his focus to the second main quest.
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Ding!
Main quest: Become the Pokémon Champion of all eight regions and challenge and defeat the Pokémon Master.
Rating: SSS
Rewards: Determined based on performance.]
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Even Axel was unaware of the existence of an SSS rating. He had always believed that S denoted the pinnacle of achievement. Axel found himself deep in thought, contemplating the implications of these revelations. After confirming with the system that the mission was indeed possible, he made his decision.
"I will join them," Axel announced, his voice resolute. "Are you sure, Axel? This is a matter of life and death," Mark cautioned.
"Yes, I'm sure," Axel replied firmly. "Moreover, if you all were to cross that barrier without me, you'd perish. I have to save you."
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