Chapter 207: Pokemon for "Rent"

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After bidding farewell to the elder, Sato immediately headed toward the Sea Cave. 

The location was one of the more renowned spots in Lilycove City and was thus relatively easy to find. By asking for directions, Sato quickly made his way to the beach where the Sea Cave was located.

It was a little past 8 a.m., and the beach was sparsely populated. However, as Sato approached the Sea Cave, the number of trainers he encountered steadily increased.

According to the elder's account of the place's many glories, the Sea Cave was a veritable treasure trove. It was home to numerous Water-type Pokémon and offered an abundance of resources. 

For instance, valuable evolutionary stones like Water Stones were said to be found within. However, due to the heavy harvesting by trainers, Water Stones were no longer found in the outer areas of the cave. 

Only the perilous inner regions of the cave held the potential for discovering them.

As long as the geographical features of the Sea Cave remained stable, the location would continue to produce Water Stones indefinitely, making it a coveted spot.

The elder had provided Sato with a map of the Sea Cave, which revealed its vast expanse and complex, labyrinthine interior. 

Even with a map, it was easy to get lost. Those who failed to exit by 5 p.m. would face the danger of being submerged as the tide rose.

Adding to the difficulty, the wild Pokémon in the cave were particularly aggressive. The deeper one ventured, the more powerful and hostile the Pokémon became. This made the inner areas of the Sea Cave extremely dangerous.

Despite the risks, many trainers perished in the Sea Cave every year, a number that only continued to grow. The Pokémon League had no way to prohibit trainers from venturing into the cave. 

After all, the allure of wealth was irresistible. 

A single Water Stone could fetch an average of 2 million PokeDollars on the black market. Acquiring seven or eight Water Stones in one trip could turn an ordinary trainer into a millionaire overnight. 

Thus, countless trainers continued to flock to the Sea Cave daily.

After walking along the beach for about seven or eight minutes, Sato spotted a large cavern entrance nestled where the cliff face met the sand. Trainers, their belts adorned with PokéBalls, were coming and going from the cavern. 

This was undoubtedly the entrance to the Sea Cave.

Near the cave's entrance, there was a cluster of small stalls. Most of these were run by Lilycove City's local residents, selling items like Pokémon medicines and the city's specialty PokéBall, the Lure Ball.

In addition to the locals, some stalls were run by trainers, offering various strange items. Most were attractive blue minerals displayed soaking in water. Known locally as "Blue Water Stones," these minerals were byproducts of Water Stones. 

Unlike real Water Stones, Blue Water Stones lacked the energy needed to trigger Pokémon evolution but contained Water-type energy.

The purer the stone's color, the more energy it contained. According to the elder, high-quality Blue Water Stones were key materials for crafting the rare item Mystic Water.

Because of the energy they contained, Blue Water Stones were excellent for aiding Pokémon in practicing Water-type moves. They could also be used as makeshift dry ice, releasing energy when shattered to produce artificial rain. 

However, lower-quality stones lost their energy quickly when removed from water, while high-quality stones retained their energy indefinitely.

Most of the Blue Water Stones displayed at the stalls were of mid-quality, with few high-quality ones and none of the coveted top-grade stones. The latter were easy to recognize, boasting a purity rivaling the finest sapphires and emanating a faint blue energy. 

These were as valuable as Water Stones, often treated as rare gemstones.

Besides selling Blue Water Stones, some stalls offered rental services for Pokémon. However, these rentals were limited to two species: Chinchou and Volbeat / Illumise.

The Sea Cave was dark and damp, necessitating a Pokémon capable of using Flash. (Generation 7)

Since Flash was a TM move and not readily available to most trainers, many relied on other means, such as Pokémon with natural luminescence.

Chinchou and Volbeat / Illumise, which could emit light, were highly sought after by trainers exploring the Sea Cave. These Pokémon were essentially unlimited light sources as long as they had energy, providing illumination far superior to standard tools.

Although the elder had exaggerated some of his stories, his information about the Sea Cave proved invaluable. 

Sato quickly absorbed this wealth of knowledge, which allowed him to approach the cave with greater preparation.

Although Sato had his own lighting equipment, he decided to opt for the better choice. Upon reaching the cave entrance, he immediately headed toward the stalls renting Chinchou and Volbeat / Illumise.

In truth, these rental services were more akin to sales. With the sheer number of trainers entering the Sea Cave daily—many in search of Water Stones—renting Pokémon posed a significant risk.

If a trainer met with an accident inside, the rented Pokémon would likely never return.

Aware of this, the Pokémon League turned a blind eye to the practice. As long as the transactions were limited to Chinchou and Volbeat / Illumise, they refrained from interference. 

However, selling other types of Pokémon without proper license or authorization resulted in severe punishment, with undercover League agents monitoring the area daily.

This business of "renting" Chinchou and Volbeat / Illumise had a long history in Lilycove City, fueled by the city's proximity to one of the region's largest wild Pokémon reserves. 

Over time, it had developed into a subtle yet thriving industry.

The Pokémon offered for "rental" were primarily hatchlings raised through artificial means, ensuring they were docile and easy to command immediately upon purchase.

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