Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World-Chapter 162

"It's ready!"

Hikaru scooped the curry into bowls and handed it out to the surrounding Pokémon. The dishes emitted a faint glow—that was thanks to a bit of Glorious Cauliflower's outer skin he'd added into the recipe!

Who would've thought it'd even have a glowing effect?

Speaking of which, Galar's curry dishes had a rather mystical step to them—adding love.

Maybe this was where the "Friendship" stat came from? After all, this world did lean heavily on metaphysical concepts, so this kind of heart-filled dish might actually be a form of spiritual food?

[Dish: Sweet Radish Curry (Radiant Cuisine)]

[Description: The essence of Venus Carrots has been infused into a sweet curry, bringing about an incredibly rich flavor. Combined with high-quality vegetables and berries—and a sliver of Glorious Cauliflower's peel—this is a curry loved by all Pokémon, even those that normally dislike sweet flavors! Cooked using the power of the Light Stone, eating it hot brings great benefits to a Pokémon's growth.]

[Effects: Taste +100%, Growth Rate +50%, doubled for baby Pokémon, greatly boosts mood and increases friendship.]

[Meal Energy: Bigness Boost (Fire LV2); Drop Boost (Grass LV1); Egg Boost (LV1).]

[Cooking Technique Bonus: Immunity LV2 – Enhances the immune system, moderately increases physical and mental stamina, and reduces the risk of illness.]

[Radiant Cuisine Bonus: Boosts both mental and physical strength, enhances bonds between Pokémon and trainer.]

Even though he'd added Thick Leek, it hadn't turned into a Leek Curry—it was still radish-focused.

The effects sounded complicated, but it wasn't hard to understand:

Bigness Boost increased the odds of encountering large Pokémon of certain types.

Drop Boost increased the likelihood of rare items dropping from specific types.

Egg Boost improved egg-finding rates and accelerated hatching speed.

After just a bite, Hikaru felt something strange…

Crack.

"Eh?" He glanced toward the ancient forge room.

…Was that the sound of an eggshell breaking?

But he'd only had one bite—it couldn't be that fast, right?

(Munch munch munch munch—!)

Calyrex, having received a big bowl and spoon, had already plunged into its meal. Its oversized head blocked the view of its face, but judging by how fast it was shoveling food in, there was no time for commentary—completely immersed in the joy of eating!

『Mmmph!』

Suddenly, Calyrex looked up and thumped its chest. It had choked from eating too fast, but a quick flash of psychic power helped push the food down. And just like that, it resumed its curry feast without missing a beat.

Walking Wake shoved its snout deep into its bowl. It wanted to flip the dish and gulp it all down at once, but its tiny claws couldn't manage such a feat. After swallowing a few mouthfuls, it began to enthusiastically lick its tongue, bright-eyed with delight like it had just discovered a whole new world!

Compared to the expressive joy of those two, Doublade could only absorb the essence of the food—it couldn't really taste anything. That was the inconvenience of being a Pokémon from the mineral group. Watching the other two gobble down their food with such pleasure made Doublade a little jealous.

Even back at the real-world workshop, it often absorbed the essence of Hikaru's delicacies. As long as the nutrients and energy were strong enough, they counted as delicious to it. But… it had never seen Pokémon eat like this.

"Yoo-woo?"

Trainer, what did you put in the food?

Hikaru nearly blurted out "onions" by reflex, but wisely held it back.

"It's friendship. When you blend various high-quality vegetables and berries together and cook them just right, you get a meal full of happiness. Delicious food like that lifts the spirit."

"But since you don't have a mouth, I guess you can't quite experience it the same way."

Hikaru smiled, and after some thought, Doublade decided it would try cooking for itself someday. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Right! Lilligant could cook Floral Soup, right? Maybe she could teach it!

"I'll try adding some spiritual energy next time!" Doublade mumbled to itself.

"Oh? That's actually a great idea." Hikaru nodded sincerely. Infusing dishes with spiritual energy or other ghostly elements could result in meals that Ghost-type Pokémon would especially love!

And Ghost-type cuisine might not even need preservation. Since it was infused with spiritual energy, it likely wouldn't spoil at all.

"Yeah, spirit-infused food might work as long-term preservation. Could be even better than Ice-types' cold storage methods."

Doublade: "Yoo-woo… (Is that really what spirit energy is for?)"

『Another bowl, please!』 Calyrex extended its dish, eyes gleaming as it stared at Hikaru.

Walking Wake also lifted its head, holding its now-empty bowl in its jaws, clearly wanting seconds.

Hikaru happily refilled both bowls, and the ravenous Wake cheerfully wagged its tail, utterly content.

Just then… it sensed three familiar presences approaching fast!

Thud—

A series of landing sounds came from the far edge of the Sky Island—expanded twice now—and three majestic Pokémon appeared on the large floating landmass, staring in wonder at the scenery.

"A farm?"

The more feminine Virizion blinked at the neatly cultivated farmland, intrigued and confused.

Farms like this only existed in human society. Humans usually relied on Diglett or Drilbur to till the land. In Unova, farms often featured Pokémon like Bouffalant, Petilil, Cottonee, and Whimsicott.

But seeing wild Pokémon cultivating and planting crops? That was nearly unheard of. Most Pokémon didn't have that kind of behavior.

"The smell's coming from that direction! I see it!"

The brawny Rock Swordsman Terrakion spotted smoke rising from the farmland's edge, a small cabin, and a patch of strange mist. As the three drew closer, they caught a glimpse of what lay ahead—and quickly conferred with each other.

"What's going on?! A human?!"

"Knew it. This smell—it's human cooking. You'd never find this kind of complex aroma in the wild."

"That's not the point."

The leader, Cobalion, spoke with a grim tone: "The Pokémon Dream World is a realm only Pokémon can freely enter. A human's presence here is unnatural!"

"Human and Pokémon dreams rarely connect. If entry were so easy, this place would've been overrun long ago by scheming humans."

With wary eyes and a touch of hostility, the Swords of Justice finally spotted Walking Wake, who had stopped eating.

But aside from the notorious water dragon that went around stealing from weaker Pokémon, there were two others they hadn't seen before—

One that looked like a pair of crossed swords…

And a bunny-headed creature with a massive noggin!

"Whoa, that's a huge head!" the three said in unison.

Startled, Calyrex thumped its chest, nearly choking again. It had heard enough of that comment these past few days and was just about ready to snap. But instead of arguing back, it simply gave the trio a blank stare.

And somehow… that stare said it all.

Virizion: "Oh no, we hurt its feelings. We shouldn't have said that…"

Terrakion: "Haha, but it is kinda cute."

Cobalion: "It's hanging out with the fake dragon that's been causing trouble in Unova's Dream World. Clearly an accomplice."

"Raaah~!"

Walking Wake's eyes gleamed with hostility!

Getting chased around elsewhere was one thing—but now they dared to come here?!

This is home turf! And I've got my Trainer with me—I'm not afraid anymore!

With a quick motion, Walking Wake chomped down on one of Doublade's swords!

Look! I've got a Sacred Sword too!

"Oh? Those two swords aren't Pokémon? They're equipment?" Cobalion raised an eyebrow.

"Are they trying to imitate our Sacred Sword technique?" Terrakion mused, amused.

"Hmph! Sacred Sword isn't just a tool—it's a power forged over years of training. If holding a sword in your mouth was all it took, that'd be a joke. Just like that water dragon—it's nothing but a cheap imitation!"

With a snort, Cobalion's forehead began to glow—condensing a sharp blade of brilliant blue energy.

Sacred Sword!

Yet, he didn't immediately attack. Instead, he locked eyes with Hikaru, who was still seated and eating curry next to Calyrex.

"You, human… is this your dream? And is that unruly water dragon your Pokémon?"

Hikaru could only give a polite but awkward smile.

Ah, now he was being interrogated directly, huh.

"Well then." Hikaru swallowed a mouthful of curry.

"Let's finish eating first."

(End of Chapter)

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