Ancient Explorer and the Treasure of Disaster [376]

Naoki didn't get an immediate response when he posted on the forum. After all, the Internet in this world was still in its infancy, and mobile phones hadn't advanced to support online browsing yet. For now, anyone wanting to surf forums has to do so on a computer.

Naoki wasn't worried. He had plenty of chores to keep him occupied while periodically checking the forum on his computer.

The weather was perfect, with the sun shining brightly. Taking advantage of the warmth, Naoki brought out all the quilts from his bed, the clothes from his closet, and the Pokémon's plush nests. He hung them on the clothesline to dry in the sunlight.

Nearby, Eevee and Alcremie were chasing each other around the base of the clothesline, weaving between Naoki's feet as they played.

Butterfree perched on the clothes, watching Naoki curiously. "Free?"

"I'm airing out the quilts," Naoki explained with a chuckle. "When they're dried in the sun, they feel softer and smell like sunshine. It'll be more comfortable to sleep under them tonight."

"Fwee~" Butterfree flapped its wings approvingly.

Naoki turned his attention to the playful duo underfoot. "Alright, Alcremie, take Eevee and play somewhere else. If you keep running around here, I might accidentally step on you again."

"Miee!" Alcremie responded confidently as if to say, You'd never step on us, Naoki!

Still, Naoki sighed and gently scooped up the two mischievous Pokémon. "You little troublemakers…" he said, poking their foreheads lightly before walking them over to a nearby Garganacl.

The sturdy Pokémon scratched its head in confusion but extended its hands to hold the duo, giving Naoki a break from their antics.

After hanging the quilts, Naoki went to the underground wine cellar to check on his latest batch of fruit wine. Just as he was inspecting a barrel of peach wine, Indeedee appeared with news: the Pokémon Tavern had sold out of fruit wine.

Wasting no time, Naoki moved a freshly brewed barrel of peach wine to the tavern, ensuring it was well-stocked before returning to the living room for a short break.

Sitting down with a cup of black tea prepared by Indeedee, Naoki looked at the Sinistea and Polteageist floating gently nearby. The peaceful scene filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

"This," he thought with a satisfied sigh, "is what life should be."

He drained his tea and curled up on the sofa to watch TV with Calyrex. The hours slipped by, and before long, dusk settled over the ranch. Wisps of smoke curled up from the kitchen chimney, where Indeedee was preparing dinner using the flames of a Slugma.

Naoki glanced at the clock. It was 5:20 p.m. Zack would be arriving soon to pick up the day's harvest.

Heading to the storage area, Naoki began preparing the goods: fresh Moomoo Milk, rock salt from Garganacl, creamy goat milk, over twenty barrels of fruit wine, and a cart loaded with plump pumpkins. By the time Zack's truck arrived, everything was ready.

Zack hopped out of his truck, his usual cheerful grin lighting up his face. Together, they loaded the goods onto the truck.

"Looks like another great harvest!" Zack said, admiring the fresh produce and goods.

"Yes," Naoki replied with a nod. 

Thanks to the Grass-type energy the Pokémon infused into the fields, crops grew faster and healthier than anything Naoki had ever seen—even the best fertilizers from his previous life couldn't compare.

Once the truck was loaded, Zack wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel slung around his neck. He handed Naoki the payment for the goods.

"Here's today's money," Zack said with a grin.

Hundreds of thousands of Poke Dollars were deposited into Naoki's account, but he barely reacted—he was already used to such large sums.

With the ranch's facilities fully developed—the wool shed, apple orchard, and delivery truck all accounted for—Naoki had little need for money. For now, he planned to save it for any unexpected expenses in the future.

"Oh, wait!" Naoki suddenly remembered the coins he needed for Gimmighoul's evolution. That's going to cost a fortune.

After seeing Zack off, Naoki hurried to the second floor and sat down in front of his computer. He refreshed the forum page, and sure enough, several replies had appeared under his post:

"Gold King: Buying a large number of Gimmighoul's coins at a high price. Serious sellers only!"

Treasure Hunter: No leads here.

Gardevoir Master: What's the Master planning?

Ancient Explorer: How high is your price? And how many do you need?

Naoki's eyes skimmed through the replies before stopping on the one from "Ancient Explorer."

Typing quickly, he replied, "The price is negotiable. I'll pay no less than market value, and I'll take as many as you have."

Naoki didn't receive an immediate response.

He wasn't in a rush, though. After checking, he got up, but just as he stood, a private message from "Ancient Explorer" popped up.

[Ancient Explorer]: Oh, you're so confident! Can you really handle hundreds of them?

Hundreds? Naoki's heart skipped a beat. If this person truly had that many coins, Gimmighoul's evolution would take a significant step forward!

Fighting back his excitement, Naoki typed quickly.

[Gold King]: Of course I can handle it. The real question is, do you actually have that many?

[Ancient Explorer]: I never lie! I'm well-known in the tomb exploration community.

[Gold King]: Funny, I haven't heard of you. When can we trade? Just name the time and place.

Naoki waited for a response, but it didn't come immediately. After a long pause, the reply finally appeared.

[Ancient Explorer]: Where are you located?

[Gold King]: Paldea region, Kosaji Town.

[Ancient Explorer]: Kosaji Town... I'm in Mesagoza and can't leave for now. If you're serious, you'll have to come to Mesagoza yourself.

Naoki leaned back in his chair, slightly startled. Mesagoza...

It was the largest city in the Paldea region and home to the prestigious Naranja Academy.

He reached for a map of the Paldea region, spreading it across his desk. "Mesagoza is right in the center," Naoki murmured, tracing the route with his finger. "If Dragonite flies at full speed, we can get there in under an hour."

It was a short enough trip. He decided he would handle all his ranch duties early tomorrow morning and leave right after. If everything went smoothly, he could return before noon.

[Gold King]: Sure, I'll have time tomorrow.

The other party replied almost immediately.

[Ancient Explorer]: Great. Bring enough money. Let's meet at the Welcome Café at 11:00 a.m.

[Gold King]: Deal.

Naoki thought the conversation was over, but another message appeared.

[Ancient Explorer]: Gold King? Have you also read the exploration notes?

Naoki's eyebrows shot up in surprise. The exploration notes... This person knew more than he'd expected.

He replied cautiously.

[Gold King]: Yes.

There was no immediate response, so Naoki shut down the computer and went downstairs to eat.

The next morning, after completing his ranch chores, Naoki informed the Pokémon about his trip. He had planned to ride Dragonite, but Koraidon approached him, looking uncharacteristically clingy.

Naoki tilted his head with a playful smile. "You don't want to stay at the ranch this time?"

He remembered how Koraidon had sulked during the bug-catching contest after being made to take a bath. Back then, it had outright refused to accompany him.

Koraidon hung its head, looking adorably apologetic. "Raao…" (Take me with you)

Naoki chuckled and patted its head. "Alright, alright. Let's go together." He leaned in and kissed Koraidon's forehead. "Happy now?"

Koraidon's eyes sparkled with joy. "Raao!"

Climbing onto Koraidon's back, Naoki turned to the Pokémon gathered around him. "I'm heading to Mesagoza and should be back by around 1:00 p.m."

Finally, he addressed Indeedee. "I'll leave everyone's lunch in your hands today."

Indeedee nodded slightly. "Aiyee!"

"Alright, let's go!" 

As Naoki gently patted Koraidon's neck, the Pokémon took off gracefully into the sky. Below, the Pokémon at the ranch gathered, cheering him on as he departed.

By 10:30 a.m., Naoki and Koraidon arrived in Mesagoza. As they landed on a bustling street, a sudden realization struck Naoki.

Oh no, I forgot to ask what the other person looks like!

Away from the computer, there was no way to contact "Ancient Explorer." Even if they were to cross paths, he had no idea how to recognize them.

Should I hold up a sign? he thought, feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment. Still, having come this far, there was no turning back. Determined, he approached an older man wearing an Academy uniform.

The man appeared to be in his fifties, his gray hair a stark contrast to the student attire he wore, which, on him, looked rather peculiar.

"Excuse me," Naoki said politely. "Can you tell me where the Welcome Café is?"

The man smiled warmly and gestured ahead. "Of course! Just go straight down this road, and when you reach the intersection, turn right. The Welcome Café will be on that street."

As the man spoke, his gaze shifted to Koraidon, his eyes lighting up with wonder. "Oh my, what a fascinating Pokémon! Are you a trainer? How about a battle?"

Naoki blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, uh, no—sorry! I'm in a bit of a hurry to meet someone."

The man looked a little disappointed but quickly perked up. "Then at least tell me the name of this Pokémon!"

Naoki nodded with a small smile. "It's called Koraidon."

The man repeated the name thoughtfully before beaming. "Thank you!"

...

As Naoki continued down the streets of Mesagoza, he mused to himself. "Naranja Academy really doesn't have an age limit for admission…"

The sight of an elderly man attending classes was both amusing and inspiring, a true testament to the saying: You're never too old to learn.

Following the man's directions, Naoki soon spotted the Welcome Café tucked away on a cozy street corner. He walked in with Koraidon close behind.

The café was lively with chatter as students from Naranja Academy filled most of the tables, sipping drinks and enjoying their meals. When Koraidon stepped inside, its unusual appearance drew curious stares from the patrons.

Naoki found an empty seat in the corner and settled down. His eyes frequently darted toward the entrance, scanning each new arrival for someone who might be "Ancient Explorer."

Minutes passed, and no one seemed to match the description—or lack thereof. Just as Naoki considered finding a nearby computer to check the forum, a sudden wave of voices caught his attention.

"Hey, Professor Raifort, are you here for lunch too?"

"Good afternoon, Professor Raifort!"

Naoki glanced toward the commotion. A woman with striking purple hair, warm brown skin, and distinctive yellow-framed glasses had entered. She wore a blue top and carried herself with a gentle air. Smiling warmly, she greeted each of the students who addressed her.

Her gaze swept across the café before finally landing on Naoki and Koraidon. After a brief pause, she began making her way toward them.

Stopping at his table, she smiled and asked, "You're 'Gold King,' right? It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Raifort, and I'm currently a history teacher at Naranja Academy."

Naoki: "…"

He noticed Raifort's gaze linger on Koraidon for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Hello, Raifort, I'm Naoki," he said, introducing himself at last.

Raifort smiled warmly before gesturing toward a private booth. "Let's talk there."

Naoki nodded, following her with Koraidon at his side. As they walked, fragments of information about Raifort surfaced in his mind.

Raifort, a history teacher at Naranja Academy, was known for her insatiable curiosity about historical legends. In the game's storyline, she investigated the four Treasures of Ruin—ancient relics imbued with dark powers. She entrusted players with the task of locating and capturing the Pokémon tied to these relics, which had once wreaked havoc across Paldea:

Ting-Lu, Chien-Pao,Wo-Chien, and Chi-Yu.

Before her academic career, Raifort had allegedly engaged in dubious activities, including exploring ancient ruins under questionable circumstances—essentially, tomb raiding and dealing in artifacts.

So, those coins Raifort mentioned on the forum… were they her spoils from tomb raiding? Naoki thought, his expression conflicted. I really should've seen this coming.

Still grappling with the revelation, Naoki followed Raifort into the private booth, took a seat, and asked curiously, "How did you recognize me?"

Raifort rolled her eyes playfully and replied, "It wasn't difficult. I know this café very well. Most of the patrons are my students. You stood out like a sore thumb."

Naoki: "…"

Raifort's gaze shifted to Koraidon, and her eyes sparkled with fascination. "Naoki, is this your Pokémon? It's so untamed, so primal! It exudes the same wild beauty as ancient legends and mysteries. It makes one want to delve deeper."

"…Yes," Naoki confirmed with a faint smile. "Its name is Koraidon. So, did you bring the coins?"

Reluctantly shifting her attention from Koraidon, Raifort reached into her bag. She unzipped it, revealing a shimmering pile of coins. The bag was practically overflowing.

Naoki's jaw dropped. "That many?!"

Raifort smiled proudly. "Of course."

Naoki blinked, still in disbelief. "Did you… get all of these from tombs?"

What he really wanted to ask was how someone with a background in tomb raiding could transition into teaching history at a prestigious academy. The sheer audacity of it left him speechless.

Raifort shook her head, her smile unwavering. "Tomb raiding? Oh, no, no. It was all necessary for historical research."

....

Bonus Chapter @1200PS