Seeing the unexpected bounty, Léon shot up from his seat.
The quantity was pitiful—nowhere near enough for mass production, barely sufficient for a few restaurant tables.
But it was a signal: Pelican Town was ready to supply meat.
Thrilled, he transferred 30,000G to Ron immediately.
---
Back in Pelican Town…
Ron received Léon's email. The company had doubled the payment—4,000G worth of goods for 30,000G—to secure exclusive meat rights and show goodwill.
Staring at the 30,000G in his account, Ron headed straight to the Community Center.
To spend Kalos currency in Pelican Town, Joy's exchange service was essential. But her local funds were depleted—she'd need time to earn more through sales.
Good news: her cheap instant meals sold well. The town had no such products, making them a hit.
At the Community Center, Joy was scraping ivy off the walls with Wigglytuff.
Years of neglect had let the vines root deep—even burrowing into the building. She could only remove small sections at a time.
Hearing footsteps, she turned. "Morning, Ron!"
She yanked a vine loose, bundled it, and tossed it into a new trash bin Lewis had installed.
Convenience came with quirks, though. Nightly clangs suggested some creature—town animal or Pokémon—raided the bin. Probably hungry. So Joy sometimes left leftovers out for the mysterious visitor.
After explaining his purpose, Ron transferred 20,000G to Joy and bought instant meals for the farm.
Back home, after a quick lunch, he crafted Tappers.
With two Rattata leading mining/logging crews, material shortages were history. Even after building a Coop, a mini-pasture for Miltank, and soon a barn, wood remained plentiful—enough for Tappers, Kegs, and Crab Pots.
Kalos also wanted seafood. Crab Pots were easier to scale than Chicken Coops (which required costly upgrades). Plus, insect meat from Mining fueled bait production, and materials were abundant. Ron could make 4–5 Crab Pots daily—Sailor and Geodude deployed them at dawn, yielding Shrimp/Crabs (and other ingredients) by dusk.
Finished with Tappers, Ron headed to Cindersap Forest. Oak Resin was critical for Kegs and meat packaging.
At the forest edge, he spotted Haley.
Hearing his approach, she turned, camera in hand, and snapped a photo of him. A sly smile played on her lips. "What're you doing here?"
"Collecting Resin," Ron said, holding up a Tapper.
Haley examined it curiously. "How does it work?"
"You attach it to a tree," Ron explained, finding an oak. He fixed a Tapper to the trunk, then sliced the bark. "Tree sap drips in overnight."
The cover shielded it from rain.
Haley leaned in, studying his face. Then, impulsively: "Do you need any help?"
Ron paused. "If you're willing."
They'd barely spoken—just a chat at the saloon once. He'd expected her usual sharp critique of his outfit, not this.
Instead, she cradled her Sunkern and watched him work. After confirming which trees to tap, she carefully secured a Tapper herself.
Her hands were soft—unused to labor—and her fingers reddened. She curled them self-consciously, watching Ron carve bark.
As sap trickled into the Tapper, Ron smiled. "You've helped a lot."
Haley's lips twitched. She touched the amethyst pendant at her neck. "Remember this? Clint made it into a necklace for me."
Ron's eyes flicked to the gem—then Haley added, "I loved the aquamarine too. The one delivered the day before yesterday."
"The day before?"
Haley nodded. "That little one brought it. Same as last time."
Though the farm had many Pokémon, only one roamed town with a Geodude balancing a chest on its head: Sailor.
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