"Oh—you mean that big, dumb guy?"
At a small restaurant near the construction site, Icarus finally found someone who seemed to know something after asking around.
"Yes, yes. I want to ask—does that big guy go by Murayama Stone?"
Seeing the chubby owner's expression—like he recognized the person—Icarus quickly followed up.
"Uh… I'm not sure about Murayama Stone, but the foremen usually call him Shishi. So that's what we call him too."
The boss scratched his bald head awkwardly as he answered.
"Got it… Could you tell me more about him? He might be a childhood friend of mine. This is just a little something for your time."
Icarus was already fairly sure. To get more details, he pulled out 500 Pokédollars and handed it over.
"Ah, no problem! It's quiet right now anyway—I won't be busy until the workers get off later. Since you're his friend, I'll tell you what I know."
The boss said it wasn't necessary, but didn't hesitate to pocket the money. He poured a glass of water for Icarus and began explaining.
"Ah… poor Shishi. He's big and strong, but… not very bright. Gets bullied a lot at the site. I heard he's an orphan from Greenveil Town."
"He's from Greenveil Town too… Then it really might be him."
Hearing that, Icarus felt more certain—but he didn't interrupt.
"I heard from the foreman that he's only 15, but he's got a lot of brute strength, so he works construction to support himself.
But since he's slow, and has no relatives backing him, no one teaches him any real skills. He just does heavy labor all year.
Makes about 100 a day, sometimes earns an extra 80 doing night watch.
Sounds decent, but that kind of work burns through energy. The kid eats a lot—every meal is just one dish, but he goes through a whole bucket of rice. Most of what he earns goes straight into his stomach.
He's been working for years and still wears the same clothes… life hasn't been easy for him."
The boss sighed after explaining, then looked at Icarus.
"Is that the one you're looking for?"
"Sounds like him. But… why do people say he's not very smart?"
Icarus nodded, then asked the key question. He already knew Stone wasn't the sharpest as a kid—but he needed to know if it had gotten worse.
If the guy had truly become mentally impaired, bringing him in would be pointless.
"Well… it's not that bad. He just doesn't talk much. You can communicate normally, but he's rigid—doesn't adapt, doesn't think flexibly.
Everyone knows the foreman is exploiting him. Based on his workload, he should be earning more than 100 a day, but about a third gets taken by the foreman.
Two years ago, a skilled craftsman even wanted to take him as an apprentice. Everything was arranged.
But this kid insisted the foreman was his 'master' and refused to leave.
You tell me—that's not stupid?
The craftsman got so angry he dropped the idea. After that, no one else bothered teaching him. If he wants to be exploited, why should others try?"
The boss shook his head as he finished.
"Yeah… that does sound like him."
Icarus stood up.
"Thanks. That's enough—I'll head out."
"Alright. If you want to find him, come around 6 PM. The workers usually eat here then."
"Got it. Thanks."
Icarus waved and left.
---
He didn't stop there.
Over the next 4–5 hours, spending a few thousand Pokédollars, he gathered more information until he had a clear profile.
---
Name: Murayama Stone
Origin: Orphan from Greenveil Town
Age: 15
Traits: Tall, strong, big appetite, slow-thinking, stubborn
Job: Construction worker
---
Looking at the summary, Icarus made his decision.
"He's worth bringing in."
As long as communication wasn't an issue, being a bit slow wasn't a dealbreaker.
In fact—stubbornness could mean loyalty.
Refusing a better opportunity just to stick with someone he acknowledged as "master"? That kind of mindset, once redirected, could be extremely useful.
Bluntly put—
"He'd make a perfect subordinate."
And more importantly—
"I took him in first back then."
Now some random foreman was exploiting him?
That didn't sit right.
Even a "tool" deserved to be used on his side, not someone else's.
---
Decision made, Icarus didn't delay.
He returned home, brought out Pidgeotto and Weepinbell, and prepared to act.
If the foreman cooperated, good.
If not—
He'd "reason" with him.
---
He had already gathered information on the foreman:
A former trainer, now a contractor managing the site. Still had a few Pokémon, but only one was somewhat capable—around low normal-level strength.
The rest?
Nothing worth mentioning.
"A comfortable life really dulls people…"
Icarus smirked.
To ordinary people, the foreman might seem powerful.
But to a real trainer?
He was nothing more than a businessman with Pokémon.
---
And that kind of person—
Was easy to deal with.
-------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapter
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
U can read 10 chapters ahead just for 5$