Chapter 49: Deal with the Clefairys

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With his goal in mind and full of excitement, Liam rushed into Mt. Moon. Before long, he found the mountain's tunnels and delved deep into its heart.

Watching Liam's reckless behavior, Lulu couldn't help but voice her concerns.

"Please, host, be careful. I sense something unusual in this mountain. There might be unknown dangers, so you should proceed cautiously."

Liam, a person who valued others' opinions, slowed down immediately upon hearing Lulu's warning. He tempered his excitement and heightened his vigilance.

"So, there are things even the system doesn't know. I always thought you were all-knowing," Liam joked, addressing the little figure perched on his shoulder.

"Hmph, what do you know? The exchange system can only access and trade things that already exist in the Pokémon world. It's not some omniscient detection tool! If you bring something in front of me, I can tell you what it is. But right now, I don't even know where it is. What do you expect the system to do?" Lulu replied indignantly.

"Yes, yes, you're right. I'm the ignorant one here. How could a mere mortal like me ever compare to the wise and beautiful Lady Lulu?" Liam teased, his knack for placating the stubborn little companion as polished as ever.

"Hmph, good that you understand. If you'd said that earlier, I wouldn't have had to pull your hair," Lulu retorted with a smug expression.

"Hehe, I—wait, someone's there!" Liam suddenly stopped mid-sentence, sensing multiple people ahead. 

He quickly ducked behind a nearby rock and peeked out to observe a group of familiar-looking individuals in uniform.

"Damn it! We've been searching for days and still haven't found a trace of the meteorite! Is the boss's intel even legit? If it's fake, we're going to spend our lives digging up rocks here!"

"Shut up! Who are you to question the boss's orders? Do you want to keep your job or not? Stop whining and keep digging! If we find it, we all get rewarded. If not, we're finished! So get to work!" barked a man wearing sunglasses, silencing the complainer. 

The latter grumbled but picked up his tools and resumed digging furiously.

Liam observed the scene, noting that these uniforms matched those of the poachers he had encountered earlier in Viridian Forest. Clearly, they were part of the same organization. 

However, he still didn't know what this meteorite was or how many of them were in the mountain.

Deciding not to alert them, Liam quietly retreated and took a detour through another tunnel.

Using his navigation map, he accessed a 3D rendering of Mt. Moon's intricate network of tunnels. He then pulled out the shattered Moon Stone, letting its glow guide his path.

Since Mt. Moon was a popular spot for excavators, the tunnels were sporadically lit. Following the Moon Stone's light, Liam noticed its glow intensifying, signaling he was getting closer to his destination.

The tunnel eventually opened up, but the lights had disappeared. The Moon Stone in Liam's hand was now his sole source of illumination. As he approached the exit, he quickened his pace, bursting into an open pit area.

Suddenly, the narrow tunnel gave way to an expansive outdoor crater. The night sky sparkled with stars, and a large, luminous full moon hung above the mountain, casting a serene glow over the area.

"What a breathtaking place..." Liam marveled, momentarily lost in the beauty.

"Host! Look over there! What is that?" Lulu exclaimed, tugging on his ear and pointing to the center of the crater.

"What? What?" Liam winced in pain but quickly followed Lulu's direction.

 In the center of the crater stood a towering platform, atop which lay a massive, bluish-gray rock. Moonlight bathed it, seemingly absorbed by the stone. 

Meanwhile, the shattered Moon Stone in Liam's hand began to emit a radiant light, resonating with the massive stone in the distance.

"I remember now! There's supposed to be a giant Moon Stone here in Mt. Moon! So, this is the one—it's enormous!" Liam approached the gigantic Moon Stone, astonished by its size and wondering how much of it he could take—or if he should take it all.

Before he could get closer, several round, white figures appeared, their arms outstretched to block his path.

"Uh… Clefairy! So they really do live here! I wonder if I can catch one…" Liam's eyes sparkled as he scanned the group, as if choosing a watermelon at the market.

Suddenly, the Clefairy parted to make way for a Clefable, older and more imposing, with a small, timid Cleffa clutching something in its tiny hands, peeking nervously at Liam.

"This must be the elder of their group," Liam thought.

"Clef! Clef-clef-clef!" The Clefable gestured animatedly, seemingly trying to communicate.

Liam furrowed his brows, almost wishing the Clefable could speak human language. Lulu, however, intervened.

"It says this is their home and asks you not to disturb their peaceful life."

"Wait, you can understand them, Lulu? That's amazing! Why didn't you translate for me before?" Liam asked, both surprised and puzzled.

"Hmph, you were having plenty of fun on your own. Why would I volunteer for extra work?" Lulu replied smugly.

"Well, I can't argue with that logic," Liam muttered, exasperated. Turning to the Clefable, he said, "I mean no harm. I don't want to disrupt your lives. The stone brought me here, and I believe I can complete it." Liam showed the Clefable his shattered Moon Stone.

The Clefable studied the stone, then leapt to the large Moon Stone, picking up a fragment from the ground. It returned and handed the fragment to Liam.

"Clef-clef!"

"It says to take this piece and leave, and to promise not to reveal their location," Lulu translated.

Liam smiled wryly. 

"They think I'm that easy to bribe, huh? Just a piece of Moon Stone and—actually, I am. Thanks!" He cheerfully accepted the soccer-ball-sized fragment, carefully placing it in his bag.

"You have my word. I won't reveal your location to anyone. But be careful—there are bad people in Mt. Moon right now. They're poachers, so stay vigilant."

"Clef!"

"Wait… now it wants you to hold on," Lulu sighed impatiently.

"Uh… what else?" Liam turned back curiously.

The Clefable pushed the trembling Cleffa forward and gestured again, its expression serious.

"Huh? It says this Cleffa isn't a native. It arrived with a meteor a few days ago, and they'd like you to take it away. They'll even give you the meteor it's holding. Quick, accept it! That meteor feels… strange!" Lulu shouted, tugging on Liam's ear.

Ignoring Lulu's frantic pleas, Liam crouched and gently extended his hand toward the scared Cleffa.

"Hey, little one. Would you like to come with me? I know a kind, beautiful lady who would adore you. You'll be safe and happy with her. What do you say?"

"Clef… Clef-clef!"

After a moment of hesitation, Cleffa seemed to muster its courage and placed its tiny hand in Liam's palm.