Spirits, who made him the Gym Leader’s directory 13

Chapter 13: The Challenger Has Arrived

January 30, 2025

Chapter 13: The Challenger Has Arrived

Deepgray City, a stone city stretching to the foot of a massive rock mountain. The so-called “Deepgray” refers to its rock-solid, grayish-black color.

Gu Xin arrived in this stone city.

“It’s really Deepgray City from the game, but it’s different from the real Deepgray City.”

Gu Xin walked into the city, looking around. Although he had only just entered, he couldn’t see the deeper parts of the city.

But Gu Xin was certain that this place was different from the real Deepgray City.

Because he remembered visiting Deepgray City; after all, Rota Town wasn’t far from it.

And Gu Xin was originally a child born in the Viridian Forest, only later moving to Rota Street.

So this growth simulation world was indeed created by the system imitating the Pokémon game.

Gu Xin glanced at a bulletin board to his side.

Deepgray City Bulletin Board: Deepgray City Pokémon Pavilion, Pavilion Master: Brock! A man as strong as a rock.

Tsk tsk~

Gu Xin clicked his tongue at the bulletin board. Being featured on a city bulletin board was pretty cool.

Hmm, tomorrow he’d ask Eileen to do the same for him. That way, all visitors to Rota Street would know there was a Rota Pavilion there!

Perfect~!

Gu Xin followed the map to the Deepgray Pavilion. It wasn’t particularly difficult to find, because the rock-like roof above the Pavilion was quite distinctive.

He went straight into the Deepgray Pavilion. The Pavilion wasn’t small, but it was entirely rock-themed.

Huge rocks were neatly arranged on the ground. In the deepest part of the Pavilion, a young man with bronze skin was standing with his arms crossed, closing his eyes in meditation.

This young man was Brock, the Pavilion Master of Deepgray City.

Gu Xin walked towards Brock. Along the way, a boy in green camping attire ran over to give him some experience – a level 7 Geodude. Gu Xin gladly accepted it.

“You’ve come, challenger.”

When he reached Brock, Brock raised his head, his expression serious, his voice extremely steady.

Indeed, Brock in the game was a very serious and professional Pokémon Trainer, and the people of Deepgray City greatly respected and admired him.

“I am Brock, the Pavilion Master of the Deepgray City Pokémon Pavilion.”

“I possess the tenacity of hard stone, and my Pokémon are the same! Hard as rock, unyielding!”

“That’s right, I use only Rock-type Pokémon! Minor attacks are completely insignificant to my Pokémon!”

Brock said in a low, slow voice, his imposing and solemn aura was quite striking.

Gu Xin listened silently, making a mental note of the key points. This was a professional Pavilion Master!

“So, when introducing myself, I should fully introduce my own characteristics and those of my Pokémon to make myself seem more impressive?”

Gu Xin pondered. He had always carefully considered his lines when challenging opponents.

For example, what he said before battling Gary, but it wasn’t perfect; he still needed to adjust it.

“Heh~ Knowing you’ll lose, yet you still challenge me? That’s the nature of a Pokémon Trainer!”

“Very well! Go ahead!”

A faint smile appeared on Brock’s face. He took two steps back and spoke with great enthusiasm.

Truly worthy of being a Deepgray City Pavilion Trainer—the momentum was amazing!

However…

“…You actually broke through my defense… such a powerful attack… exceeding my expectations.” Brock looked at Gu Xin in shock.

“No, you’re just too weak. A level 11 Geodude, a level 12 Onix, what are you playing at?”

Gu Xin’s expression was emotionless, but he didn’t say this aloud.

For him, this first Pavilion presented no challenge whatsoever.

“To prove you defeated me, I’ll give you the Pokémon League’s certified gray badge.”

Brock walked to Gu Xin and handed him a rock-like gray badge.

“Thank you, it was a wonderful match.”

No, the battle was a complete stomp…

“I have another gift for you. Please accept this Rock Tomb TM.”

Then Brock handed Gu Xin a Technical Machine.

“There are people far stronger than me… there are many strong trainers in this world, and I must work even harder to become a strong trainer!”

Brock’s expression was resolute, his tone filled with deep determination and aspiration.

Gu Xin hesitated, then decided not to say anything.

Speaking of which, Brock in the game was indeed a very inspiring trainer. As for Brock in reality…

Gu Xin thought of Brock from the anime, his expression somewhat strange as he turned and left.

Leaving the Deepgray Pavilion, Gu Xin took out a Poké Ball and released Sprigatito.

“Meow~” Sprigatito stretched, then a white light enveloped it.

Indeed, Gu Xin had used Sprigatito in the Pavilion battle, and after the battle, Sprigatito’s level had reached 17.

It could evolve!

The white light of evolution became brighter and brighter. Within the light, Sprigatito’s form rapidly changed.

[Content removed due to inappropriate characters]

Soon, the evolutionary light dissipated, and a bipedal light green cat appeared before Gu Xin, curiously looking at its new body.

Compared to Sprigatito’s cuteness, Floragato was significantly more handsome and wild.

‘Beep~ Floragato, Grass-type, Grass Cat Pokémon
Gender:
Level: 17
Ability: Overgrow
Moves: Thunder Wave, Razor Leaf, Scratch, Bite, Leaf Blade, Thief (Inherited)
Description: It skillfully manipulates the vines hidden under its long fur, then throws hard flower buds at its enemies.’

“Good, it evolved.”

“Meow~”

Gu Xin gently bent down and rubbed Floragato’s head, offering a word of praise. He was also in a good mood; after all, Sprigatito was his first Pokémon to evolve.

Floragato comfortably closed its eyes, then proudly raised its head and let out a soft meow.

“Let’s go, we’ll keep moving.”

Gu Xin, with Floragato by his side, headed east out of Deepgray City.

Next, he would go through the Moonlit Mountain cave on Route 3 to Cerulean City to challenge Misty.

On Route 3, there were many wild trainers: mini-skirt girls, shorts-wearing boys, picnic girls, camping boys, bug-catching boys, and so on. Gu Xin defeated them all.

It has to be said that after leveling up, grinding experience was incredibly overpowered!

By the time he reached the Cerulean Cave, Floragato had reached level 19, and Lombre was level 18.

However, just as Gu Xin was about to enter Moonlit Mountain, a system prompt sounded.

‘Growth simulation time is up. Please exit as soon as possible.’

Huh? The time is already up?

Gu Xin was startled, but he didn’t linger and chose to exit.

His vision suddenly went black. When he opened his eyes again, the familiar ceiling was in view.

“I’m back.”

Gu Xin rubbed his temples. He felt no discomfort. He glanced at the window; it was already morning.

It was like an all-nighter, but unlike an all-nighter, he felt no fatigue.

“Meow~”

A somewhat low meow came from beside him. Gu Xin turned his head and saw Floragato standing there.

Tsk~ It actually managed to feed the growth from the simulation back into reality.

The corners of Gu Xin’s mouth were about to uncontrollably rise. As expected of a cheat!

“Hungry? Let me wash up, then we’ll have breakfast.” Gu Xin glanced at the time; it was not yet eight o’clock in the morning.

“Meow~” Floragato’s big eyes narrowed into crescent moons.

Ps: The growth simulation segments will not be long in the future. This is Gu Xin’s power-up cheat; the focus will be on the real-world plot.
(End of Chapter)

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