"…Sixty million."
The number echoed in Luna's ears.
She was completely frozen.
Even if the boss had looked serious and hesitant, she had assumed the price would maybe be a little higher than what people mentioned online.
Two hundred thousand. Three hundred thousand.
Even if you doubled it a few times—
Maybe one million?
But this?
Sixty million?!
"Boss… aren't you exaggerating a little too much?"
Luna frowned tightly as she looked at Ren.
"A pet for sixty million?"
The videos online clearly mentioned prices like two or three hundred thousand.
How did it jump to sixty million?!
"The price is not exaggerated," Ren replied calmly. He had already expected this reaction. "Let me explain why Dreepy costs this much."
Though he didn't hold much hope, his attitude remained patient. As the shop owner, he had an obligation to answer a customer's doubts.
"Tsk… I was shocked by the price too, back then."
Lucas leaned back slightly, watching the scene with interest.
He still remembered how stunned he'd been when he learned Larvitar's price.
"It's understandable," Miya murmured quietly. "That number is intimidating."
Not everyone was a wealthy second-generation heir like Lucas, who could casually pull out tens of millions.
Even she couldn't personally afford sixty million. Her family might be able to gather it—but spending all of that on a Pokémon?
She wouldn't dare make that decision lightly.
"It depends on whether she has the capital to claim that Dreepy," Lucas said meaningfully, glancing at Luna.
Drawing a pseudo-legendary proved your luck.
But luck alone wasn't enough.
You still needed the strength to secure it.
He casually snapped a photo of the Pokédex screen and opened his group chat.
---
Larvitar Is Not a Foodie: @Everyone (picture)
Larvitar Is Not a Foodie: Brothers, come look! The second pseudo-legendary has appeared!
---
The Pokémon House group exploded instantly.
From Little Beauty to Big Shot: WHAT?! Another pseudo-legendary?! I forgot to draw today! That should've been mine! Mine!!
Male Fox: This is outrageous… Has the boss's store been busier lately? How is SSR dropping so fast? (shocked.jpg)
Will Become a Dragon: …
The Most Honest Person: Brother Lucas, what is that thing? It looks weird.
Miss Big School Beauty: @Larvitar Is Not a Foodie What did the boss say it's called?
Larvitar Is Not a Foodie: Dreepy. Customer hasn't decided whether she's buying yet.
From Little Beauty to Big Shot: Woooo… it should've been mine… I'm dying… (wheezing.jpg)
Lucas nearly laughed.
In the entire group, only he, Emma, and Lily could realistically afford a pseudo-legendary right now.
And if Emma or Lily had drawn it?
They would absolutely jump up and buy it without hesitation.
After all, sixty million was terrifying—but for a pseudo-legendary, it was justifiable.
As for Ava and Liam… their family background was strong, yes—but not "spend sixty million casually" strong.
If they dared to buy a pseudo-legendary at that price, their father might personally drag them home and lock their bank accounts.
Now—
Lucas turned his attention back to Luna.
This decision was hers.
---
"Every pseudo-legendary Pokémon is extremely precious," Ren explained seriously. "And every Pokémon sold in this shop has exceptional potential."
"Sixty million may sound high. But any pseudo-legendary purchased here will be worth every cent."
"Second only to Mythical and Legendary Pokémon…" Luna murmured softly.
She stared at the image of Dreepy on the screen.
After listening to the detailed explanation, she understood roughly what "pseudo-legendary" meant.
But—
Sixty million.
"If you've seen my videos," Ren continued, sensing her hesitation, "you've already seen a pseudo-legendary before."
"Mr. Lucas's Larvitar. When it fully evolves, it becomes one of them."
"Larvitar is a pseudo-legendary?"
Luna looked toward the small green Pokémon sitting near Lucas's feet.
She remembered it clearly from the video.
That little dinosaur had completely overwhelmed Jason's Fennekin.
So that was why.
"Boss… can I see Dreepy in person?"
Her fingers intertwined nervously.
Her family was wealthy. Sixty million was something they could afford. Her parents adored her; if she insisted, they would agree.
But—
She had never spent even one million in a single transaction before.
Now the price had jumped to sixty million.
Her heart hurt just thinking about it.
"Of course," Ren replied with a polite smile before heading toward the inner room.
---
"Mr. Lucas?"
"Yes?" He raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You bought Larvitar for sixty million… was it worth it?"
She wanted to hear his honest answer.
His identity had already been exposed online—young president of a rising company, top-tier wealthy family background.
If even he thought it wasn't worth it…
"Whether something is worth it," Lucas said calmly, "isn't something others can decide for you."
"It depends on your heart."
"Pokémon are incredible creatures. I love them enough to exchange money for these reliable companions."
"But that's just me."
"Sixty million isn't a small amount. I understand your hesitation."
He paused slightly.
"But opportunities don't come every time."
"If I could choose, I would rather be the one who drew Dreepy instead of standing here as a bystander."
He wasn't exaggerating.
If he had drawn Dreepy—
He would buy it without hesitation.
Two pseudo-legendaries in hand?
Wouldn't that be unstoppable in the future?
People might call him greedy.
So what?
They were just starting out.
Everyone was still rookies.
Why couldn't he aim higher?
"But… it's just a pet…" Luna whispered.
"It's not just a pet," Miya couldn't help but say.
She glanced at her Vanillite floating nearby.
"They feel more like companions… like friends. Not something you just 'own.'"
There was already a special place in her heart for that cheerful little Pokémon.
"You don't have to force yourself," Lucas added lightly. "Drawing it doesn't mean you must buy it."
"You can pay and redraw."
"If it's too expensive, you can give it up."
He smiled faintly.
"But I think you'll regret it."
He was certain of that.
If she walked away today, she would remember this moment for years.
Luna fell silent again.
"See those two?" Lucas pointed toward the corner.
Diancie and Manaphy were cuddled together, watching anime on a tablet.
She nodded.
"If the boss ever decided to sell one of them," Lucas said steadily, "I would be willing to pay one billion. Even two billion."
The firmness in his tone was unmistakable.
For him—
It would be worth it.
But the boss simply wouldn't sell.
Miya rolled her eyes discreetly.
As expected.
Mr. Lucas's persuasion technique was as smooth as ever.
Luna lowered her gaze, her heart pounding violently.
Sixty million.
Or…
Let it go?