Chapter 96 – Pokémon Selected! Land, Sea, and Air Units Fully Equipped!

[Based on Haicheng's current economic condition and required combat capabilities…]

[Three categories of Pokémon have been selected for distribution.]

[Category One: Falinks Troopers – disciplined, formation-based fighters that excel in coordinated attacks and strictly follow commands. Ideal for unit-based warfare.]

[Category Two: Corvisquire – evolved form of Rookidee. Known to use tools, they can grab and throw rocks at enemies. More obedient and easier to command than most. Can later evolve into Corviknight.]

[Category Three: Buizel – amphibious Pokémon, fills the current gap in aquatic combat capabilities. Energetic and tireless, and can evolve into Floatzel.]

[All three Pokémon are bundled at a standard price of 800,000 Federation Credits per unit. They will be delivered in Poké Balls after payment is received.]

As the system's calm and precise voice rang through his mind, Su Bai stood frozen in place for a moment.

Then, glancing at Zhu Jianyuan—who was still watching him with hopeful eyes—Su Bai silently breathed a sigh of relief.

If he had to admit upfront that he couldn't fulfill the order, that would've been a massive blow to his image.

But, of course, the system came through. It had taken everything into account.

The Pokémon it suggested were not only easy to train but also ideal for coordinated, large-scale deployment.

Su Bai had originally considered something like Rhyhorn—good for frontal charges—but now he realized that may not be the best option.

After all, while Rhyhorn looked tough, its brainpower was limited.

Once it started a full-speed charge, it couldn't be stopped—not even by its own trainer!

It was the kind of Pokémon that, once it started running, might even forget why it started running in the first place…

In a post-apocalyptic world where Awakened fighters were trained to obey orders without hesitation, pairing them with a "one-track-mind" Pokémon like Rhyhorn was… asking for chaos.

Such Pokémon might be great for blitz attacks—but definitely not the optimal choice for structured military operations.

Falinks, on the other hand, was a completely different story.

Not only was it a Fighting-type with solid versatility, but it was also composed of six smaller troopers marching in formation as a single unit—a natural for teamwork.

In fact, under proper command, a troop of Falinks could exert far greater power than the sum of its parts.

Not to mention it came pre-equipped with moves like Protect, making it formidable both offensively and defensively.

Then there was Corvisquire and Buizel, both known for their intelligence.

Corvisquire, in particular, was a notoriously clever bird.

If a task could be done with a beak or claws, it could learn it—tool use included.

In complex battlefield scenarios, this trait alone was invaluable.

And once it evolved into Corviknight? It would become a staple powerhouse in any arena.

Moves like Iron Defense, Taunt, Scary Face, and Metal Sound offered excellent support options.

And if it was time to go on the offensive? Brave Bird and Drill Peck were there to deliver punishing strikes.

Then came Buizel, which filled the city's glaring gap in aquatic combat.

Its swift movements made it ideal for flanking and diversion tactics on land, while in water, it had no competition.

Most importantly, all three Pokémon were relatively low-maintenance.

Falinks came fully formed at base stat total of 470—not extremely high, but respectable, and more importantly, it didn't require evolution.

It was a complete combat unit from the start.

Buizel had a 330 base stat total, and only needed one evolution to become Floatzel—a fast and agile water-type fighter.

Corvisquire also only needed one evolution to become the mighty Corviknight.

From both a time and economic perspective, these choices were incredibly efficient—perfectly tailored for military use.

And the price?

800,000 credits per Pokémon was a bargain.

Just consider: even a Mr. Mime with lower base stats would cost 1.5 million.

If it weren't for Corvisquire and Buizel being more affordable, Su Bai might've thought his system had suddenly grown generous…

Clearly, the system recognized the potential of a Pokémon military unit—and was investing in it accordingly.

That said…

Su Bai glanced sideways at the ever-smiling Zhu Jianyuan.

Previously, he had viewed the city lord as a noble figure—a pillar of Haicheng's security.

But now?

This old man was clearly trying to scam him!

A textbook case of "act now, ask permission later."

Sure, Su Bai didn't care too much about the rewards from Groudon's rampage, but was it really so wrong to let this old geezer sweat a bit?

If Zhu Jianyuan started thinking he could just keep freeloading…

Then Su Bai might as well go bald from being milked dry!

He furrowed his brow and put on a hesitant expression.

"As someone who communicates with a world beyond, I've never done something like… bulk summoning before."

He began pacing dramatically, each step stomping directly on Zhu's nerves.

The formation of a Pokémon army was critical to the city lord's plans!

With more and more citizens acquiring Pokémon, it wasn't far-fetched to imagine someone with bad intentions causing trouble.

And if the government didn't have the firepower to respond?

That would be a disaster.

A weak government and strong populace?

That never ends well.

Still, Zhu Jianyuan knew his request was a bit much.

He hadn't even paid Su Bai what he owed. Now he was asking for mass Pokémon, easy training, and a discount?

Where in the world was such a perfect deal supposed to exist?

Grinning awkwardly, he gestured toward the tea table.

"Come now, Mr. Su. Sit and have some tea while you think it over. No rush, no rush."

His voice said "no rush," but his face was clearly screaming, "hurry up and say yes!"

Su Bai waved him off, scowling.

"Tea? At this hour? I'd rather sleep tonight, thanks."

"Here's the deal—just prepare the money first. Roughly 500 million credits should do… the more, the better."

Zhu Jianyuan's face turned pale.

"F-Five hundred million?! Isn't that a bit much?!"

"I heard that Wang Tao's Turtwig only cost 1 million! Even 300 Turtwigs would only be 300 million!"

"And besides, those Pokémon aren't exactly cheap to raise… I'm not sure our finances can handle it…"

Su Bai chuckled internally, but his face was full of helplessness.

"What can I say? Just trying to be cautious. Why not think about how much that Mr. Mime cost the old principal?"

"What if the results of my summoning turned out to be 300 Mr. Mimes? Or worse—something even more expensive?"

"I'll head back and figure something out."

"When you've gathered the funds, come find me at the Pokémon Center."

With a sigh and a shake of his head, Su Bai turned and strolled out of the city lord's office, leaving a thoroughly distressed Zhu Jianyuan behind.

Later that evening…

Business settled, Su Bai felt incredibly relaxed.

Not only had he secured a massive bulk order, he had also strengthened Haicheng's frontier expansion force—something that would surely benefit Berry farming efforts down the line.

The day of the Pokémon's true arrival… was getting closer and closer.

Feeling cheerful, Su Bai returned to the Pokémon Center.

Along the way, he stopped at a skewer stall and bought some late-night snacks.

"Xiao Fei, come get some supper—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

In the backyard of the Su Family Pet Store…

Xiao Fei was sound asleep on the lounge chair he always used, curled up in the oversized pajamas Su Bai had left for him.

On the drying rack nearby, a few freshly washed clothes hung neatly in a row.

Even the old jacket from the city welfare center had been scrubbed clean.

"Melomelo~"

Meloetta hummed softly.

With a wave of her hand, a blanket floated over and gently covered Xiao Fei.

Su Bai set down the skewers, pulled up a stool, and sat beside him.

Looking at the baggy clothes, he chuckled.

"Still a bit too big. I'll have to take him shopping for clothes tomorrow."

He casually picked up a beer bottle and flicked the cap with a pop.

Clink.

Lifting the bottle toward the dreamy, mystical Pokémon House, where Pokémon occasionally flitted through the moonlight…

Su Bai gave a toast.

"To a brighter tomorrow."