Pokémon Dev Chapter 243: [244] : A Shocking Reward Distribution

The next morning, Pallet Town, Oak Research Lab.

Professor Oak rubbed his tired eyes and looked away from the computer screen. Morning light stread through the windows.

A thick notebook sat in front of him. He'd filled it with detailed records: ore locations, fossil sites, and Pokémon habitat data from the ga.

His computer screen still glowed. Devon Corporation had sent him this high-end machine weeks ago. On screen, his "Pokémon Erald" character stood deep in a cave surrounded by unusual rocks.

Professor Oak had started this project simply. He wanted to help Cynthia unlock Regirock's altar while learning the ga. He thought it would take just a few days.

He was wrong.

As ti passed, he made a discovery. Every special terrain in the ga, even ordinary roadsides, contained ore deposits. The variety amazed him. So ores had never appeared in the real world. Others matched minerals he knew well.

As one of the world's top Pokémon researchers, Professor Oak understood what these ores ant. They powered everything: capture devices, machinery, assembly lines, and production technology.

The research world desperately needed more ores. Supply couldn't keep up with demand.

Experts believed ore shortages had cut scientific progress in half. The League had tried everything. They'd even deployed teams of Rock and Ground-type Pokémon to search for wild ore deposits. But this thod was painfully slow.

Then Pokémon Erald changed everything.

Professor Oak realized sothing important. If everything else in the ga matched reality, why not the ores? The distribution patterns he found seed consistent. He could predict where these ores ford and what conditions they needed.

The ga even labeled each ore's properties.

So Professor Oak dove deeper. He recorded ore locations for Cynthia while creating a separate research docunt. He sent this to Devon Corporation, hoping it might help their real-world mining operations.

He knew the ga world would differ from reality. But he thought the information might help anyway.

He was right.

After receiving his first report, Devon Corporation made an imdiate discovery. They found three new ore types in a Hoenn region mine, exactly where his notes predicted.

Each ore had unique properties. All three outperford the rare minerals currently used in industry. Devon's executives were thrilled.

The company president personally sent soone to deliver a gaming computer, the one Professor Oak now used. He wanted more information.

Professor Oak picked up his coffee. His assistant had just brought it over. He prepared to continue today's gaming session.

The research institute's door suddenly burst open.

A middle-aged man strode in. His hair was ssy. His white lab coat was pristine. A sneer already twisted his face.

The assistant took one look and fled.

This was Professor Charles. He'd co-founded Pokémon transfer technology, the system that let trainers store and move their Pokémon digitally. His research credentials were impressive. His reputation was terrible. Everyone knew him as sharp-tongued, an-spirited, and arrogant.

Professor Charles spotted the ga on Oak's screen imdiately. His sneer widened.

He walked over slowly. His finger tapped rudely on the desk, making light clicking sounds.

"Morning, our dear Professor Samuel Oak," Charles's voice was sharp. "Working so early, are we? Tell , can studying virtual gas for children really advance your research?"

He emphasized "work" and "research" with obvious mockery.

"We're both too old for this. We should focus on research that pushes human knowledge forward, not waste ti on entertainnt products. We're leading figures in science. Don't you find this embarrassing?"

"This ga claims to give real-world rewards, but they're useless for actual research. Playing gas won't solve our current challenges, like fossil resurrection."

Professor Oak frowned. He found Charles incredibly annoying.

Unfortunately, the man had earned the right to speak this way. Charles was genuinely skilled at research. But his condescending attitude and constant put-downs made everyone dislike him.

If not for Charles's contributions to transfer technology and their shared status as top League researchers, Oak would have thrown him out.

Professor Oak didn't want to argue. He replied tiredly, "Charles, you really haven't changed at all."

He moved his mouse to close the ga and continue his other work.

Then everything changed.

The Pokémon Erald window exploded with brilliant golden light!

The glow was so intense it flooded the entire room. It turned Charles's mocking face an eerie yellow.

A voice rang out, clear enough for both n to hear.

[Congratulations, esteed player "Samuel Oak," you have perford outstandingly in the Pokémon Erald [Rock Cave Explorer] hidden event, earning first place!]

[Special reward has been distributed!]

[You have obtained a special item: Ancient Revival Furnace (Prototype) x1!]

[This item can directly revive fossils. We hope you will use it properly!]

The golden light poured from the screen. It condensed and shaped itself in the center of the room.

Complex pipes appeared. Crystal panels glittered. The furnace had a simple, heavy design. Mysterious patterns covered its tal shell.

A device radiating ancient power materialized between Professor Oak and Professor Charles.

*Hummmm...*

The machine resonated with a low vibration. It settled slowly onto the floor, taking up considerable space.

Light flowed through the patterns on its surface. The crystal panel at its core pulsed on and off, like breathing.

The entire research institute fell silent, the kind of silence that follows miracles.

Charles stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

Professor Oak walked forward. He patted the machine and chuckled.

"If you ask , maybe it really can solve that problem."

---

anwhile, the internet had erupted.

The third batch of reward distributions dominated trending lists on every major platform:

* #Wind Studio is distributing real money!

* #Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Ti leaderboard winners receive millions!

* #Pokémon Erald mysterious player obtains incredible item!

* #Pokémon: Dark Phantom skill book giveaway, everyone gets one!

Countless players posted screenshots of their rewards.

Top Mystery Dungeon players shared bank statents. Deposits with endless zeros filled the screen.

One caption read: [Thank you Wind! My mom is saved!!]

Pokémon Erald players showed off Life Orbs. These glowed with dangerous red light. They were at least three tis larger than comrcial versions.

The top comnt said: [Holy shit! Wearing this, I feel my Sceptile could fight ten opponents!]

Pokémon: Dark Phantom players recorded their Pokémon learning new moves. The ga had distributed skill books.

[Hahaha, my Haunter finally doesn't have to only use Lick anymore. Just learned Psychic!]

Even ordinary players shared their modest rewards.

[Got a few Revives. Wind didn't forget ! So touched! Does anyone buy these? I probably won't need them much.]

The entire Pokémon world's player community celebrated. Those who didn't make the rankings or received basic rewards watched enviously. They saw the premium items and cash prizes others had won.

Forum and social dia activity surged again. Countless people vowed to grind harder.

Next ti the leaderboard updated, they'd make it on.

---

Across the city, in a cramped rental room that slled of instant noodles, Joe hadn't slept all night.

A week ago, on impulse, he'd downloaded Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Ti. He'd imdiately gotten hooked.

He'd never imagined playing as a weak Cyndaquil, a small fire-type Pokémon, could be so imrsive. Carefully exploring dangerous dungeons, cooperating with the hot-tempered but reliable Charmander partner the ga assigned him, it brought intense relief.

Only during his daily gaming sessions could he forget. He forgot about reports. He forgot about his boss's screaming. He forgot about the numbness of day after day.

In those monts, he was just a Pokémon helping his partner survive adventures.

Morning sunlight now shone through the dirty window. Joe's bloodshot eyes were surprisingly bright.

He'd just completed a thrilling three-star dungeon. The settlent reward notification sounded.

Then another voice rang out.

[Congratulations player, your leaderboard reward has been settled!]

[Your final progress ranking is: 9]

[One million in prize money has entered your account]

One million.

Joe was completely stunned.

After a frozen mont, he frantically unlocked his phone to check his account.

When he saw the balance, his throat went dry.

One million was enough. Enough for him to...

His worn-out phone suddenly rang. The screen was covered in scratches.

The caller ID showed his boss's na.

Disgust surged through him. Joe took a deep breath and answered.

Before he could raise the phone, his boss's roar blasted through. The anger was so loud he didn't need speakerphone.

"Joe! Where the hell are you?! Did you finish revising the report I sent you last night? The client is demanding it! Efficiency! Do you understand efficiency? Do you want to keep your job?! Get back to the company imdiately!"

"I want it on my desk within half an hour! Otherwise your bonus this month..."

Joe had always earned less than his coworkers. His boss exploited and oppressed him constantly. He did two or three tis the normal workload every day.

And for tasks that weren't even his responsibility, the boss still ordered him around.

In the past, he could only swallow his anger.

But now...

Joe looked at the balance on his phone screen. He listened to the endless accusations and threats.

Fury he'd accumulated for years broke through every concern.

He shouted into the receiver with all his strength, cutting off his boss's tirade:

"Idiot, shut the hell up!"

The voice on the other end stopped abruptly, shocked by this sudden rebellion.

Joe panted heavily. His chest heaved. He spoke clearly into the receiver, word by word:

"I quit!"

"The report? Let soone else revise it! I'm not even in finance. You make fill out reports every day. Did a donkey kick your brain?"

"Bonus? Keep it to buy yourself a coffin! You never give it out at year-end anyway. Go to hell!"

Relief crashed through him like a wave, washing away years of bitterness.

He didn't wait for a response. He pressed the hang-up button and dragged the number to his blacklist.

The room returned to quiet. The sunlight seed brighter.

Joe sat in his chair. He looked at the Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Ti icon on his phone screen. Then he looked at the one million balance in his account. A tired but brilliant smile appeared on his face.

He took a deep breath, expelling shadows that had been suppressed for years.

Then he picked up his phone again and tapped the icon, composed of a leaf and claw marks.

This ti, not to escape reality, but to embrace possibility.

The screen darkened. A gentle forest-like light appeared. Ethereal, lodious music played.

[Welco back.]

The familiar greeting appeared on screen.

Joe's finger gently pressed [Continue Adventure].

۞۞۞۞

~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones