The sky darkened as the year-end festival neared its conclusion.

People streamed out of the warm arena, greeted by a chilly wind, still buzzing about the day's events.

Meeting their favorite content creators, snapping photos, watching thrilling exhibition battles, and witnessing the "Top 100 Procrastinators' Punishment Hour"—

No doubt about it, the tickets were worth every penny!

"Can't wait for the edited awards ceremony video."

"Natsume-sensei looks even hotter in person than on screen."

"Waiting for the multi-angle footage of the exhibition match!"

Inside the gradually emptying arena, content creators mingled cheerfully.

But Natsume wasn't big on these group gatherings, and Togepi seemed worn out too.

"Togepi…" Like an overexcited child who'd played too hard, Togepi curled into its shell and nestled quietly in Natsume's arms.

Sonia smiled softly at the sight.

"Well then, Natsume-sensei, until next time~"

Natsume nodded. "About that invitational tournament—"

"Don't worry, I'll give you plenty of notice." Sonia grinned. "I'm sure the kids will be thrilled you're coming!"

Natsume gave a slight nod.

Earlier, the system had notified him that the "Top 100 Content Creator" rewards had been delivered.

Likely a one-time achievement, not something that'd refresh repeatedly.

With that, his minor goal in the content creation world was officially complete.

He planned to review the system rewards properly once back at the hotel.

But first—group photos and farewells.

Half an hour later, the clock struck 11.

"Stay safe out there!"

"Bundle up before heading outside—it's freezing!"

"See you next year~~"

"Oh right, the Lunar New Year's not far off…"

Warm goodbyes filled the air.

"Exhausted." Lt. Surge yawned lazily. "Gonna crash first, set sail tomorrow."

Natsume, who'd pulled an all-nighter and fought a friendly match, was also feeling the fatigue.

After waving goodbye to Sonia, he and his group headed for the exit.

"Natsume-sensei, wait a moment!"

An assistant with a staff badge hurried over, adjusting her glasses.

"U-um, since you're one of our partners…"

"The organizers prepared a small gift for you." She smiled sheepishly. "Nothing fancy, but it's a token of appreciation…"

Natsume suddenly remembered his "sponsor" status.

"Then I'll gladly accept."

Gifts weren't the point—he just wanted to see what the surprise was!

After a brief wait in the lounge, the manager arrived carrying a plastic bag.

Natsume blinked.

This was… unexpectedly humble.

But considering the budget constraints, he cleared his throat.

"What's this?"

"Leek from my hometown." The manager scratched his cheek. "Supposedly makes great wraps."

Natsume: ???

"Don't misunderstand! It's not just food—in the Galar region, Farfetch'd wield these as weapons!"

The manager solemnly opened the bag.

For a split second, Natsume thought his eyes deceived him.

Whoa, golden legendary (scratch that)—golden common!

[Leek: A long, sturdy stalk that boosts Farfetch'd's critical-hit ratio when carried. (Looks ordinary but allegedly tastes amazing when stewed.)]

Per game mechanics, a Sirfetch'd holding a Leek, with Focus Energy and Leaf Blade, would hit 100% crits.

But for Natsume-sensei—

Another bizarre ingredient to the collection!

A white light burst from the Premier Ball at Natsume's waist.

"Sirfetch'd! (ˉ﹃ˉ)" Sirfetch'd drooled dramatically, staring at Natsume with faux determination.

Not for the taste—just tired of slacking off!

Natsume: "…Wipe your beak first."

The manager gaped at Sirfetch'd.

A Pokémon that could exit its Ball voluntarily? Either born talented or impossibly close to its trainer.

Like that Gengar during the awards—clearly maxed-out friendship.

And this Sirfetch'd…

The manager, a former trainer himself, handed the leek over respectfully.

"Sirfetch'd!" It clamped the stalk between its beak, eyes glinting sharply.

The manager exhaled in relief.

Seemed Natsume-sensei's secret weapon approved of the gift!

Watching this, Natsume's eye twitched.

A leek in its mouth—was Sirfetch'd cosplaying Zoro?

One leek for Blade Tempest, two for double crits?

But seeing Sirfetch'd's earnest gaze, he coughed.

Maybe it just wanted a midnight snack, not a weapon upgrade.

Besides, official battles only allow one held item…

Three-sword style isn't tournament-legal!

Noticing Natsume's conflicted expression, the manager chuckled.

"No need to explain—it's the least we could do. Hope to collaborate again!"

Natsume: "Next time, for sure."

The manager waved, recognizing the classic content creator brush-off, and left.

"A proper leek significantly boosts Sirfetch'd's combat ability." Brock nodded. "Thoughtful gift."

Natsume's face was unreadable.

I swear this manager's from Shandong—how'd he even source this leek?!

He then eyed Sirfetch'd, now enthusiastically swinging the stalk.

"Sirfetch'd~!" Tears of joy streamed down its face.

Finally, a power-up after all this time!

Now I won't lose to Togepi!

Natsume pondered.

His Sirfetch'd was always a luck-based fighter.

Holding a Leek would further amp its crit rate.

As for its original leek? That one was poisoned.

Two leeks for different situations.

"Witchers carry silver and steel swords…"

He coughed.

"Can't dual-wield with a shield—totally fair!"

Natsume-sensei briefly worried about property damage.

But considering how long Sirfetch'd had gone without upgrades…

Its only held items—Scope Lens (system gacha) and now Leek (freebie)—

Life's hard, Sirfetch'd! (?_?)

"Keep the leek." Natsume sighed. "Don't eat it—might be useful later…"

"Sirfetch'd…(￣～￣)" It gnawed on the "sugarcane."

"WHY ARE YOU ALREADY CHEWING IT?!"

"Sirfetch'd?" It raised a brow, munching on excess leaves.

Not snacking—just sharpening my weapon for battle!

…

The year-end award ceremony had come to a close.

Natsume also received rewards from the system.

"Are these really rewards…?"

Natsume muttered to himself as he returned to his hotel, checking the earlier notification.

[Mission Reward: Skill Level-Up Ticket ×1, Gold Bottle Cap ×1]

The most cost-effective skills to upgrade were [Ancient Language] and [Fishing].

"Even if I max out Fishing, won't I still just catch Magikarp?"

Grumbling, Natsume crushed the upgrade ticket and applied it to [Ancient Language], which had bailed him out before.

After the upgrade, Natsume could clearly feel his mastery of Ancient Language improving.

If [Ancient Language Lv4] only allowed for basic communication,

then at max level, Natsume-sensei could even mimic the greetings of Zaun's finest!

But considering Zaunites were limited to five messages per match—

"Gotta stay cautious and not spam it." Natsume wiped cold sweat. "What if I accidentally sass the wrong Legendary in Sinnoh…"

"And it gets so mad it decides to spawn a few more Titans? That'd be bad."

As for the other reward, the [Gold Bottle Cap],

Natsume vaguely recalled that in the original games, giving it to an NPC would boost a Pokémon's stats.

But this [Gold Bottle Cap] was system-modified and could be used directly.

[Gold Bottle Cap: An extremely rare golden bottle cap-shaped chocolate. Consuming it will Comprehensive improvement of type.(What even is a "Rare Candy"? Some knockoff brand?)]

Natsume: "If it's chocolate… can't I eat it?"

[?]

Last time, Natsume-sensei had pulled out Moomoo Milk Tablets, which supposedly boosted "physique" (probably HP stats).

Meanwhile, his [Close Combat] and [Aura of Ripple] corresponded to Attack and Special Attack, respectively.

Since this [Gold Bottle Cap] was edible, a little extra survivability wouldn't hurt.

After all, for Natsume, battles and potential weren't the priority.

In this high-powered Pokémon world, self-preservation came first!

Thinking about "superhuman" physiques, Natsume coughed dryly.

He unwrapped the golden foil and tossed half to Gengar for a taste test.

"Gengar…(￣～￣)"

"How's it feel?"

"Gengar! (??????)??"

Natsume then peered at the boozy, molten-center chocolate…

Bottoms up, lads!

Natsume: (￣～￣)

"Gengar?"

"Don't feel anything… Maybe my EVs are too low?"

[Ding! 'Close Combat' Skill Level-Up!]

[Close Combat Lv4: Master-tier combat skills, equivalent to a 9th-dan black belt. (Trainers have limits… unless they break past them!)]

Natsume: ?

Thanks to the stat boost, [Close Combat] had leveled up automatically.

Closing his eyes, he could also sense a slight improvement in [Aura of Ripple]…

Natsume's heart raced.

Wait… am I a 6V Pokémon now?!

Sure, Natsume's base stats couldn't compare to actual superhumans,

but at least he wouldn't be completely outmatched in no-holds-barred fights.

Natsume nodded in satisfaction—then froze.

Hold up. Does this thing have side effects?!

Did I get stronger… but also balder?

My hairline—NOOOOO!!

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