The stars shimmered overhead as Kael sat quietly in the clearing outside Pallet Town. Night had settled completely now. The world felt still, like time itself held its breath.
Charmander, curled beside him, breathed softly. His tail flame glowed like a living candle in the dark, casting flickering shadows along the grass.
It was nearly 2:45 AM, and Kael wasn't asleep.
[STAMINA: Stable | Mental Focus: Moderate]You are alert. Night conditions improve wild encounter chances.
He took a deep breath, leaning back on his hands, his eyes watching the swaying treetops.
Then—movement.
A rustle. A pair of red-tinted eyes in the distance, just past the brush.
[WILD POKÉMON DETECTED][HOOTHOOT – Lv. 3 – Type: Normal/Flying]Cautious. Slightly curious.
Kael shifted slowly. "Alright... let's be gentle."
He unclipped Blaze's ball, but didn't release him yet. Instead, he pulled out a small pouch from his system inventory—newly added after the shop unlocked.
[Item Used: PokéSnack - Sweet Berry Mix]Increases wild Pokémon approach rate by 25% for passive-types.
He tossed the packet forward lightly. It landed near the bush. The Hoothoot blinked once—then waddled out of the brush, one eye half-closed, wings ruffling as it sniffed the treat.
Kael exhaled. "Gotcha."
With practiced ease, he rolled a Pokéball forward.
Click… shake… shake… DING!
[POKÉMON CAPTURED!][HOOTHOOT (Male) Added to Party]→ [Nature: Calm]→ [Ability: Insomnia]
[FIRST CAPTURE REWARD GRANTED]→ [+200₽ PokéDollars]→ [Unlocked: PokéRadar (Demo) in Shop]
[BOND INITIATED – HOOTHOOT]→ [Bond Level: 10%]Hoothoot accepts you as its trainer.
Kael sat against a tree minutes later, gently brushing Hoothoot's feathers with a cloth from his pouch. The nocturnal Pokémon blinked at him quietly.
"You're... calmer than I expected," Kael said.
"Hoo."
"Not much of a talker either," he smirked. "That's okay."
Charmander peeked over curiously and offered a faint chirp of his own, nudging Hoothoot gently. The owl closed its eyes—not asleep, but resting.
[HOOTHOOT: Bond Level → 15%]The Pokémon is starting to trust you.
Kael leaned his head back. The moon was directly overhead now, bright and sharp. His system pinged again.
[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: Train before sunrise]Battle at least 3 wild Pokémon before 5:00 AM.Reward: PokéSnack Pack + Bonus EXP for Party.
He stood slowly, stretching his arms. "Let's put in some work."
By 3:15 AM, the forest edge was alive with motion.
Kael had found his rhythm.
Blaze lunged with precise Scratch attacks, followed by Ember bursts that now came faster, cleaner. Hoothoot provided support—pecking at wild Weedle and watching carefully from tree branches.
[CHARMANDER: Lv. 6 → Lv. 8][HOOTHOOT: Lv. 3 → Lv. 5][PokéDollars Earned: +340₽]
Kael wiped sweat from his brow, both Pokémon panting lightly but determined. They had pushed through four battles in two hours.
[QUEST COMPLETE: Pre-Dawn Training Milestone]→ [REWARD: PokéSnack Pack (x1)]→ [Effect: Bond XP +10% (24 hrs)]
You are now better prepared for the day ahead.
Kael finally lay down in the soft grass, arms folded behind his head. The sky was still dark, but the horizon now had a faint blush of deep purple. Hoothoot perched on a nearby branch, dozing peacefully. Blaze curled up close, eyes closed, tail flickering in a rhythmic beat.
But Kael's eyes remained half-open.
He felt it again.
A presence.
Not threatening. Not wild in the usual way. Just… watching.
Beyond the treeline.
He turned his head slightly, gaze locking onto a vague silhouette among the brush. Too far to identify. Low to the ground. Silent. Still.
[WILD PRESENCE DETECTED]Observation Status: Passive.Type: Unknown.No aggression sensed. Curiosity high.
Kael didn't move.
Just closed his eyes again.
"Tomorrow," he whispered, "we see what the world really has planned."
The system dimmed.
Sleep took him.
And beyond the trees... the watcher remained.